News Analysis

by Peter Galace

Beijing, China, July 10, 2013--As part of its comprehensive national development strategy, China in 2003, outlined its ten-year space goals. Some of its more important space goals include — an Earth observation system, an independently operated satellite broadcasting and telecommunications system, upgraded overall capacity of launch vehicles, a manned spaceflight, and a complete R&D and test system for manned space projects.

Hong Kong, July 9, 2013--SpeedCast has successfully closed a US$ 55 million Senior Secured Credit Facility. The proceeds of the credit facility was used to  finance SpeedCast’s acquisition of a 100% effective interest in Pactel International and refinanced existing indebtedness held by TA Associates, SpeedCast’s controlling shareholder.

Geneva, Switzerland, July 1, 2013--Countries with a clearly-defined national vision for broadband roll-out are significantly out-performing those taking a more laissez-faire approach to broadband development, according to a new joint report just released by ITU, the Broadband Commission for Digital Development and network equipment maker Cisco Systems.

Kourou. French Guiana, June 25, 2013--O3b’s first four satellites were successfully launched aboard the Arianespace Soyuz launch vehicle on Tuesday marking the start of telecommunications and Internet services over Asia, Africa, South America, Australia and the Middle East that combine the global reach of satellite coverage with the speed of a fiber-optic network. 

Cambridge, Mass., June 25, 2013--NSR's just released Wireless Backhaul via Satellite, 7th Edition report finds the industry at the cusp of an evolutionary step. The impending launch of O3b and global HTS program deployments are leading the industry to dramatic and long term change with a strong potential for industry revenue to hit $2.9 billion by 2022, growing more than three-fold from today’s $830+ million revenue base.

Hong Kong, June 25, 2013--A CASBAA spokesman commented on the favorable evolution of the situation in Vietnam’s pay-TV market in recent weeks. Following a period of confusion after new pay-TV regulations came into force on May 15, most international TV channels (including major global news channels) have been restored to all pay-TV platforms in Vietnam (subject to appropriate commercial contracts and operational arrangements).

London, UK- June 20, 2013--Based on forecasts for 97 countries, global pay TV revenues [subscription fees and on-demand movies and TV episodes] will climb to $203 billion in 2018, up by $19 billion on 2012. According to the Digital TV World Revenue Forecasts report the fast growth years for the sector are over, with annual growth hovering at below 2% from 2015. Growth in 2013 will be 3.2%.

Washington, D.C., June 17, 2013-The Satellite Industry Association (SIA) today  released its 2013 State of the Satellite Industry Report, showing a 7% growth in  world satellite industry revenues in 2012, up from 5% growth in 2011. Globally, 2012 revenues for the satellite industry totaled $189.5 billion, up from $177.3 billion  the previous year. All four industry sectors grew, led by satellite services, the  traditional driver for the industry. Both satellite manufacturing and launch services  saw significant revenue increases, and satellite ground equipment revenues also  continued to expand.

London, UK, June 12, 2013--Global pay TV households will reach nearly 1 billion by 2018, up from 772 million  in 2012 and 814 million in 2013. According to the Digital TV World Household  Forecasts report, the Asia Pacific region will contribute 59% (587 million) of the  global total by 2018.