SES S.A. (NYSE Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Stock Exchange: SESG) announced today that the company has selected Arianespace to launch the powerful new hybrid communications satellite, SES-12, on board an Ariane 5 booster from the European Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana, during Q4 2017. This will be the 40th launch of an SES spacecraft on board an European Ariane launch vehicle.

ABS has expanded its presence in Johannesburg, South Africa and formed a new Sales liaison office to support its growing business in the Africa continent.

This new office will house the sales and technical members of the Africa team, which will work alongside the regional Middle East office based in Dubai. ABS Africa will be responsible for business development, local sales liaison services and customer support throughout this region, according to the company.

Newtec announced today at CommunicAsia 2014 that satellite operator Thaicom has installed Newtec technology (M6100 Broadcast Satellite Modulators) on the platform of Thaicom-6, enabling its satellite to provide TV Broadcasting services in both C-band and Ku-band to serve customers with the best value and viewing experience.

Thaicom, Thailand's leading satellite operator, has become the first in the Asia Pacific region to introduce commercial In-Flight Connectivity Services using Ku-band to provide broadband on commercial flights. The deal has been agreed with Thailand's number one premium low cost airline Nok Air, which last year transported nearly six million passengers. With 48,000 flights per year the carrier will provide broadband Wi-Fi services on many of its aircraft starting in August - ranging from Internet access to other complimentary services in the future.

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.

Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) successfully launched the THAICOM 6 satellite for Asian satellite operator THAICOM.  The Falcon 9 rocket delivered THAICOM 6 to its targeted 295 x 90,000 km geosynchronous transfer orbit at 22.5 degrees inclination.  It was the second successful launch for a commercial company by Spaex into geostationary transfer orbit in a little over a month. The Falcon 9 rocket successfully launched the SES-8 satellite last month.

Globecast announced that it has added Japanese content to its MyGlobeTV platform in the United States. Toei Japan Channel and Fishing Vision have chosen this platform for their launch in the United States market.

MyGlobeTV is a consumer television service available in the United States that brings international and genre-based audiovisual content directly to subscribers via broadband. The fastest growing source of international content in the United States, MyGlobeTV delivers premium programming from around the globe to television or any connected device.

Huawei, a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider and O3b Networks today announced that Huawei and O3b are the first in the world to enable full 3G voice, data and video over satellite. This follows rigorous testing of O3b’s system in the Huawei Interoperability Lab in Shanghai, China.  Furthermore, Huawei’s telepresence, video surveillance, unified communication and datacom solutions are also compatible with O3b’s medium-earth orbit (MEO) satellites based on corresponding test results.

XipLink, the technology leader in wireless link optimization, announced that On Call Communications has selected XipLink to provide acceleration and optimization for their QuickSPOT™ automated newsgathering system. XipLink's unique stream based two-way compression and industry leading SCPS TCP Acceleration mitigates the effects of satellite latency while increasing overall end customer application performance.

For years, AAE’s customers have requested a wide range of customized, field-deployable solutions that leverage the far-reaching capabilities of satellite.  Realizing that there is not a “one-size-fits-all” solution, AAE offers customizable mobile and portable platforms that are easily transported, quickly set up, and ready for operation within minutes.  Tailored to the unique communications requirements of each customer, these products are ideal for use across multiple industries for a wide range of applications in remote and disaster-stricken areas or anywhere a gap in communications coverage exists.