Focus: Telecom

[12-17-07 – Satellite News] Saab, the Swedish industrial company, is likely to exit the space industry early next year. The company, which less than two years ago acquired Ericsson‘s 40 percent share in the then Saab Ericsson Space at a cost of SEK 3.8 billion ($589.75 million) with the view to becoming more of a...

[12-17-07 – Satellite Today] Arabsat has signed a $300 million credit deal with the Saudi Hollandi Bank that will secure the operator’s expansion plans throughout the next five years, the operator announced Dec. 14. The facility will be in accordance with the Murabaha principles of Islamic banking, in which the seller expressly mentions the cost...

[12-17-07 – Satellite Today] Boeing Co. has successfully demonstrated Next Generation Processor/Router (NPGR) technologies in tests for the Transformational Satellite Communications System Space Segment (TSAT SS), the company announced Dec. 17.     The NGPR Spiral tests used realistic, operational scenarios designed to show increased functionality and performance of Boeing’s Path-to-Flight NGPR Brassboard, which replicates the...

[12-17-07 – Satellite Today] Thuraya Telecommunications Co. (Thuraya) has appointed Fort Info Technology (Fort) as its exclusive distributor for its rural telephony products, the company announced Dec. 17. The move will allow Fort to handle the distribution and sales support of Thuraya’s Public Calling Office (PCO) and satellite payphones in all current and future markets...

[12-17-07 – Satellite Today] Mobile Satellite Ventures (MSV) and SkyTerra Communications Inc. have entered an agreement to sell $150 million of MSV’s senior unsecured notes due 2013 and warrants to purchase 7.5 percent of SkyTerra’s Common Stock, MSV announced Dec. 17.     MSV will sell the notes to Harbinger Capital Partners Master Fund 1 Ltd.,...

[12-14-07 – Satellite Today] Radarsat-2 was successfully launched aboard a Soyuz rocket, the Canadian Space Agency announced Dec. 14.     The satellite, a next-generation commercial radar satellite, will offer powerful technical advancements that will enhance marine surveillance, ice monitoring, disaster management, environmental monitoring, resource management and mapping in Canada and around the world.     "This...

[12-14-07 – Satellite Today] XM Satellite Radio has signed an agreement with PlayNetwork, an integrated media experiences provider, to manage commercial business sales and service for XM, the company announced Dec. 12.     The new “XM for Business” service, which includes access to PlayNetwork’s network of dealers, equipment distributors and customer service representatives, will be...

[12-14-07 – Satellite Today] Alcatel Lucent announced Dec. 14 that it had teamed up with mobile operator 3 Italia and Italian public broadcaster RAI to launch the first trial of Mobile TV based on the DVB-SH (Digital Video Broadcasting – Satellite services to Handhelds) standard in Italy.     The trial will take place in Turin,...

[12-14-07 – Satellite Today] Foxtel, the Australian DTH operator, has relaunched its interactive games service, the company announced Dec. 13. The new Gamesworld service will feature a new look and three new content genres. The service offers subscribers a suite of interactive games across three genres, Kids Family, Brainteaser Trivia and Casino Sport.     Foxtel...

[12-13-07 – Satellite Today] Arianespace will launch the Amazonas-2 satellite for Hispasat in 2009, Hispasat announced Dec. 13     The satellite, under construction by EADS Astrium, will be equipped with a payload of 54 Ku-band and 10 C-band transponders to provide telecommunications services to North and South America from its 61° West orbital position.    ...