ITU Telecom World 2018 officially opened for business today in Durban, South Africa with a dynamic Opening Ceremony in the presence of H.E. Nomvula Paula Mokonyane, Minister of Communications, South Africa; Acting Premier of KwaZulu Natal, Sihle Zikalala; H.E. Abdulaziz Bin Salem Al Ruwais, Governor, Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Rob Shuter, Group President and CEO, MTN; ITU Secretary General, Houlin Zhao; H.E Siyabonga Cyprian Cwele, Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services, South Africa; and South Africa President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, who delivered the keynote address.

The video landscape is changing, it has been doing so for several years now, but in the last year, in some areas in particular, the pace has really picked up.

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.

Whether the focus is on 5G, policy and regulatory frameworks that are going to enable communications, ICT investment, new revenue streams or accelerating the spread of digital connectivity throughout sub-Saharan Africa, AfricaCom 2018 – 13 to 15 November at the CTICC in Cape Town, South Africa - will be the place to be to shape Africa’s telco future.

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

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."