A brief retrospective of the GVF’s calendar for the closing weeks of 2018 together with a summary of a major regional event taking place towards the close of the first quarter of 2019 together provide ample illustration of GVF’s creative innovation in evolving and promoting mission-critical partnerships which facilitate debate on development and growth of the global satellite industry.

ETL Systems, a designer and manufacturer of RF equipment for satellite communications today announced it has acquired  Atlantic Microwave, a provider of microwave components and satellite communication test equipment.

ETL Systems operates globally with manufacturing and R&D sites based in the UK. The UK facilities combined with offices in Washington DC and Dubai support the firm in serving customers in 112 countries. ETL’s key international clients include CNN, BBC, Airbus, Thales, General Dynamics, ESPN, DirectTV, Associated Press, Inmarsat, BAE Systems and SES Astra.

Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced its investment in Isotropic Systems Ltd., a London-based startup pioneering next-generation solutions to better connect people and enterprises around the globe.

Iridium Communications Inc. (NASDAQ:IRDM) announced today that at 07:31 am PST (15:31 UTC) SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base and delivered the final 10 Iridium NEXT satellites to low earth orbit (LEO). All 10 satellites have successfully communicated with the Iridium Satellite Network Operations Center and are preparing to undergo initial on-orbit testing. This was the eighth and final launch for Iridium’s historic launch campaign with SpaceX, seeing a total of 75 new satellites deployed over less than two years.

The World Teleport Association (WTA) today published its annual rankings for the Top Teleport Operators of 2018. The annual rankings of companies by revenue and revenue growth are compiled by surveying teleport operators around the world as well as referencing the published results of publicly-held companies. 

Parks Associates today announced leading smart home and consumer IoT industry executives will participate at CONNECTIONS™ Summit on January 8, the first day of CES® 2019, featuring multiple sessions addressing key trends, challenges, and opportunities within these industries.

The Satellite Executive Briefing spoke with executives from large and emerging ground equipment supplies about challenges and opportunities they are seeing in global and European markets.

I cannot say truthfully that the taste of kava will rival Veuve Clicquot, a smooth Italian Amarone or a glass of New York City tap water for that matter.  But kava does give you a sedating buzz that is a combination of novocaine on top of an hour of Zen meditation.

Charlie Collier, CEO, FOX Entertainment, has been tapped for the opening keynote spotlight conversation at the 2019 NAB Show Executive Leadership Summit (ELS), taking place Sunday, April 7 in Las Vegas. Collier will appear before a group of top senior executives from media, entertainment and technology to share his thoughts on the future of the television business and the vision he has for FOX Entertainment.

Speedcast International today announced that on December 14, 2018 it completed the acquisition of Globecomm Systems for cash consideration of US$ 134 million net of cash acquired.