News Analysis

Bethesda, MD, May 29, 2014--Lockheed Martinhas entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the assets of the Astrotech Space Operations business of Astrotech Corporation for US$ 61 million. Astrotech Space Operations is a satellite launch preparation service provider, from final testing and fueling to encapsulation and day-of launch operations.

Scottsdale, Ariz., May 28, 2014--The set-top box market has generally maintained historical leadership positions based on a cable, satellite or IPTV focus.Of the top five set-top box vendors—Arris, Cisco, Technicolor, Pace and Echosta—most are heavily weighted to one sector, or, in some cases, have robust proportions serving two of the three sectors.This definition won’t meet the needs of modern operators today who are looking at extending their services over multiple networks.

Ottawa, Canada, May 27, 2014--C-COM Satellite Systems Inc., a provider of mobile auto-deploying satellite antenna systems, and ViaSat Inc.have signed an agreement to develop a low profile, Ka-band mobile antenna system for the emerging commercial Ka-band services market. C-COM will manufacture, sell and support this new on-the-move antenna product under ViaSat license.

Carlsbad, Calif., May 20, 2014 –ViaSat’s fiscal year 2014 results reflected strong growth. Revenues increased 21% to US$ 1.4 billion and Adjusted EBITDA grew 35% to US$ 221.2 million compared to last year. Net income attributable to ViaSat common stockholders rose to US$ 0.44 per share on a non-GAAP diluted basis, or a loss of US$ 0.21 per share on a diluted GAAP basis - compared to fiscal year 2013 net income of US$ 0.02 and a loss of US$ 0.94 per share, respectively.

El Segundo, Calif., May 19, 2014--AT&T and DIRECTV announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which AT&T will acquire DIRECTV in a stock-and-cash transaction for US$ 95 per share based on AT&T’s Friday closing price. AT&T will also assume DIRECTV debt bringing the total transaction cost to US$ 67.1 Billion.

Paris, France, May 15, 2014 – Eutelsat Communications today reported revenues for the third quarter and nine months ended 31 March 31, 2014. Revenues for the first nine months were up by 2.5%, at constant currency excluding non-recurring and Satmex revenues. Third quarter revenues were up by 1.5%, and by 6% including Satmex, which was consolidated from January 1, 2014. The total order backlog stood at the  €5.8 billion.

Washington, D.C., May 14, 2014 - The Satellite Industry Association (SIA) today applauded  the publication of new regulations that reform the export controls for satellites and related items.  The U.S. Departments of State and Commerce each published rules that will transfer commercial communications satellites and some remote sensing satellites, along with tens of thousands of  associated parts, components, and ground terminals from the more restrictive U.S. Munitions  List to the Commerce Control List. 

Madrid, Spain, May 13, 2014- HISPASAT, the Spanish satellite telecommunications operator, today announced that is has completed an agreement with Intelsat, the world's lagest satellite operator, to jointly provide satellite services at the 55.5ºW orbital position for the Latin American market.

Covington, LA , May 8, 2014- Mobile satellite services operator Globalstar, Inc. reported a net loss of US$ 250.5 million for the first quarter of 2014, driven almost entirely from non-cash sources, compared to US$25.1 million for the first quarter of 2013.  Adjusted EBITDA was US$ 3.8 million for the first quarter of 2014 compared to $2.5 million in the first quarter of 2013, an increase of 54%.