The second DC5G held in Washington DC last November 2018, was not specifically targeted at the satellite industry, and representatives were in the minority, at the conference.  It is however a subject that we cannot afford to ignore.  Plenty has been written and said about the spectrum requirements, which seem destined to have a major impact on C-Band customers in the US and probably around the world.  And Ka-Band customers may well see a similar impact.   

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.

Key Indicators Reflecting Trends and Opportunities in the Global Satellite Market

The Satellite Industry Association (SIA) released its annual survey of the satellite industry. For the 23th year in a row, the global satellite industry posted positive growth.  For a summary of the report click here.

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.

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.”

Teleport Opportunities

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.

Fueled by a surge in global satellite transponder demand that is expected to reach US$ 28.65 billion by 2026, the Asia Pacific satellite industry, propped up by a projected 5.6% regional economic growth in 2018 and 2019, continues to be on the roll.  Today, there is a rush for High Throughput Satellite (HTS) with the opening of new opportunities and capabilities in numerous vertical markets across the region to fulfil the growing connectivity demands well into the future.

Arianespace successfully orbited today two satellites: GSAT-11 for ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation), and GEO-KOMPSAT-2A for KARI (Korea Aerospace Research Institute). With this mission dedicated to space applications for telecommunications and meteorology, Arianespace said it once again contributes to the improvement of life on Earth.

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.

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 separation will result in three global, industry-leading companies: