Focus: Telecom

[Satellite Today – 06-03-08] Mobile Satellite Ventures (MSV) will extend its current generation network voice and mobile data services through 2012 and offer the services on its next-generation hybrid satellite-terrestrial communications network, MSV announced June 3.     The extension provides a longer period for customers to transition to MSV’s next-generation services. MSV is building an...

[Satellite Today – 06-03-08]  Globecomm Systems Inc. received a blanket indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract to provide fixed and transportable ground stations to an unnamed global multilateral organization, Globecomm announced June 3.     Under the three-year contract, which could be worth up to $117 million, the customer will be able to procure the terminals for deployment around...

[Satellite Today – 06-02-08] Thuraya has launched a service dubbed ThurayaMarine as the satellite telephone provider looks to make more of an impact in the maritime market, the company said June 2.     The new ThurayaMarine terminal, developed specially for a maritime environment, is a multi-purpose communication device that supports voice, fax, data, GPS and...

[Satellite Today – 06-02-08] Satlynx is targeting the maritime market with the launch of a new set of services, the company said June 2.     Satlynx is making available a new set of maritime VSAT services across its portfolio of platforms including single channel per carrier (SCPC) and shared and dedicated time division multiple access...

[Satellite Today – 6-3-08] Orbit received an order for its OrSat Ku-band satellite system from an unnamed European company, Orbit announced June 2.     OrSat is a maritime communications systems provider offering global satellite coverage in all weather conditions. OrSat delivers broadband satellite communications for a wide range of uses, including Internet, television, video and...

[Satellite Today – 6-3-08] Arianespace postponed the launch of Skynet-5C and Turksat-3A, the company announced May 30.     Arianespace halted the launch countdown during final pre-launch checks when the result of a software test was not nominal. The launch vehicle and the two payloads are in a safe condition, the company reported.     The mission,...

I stepped off an airplane in Washington a few weeks ago in a little bit of a haze. Some of that could be attributed to landing at 6 a.m. following an 18-hour flight from South Africa. But the majority of my confusion stemmed from the events that took place during Satcom Africa 2008. This was...

Reform of the overall electronic communications regulatory framework remains the main regulatory topic in Europe this year. Twin themes of technology and service neutrality are part of the European Commission’s core principles for reforming spectrum regulation, but the satellite industry has mixed views on how these principles might apply. Technology neutrality already is in the...

The impact of widespread satellite broadband deployments on previously unserved and underserved regions of the world has been substantial and represents a real win-win for the user and service provider alike. But in the case of certain satellite broadband services in Burma there is a dark cloud overhead. The human rights policies and repressive practices...

Asia offers many strong dynamics that provide satellite players the opportunity to be successful, with large populations in countries such as China and India eager to receive more communications services as well as a number of other territories which seem perfectly suited for satellite. But despite the obvious potential, regulatory and economic issues have meant...