Access to broadband could be the universal catalyst that lifts developing countries out of poverty and puts access to health care, education and basic social services within reach of all, according to the UN Broadband Commission for Digital Development, which met in Dublin this weekend.

The Commission reiterated its call to International community to recognize the transformational potential of high-speed networks and ensure broadband penetration targets are specifically included in the UN post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals.

Qatar satellite company Es’hailSat, today announced that a Request for Proposals (RFP) has been issued for the design and manufacture of the company’s second satellite, Es’hail 2. The new satellite will be positioned at the 26 degrees East hotspot position for TV broadcasting will add to the company’s ability to provide high quality, premium DTH television content across the Middle East and North Africa.

Asia Satellite Telecommunications Holdings Limited reported that turnover was down 16% and profits attributed to shareholders  down 4% for the year ended 31 December 2013 from the previous year. Turnover from continuing operations in 2013 was HK$1,498,631,000 (approximately US$ 194,822,000) and profits attributed to shareholders was HK$747,520,000.  

The NAB Show will host 62 international delegations, including delegations attending for the first time from Germany, the Netherlands, Panama, Paraguay, Italy and Serbia. Approximately 30 percent of the event's 90,000+ attendees will travel from 155 countries to NAB Show, held April 5-10 in Las Vegas. NAB Show is the world's largest annual conference and expo for professionals who create, manage and distribute entertainment across all platforms.

Vislink plc  today announced that it has completed the acquisition of Pebble Beach Systems for a total consideration of £14.9 million (approximately US$ 24.8 million), comprising £12.9 million payable in cash and £2.0 million represented by the issue of 4,700,904 new Vislink ordinary shares at a price of 42.545 pence per share, being the average mid-market closing price of Vislink's shares for the last 25 business days before, but not including, the day of completion.

Harris Broadcast has announced plans to split into two, under the new brands of Imagine Communications and GatesAir. Imagine Communications will be headquartered in Dallas, with Centers of Excellence in Denver, Toronto, Los Angeles, Tel Aviv and Beijing.  Harris Broadcast made the announcement at its inaugural MediaDay held at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, will host the ITU World Telecommunication Development Conference, 30 March – 10 April 2014. The Conference will focus on development priorities and strategies for growth in telecommunications and information and communication technologies (ICT), while highlighting the theme: Broadband for Sustainable Development. 

This is of vital interest to the future growth of ICTs, especially in emerging and developing economies, and wherever new business opportunities open up to the rapidly growing ICT industry.

The Internet is ever-progressing, expanding beyond PCs and mobile devices into enterprise assets such as field equipment and consumer items. For a truly connected city to happen, it has to adopt The Internet of Things (IoT) to transform how both an emerging or developed city delivers services and how business and people interact with one another. This can be done using advanced technologies and solutions that are not just reliable but also deliver high productivity.

Inmarsat plc today reported consolidated preliminary financial results for the year ended 31 December 31, 2013. 
Inmarsat reported Adjusted total revenues of  US$ 1,249.6m (2012: $1,277.6m) and Adjusted EBITDA of US$ 639.8m (2012: $642.8m).

Total Inmarsat Global MSS revenue was US$ 762.4m up 3.3% (2012: $738.0m). Profit before tax US$ 189.1m (2012: $293.6m). Adjusted profit before tax was US$ 365.3m up 8.6% (2012: $336.4m) . The company giave a dividend of 28.82 US cents up 5% from 2012.

CABSAT, the leading professional content management event in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA), will debut the cutting-edge Content Delivery Hub – a dedicated platform for multiscreen digital entertainment solutions, turn-key content sourcing, management and marketing of content – during the event’s 20th anniversary celebrations at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) next week.