News Analysis

Cape Town, South Africa, November 13, 2018—Advantech Satellite Networks, an established vendor and global market leader of broadband satellite communications systems announced here at the Africacom Conference and Exhibition that it will now be doing business as Spacebridge Inc.

Chicago, Il., Nov. 9, 2018 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Safran [EPA: SAF] have received regulatory approvals for a joint venture so they can begin designing, building and servicing aircraft Auxiliary Power Units (APUs)—onboard engines that are primarily used to start the main engines and power aircraft systems while on the ground and, if necessary, in flight. The companies also named Etienne Boisseau as Chief Executive Officer of the joint venture.

by Hub Urlings

Amsterdam, the Netherlands, November 8, 2018--In the last quarter of 2018 a real small sat express consisting of the Indian PSLV and the American SpaceX Falcon-9 launchers will bring a large number of small satellites into an sun synchronous orbit.  After long delays more than 80 small satellites from more than 30 customers from around 20  countries,  that are waiting anxiously to have their small satellites launched into orbit.

by Lou Zacharilla

A man walking along a cliff feels the ground give way beneath him.  He manages to clutch at a root extending from the face of the cliff, which saves him from falling 1,200 feet onto jagged rocks in the surf below. But as he hangs, on he cannot climb back up.  He shouts, “Is anyone up there!?” 

by Peter I. Galace

During the past ten years, Africa, the second-largest continent in terms of size and population after Asia, has made great strides in improving its telecommmunications infrastructure through submarine fiber cables landing on both the African Eastern and Western coastlines. Today, there are at least 14 operational, major submarine cables in sub-Saharan Africa, providing about 70 Tbit/s of design capacity and over 5.825 Tbit/s of lit, fully available capacity. This is more than double its international bandwidth of only 3 Tbps mark in December 2014. What’s more, a number of new submarine cables are expected to land later in 2018 and into 2019, with local hubs at Djibouti, Angola and Nigeria, further increasing Africa’s capacity.

Melville, N.Y., Nov. 5, 2018--Comtech Telecommunications Corp. (“Comtech”) (NASDAQ:CMTL) announced today that it entered into a new US$ 550.0 million credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) with a syndicate of lenders on October 31, 2018. The Credit Facility consists of a senior secured revolving loan facility with a borrowing limit of US $300.0 million and an accordion feature allowing the Company to borrow up to an additional $250.0 million, plus additional amounts subject to pro forma covenant compliance. The Credit Facility will be used for general corporate purposes, including supporting the Company’s growth strategies. The Company’s prior credit facility was refinanced in full.

The new Credit Facility has a five-year term which expires in October 2023 and provides for, among other things:

The November 2018 issue of  the Satellite Executive Briefing magazine focusing on the African satellite market sponsored by Comtech EF Data is now available. Featuring:

The African Satellite Market by Peter Galace

Conference Reports:

ITU World Telecom 2018, Durban, South Africa by Roxana Dunnette

China Commercial Aerospace Forum 2018, Wuhan, China  by Blaine Curcio

Is There Anyone Else  Up There? by Lou Zacharilla

December's Innovative Agenda and Year-end Plaudits by Martin Jarrold

Executive Spotlight Interview: Ingrid Poni, Chief Director, Multilateral Trade, Department of Telecommunications, Republic of South Africa

PLUS Mergers and Aquisitions, Executive Moves, Market Briefs, Satellite Markets Stock Index 25, Vital Statistics and many more. Click here to read or download the file

Ottawa, Canada, Nov. 1, 2018 —  Telesat Canada today announced its financial results for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2018. For the quarter ended September 30, 2018, Telesat reported consolidated revenues of US$173.37 million (Ca$227 million), an increase of 6% US$9.93 million (Ca$13 million) compared to the same period in 2017.

Luxembourg, Nov. 1 , 2018 — Intelsat S.A. (NYSE: I) today reported total revenue of US$ 536.9 million and net loss attributable to Intelsat S.A. of US$ 374.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018.

Luxembourg, Oct. 26, 2018 — SES S.A. announced solid financial results for the nine and three months ended September 30,  2018 with group revenue growing, fuelled by strengthening double-digit growth at SES Networks.