The Satellite Interference Reduction Group today announced it is expanding its reach to encompass all types of innovation within the satellite communications industry. As part of that expansion, it has changed its name to Satcoms Innovation Group (SIG). SIG was officially launched today during Satellite Technology Asia in Singapore. The event is being co-hosted with Intelligence-Sec.

Mobile backhaul and base station networking have long been an important business for satellite and teleport operators. It is humbling, then, to also acknowledge that satellites carried less than 1.4% of global mobile traffic in 2016, according to NSR.

The key themes emerging from the three major conferences held in Europe this September, (World Satellite Business Week, IBC and VSAT Global and Next Generation Satellite Applications), were: change, innovation and flexibility.  Change is all around. Change for manufacturers as demand shifts from Geostationary Orbit (GEO) to Non Geostationary Orbit (NGSO). Change in the structure of the industry. Lockheed is tracking 975 new space startups. Change in the manufacturing process. Satellites are getting bigger, and smaller. Electric propulsion is now an accepted technology; software defined satellites are moving from concept to reality, although we are still some time away from an in-orbit fully reconfigurable satellite.

Avanti Communications Group plc,  a provider of satellite data communications services in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, released results for the twelve months ending June 30, 2018. The company reported revenue for the six months to June 2018 increased 23% to US$ 29.9 million (2017: $24.3 million) while EBITDA for the six months to June 2018 increased to US$4.7 million from an EBITDA loss in 2017 of US$ 26.2 million.

Some of the highlights to 30 June, include:

The key trends characterizing the Fourth Industrial Revolution — Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (I oT), and the Fifth Generation Networks (5G) — were the focus of the ITU Telecom World conference and exhibition in Durban where global leaders in government, technology, policy development, academia and entrepreneurship met to discuss the best way to manage this revolution in Africa.

Boeing completed the acquisition of Millennium Space Systems, a provider of agile, flight-proven small-satellite solutions. Millennium Space Systems will operate under Boeing Phantom Works as a subsidiary called Millennium Space Systems, A Boeing Company.

It will retain an independent operating model while benefiting from Boeing's resources, scale, manufacturing capability and technology research as the leading provider of aerospace products and services.

Consulting firm Euroconsult announced the recipients of both its Annual Awards for Excellence in Connectivity and Satellite Communications as well as Earth Observation and Information on the occasion of the World Satellite Business Week, its annual senior executive event, of which the 22nd edition took place in Paris from Sept. 10 to 14. These annual awards recognize companies and their management for their outstanding accomplishments.

Intelsat S.A. (NYSE: I) today announced the settlement of its previously announced tender offer  by its indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, Intelsat Jackson Holdings S.A., to purchase any and all of its outstanding 7 ¼% Senior Notes due 2020.

The annual AfricaCom Awards will once again celebrate success and innovation this year, by recognising the achievements of the best companies, solutions, products and personalities improving connectivity and driving Africa through the Fourth Industrial Revolution.