Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) successfully completed its first geostationary transfer mission, delivering the SES-8 satellite to its targeted 295 x 80,000 km orbit at 5:41 pm local time.  After two previous attempts that were marred by technical glitches, Falcon 9 executed a picture-perfect flight, meeting 100% of mission objectives.  To view videos of the Pre-Launch briefing with Elon Musk and interviews with SES executives click here.

Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. today announced that it has completed the sale of its Spacenet Inc. subsidiary to Tulsa, Oklahoma-based SageNet. The aggregate consideration for the sale is approximately US$ 16 million, subject to certain post-closing adjustments and expenses.

The transaction, which was closed under the same terms signed in August, is expected to result in a capital loss of US$ 1 million to US$ 3 million, which includes banker's fees, legal fees and other transaction related expenses. 

The subjects of the oil & gas vertical market and that of High Throughput Satellites are rarely outside the scope of anyone connected with the development and delivery of satellite-based communications solutions these days. Indeed, as you read this column – during, I believe, the first week of December – one of the latest of the GVF-EMP Conference Partnership events covering the first of these subjects has already been successfully concluded, and another, covering the later subject, will be very nearly, or even actually, underway.

Intelsat S.A. today announced that Intelsat Jackson Holdings S.A., its indirect wholly-owned subsidiary  has amended its senior secured credit agreement, which governs its approximately US$ 3.1 billion senior secured term loan facility and $500 million revolving credit facility, effective today.

As OTT players mature, Voxofon expects accelerating market disruption, more options for consumers. Expect connected devices to integrate even further into the way humans live, work and play, which will accelerate adoption of an ever-expanding array of highly specialized over-the-top (OTT) services and further fragment the telecom ecosystem. These are among the top five predictions for OTT in 2014 issued today by Voxofon, a rapidly growing provider of OTT voice and messaging services.

Voxofon's top 5 predictions for OTT communications services for 2014 include:

Coinciding with the SATCON Satellite Communications Conference & Expo held here November 13-14 at the Javits Convention Center, Teal Group space analysts have identified 3,164 space payloads proposed to be built and launched to earth or deep space orbits between 2013 and 2032. They estimate the value of these satellites and other space payloads at more than US$ 235 billion.

An important project involving satellite operator Eutelsat and regional ISP Caribsat to bridge the digital divide in the French West Indies and French Guiana will make use of Newtec’s Sat3Play® VSAT Broadband Platform.

Satellite operator O3b today moves a step closer to service launch for its customers with the formal opening of its Gateway (satellite ground station) in preparation for its launch and service commencement in 2014. The facility was formally opened by the President of Peru, Ollanta Humala, at a ceremony attended by O3b CEO Steve Collar on Monday, 25 November at 11.00, local time.

nforma Telecoms & Media, has published new research reporting that telecom network transformation is necessary for operators to remain profitable and provide value for their subscribers.

The telecoms market is experiencing an evolution like no other: Voice revenues are eroding; Web-based and Over-the-Top (OTT) services are cannibalizing the operators’ own services; while total profits in the value chain are dropping. Operators need new ways to counter this erosion and new paradigms to follow in order to remain relevant in the fast-paced, user-driven telecoms market.

At an awards ceremony held on the first day of the SATCON Conference and Exhibition in New York City, the Second Annual Vision Awards announced winners in three categories:   David Hershberg, Founder and CEO of Globecomm Systems won the Visionary Executive of the Year; Advantech Wireless’ SapphireBluTM series High Power Amplifiers won the Innovative Product of the Year and satellite operator Arabsat won the Most Promising Company of the Year.