News Analysis

2013 is Darwinian Tipping Point Year for Telecoms Industry: ‘Evolve or Die!’ according to IDATE research

Brussels, Belgium,  June 3, 2013--IDATE  has published the 13th edition of its DigiWorld Yearbook with its theme "Embrace innovation: Evolve or die!  IDATE experts provide a concise and easy to read reference manual of the digital world, including key figures and a look at the latest innovations and key events that marked telecom, internet and media markets during 2012.

SingTel seeking US$1.93 billion for Optus Satellite unit

Singapore, June 3, 2013 — Singapore Telecommunications Ltd. (ST), Southeast Asia’s biggest telco, is seeking more than US$1.93 billion (Au$2 billion) starting bid for the sale of its Australian satellite unit, according to various media reports.

Digitürk for Sale as Turkish State Fund Seizes Çukurova Assets

Ankara, Turkey,  May 31, 2013--Turkey’s satellite television provider Digitürk is up for sale following  a Turkish state fund’s seizure of 12 companies owned by the pay TV operator’s majority owner, Çukurova Group.

Dish's Ergen Bids US$ 2 Bil. for LightSquared

Englewood, Colo.., May 22, 2013 — In another bold attempt Charles Ergen, chairman of Dish Network Corp., has offered to buy broadband company LightSquared Inc., which is in bankruptcy proceedings,  for its wireless airwaves for US$ 2 Bil.

Satellite Manufacturing and Launch Services Transformation Ahead

New NSR Report Pinpoints Game-Changing Improvements in an Increasingly Competitive Industry

CAMBRIDGE, Mass, May 20, 2013 – NSR’s Satellite Manufacturing and Launch Services (SMLS), 3rd Edition report describes the difficulties of an industry facing a low demand period and the technologies and changes that will greatly improve the industry value proposition over the next decade.

SES reports 2.1% drop in revenue to US$568.12 million

Betzdorf, Luxembourg, May 17, 2013 — SES S.A. has posted revenues of US$568.12 million (€440.8 million) for its latest quarterly results, down 2.1 percent year-on-year. EBITDA for the three months ended March 31 reached US$414.00 million (€321.2 million), down 4.8 percent.

Thaicom Posts Q1 Profit of THB 330 million

Bangkok, Thailand, May 17, 2013 — Thailand-based satellite operator Thaicom posted a net income of US$11.08 million (THB 330 million) in the first quarter, up from US$1.41 million (THB 42 million) in the year-ago period equivalent to an increase by almost 300 percent.

ViaSat Nets $1.9M, Posts Record US$ 1.1 B in revenues

Carlsbad, Caliif., May 16, 2013--ViaSat Inc., a provider of satellite and other wireless networking systems and services, earned profits of US$ 1.9 million in its fiscal fourth quarter after a boost from new contracts.

KVH Industries Acquires Headland Media

Middletown, RI, May 13, 2013 – KVH Industries, Inc. announced that it has acquired Headland Media Limited, a UK-based media and entertainment services company. Headland Media is a provider of commercially licensed news, sports, movies, and music content that they sell in the maritime, hotel, and retail markets.

StarHub's Q1 net profit up 3 percent to US$73.24M

Singapore, May 10, 2013 — Singaporean telco StarHub has reported a 3 percent rise in Q1 net profit to US$73.24 million (S$91 million) compared with the same period a year ago. However, its group operating revenue for the period fell 2 percent to US$466.83 million (S$580 million) while EBITDA grew 3 percent to US$146.47 million (S$182 million) from US$142.45 million (S$177 million) previously.