Quilty Analytics, in its latest quarterly ‘state of the industry’ report, quotes recognised satellite business leaders expressing their concerns on the risks to commercial space – and specifically LEO – and the launching of potentially tens of thousands of satellites. Quilty references three leading executives (Viasat’s Mark Dankberg, SES’s Steve Collar, and Steve Spengler, the […]
Intelsat’s lawyers filed a revised Reorganisation Plan from its Chapter 11 bankruptcy into the court on November 19th. Intelsat and its associated businesses have debts of some $15 billion that it is seeking to halve. While this is a considerable sum it is modest when compared to the likes of Enron’s bankruptcy ($63 billion back […]
A report from analysts at Quilty Analytics says that Charlie Ergen-backed satellite operation EchoStar is returning to growth mode. The firm says that EchoStar has reported its third consecutive quarter-year of solid top-line growth coupled with double-digit bottom-line growth. “In an unusual twist, however, the majority of this growth was driven by enterprise/equipment demand, including […]
In truth, Intelsat’s bankruptcy has been criticised by investors and creditors since Day One of its Chapter 11 process. But November 17th saw a slew of extra motions tabled and due to be heard on December 2nd by the court. In essence, the documents call for Intelsat’s Amended Exit Plan to be rejected. Most of […]
SES has ordered two replacement satellites for its prime orbital slot at 19.2 degrees East and will serve 118 million homes across Europe and beyond. Luxembourg-based SES says the two geostationary (GEO) Ku-band satellites will be for its prime orbital slot at 19.2 degrees East to maintain the premium services it provides to its European […]
November 16th saw Eutelsat’s share price crash 5 per cent and SES suffer a 2 per cent fall on the day. In the US Viasat and Loral both fell 3 per cent with Echostar and Iridium falling 2 per cent. Asian satellite shares also fell. The reductions were seen as being “excessive” according to analysts […]
Isotropic Systems, a developer of transformational broadband terminal technologies, has joined the consortium led by CGI, which has been selected by the UK Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, the UK Space Agency, and the European Space Agency (ESA), to develop a demonstration of a hybrid satellite communications and terrestrial network for use on […]
Intelsat’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy court has approved SES’s application to depose 4 senior Intelsat staffers including Intelsat’s former CFO Jacques Kerrest. His retirement was announced back in January 2019. Others to be deposed include Michael DeMarco (EVP/Chief Services Officer), Henrich Heuer (SVP/Finance & Treasurer until April 2020), and retired General Ellen Pawlikowski (Intelsat board director […]
Last week it was alleged by Intelsat’s lawyers that an expert witness retained by SES to provide advice in the Intelsat bankruptcy case should be excluded. Intelsat’s lawyers argued that James Millstein, co-chairman of Guggenheim Securities, had been retained on a contingent fee tied directly to his testimony. ‘Not so’ implied SES’s lawyers who commeneted: […]
Intelsat’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy court has denied a Motion from Intelsat’s lawyers to bar two expert witnesses from giving their evidence. In particular, SES had wanted to call Jane Mago as an expert witness in its dispute with Intelsat. Her evidence covers what the FCC orders and regulations mean. The second witness permitted to appear […]