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by Virgil Labrador, Editor-in-Chief

At the 4th Annual Navy Satcoms Users Workshop organized by  the Satellite Industry Association (SIA) during the AFCEA West show in San Diego last February 3rd, senior U.S. Navy officials affirmed that the US Navy’s reliance on commercial satellite communications will continue to grow in the next few years.  

The satellite manufacturing sector will experience steady growth in the coming decade, although a fallout from the extended and slow economic recovery will see the number of satellites in the near future drop significantly by almost 10 percent, according to a report entitled "Global Satellite Manufacturing: The Impact of Evolving Trends" by Frost and Sullivan.

by NSR

In announcing in its recent budget request that it would buy 50 more UAVs of the extended range category, the Pentagon sent a strong signal to the satellite industry that more communications-on-the-move (COTM) for UAVs would be needed in the coming years.  

Application Technology Strategy LLC is the satellite consulting firm founded by Bruce Elbert, leading satellite expert and consultant, technologist, educator and author of standard industry books. We emphasize the how of developing satellite systems in FSS, MSS and BSS application areas, optimizing technical performance, reducing costs, staying on schedule, and improving staff performance. This involves space and ground segment design, program management, satellite link and propagation engineering, staff selection and training, cost reduction and performance optimization, selection of the best space and ground resources, contract negotiation, due diligence and expert testimony.

IPTV uptake is increasing on a global scale as telcos develop compelling multi-play offerings to compete with cable and satellite operators. Infrastructure upgrades and strategic alliances between major industry players have enabled tier two and tier three telcos to deliver IPTV, leading to significant growth in rural markets. IMS Research forecasts that by 2012, over 52 million pay-TV subscribers worldwide will have adopted IPTV service with IP STB shipments growing nearly 30% annually during this time period.

By NSR

The word Mark Dankberg used on 8 January in describing the impact on ViaSat of their announcement of the new Viasat-1 satellite was "transformational". In many ways Viasat-1 has the potential to remake the company from a manufacturer of specialized satellite and wireless communications equipment to that of an infrastructure business that owns the underlying technological asset that gives rise to a large array of services, from consumer satellite broadband to mobile to video services possible.