Focus: Telecom

Discovery Communications Inc. will use Intelsat’s PAS-12 satellite to provide Discovery HD in Europe, Intelsat announced Nov. 16. "High-definition in Europe is fast-growing, and as the leader in HD programming, Discovery will continue to play a large role in the development and distribution of content and services utilizing this technology," John Honeycutt, Discovery Communications’ executive...

Helius Inc. announced Nov. 16 its has been awarded a patent by the U.S. Patent Office covering the integration of high-bandwidth satellite networks with corporate data networks. The technology enables businesses to create their own IPTV networks and improve information flow internally and externally.

Racepoint Group Inc., a Waltham, Mass.-based public relations and marketing consultancy, was hired Nov. 14 by Digitalglobe to serve as its agency of record. Racepoint Group will work with Digitalglobe to expand its visibility for high-resolution commercial satellite imagery and geospatial information products across the business, and financial and industry analyst communities.

The Measat-3 communications satellite has been shipped to the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan from Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems‘ satellite-manufacturing facility in El Segundo, California, Boeing reported Nov. 14. Measat-3 will be readied for a December launch aboard an International Launch Services Proton/Breeze M rocket. The Boeing 601 HP satellite was manufactured for Measat by...

The Americom-18 (AMC-18) satellite has been delivered to Kourou, French Guiana, in preparation for its Dec. 8 Ariane-5 ECA launch, SES Americom announced Nov. 15. AMC-18, an all C-band satellite, is designed to offer full North American cable-programming coverage to all 50 U.S. states, Caribbean and Mexico. It will be located at 105 degrees West...

Nlets, a Phoenix-based supplier of secure, interstate, justice and public-safety network systems, announced Nov. 14 a one-year contract choosing AT&T as its satellite services provider. AT&T will provide a frame relay system, satellite equipment and satellite connections, with the application to be utilized by the U.S. Armed Forces along with other key law enforcement entities...

Satellite tracking and lie-detector tests ought be used as tools to protect children from sex offenders in the United Kingdom, according to a children’s advocate quoted in British press reports on Nov. 14. With release of the Belfast-based Barnardo’s new study, "A Risk Too Far?," the charity’s chief executive, Martin Narey, said the U.K.’s probation...

The National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC) has joined the Wildblue Enterprise Solutions roster of value-added resellers (VARs) in the enterprise market, the company announced Nov. 13. Wildblue Enterprise Solutions offers business-class broadband connectivity via satellite for small- to medium-sized businesses and government agencies. The NRTC represents the telecommunications and information technology interests of more than...

EMS Satcom signed a memorandum of understanding with Vitrociset Belgium and Creaction International to develop a new satellite communications service to offer airtime services and equipment in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, the companies announced Nov. 9. EMS Satcom will supply equipment and airtime services. Vitrociset Belgium operates the European Space Agency (ESA)...

Globalstar Inc. introduced Nov. 9 its next-generation satellite telephone handset. The GSP-1700, manufactured by Qualcomm, weighs about 7.1 ounces, approximately half the weight of the Globalstar’s current satellite handset, and is nearly 45 percent smaller by volume. Globalstar has begun a progressive rollout of the new handset and also plans to introduce accessories enabling usage...