News Analysis

Madley, Herefordshire, UK, Jan. 15, 2019 – ETL Systems, a designer and manufacturer of RF equipment for satellite communications today announced it has acquired  Atlantic Microwave, a provider of microwave components and satellite communication test equipment.

Vanderberg Air Force Base, Calif., Jan. 11, 2019 – Iridium Communications Inc. (NASDAQ:IRDM) announced today that at 07:31 am PST (15:31 UTC) SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base and delivered the final 10 Iridium NEXT satellites to low earth orbit (LEO). All 10 satellites have successfully communicated with the Iridium Satellite Network Operations Center and are preparing to undergo initial on-orbit testing. This was the eighth and final launch for Iridium’s historic launch campaign with SpaceX, seeing a total of 75 new satellites deployed over less than two years.

New York, NY, January 10, 2019- -The World Teleport Association (WTA) today published its annual rankings for the Top Teleport Operators of 2018. The annual rankings of companies by revenue and revenue growth are compiled by surveying teleport operators around the world as well as referencing the published results of publicly-held companies. 

The January-February 2019 issue of  the Satellite Executive Briefing magazine  focusing on a Year-end review of the top stories and key trends in the global satellite industry  sponsored by The Spaceconnection Featuring:

Opportunities in the Satellite Ground Segment Market by Dan Freyer

Developments in the 5G Ecosystem by Elisabeth Tweedie

Guess Who is 'Minding the Gap'? by Lou Zacharilla

The Satellite Value-Add in Geneva and Dubai by Martin Jarrold

Executive Spotlight interview with Mitja Lovsin, General Manager, STN

PLUS Mergers and Acquisitions, Executive Moves, Market Briefs, Vital Statistics  and many more. Click here to read or download the file

By Lou Zacharilla*

New York City, January 3, 2019--I cannot say truthfully that the taste of kava will rival Veuve Clicquot, a smooth Italian Amarone or a glass of New York City tap water for that matter.  But kava does give you a sedating buzz that is a combination of novocaine on top of an hour of Zen meditation.

by Dan Freyer

Los Angeles, Calif, January 3, 2019--The Satellite Executive Briefing spoke with executives from large and emerging ground equipment supplies about challenges and opportunities they are seeing in global and European markets.

Hong Kong, December 17, 2018--Speedcast International today announced that on December 14, 2018 it completed the acquisition of Globecomm Systems for cash consideration of US$ 134 million net of cash acquired.

Montréal, QC, Canada, December 10, 2018– XipLink, the technology leader in Wireless Link Optimization is proud to announce the acquisition and subsequent closing on certain assets of Sevis Systems designed to optimize cellular traffic onto IP-based backhaul links. Specifically, XipLink is acquiring the 6000 series product line for circuit oriented (E1/T1) base station connections, the 7000 series for IP base station connections and all related intellectual property associated with these products. Sevis Systems will continue to focus on their core signaling solutions unrelated to the cellular backhaul business.

Melville, N.Y., Dec. 6, 2018 — Comtech Telecommunications Corp. (NASDAQ: CMTL) today reported its operating results for the first fiscal quarter ended October 31, 2018 and updated its fiscal 2019 guidance.Comtech said net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2019 were US$ 160.8 million as compared to the US$ 121.6 million achieved during the first quarter of fiscal 2018. It also recorded bookings during the first quarter of fiscal 2019 worth $157.4 million, with a company-wide book-to-bill ratio (a measure defined as bookings divided by net sales) of 0.98. The company said backlog as of October 31, 2018 reflects a near record high of US$ 627.3 million.

by Robert Bell

New York, NY, December 5, 2018--Professional basketball great Koby Bryant once said “Everything negative – pressure, challenges – is all an opportunity for me to rise.” That is the story of 2018 for the global teleport industry.  It has been navigating a period of unprecedented change in market demands, applications, pricing, costs and investment needs – and it has been creating opportunities for a new wave of growth in the process.  Or as comic legend Milton Berle put it, “If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.”