Focus: Telecom

[Satellite Today 07-08-08] Mobile Satellite Ventures (MSV) reached an agreement with Boeing Satellite Systems Inc. to defer $40 million of payments on the construction of the MSV-2 satellite, MSV announced July 8.     The $40 million deferral is in addition to the original construction payment deferral of $76 million. Deferred payments will be due by...

[Satellite News 07-08-08] VT iDirect Inc. and Panasonic signed an agreement to license iDirect’s satellite IP router technology with the Panasonic exConnect in-flight satellite transmission platform, iDirect announced July 8.     Using iDirect’s spread spectrum waveform, Panasonic plans to provide satellite bandwidth at a lower cost while maintaining a high data rate for airlines. eXConnect...

[Satellite Today 07-08-08] Hughes Network Systems LLC was awarded a contract by Spain’s Sistemas Tecnicos de Loterias del Estado S.A. (STL) to provide equipment and support services, Hughes announced July 8.     HNS Ltd., a Hughes subsidiary, will provide a network operations center, 2,800 broadband satellite routers and maintenance services to STL for five years....

[Satellite Today 07-08-08] The Sea Launch board appointed Kjell Karlsen president and general manager, replacing Robert Peckham, Sea Launch announced July 7.     Karlsen joined Sea Launch 1999 as vice president and CEO and in 2002 was named executive vice president and CFO. Prior to joining Sea Launch, Karlsen was president of Kvaerner Inc. and...

[Satellite News – 07-08-08] Inmarsat has held preliminary discussions with U.S. investment company Harbinger Capital Partners, Inmarsat’s largest shareholder, which could lead to Harbinger taking over the satellite operator.     Harbinger initially acquired a 10.2 percent stake in Inmarsat in October and  now holds a 28.2 percent stake in the operator. With Harbinger also holding...

[Satellite News 07-04-08] Television viewing and video consumption is about to enter a paradigm shift, one that could put satellite at a disadvantage to new providers such as Internet Protocol TV (IPTV), according to an industry analyst.     “The future is in highly interactive television,” said Steve Rago, the principal analyst with iSuppli, an electronics...

[Satellite Today 07-07-08] Inmarsat PLC confirmed press speculation that it is in talks with Harbinger Capital Partners about a potential bid for the satellite operator, Inmarsat said July 7.     “The company confirms it has received a very preliminary approach made on behalf of funds managed by Harbinger which may or may not lead to...

[Satellite Today 07-04-08] Avanti Communications Group signed a contract to provide broadband services to SATdsl, a provider of satellite communication solutions in the Czech Republic.     The contract is for a virtual networks operator (VNO) service, which means hat Avanti provides a fully managed service and SATdsl manages its own sales, installation, first line customer...

[Satellite Today 07-04-08] Luigi Pasquali has been appointed president and CEO of Thales Alenia Space Italy, the company announced July 4.     Pasquali also will take on international responsibilities in the parent company as deputy to the CEO of Thales Alenia Space, Reynald Seznec.     Prior to this appointment, Pasquali served as COO of Telespazio...