Breakthroughs in cubesats and small sat technology have led to a lot of speculation on the impact it will have on the space industry in general and on specific markets like IoT in particular. Is it really going to be so disruptive that the old space GEO systems will become replaced by new space constellations of LEO satellites? Or will it just expand the existing satellite markets opening up new markets? In this article we will have a closer look at these questions, especially as we are now at the verge of a new era as a number of new cubesat base IoT systems will be launched in 4Q2018.

Global Invacom has announced the acquisition, in the ordinary course of business, of certain assets together with the associated IP, R&D team and inventory from a number of companies across the Skyware Technologies Group.

The acquisition is for an initial cash consideration of US$3.1 million, with a further US$0.3 million to be provided as product, and a maximum additional US$0.5 million payable on delivery of revenue related earn-out targets. The consideration will be funded from existing cash resources on a debt-free basis.

IBC2018, the world’s most influential media, entertainment and technology show, today announces the line-up for the IBC Future Zone and IABM Future Trends Theatre.

Encompass Digital Media, a global technology services company delivering end-to-end video playout and distribution solutions to broadcast and digital media companies, announced today it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Babcock International Group’s (Babcock’s) Media Services business. This deal expands Encompass’ scale in EMEA and extends the company’s combined channel playout, transmission and digital products portfolio while adding international radio distribution to its suite of services.

Remote communication and IT solutions provider Speedcast International Limited (ASX: SDA) today announced its financial results for the six-month period ended 30 June 2018 (1H 2018), with group revenues of US$304.9 million, a 24% period-on-period increase.

Speedcast said its EBITDA grew 14% to US$60.4 million (1H 2017: US$53.2 million) with the Board declaring a fully franked interim dividend of AU$2.40 cents per share for the six-month period ended 30 June 2018

Asia Satellite Telecommunications Holdings Limited said today its revenues for the first half of 2018 rose by 14% to HK$730 million (2017: HK$642 million) due to substantial full six-month revenues from the leases of AsiaSat 8 and AsiaSat 4, and additional revenue from new leases with video, data and occasional use customers.

Eutelsat has sold its interest in the Eutelsat 25B satellite operated at 25.5 degrees East to the co-owner of the satellite, Es’hailSat, for a consideration of €135 million (US$154 million).

The company said Eutelsat’s share of the satellite generated FY2018 revenues of €16 million (US$18.26 milion) in the video application.

It added the divestment of this non-core asset is in line with Eutelsat’s strategy of optimizing its portfolio of businesses in the context of its policy of maximizing cash generation.

This year’s 37th edition of MILCOM, the global stage for innovation in military communications, will be held on October 29-31 at the LAX Marriott in Los Angeles, CA. This year’s conference will focus on the theme "Reimagined and Reengineered -New Networking, Education and Building Opportunities."

Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. (NASDAQ, TASE: GILT) reported today revenues for Q2 2018 were US$ 66.5 million, compared with US$ 66.2 million in Q2 2017, and its Q2 2018 GAAP operating income increased to US$ 4.1 million, up 121% from Q2 2017.

Yona Ovadia, CEO of Gilat, said the company continued the trend of improvement in profitability as well as continued growth momentum in its business.

Gilat also reported key financial highlights for the quarter as follows:

At an Extraordinary General Meeting of members today, Casbaa overwhelmingly approved the adoption of a new constitution and new name. Casbaa will now be known as the Asia Video Industry Association (AVIA) and have a new mandate to represent the interests of companies across the broader video industry. The principal objective of AVIA is to make the video industry and ecosystem in Asia Pacific stronger and healthier.