News Analysis

New York City, NY, June 1, 2020--Flip a switch and amazing things happen. Dark to light. Cold to warm. Things open and things close. Yet no one thinks twice. Each flip of the switch is a small miracle, brought to you by billions in investment and the hard work of millions. Brought to you, too, by satellites circling the earth far out of sight, helping to make life electric.

Betzdorf, Luxembourg, June 1, 2020–As part of its ongoing Simplify & Amplify transformation program, satellite operator SES announced  that it plans to restructure its operations worldwide, including the consolidation of part of its European regional operations into the company’s global headquarters in Betzdorf, Luxembourg.

Melville, NY, May 26, 2020-- Comtech Telecommunications Corp. (NASDAQ: CMTL) announced today that during the Company’s third quarter of fiscal 2020, it closed an acquisition of NG-911 Inc., a pioneer of Next Generation 911 solutions for public safety agencies in the Midwest. NG-911 is one of the first Next Generation 911 solution providers in the Midwest and has successfully deployed regional Comtech Solacom systems in the past.

MarketBrief Report on Satellite Cellular Backhaul sponsored by ST Engineering iDirect

A summary of the key trends and innovative approaches to satellite cellular backhaul.  Featuring:

Executive Summary of the Satellite Cellular Backhaul Market  by Elisabeth Tweedie

Interview with Semir Hassanaly, Head of Cellular Backhaul and Trunking, ST Engineering iDirect

Case Study: Verizon's Operation Convergent Response

To read or download the pdf of full report click here.

McLean, Va., May 14, 2020-Satellite operator Intelsat has filed a voluntary Chapter 11 petition in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Richmond Division. The company said the bankruptcy filing is part of a "financial restructuring" that is "intended to enhance the company’s liquidity and will likely result in a substantial reduction of Intelsat’s legacy debt burden, allowing for Intelsat to emerge with a strengthened balance sheet to complement its strong operating model and future growth plans."

Paris, France,May 14, 2020–Eutelsat Communications (ISIN: FR0010221234 - Euronext Paris: ETL) today reported revenues for the Third Quarter and Nine Months ended 31 March 2020.  Third Quarter Operating Verticals revenues down 1.6% year-on-year; up 1.2% quarter-on-quarter while broadcast showing resilience, with return to slight growth quarter-on-quarter.

Colorado Springs, Colo., May 6, 2020--Amergint Technology Holdings today announced it has acquired Tethers Unlimited, Inc. (TUI), a leader in new space solutions for the small satellite market. The transaction will bring together Amergint Technologies, Inc. and TUI to provide integrated end-to-end solutions for satellite communications and in-space services to the space market.

Nonthaburi, Thailand, May 5, 2020–Thaicom Public Company Limited announced its financial results for the first quarter ended 31 March 2020. The Company’s net profit for Q1/2020 was Baht 198 million, a significant improvement as compared to the net loss of Baht 33 million for Q1/2019 and Baht 1,969 million for Q4/2019. Thaicom reported revenues from sales and services for Q1/2020 of THB 965 million, down 26% from Q1/2019, mainly due to the decrease of revenue from broadband customers churned during 2019, also from the Thaicom 5 satellite deorbit. 

May 5, 2020--This month the Satellite Markets and Research asked executives of satellite companies from all over the world on what impact has the global COVID-19 pandemic has had on their business and what measures have they taken to respond to the crisis and how they see their companies emerging from all these.  The companies represent a cross-section of the various segments of the industry including manufacturers and service providers.  Here are their responses:

by Lou Zacharilla

New York City, NY, May 4, 2020--They can call it what they want.  I call it “UNsocial distancing.” Let’s face it, living life online sucks.  It always has.  It always will.  I’m sorry.  I just like being with people.  I like schmoozing.  I like talking – about anything. I even can tolerate close talkers who spit a little – although not these days!