Melville, N.Y., Dec. 9, 2013 — Comtech Telecommunications Corp. has reported lower net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2014 because of lower sales in its RF microwave amplifiers and mobile data communications segments. Comtech said net sales for the first quarter ended October 31, 2013 reached US$ 83.4 million compared to $91 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2013. But the company said it also experienced a surge in the sale of its telecommunications transmission segment.

New York City, December 4, 2013 – Coordinating an alliance of the world’s leading industry trade associations, the Society of Satellite Professionals International announced  the launch of a global campaign to change the global conversation about satellite.  Called the Industry Message Summit, the effort aims to focus attention on the industry’s striking contributions to human welfare, safety and prosperity around the world.

 by Virgil Labrador, Editor-in-Chief

Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, December 3, 2013- –Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) successfully completed its first geostationary transfer mission, delivering the SES-8 satellite to its targeted 295 x 80,000 km orbit at 5:41 pm local time.  After two previous attempts that were marred by technical glitches, Falcon 9 executed a picture-perfect flight, meeting 100% of mission objectives.  To view videos of the Pre-Launch briefing with Elon Musk and interviews with SES executives click here.

Petah Tikva, Israel, December 3, 2013--Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. today announced that it has completed the sale of its Spacenet Inc. subsidiary to Tulsa, Oklahoma-based SageNet. The aggregate consideration for the sale is approximately US$ 16 million, subject to certain post-closing adjustments and expenses.

Paris, France, December 2, 2013 -- Vivendi, the French media and telecommunications group, has confirmed its plan to split in two by spinning off its SFR telecommunications company and list it separately on the stock market.

Wellington, New Zealand, November 27, 2013--AST  announced the acquisition of a majority stake in Wright Satellite Connections, (WSC) based in Wellington, New Zealand, increasing the previous shareholding from 49% to 75%.

Luxembourg, November 27,  2013 – Intelsat S.A. today announced that Intelsat Jackson Holdings S.A., its indirect wholly-owned subsidiary  has amended its senior secured credit agreement, which governs its approximately US$ 3.1 billion senior secured term loan facility and $500 million revolving credit facility, effective today.

Houston, Tex., November 26, 2014--As OTT players mature, Voxofon expects accelerating market disruption, more options for consumers. Expect connected devices to integrate even further into the way humans live, work and play, which will accelerate adoption of an ever-expanding array of highly specialized over-the-top (OTT) services and further fragment the telecom ecosystem. These are among the top five predictions for OTT in 2014 issued today by Voxofon, a rapidly growing provider of OTT voice and messaging services.

Lima, Peru, November 25, 2013--Satellite operator O3b today moves a step closer to service launch for its customers with the formal opening of its Gateway (satellite ground station) in preparation for its launch and service commencement in 2014. The facility was formally opened by the President of Peru, Ollanta Humala, at a ceremony attended by O3b CEO Steve Collar on Monday, 25 November at 11.00, local time.