News Analysis

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.”

by Elisabeth Tweedie, Associate Editor

London, UK, December 5, 2018--A year-end summary of key events is always a difficult task. How to select, which ones to highlight out of the many things that have happened and are still unfolding? This article focuses on Europe, the Middle East and Africa, (EMEA), so I have to start with Yahsat and Thuraya.

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., Dec. 3, 2018 — SpaceX successfully launched today SmallSat Express to a low Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4E (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Air Force Base. Carrying 64 payloads, this mission represented the largest single rideshare mission from a U.S.-based launch vehicle to date. A series of six deployments occurred approximately 13 to 43 minutes after liftoff, after which Spaceflight began to command its own deployment sequences. Spaceflight’s deployments are expected to occur over a period of six hours.

Farmington, Connecticut, Dec. 3, 2018 — United Technologies has announced the completion of its acquisition of Rockwell Collins and the company's intention to separate its commercial businesses, Otis and Carrier (formerly CCS), into independent entities.

The December 2018  Year-end 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:

EMEA Satellite Market Update by Elisabeth Tweedie

Asia-Pacific Satellite Market Update by Peter Galace

Latin American Satellite Market Update by Bernardo Schneiderman

Welcome to the Smallsats Satellite-IoT Express by Hub Urlings

An Opportunity to Rise by Robert Bell

INTERBEE 2018 Show Report by Naoakira Kamiya

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

Munich, Germany, November 27, 2018 — Rohde & Schwarz has acquired Pixel Power Limited, a Cambridge, UK- based company, which offers innovative graphics, master control and integrated playout systems for broadcasters and playout facilities. These systems enable dynamic content to be delivered more efficiently for linear TV, mobile, online and OTT/VOD.