Advanced Television

Satellite

SpaceX readies two broadband satellites

Following on from last week’s Falcon Heavy launch, SpaceX is making final preparations for the launch on February 17th for the first pair of prototype satellites for Elon Musk’s giant “Starlink” constellation of broadband satellites. These first two, dubbed Microsat 2a and 2b, will be orbited on a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Air Force […]

February 13, 2018By Chris Forrester

All change at top of SES

Karim Michel Sabbagh, currently president & CEO at satellite operator SES, and Padraig McCarthy CFO, are stepping down. Steve Collar, who is currently CEO of SES Networks, has been appointed as the next President & CEO of SES, becoming CEO Designate with immediate effect. Andrew Browne, who was until recently CFO of O3b Networks and […]

February 12, 2018By Chris Forrester

Intelsat + SES and USA 5G a “coup for both”

Satellite coverage over North America is dominated by Intelsat and SES, and last October Intelsat proposed a joint initiative with chip-maker Intel to permit some C-band satellite frequencies to be used in built-up metropolitan areas to help boost 5G’s roll-out and deployment. SES was initially cool on the idea, but has now thrown its hat […]

February 12, 2018

Hispasat, Eurona launch satellite broadband services

Hispasat and Internet provider Eurona are set to launch a package of satellite broadband services in Spain on K-band through satellites Hispasat 36 W-1 and 30 W-6 which cover Europe and the north of Africa. The services will target isolated areas with no optic fibre coverage and offer speeds of up to 30Mbps with a […]

February 9, 2018From David Del Valle in Madrid

SoftBank seeking extra connectivity investments

Japanese media and technology conglomerate SoftBank is looking for new investment possibilities in the satellite and related connectivity sectors. SoftBank already has a significant $1 billion+ investment in Low Earth Orbit business OneWeb, and Alex Clavel, an EVP at SoftBank told delegates at the SmallSat Symposium in California that his company was actively seeking to […]

February 8, 2018By Chris Forrester

Orange preps for 5G with new tests

Orange is striving to differentiate itself by the quality of its networks and the customer experience it offers. In order to secure the leadership it has already established in 4G, Orange is actively preparing for the arrival of 5G, the breakthrough network technology that will allow the development of radically new uses. To do this, […]

February 7, 2018

Avanti: Contract win, new boss

In what are potentially significant changes for financially troubled London-based Avanti Communications, the company announced a useful new contract and says it has appointed a new CEO. Kyle Whitehill is the new CEO, and he will join on April 3rd 2018.  He joins Avanti from Liquid Telecom Group, where he has been CEO of Liquid […]

February 5, 2018By Chris Forrester

Kagan: State of 4G report

Kagan, a division of S&P Global Market Intelligence, has published its latest State of Global 4G report. Of the 42 4G countries covered by Kagan, Denmark boasts the world’s highest 4G penetration rate at 83 per cent of total mobile subs, followed by South Korea at 76 per cent, and Australia at 65 per cent. […]

February 2, 2018

Nokia see profit; looks to 5G

Nokia returned to operating profit in 2017 as new technologies helped to relieve some pressure from its declining network business. Operating profit was €16 million last year, up from a loss of €1.1 billion in 2016. The Technologies business, which includes areas such as digital health and patent licensing, was the top performer with revenues […]

February 2, 2018

Global Eagle revenues up but losses increase

Global Eagle Entertainment (GEE) has declared its Q3 numbers (to September 30th 2017) saying that revenues were up 23 per cent for the nine months to $460 million (€370m), but with losses of $223 million ($75 million last year). GEE is building up media and broadband connectivity with in-flight and cruise ship entertainment now at […]

February 1, 2018By Chris Forrester