News Analysis

Paris, France, July 9, 2014 - According to Euroconsult's newly released executive report, Government Space Programs: Strategic Outlook, Benchmarks & Forecasts, government funding for space is expected to progressively recover as public finances regain their comfort zone and programs enter a new growth cycle. Following a critical period of cyclical low funding which concluded in a budget decrease in 2013 worldwide, moderate growth is expected moving forward which should bring world spending to $82 billion by 2023.

Venice, Italy, July 8, 2014–European satellite operators today underlined the crucial role that satellite plays in the roll-out of future digital infrastructures. The European Satellite Operators Association (ESOA), represented by its Secretary General, Aarti Holla, and by the CEO of SES, Karim Michel Sabbagh, participated in a high-level meeting between leading EU political and business representatives in Venice.

Mojave, Calif., July 1, 2014--XCOR Aerospace announced today that it has closed the acquisition of all operational subsidiaries of Space Expedition Corporation, the previously independent Dutch company also known as SXC.

Madrid,Spain,  July 1, 2014 Spanish satellite telecommunications operator HISPASAT has chosen Space Systems/Loral (SSL) to buil Hispasat 1F satellite, to be located at orbital position 30º West.  Hispasat 1F will serve as a replacement for the Hispasat 1D and will give the group additional Ku band capacity, in the Andean region and in Brazil.

Madrid, Spain, June 26, 2014--HISPASAT, the Spanish satellite communications operator, held their Shareholder’s Annual Meeting,where the annual accounts for the 2013 tax year were unanimously approved. The Group has continued to grow, despite the adverse economic climate, and has earned a net profit of 54.3 million euros, 5.5% more than it reached in 2012. 

Friedrichshafen, Germany, June 17, 2014 – Vislink today announced it has entered into a cooperation with ND SatCom the satellite communication solutions supplier. The agreement gives the companies access to each other’s product portfolios, and the ability to offer suitable products to customers in their respective broadcast and surveillance markets.

Mountain View, Calif., June 13, 2014--Google has entered into an agreement to buy Skybox Imaging for US$ 500 million in cash, subject to adjustments Skybox’s satellites will help keep Google Maps accurate with up-to-date imagery.

London, UK, June 11. 2014--European pay TV revenues will reach US$ 40.35 billion in 2014, up from US$ 36.87 billion  in 2010, according to a new report from Digital TV Research. The European Digital TV Databook (covering 39 countries) reveals that the 2014 total will only  increase by 0.6% on 2013 as ARPUs are hit by competition and the transition of  subscribers to double-play and triple-play bundles (which result in higher overall ARPUs for operators but lower TV ARPUs). 

London, UK, June 10, 2014--A new broadband mapping report reveals a huge opportunity – which no-one is yet taking up. Over five million British homes and businesses are already paying for superfast broadband services. But there is little sign that anybody is yet trying to sell superfast content or applications to this huge market of prosperous consumers.

Geneva, Switzerland,  June 10, 2014 – A high level meeting opened today to review progress on the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), which was held in Geneva in 2003 and in Tunis in 2005. Policy-makers, including Government Ministers and leaders from civil society, academia, business, and international organizations will focus attention on implementation of the outcomes of the Summit for next year’s ten-year review during the WSIS+10 High-level Event that kicks off today.