Focus: Telecom

Inmarsat has forged a partnership to bring satellite-based communications solutions to 1,000 islands off the coast of Brazil, hoping to showcase the impact its Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) technology can have on remote communities. Inmarsat announced July 5 it was teaming up with Instituto Ilhas do Brasil (the Institute of Brazilian Islands) to bring...

Department store chain JCPenney is a satellite-network veteran, having used the medium to deliver various content among widespread operating locations for more than two decades. Recently, JCPenney was looking to expand its satellite capabilities, as the retail giant wanted to find a more cost-effective and time-efficient model for distributing training to its employees. While JCPenney...

The Office of the Telecommunications Authority (OFTA) is the telecoms regulator in Hong Kong and is uniquely placed to assess the needs of satellite and telecoms players in terms of C-band spectrum. Danny Lau, assistant director of operations at OFTA, talks to Via Satellite on the regulator’s views of the C-band issue and how it...

Concern over the potential loss of C-band spectrum for providing satellite services runs high in the Asia-Pacific region, an area of the globe that relies on the spectrum due to geographical and environmental constraints. AsiaSat CEO Peter Jackson talks to Via Satellite about the C-band issue and the potential impact for AsiaSat as well as...

The WiMax Forum is an industry-led, not-for-profit organization that certifies and promotes the compatibility and interoperability of broadband wireless products based upon the harmonized IEEE 802.16/ETSI Hiperman standard. The Forum shares its view about C-Band spectrum and states its case for more access. Via Satellite: Why do telcos who wish to deploy WiMax services need...

C-Band spectrum, as well as being used for commercial purposes, is also vital in terms of certain defense strategies. The U.S. The Department of Defense (DoD) “has many radars and weapon systems that operate in this band” Ken Carrigan, senior systems engineer, U.S. Navy talks to Via Satellite about why satellite players should hang onto...

The Satellite Users Interference Reduction Group (SUIRG) is an important voice for the satellite industry in the C-band debate. The organization is dedicated to combating the increasing and costly problem of satellite radio frequency interference, a key issue if telecoms and satellite players are operating in the same frequency band. SUIRG CEO Bob Ames tells...

The Global VSAT Forum is playing a vital role in promoting satellite’s arguments in the C-band debate. The  association of key companies involved in elivering  digital fixed satellite systems and services to consumers, commercial and government enterprises, has  stepped up in terms of C-band and continues to be a strong presence promoting satellite interests here....

Christopher Baugh, president of research and consulting firm NSR, sees WiMax as more of an opportunity for satellite players than a threat to the industry. "Satellite-WiMax ‘inter-working’ will produce a variety of distinct opportunities, highly dependant on the frequency band in use and regional competitive considerations," NSR said in its latest study, "WiMax — Opportunity...

Asia Broadcast Satellite (ABS) is a  new operator looking to build a successful business in Asia. The company was founded in September 2006 when it acquired Lockheed Martin Intersputnik renamed the LMI-1 satellite ABS-1. Tom Choi, the CEO of ABS, talks to Via Satellite about how the C-band issue could impact the operator. Via Satellite:...