Focus: Telecom

[Satellite Today – 1-21-08] Newtec signed a production deal with SES Astra for the Astra2Connection broadband offering, Newtec announced Jan. 21.     The solution, which incorporates Newtec’s access terminal and hub equipment, Sat3Play, was launched in April and has been rolled out in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Ireland, Poland, Italy and France.      “This agreement confirms...

[Satellite Today – 1-21-08] The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched the TecSAR satellite for Israel Aerospace Industries, ISRO announced Jan. 21.     The mission by Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle was the second commercial launch performed by Antrix Corp., the commercial arm of ISRO.     The satellite is equipped with a synthetic aperture radar payload...

[Satellite Today – 1-21-08] Mobile Satellite Ventures will extend its current generation network voice and mobile data services through 2011, the company announced Jan. 21.     MSV will transition current customers to the next-generation platforms, planned for launch in 2010 and will support current generation communications ground segment and mobile data system through the end...

[Satellite Today – 1-21-08] Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. received a contract to supply Bharti Airtel with a broadband satellite network, Gilat announced Jan. 21.     Bharti, which has been a Gilat customer since 2001, will use the network, which includes 13,000 SkyEdge IP VSATs, to offer information and communications services for customers in India’s Gujarat...

[Satellite Today – 1-21-08] DirecTV Group Inc. will repurchase up to $1 billion of its common stock, the company announced Jan. 21.     The purchases will be made from time to time through open market purchases or in negotiated transactions using available cash on hand and cash expected to be provided by operations, the company...

[Satellite Today – 1-18-08] UDcast appointed Simon Gazikian vice president of sales, the company announced Jan. 18. Gazikian will oversee global sales as the company transform from a provider of mobile TV networks into offering a wide range of wireless IP broadcast software solutions Gazikian has more than 20 years of experience in the mobile...

[Satellite Today – 1-18-08] Inmarsat said Jan. 17 that its Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) services are being deployed to support frontline disaster prevention in Nicaragua on a permanent basis.  Inmarsat-sponsored emergency communications agency Télécoms Sans Frontières is supplying BGAN equipment and training to the Nicaraguan authorities in an initiative funded by the European Union...

[Satellite Today – 1-17-08] OmniBus Systems appointed Roger Kleckner vice president of sales in the Americas, the company announced Jan. 16.     Kleckner last served as senior vice president of strategic business development and of global sales for ScheduAll Inc.     "Roger has extensive experience in broadcasting, cable and satellite system sales and has a...

[Satellite Today – 1-17-08] Mobil Satellite Technologies (MobilSat) selected Encore Networks virtual private network (VPN) routers for its satellite network solutions for the public utilities market, Encore announced Jan. 16.     MobilSat selected the Bandit routers to provide the migration of serial supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) functions over legacy networks to secure, encrypted,...

[Satellite Today – 1-17-08] The launch of GeoEye Inc.’s newest imagery satellite has been postponed until August by the launch provider, GeoEye said in a Jan. 12 filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.     The launch of GeoEye-1 had been scheduled to take place during a 30-day launch window opeing April 16, but...