AfricaCom is synonymous with the coming together of great minds, the generation of new ideas and the showcasing of innovation. This year, AfricaCom goes one step further to ensuring the progression of the African continent towards a digital democracy with the support of a number of causes that will focus on providing the space, skills and access to the Internet to make it all possible.

AfricaCom’s chosen sustainability partners include Code for Cape Town, Mellon Educate, and Africa50, via the Africa50 Innovation Challenge.

NAGRA, a Kudelski Group (SIX:KUD.S) company, today released the global findings of the 2019 Pay-TV Innovation Forum. The report summarises key findings and insights collected from industry executives across four regions: Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America and North America. It examines key market trends and developments, the most significant challenges facing pay-TV providers and industry executive priorities for opportunities and investments going forward.

Atlantic Microwave, an industry leading provider of Satcom RF Test Solutions and RF and Microwave components and equipment, has appointed Taylor Pritchett as North America Sales Manager ahead of the world-leading broadcast convention, IBC 2019.

Pritchett, who has worked at the organisation as Sales Coordinator for four years, will be expanding Atlantic Microwave’s presence within the vast North American satellite markets.

EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ:SATS) has announced the completion of its previously announced spin-off and subsequent merger with DISH Network Corporation (NASDAQ:DISH) of the portion of its business that manages, markets and provides (i) broadcast satellite services primarily to DISH, Dish Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V. and their respective subsidiaries and (ii) telemetry, tracking and control services to satellites owned by DISH and a portion of EchoStar's other businesses, and certain related assets and business operations. 

NSR’s Satellite Manufacturing and Launch Services, 9th Edition report finds despite a few slow years, 1,155 satellites over 500 kg are expected to be ordered, with 1,285 to be launched, in the next decade. Between end of life replacement demand from most G&M heavy applications, such as Situational Awareness, and new demand from Science and Communications applications, the market for satellite launch and manufacturing is expected to grow robustly over the next decade.

TU Telecom World 2019, the global tech event for governments, corporates and small- and medium-sized enterprises, opened its doors today to four days of exhibition, debate, networking and awards amongst some of the most influential names from across the information and communication technology (ICT) sector.

The teleport business is changing rapidly. To a get an insight on the dynamics of this vital segment of the satellite industry, Satellite Executive Briefing spoke with Vladimir Rangelov, Senior Manager, Broadcast Services at VIVACOM--Bulgaria’s largest media company that operates a teleport, among its other businesses. Excerpts of the interview:

The World Teleport Association (WTA) today released Inside the Top Operators, an annual report on growth, pricing changes, the state of competition and how leading teleport operators are responding to the trends.

An Inter-regional Workshop focused on preparations for the upcoming World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-19) opened in Geneva today.

This preparatory workshop for WRC-19, the third such meeting, will meet 4-6 September 2019. Discussions will centre on the agenda of the World Radiocommunication Conference as well as regional priorities and inputs that have been prepared both for WRC-19, which will be held in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt from 28 October until 22 November 2019, and the Radiocommunication Assembly (RA-19) that will precede it at the same venue, 21-25 October.

According to Euroconsult's newly released research report, Prospects for In-Flight Entertainment and Connectivity, the number of connected commercial aircraft will increase from 8,200 at the end of 2018 to more than 20,500 over the next ten years.