News Analysis

by Robert Bell

New York City, October 15, 2010-In the mid-1990s, at the SATELLITE show in Washington DC, one teleport executive turned to another and said, “This Internet thing.  Think there’s anything in it?

by Peter I. Galace

Manila, Philippines, September 3, 2010--It’s a serious problem bedevilling the industry far too long now. Last year, in Asia alone, the estimated revenue losses were pegged at almost US$2 billion. Operators warn that the plague, if left unchecked, could destroy the whole industry-not just in Asia but the entire global Pay-TV market.  So how Asia is grappling with this persistent problem could be instructive for the rest of the world as  new markets are opening up in places such as the Middle East, Africa and Latin America.

Singapore, September 3, 2010--  Asia’s Pay-TV industry players say new technologies such as IPTV and 3D TV offer the greatest untapped opportunity, according to the 2010 Asia-Pacific Pay TV Operators Survey jointly produced by Global Intelligence Alliance (GIA), a global strategic market intelligence and advisory group, and ContentAsia, an Asia-based information resource designed for everyone in the entertainment. The survey polled 35 pay TV operators and platforms across 14 countries in the Asia Pacific.

Paris, August 2, 2010--Despite a limited market slowdown, the fixed satellite market reached a new high in revenues last year, according to Euroconsult’s soon-to-be-released report “Satellite Communications & Broadcasting Markets Survey, Forecasts to 2019.” The fixed satellite sector grew both in terms of transponder demand (+5.3%) and revenue reaching $10.3 billion revenue in 2009. The company maintains a positive outlook for the future of the industry. Television broadcasting and emerging markets continue to be the primary growth drivers, with satellite broadband service (“BBS”) systems contributing to growth as well.

by NSR

CAMBRIDGE, MA – August 2, 2010 - NSR’s annual review of the wireless backhaul via satellite market shows the industry made tremendous gains from the blistering pace of wireless subscriber growth in 2009 and the first half of 2010. Despite a challenging economic environment, the wireless industry was one of the global economic bright spots, which led to sustained demand for satellite backhaul services for use primarily in rural markets. 

by Chris Frith

Sydney, June 1, 2010-Providers hesitating about getting involved with Rural Access Network initiatives in the region would do well to consider the experience of providers under the Australian broadband subsidy scheme. Even though the challenges faced in developing countries is likely to be far greater, our expectation is that this first mover advantage will be repeated and with greater returns than in Australia. We therefore encourage providers to engage in these initiatives sooner rather than later, whilst putting in place strategies to mitigate downside risks. 

Hong Kong, May  13, 2010 – Singapore’s future as a regional media hub is under threat as a result of new government rules for the pay-TV industry, said the Cable & Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia (CASBAA), which represents the interests of 130 content producers, pay-TV platform operators and equipment-and-service suppliers across 16 Asian markets.

by Chris Frith 

President, AUSPresence

A telco PR executive once remarked to me that satellite was like a solution always looking for a problem.  Given that he was looking to represent my satellite consultancy firm, I thought this was an odd way to earn my business!  Dents to my ego aside, what this guy was reflecting is simply the wider telecommunications industry and a great many potential customers’ perception of satellite – VSAT communications in particular.  How things have changed! Now, not only do the problems exist – let’s refer to them as needs (it’s more marketing friendly) but also customers are willing and have the means to pay for them. Today, we have broadband satellite providing internet access not just in the remote areas but right up close to population centres; innovative service providers are marketing hybrid satellite networks on the basis of their increased reliability and quick deploy systems which provide large scale connectivity to those first on the ground when disaster strikes. So let’s take a closer look at what needs are emerging and how leading VSAT service providers are rising to the challenge. Then we’ll take a look into the crystal ball to see where this is heading.

by Bruce Elbert

President, Application Technology Strategy, Inc.

Markets for satellite communications equipment and services have expanded to fill the gaps in terrestrial broadcasting and telecommunications networks. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the Middle East, which is the focus of this article.