Social media, big data analytics, OTT, multi-platform screening and CYOD (Choose Your Own Device) have been cited in various industry reports as some of the key trends to watch in 2014. These trends are fuelled by a steep increase in consumption of data and entertainment on mobile devices, with mobile data traffic in Asia Pacific expected to exceed the rest of the world by 2017.  

Belden has submitted a binding offer to purchase privately held Grass Valley, a leader within the broadcast market, for US$ 220 million. The binding offer is subject to consultation with Grass Valley’s foreign labor works council. Grass Valley provides innovative technologies including production switchers, cameras, servers, and editing solutions within the mission critical applications of broadcast customers.

Ericsson today announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire Massachusetts-based Azuki Systems, Inc., a provider of TV Anywhere delivery platforms for service providers, content owners and broadcasters.

SATELLITE 2014 to be held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center from March 10-13 in Washington, D.C., is set to host over 12,000 satellite communications professionals with more than 300 speakers in 60 sessions and more than 350 exhibitors displaying the latest technologies in the satellite communications marketplace.

Wegener today announced that it will be acquired by Novra Technologies in an all stock transaction. This transaction is subject to Novra's due diligence, the approval of Wegener Corporation shareholders, and other terms and conditions. Wegener Corporation previously announced that the Board of Directors had unanimously approved a Term Sheet for the acquisition. Novra Technologies, Inc. will also acquire privately held Westport Research Associates, Inc. of Raytown, MO.

According to the new market research report entitled "C4ISR Market (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, Land Systems, Airborne Systems and Naval Systems) Forecasts 2014 - 2019", the C4ISR market is estimated to be US$ 83.13 billion in 2014 and is expected to register a CAGR of 2.28% to reach US$ 93.04 billion by 2019.

Inmarsat today announced that Inmarsat-5 F1, the first in its fleet of three Global Xpress (GX) satellites, has successfully completed its orbital deployment stages on schedule.  Inmarsat and Boeing engineers, working from Inmarsat’s GX teleport in Nemea, Greece, are now beginning a month of comprehensive payload testing, in preparation for commencing live end-to-end testing of the high-speed, mobile broadband GX connectivity services, scheduled to start in March.

RigNet has completed a strategic transaction with Inmarsat involving the sale of substantially all of Inmarsat's Energy Broadband business to RigNet and the appointment of RigNet as a Value Added Reseller of Inmarsat's Global Xpress (GX) service and as a Distribution Partner for Inmarsat's L-band services to the energy sector worldwide.RigNet has acquired Inmarsat's Energy Broadband business for US$25 million in cash.

My previous column for Satellite Executive Briefing noted that I would be providing an update to the next event in the GVF-EMP Partnership Conference Portfolio, which takes place in London on 11th & 12th February. Connectivity 2014: Creating the New “New” Verticals – Air, Water, Surface & Rail (www.uk-emp.co.uk/emp-home/current-events/connectivity-2014/) is expected to be the first in a new series of the Portfolio, adding to the current

Euroconsult, a consulting firm specialized in satellite communications and broadcasting, announced the launch of LATSAT – the Latin American Satellite Communication & Broadcasting Summit. The first edition will be taking place in Mexico City on June 4-5 2014. LATSAT is also supported by the Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Transportes (Mexico’s Ministry of Communication and Transport).