In my contribution to the previous edition of Satellite Executive Briefing I wrote of the maritime communications environment being fairly characterized as “highly dynamic”.  Indeed, this very dynamism was well demonstrated at the “Maritime Insights Europe 2012: Expanding Communications with Fixed & MobileNetworking Solutions to Further Horizons” conference, which took place in London on 27th and 28th June, and about which I also wrote in that earlier column.

Several things became clear during the privatisation process of Telstra in the 00s. Broadband quality was below the international benchmark; end-user and wholesale prices were above that mark; and there was no economically viable business case for high-speed broadband infrastructure for regional and rural Australia. This is according to a recent Research and Markets report entitled "Australia - The National Broadband Network."

The world’s leading experts attending the International Telecommunication Union’s upcoming ITU Telecom World 2012 Forum will promote leadership and innovation to expand broadband services in a competitive marketplace and achieve global connectivity while ensuring equal access and transparency, according to the conference agenda released today.

CommunicAsia2012, EnterpriseIT2012 and BroadcastAsia2012, Asia’s focal industry venue for ICT, digital broadcasting and entertainment technology industry professionals concluded today, with more than 56 countries and regions in attendance over the last four days. Close to 2,000 exhibitors presented the latest technologies in next generation fiber broadband, M2M technology, cloud security, DVB-T2, Over-the-Top Technology (OTT) and more.

The annual CASBAA Satellite Industry Forum concluded June 18 on a strong note as delegates agreed that growth opportunities for the sector in Asia remained emphatically positive. Addressing nearly 250 delegates, speakers and media, Michel de Rosen, CEO & Board Member of Eutelsat, illustrated the potential of the satellite industry in Asia Pacific thanks to the region’s high population growth, incomplete terrestrial infrastructure and strong GDP prospects.

Over one‑quarter of TVs shipped during Q1’12 were equipped with internet connectivity, as reported in the new NPD DisplaySearch Quarterly Smart TV Shipment and Forecast Report, which tracks connected and smart TV shipments by brand, region, display technology and screen size. Approximately 27% of TV sets shipped worldwide had internet connectivity, led by Japan, where 46% of sets had networking capability, and Western Europe with 36%.

This month will see more than 100 satellite-based communications companies – an increase of seven per cent compared to 2011 – assemble at CommunicAsia2012and BroadcastAsia2012, Asia’s largest global ICT, Digital Multimedia and Entertainment event.

Driven by the continued strong demand for satellite services in the Asia Pacific region, the industry’s most important drivers -- high-definition TV conversion, DTH television and intercontinental video transmissions-- remain in high growth mode. Multi-year contracts of satellite operators are enabling the industry to maintain a dependable revenue stream despite the turmoil in other parts of the world. Transponder fill rates have remained generally high with good revenues from transponder leasing and purchase of satellite equipment by Asian countries remain buoyant.

Many fleet owners, looking to improve the lives of their crew by providing an affordable means for them to keep in touch with family and friends while onboard, turn to VSAT-based solutions to provide the connectivity.    But it doesn’t need to stop there.  The same VSAT system can be used to improve the bottom-line by enabling closer integration between ship and shore operations, just in the same way VSATs are used the world over to link branch offices to their headquarters.  This article examines the wide variety of ship based applications proactive fleet managers are now using their satel

Seventy per cent of Earth is covered by the oceans, but, although only very few of us occupy this part of Earth’s surface except on a temporary basis, we increasingly look to the seas as a resource for industry, commerce and leisure. Thus, the comparative hostility of the seas, in contrast to our populated land masses, does not diminish their vital, and increasing, importance as a means of transport for our globalised trade goods, as an important source of food supplies and of vital energy resources, as well as an environment for our entertainment pursuits.