Chris Forrester is one of the most experienced and highly regarded journalists in the field. His insight and analysis, particularly in the satellite and pay-TV arena, is highly prized. He has written for all the major business journals in the sector as well as several national newspapers.
Last week SpaceX launched six of its Starlink satellites with ‘direct-to-device’ cellular possibilities. The technology will allow Starlink to deliver direct satellite broadband connectivity on smartphones anywhere on the planet. The technology will also connect internet of things (IoT) devices with common LTE mobile standards. One consumer journal has already described these Starlink devices as […]
London-based World Mobile Group recently launched its first ‘aerostat’ giant tethered balloon in Massingir, Mozambique, in collaboration with Vodacom. Vodacom has reportedly shared its spectrum and other key technologies to enable the balloon’s launch for a two-month trial in November and December 2023. The trial in Mozambique is more than just a technological experiment. “The […]
Texas-based AST SpaceMobile, which says it building the first and only global cellular broadband network in space to operate directly with standard, unmodified mobile devices based on our extensive IP and patent portfolio, has explained how its much-needed financing is shaping up. AST has already launched the massive ‘BlueWalker 3’ satellite. Each satellite comprises flat […]
China successfully launched three test satellites for its expanding broadband Internet technologies on December 30th. The satellite was launched by a Long March-2C carrier rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, state-run Xinhua news agency reported. These satellites are for the GuoWang national network of 13,000 satellites. However, there is now confirmed news that China […]
SpaceX was just short of its own unofficial 100 rocket launch target in 2023, achieving 98 launches overall. The 2024 target is (again unofficial) of about 130-150 launches, or launch activity about every 2.6 days. SpaceX managed: • 2 Starship launches • 5 Falcon Heavy launches • 91 Falcon 9 launches • 98 launches in […]
Indian telcos and their satellite partners will have to wait some time to access new satellite spectrum over the nation. A new Telecommunications Bill is now under debate and this is not likely to be finally decided and approved until a planned budget session in February 2024. The various authorities will then need time to […]
India’s government is proposing that satellite spectrum over the country will be assigned without would-be operators having to bid for the bandwidth. This rule, if enabled, will be a major advantage for the likes of Amazon’s Project Kuiper, Eutelsat/OneWeb and Elon Musk’s SpaceX/Starlink. The proposed Bill was tabled for approval in India’s parliament on December […]
The UK Space Agency has announced funding of more than £6.7 million (€7.7m) to further Scotland’s spaceports ambitions. Scottish-based HyImpulse, a launch company working with SaxaVord Spaceport in Shetland, will receive £3.4 million. And Orbex, which is working with Sutherland Spaceport on the A’ Mhòine peninsula, will get more than £3.3 million. Both spaceports plan […]
In a surprise move, Spain’s Startical j-v of Indra and Spanish air-navigation authority Enaire has returned to Sweden’s small-satellite builder GomSpace to build at least the initial satellites of the planned Startical air-traffic-management constellation. Just over a year ago the GomSpace contract was unexpectedly cancelled. The news propelled a significant uplift to GomSpace’s share price […]
Satellite builder Terran Orbital, already under considerable pressure from the NYSE because of its low share price, issued a statement (on a Form 8-K) to the SEC on December 11th which formally notifies shareholders that it is conducting a “formal strategic review” of its business. Reports suggest that Terran is seeking a buyer or partner […]
Survey: Black viewers pay more attention to culturally relevant ads
Sinclair updates on Scripps merger proposal
Openreach ramps up digital upgrade
Starlink undercuts BT
Apple TV on Air France flights
De Ranitz appointed Chair of the Board of Directors of NPO
Sky News reinvents News at Ten with The Wrap
HBO Max, A24 renew US Pay-1 output and library deal
Zayo Europe expands network across Iberian Peninsula
Volvo Cars expands Sky sponsorship deal