Sunday, June 24, 2012

Iridium Satellites to Monitor Airline Traffic

satellite though the technology could help conserve fuel and reduce the environmental impact of flying...
on the ground than radar or current bursts of data transmitted by planes on long flights over water or remote regions...
Iridium anticipates making similar...
"This is a big milestone for commercially hosted payloads and a...
Atlantic crossings, will begin using Iridium's satellites in five years or so...
using links between a satellite to periodically transmit the position of aircraft...
It also anticipates receiving fees from...
automated data transmissions to keep track of aircraft...
Now the...
, company and...
90% and ITT Exelis intend to move toward continuous,...
McLean, Va...
systems are expected to be phased in for domestic U...
Iridium last year announced plans to improve in-flight communications by...
Today, pilots on long oceanic or polar routes typically rely on...
HRS...
ridium...
Iridium intends to install air-traffic control receivers as...
Nav Canada is part of a...
partners including Harris Corp...
pursuing initiatives to replace ground-based radar with a satellite-based system...
...
to nearby aircraft and to change altitudes and routes more easily to conserve fuel and avoid storms...
quickly start achieving the economic and environmental benefits...
and involving Iridium...
secondary, or, "hosted," payloads on all 66 satellites in its next fleet...
It also would give greater flexibility to pilots, allowing them to get permission to fly closer...
arrangements for trans-Pacific flights...
plans to install devices on its next fleet of commercial satellites to continuously monitor airliners and...
With about 1,200 daily flights, the North...
Governments and industry officials on both sides of the Atlantic are...
and its corporate partners...
airlines using the system through 2030, according to the company...
the end of the decade...
...
air-traffic-control organizations and other customers using the system...
other air-traffic-control organizations for installing the devices on its satellites...
joint venture supported by the U...
...
Communications Inc...
...
Nav Canada, the air-traffic-control organization that handles the bulk of...
Iridium executives said they expect that major airlines, as well as...
groundbreaking use" of Iridium's global reach, said Matt Desch, the company's chief executive...
business jets on trans-Atlantic trips, an important step toward eventually replacing radar-based air-traffic control...
Iridium's initiative is intended to help airlines...
Iridium expects Aireon, as its satellite-based effort is known, eventually to...
air-traffic control agencies in Britain and elsewhere, eventually will participate...
The satellite technology would supply more complete and continuous flight information to air-traffic controllers...
cover flights across the Pacific and remote polar regions as well, the company said Tuesday...
flights around...
Extensive satellite-based tracking...
Atlantic is the world's busiest oceanic airspace...
But many airlines are balking at the investments required for such systems—even...
sometimes-unreliable radio transmissions to communicate with controllers on the ground...
Total fuel savings could amount to more than $6 billion for...
Iridium said it expects to receive about $200 million from Nav Canada and...

NewSat Wins More Satellite Communications Contracts

Exalt Microwave Backhaul Systems Deployed for Emergency Networks

it supporting new services like in-car video for our police force...
center in the state of Wisconsin (Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies)...
Right now we're working to migrate all our backhaul traffic to IP...
The center supports 26 police, fire, and EMS agencies and is the only CALEA-accredited...
We built Exalt systems to meet this challenge and deliver the stringent performance, security, and...
IP-based voice, data, and video applications and the resulting migration from TDM to IP-based networks...
satellite uptime, and we've gotten it...
services, and the center's new P25 land mobile radio (LMR) system from Raytheon...
"For agencies like the Rock County...
all-outdoor microwave systems using the 4...
"Exalt's engineering recommendations have always been right, so we decided to use Exalt systems to replace our old T1 lines to save money,...
and supports most sites at 100 Mbps...
Communications Center, one infrastructure has to serve it all...
on switching over to separate fire or police systems...
That work is planned for this summer, and in the future, we see...
" About Exalt Communications Exalt Communications provides next-generation microwave...
" "Government regulations are pushing public safety agencies to unify their communications infrastructures with an eye...
product marketing...
Exalt systems are designed to solve the network bottlenecks associated with the growing demand for...
The network is built on Exalt ExtendAir...
With a flexible architecture and universal product platform covering multiple market segments, Exalt provides a full...
provide more stable connectivity, and do more with increased bandwidth," said David Sleeter, director of the Rock County Communications Center...
range of microwave backhaul systems that meet the demand for cost-effective and flexible alternatives to fiber and leased lines...
"We expect five 9s of...
The Exalt backhaul network supports voice, mobile data, Wi-Fi hotspot...
toward system interoperability, but this creates new challenges for reliability, redundancy, and cost," said Mark Davis, Exalt sr...
with the same uptime and reliability we've grown to expect from Exalt...
network availability requirements of public safety agencies while decreasing their backhaul network costs...
communications services across the county's 720 square miles and enable the center to quickly migrate its backhaul network to all-digital while dramatically reducing equipment costs...
backhaul systems to mobile operators, service providers, government agencies, and enterprises worldwide...
Exalt Communications today announced that the Rock County Communications Center in Rock County, WI is using Exalt microwave backhaul systems to unify emergency...
director of...
Exalt partner General Communications installed the network, helping the center meet the...
If the backhaul network goes down, they can't rely...
rigorous uptime and resiliency requirements to maintain its longstanding CALEA accreditation...
9 GHz and 18 GHz frequency bands
NewSat Expands Backhaul Market in ME

Sunday, June 3, 2012

E4G - All-Ethernet Mobile Backhaul Solution


E4G Ethernet-based Mobile Backhaul

A subsidiary of Finnet Telecommunications Group company, SSP Yhtiot, will be the first commercial user of Extreme Networks E4G. The technology runs on all Ethernet-based networks, improving cell-site router performance for mobile backhauling. A part of Ericsson and Motorola's mobile infrastructures, Extreme Network provides Ethernet switches and mobile backhaul technologies to more than 19 mobile phone operators.

Enhanced mobile backhaul through E4G  spells good opportunities for Extreme and it will enable mobile operators to develop 4G services faster. All SSP towers will be equipped with  Extreme Networks E4G routers. SSP is expected to benefit from faster data , multimedia voice and  improved video services . This is made possible  by an all-IP Ethernet solution. The mobile backhaul solution has the advantage of having networks run faster than 3G speed, thanks to software enhancements such as the precision time protocol (PTP), as well as ultra-dense Gigabit Ethernet ports.

The mobile market is growing. With rapidly rising mobile data traffic from  corporate communications and  multimedia entertainment, mobile operators are faced with bandwidth shortage. The mobile industry would be increasingly needing scalable Ethernet mobile backhaul solution lile E4G, said Riku Paarni, Director of SSPNET Operators and Services at SSP.

The cell site router can also work on legacy networks, thus helping operators maintain their customers as they shift to 4G. Extreme Networks E4G MBH solution can significantly help the industry adapt to the evolving demands of the market. With resilient synchronous Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) backhaul, E4G can support multiple generations of services, including LTE. Users will also benefit from optimum performance with line-rate Gigabit Ethernet and capabilities for 10 GbE and beyond.


 [Other News: Africa Looks To Satellite Communications for Mobile Backhaul and Wireless Broadband ]



The volume of mobile data usage is growing at exponential rate, prompting wireless providers to shift to 4G. The technology will serve to sustain the delivery of bandwidth to millions of users, said  David Ginsburg, CMO of Extreme Networks.

"Extreme Networks is proud to work with SSP as it advances its network with our all-Ethernet cell-site routers," said Ginsburg. Mobile bandwidth services drive up the sector's revenues.
More users of smartphones and tablets means growing demand for high-speed mobile backhaul network. Featuring a 1RU form factor,  E4G-400 enables 4G mobile backhaul offering carrier-class resiliency, line-rate performance and synchronization,  while integrating TDM and Ethernet services and their associated protocols into a scalable and efficient Ethernet mobile backhaul network.

Extreme Networks is a global leader in high-performance Ethernet switching, serving cloud, data center and mobile sectors. The California-based company maintains 6,000 customers in more than 50 countries.

Monday, May 28, 2012

Satellite Communications Vendors Calling for DTH Market Deregulation in Asia

India's DTH market needs to source satellite capacity  from  foreign satellite carriers to sustain its growth.  Members of the Cable & Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia  appealed to Asian government to ease protectionist policy to satisfy pent-up market demand. According to Simon Twiston Davies, chief  executive officer of CASBAA , the local digital telecommunications and DTH markets, despite the ISRO success, remained under-provisioned.

The local industry cannot meet the demand from commercial satellite services  and DTH network operators. Deregulating the market to make international partnership possible is therefore essential to ease the shortage in transponder capacity.  The Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) can't help but agree. The agency lashed out China and India for their refusal to comply with open-trade policy when it comes to domestic satellite communications industry.

Thanks to the booming DTH market in India, new players were able to break in the local satellite service market. DHT growth is exceeding INSAT SATCOM capacity, thus foreign supply forms a critical part of the domestic network backbone. Yet INSAT heavily regulates the market, increasing the cost of services and causing disincentives to foreign satellite players (ISRO can terminate foreign contracts in favor of a domestic operator). More than 19 million households in India has digital TV (10 percent penetration), and the figure is expected to jump to 42% in 2018. Operators also complained of  heavy taxes and regulatory caps, which they say are a big stumbling block to digitization since it requires a huge capital investment.

There are around six private players serving the local DTH and digital TV markers of India: Dish TV, Tata Sky, Sun Direct, Big TV, Airtel Digital TV and Videocon D2H. There is also free DTH service provider,  Doordarshan . Zee-Group controlled Dish TV controls more than 35% of the market, thanks to partneship with  Monster.com, Shaadi.com and Yatra.com to increase  value-added services and convergent services.

Analysts believe that the Asian satellite communications industry will continue to grow in the long-run despite protectionist policy in some countries. They cite the apparent technological advantages of satellite com technology over terrestrial broadcasting platforms. Industry growth will also be driven by competition across different platforms serving the telecommunications, mobile Internet and television segments.  Many operators are  looking  forward to medium-term growth in the HDTV, IPTV , DTH and video-to-mobile services. Rural areas will also remain a good target market for the SATCOM operators.  As Asian economy grows, so does the requirement for wide-band connectivity. With a projected 4-6 CAGR through 2020, Asian mobile broadband is a promising market for transponder market.

Sunday, May 20, 2012

APB Satellite Interview With NewSat CTO David Ball

David Ball, the CTO of Australia's independent satellite operator, talks with APB Satellite about the company's ambitious Jabiru Satellite Fleet program and the present state of the satellite industry. Mr. Ball considers the company's deal with Cyprus as one of its milestone achievements over the past decade. Last year, AP Kypros Satellites Limited (KyproSat) and the Cypriot government granted NewSat the rights over seven premium orbital satellite slots. Asia-Pacific is one of the target market areas of NewSat, and a number of orbital slots have been secured to serve the region.

 The mobile satellite service market offers great growth opportunities for carriers. Mr Ball said Newsat has steerable antennas and Ka band solutions for this promising market niche. Mr. Ball is also optimistic of the prospects of content distribution.

He expects content distribution over satellite to grow further given its edge over point-to-point terrestrial distribution. The rapid deployment of fiber networks and the growing pressure on government to bridge the digital divide is also driving the growth of the industry. According to Mr Ball, satellite will be needed to bridge urban and rural areas given the limitations of fiber-optic networks, notably cost constraints.
Africa offers potential business impetus given the recent fiber-optic network projects in the region. But the limited availability of satellite spectrum remains a big challenge for the whole industry. "I think the biggest issue we have to watch for is spectrum," said Ball. He urged industry advocates to push through with their lobbying efforts to counter spectrum restrictions.

Complicated buying process is another area of concern, and Mr Ball suggests that vendors make it easier for end-users to choose SATCOM solutions over terrestrial services. Lockheed Martin started building Jabiru -1 last year. It will be the first satellite to be operated by NewSat on its own. It will have three separate payloads. The satellite will boast of a trunking payload linking Adelaide, Perth and Cyprus into South Asia, East Africa and the Middle East, with more than 20 multi-spot beam pattern that will extend coverage outside the areas. The spot beams are steerable so they can cover larger areas of Earth.

The choice of contractors reflected how significant the Jabiru fleet is to both the company and Australia. NewSat signed Lockheed Martin and Arianespace, the world's two leading companies in space communications and satellite launch industries, to work on Jabiru-1. Market trends point to a more robust satellite sector, especially the advances in VSAT ground technology, improved ACM coding technologies and falling prices of remote terminals, which means more rural residents and establishments can now afford satellite-based communications. .

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Local Backhaul Networks and Conterra Broadband Inked Deal

Local Backhaul Networks and Conterra Broadband Inked Deal
...
Local Backhaul Networks announced today that the OcularIP SLA portal application has been recognized by Conterra...
Broadband Services as being a significant factor in Conterra winning business and showcasing their network performance...
Conterra® is one of the nation's largest Ethernet and TDM transport carriers that specializes in...
" About Local Backhaul Networks Local Backhaul Networks provides professional engineering services and software platforms...
that enable service providers to succeed in the fast growing market segments of mobile backhaul, Ethernet business and Cloud services...
To showcase their network performance, Conterra selected the...
...
may be optional...
that is not tethered to a manufacturer...
identification purposes only and are the property of the respective owners...
in Charlotte, North Carolina...
several years to be intuitive and very customizable...
Local Backhaul Networks has provided engineering services and software solutions to the nation's...
...
information, contact www...
...
Today Conterra® is among the largest and most...
A key feature allows the portal to show...
satellite For more...
About Conterra Broadband Conterra® is a highly experienced Ethernet and TDM transport carrier...
Conterra is headquartered...
...
contractual SLA requirements," said Craig Simpson, Conterra's Vice President of Sales...
OcularIP is intuitive and very customizable, which allows us to...
All descriptions, specifications...
confident it will grow with us as we install future technologies...
information, contact: www...
Like most operators, Conterra's network consists of multiple segments...
real-time performance metrics down to the minute level...
Conterra® utilizes their own fiber, customized microwave networks and aggregated fiber from...
industry's leading IP circuit performance monitoring and reporting portal, and W...
that specializes in the design, deployment and operation of customized transport networks in rural areas...
Reporting of Service Level Agreement (SLA) performance has become...
largest wireless carriers, MSOs, IOCs, IXCs and enterprises and is head-quartered in Chesterfield Missouri...
states, bringing high-capacity transport service to the cellular and educational industries...
mandatory in the mobile backhaul and commercial Ethernet transport markets...
Operators Optimization Database)...
...
All names, products, trademarks are used for...
LBN's Ocular IP was developed and refined over...
the design, deployment and operation of customized high capacity backhaul networks in underserved areas...
Being able to provide each customer a customized SLA assurance portal is a...
...
experienced rural broadband transport providers in the US...
show real-time performance metrics that best showcase our capabilities...
smaller providers to reach sites with high-capacity Ethernet services, at the most economical costs...
transporting multiple customers, each with independent Service Level Agreements...
clear competitive advantage that has consistently helped Conterra win new business...
Local Backhaul Networks solutions include: OcularIPTM, the...
...
...
D (Wireless/line...
press...
During the last decade they have connected more than a thousand rural sites in eighteen...
For more...
service assurance portal, OcularIP, from Local Backhaul Networks...
It shows that we're in 100% compliance with wireless carriers'...
"OcularIP is the portal solution...
OcularIP is an open architecture, so we feel...
...
Some features...
are intended for general information...
com or...

Satellite Communications Body Praised Export Policy Review

Satellite Communications Body Praised Export Policy Review
;...
can be regulated under the Commerce Control List with acceptable risk...
Since...
legislative issues affecting the satellite business...
; Marshall...
Systems; Comtech EF Data Corp...
;...
Defense Authorization Act, assesses the national security risk of reforming United States export control policy for satellites and related items...
key findings, and includes six detailed attachments...
...
...
; iDirect Government...
satellite industry on policy, regulatory, and...
"The satellite and space communities are reviewing the Report's detailed technical analysis and recommendations,...
3288, and seek the introduction of...
ago, SIA has become the unified voice of the U...
" "SIA and our members are gratified that, after thorough and careful assessment, the nation's national security and export control...
; LightSquared;...
; Telesat...
technology...
distinct, competitive disadvantage that undermines the U...
Spacenet ...
communications operators, service providers, manufacturers, launch services providers, and ground equipment suppliers...
report that recommends reform of the nation's export policies for satellites and related items...
...
...
; GE Satellite;...
...
...
; The Boeing Company; The DIRECTV Group; EchoStar Satellite Services LLC;...
;...
...
SIA and its members have long advocated for reform of export...
More than a decade ago, Congress passed legislation that required that all satellites,...
Communications Corporati...
; Iridium...
space industrial...
impact of export control policies on the health of the underlying space industrial base supporting the commercial, military and intelligence space sectors...
Communications Technology, Inc...
XTAR, LLC...
Representatives to support the existing satellite export control reform bill, H...
market share of satellite exports has seen a significant decline, prompting concerns by industry leaders and government officials alike about the...
...
ViaSat, ...
ABOUT THE SATELLITE...
which collectively reflect a more contemporary picture of the national security, space, and satellite environments...
communities supported reform of the current outmoded approach to regulating exports of satellites and related items," said SIA's President, Patricia Cooper...
satellite Since its creation more than fifteen years...
; Cisco; Cobham SATCOM Land...
...
SIA and its member companies look to the House of...
SIA Associate...
...
...
about SIA can be found at www...
Systems/Lo...
Globecomm Systems, Inc...
, and...
...
; and Space...
...
...
...
...
INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION: SIA is a U...
The "Final Section 1248" Report makes seven...
advances that are critical to giving our war fighters the advantages that U...
Harris CapRock Communications; Hughes Network Systems, LLC; Integral Systems, Inc...
TeleCommunication Systems, ...
; DRS...
Canada; Ultisat, Inc...
...
Rockwell Collins Government Systems; SES S...
satellite communications industry at a...
Technologies, Inc...
national security, while doing nothing to protect the technological...
The Report concludes that "Applying more stringent export control policies and...
Communications Inc...
Members include: Artel, Inc...
Eutelsat, ...
...
practices than are imposed by other advanced satellite-exporting countries places the U...
; Glowlink...
Congress has mandated export control policy through legislation...
The Satellite Industry Association (SIA) applauds the Administration's release today of a...
base to the detriment of U...
...
can afford them...
...
SIA Executive...
...
Additional information...
satellite components, associated technical data, and related ground equipment be traded as munitions...
then, U...
...
Members include: ATK Inc...
" Satellites are the only industrial sector for which...
The report, which was prepared by the Departments of Defense and State, as required by Congress in Section 1248 of the 2010 National...
Technologies; Inmarsat, Inc...
control policies and laws applicable to satellites and related items...
...
;...
; Northrop Grumman Corporation;...
...
It lists the satellites and associated parts and components that...
;...
-based satellite communications trade association providing worldwide representation of the leading satellite...
Panasonic Avionics Corporation; Spacecom, Ltd...
Intelsat, ...
Lockheed Martin Corporation...
companion legislation in the Senate...
; Orbital Sciences Corporation;...

Monday, April 16, 2012

Boeing Vs Satellite Communications Client ICO

Boeing was declared not guilty by the California state appeals court in Los Angeles last week over the alleged breach of contract case filed by former satellite communications network company ICO. Boeing had been found guilty by a trial court in 2008 and was ordered to pay $604 in damages to ICO.

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Update on Jabiru Satellite Communication Fleet

Update on Jabiru Satellite Communication Fleet
See full interview with Adrian Ballintine, NewSat CEO
Ballintine has also been in Washington to meet with Lockheed...
" The event has enhanced...
Adrian Ballintine discussed how NewSat was pushing for growth of its local and international satellite communications capacity with the launching of the Jabiru-1 satellite fleet...
to promote its achievements in both local and international space markets...
International funding communities...
The 2012 ASX Emerging Market Conference presented several Australian...
the smallest participant in the event...
were interested to NewSat, noted Ballintine...
Ballintine said his company was...
in which NewSat were presented were extremely well attended," according to Ballintine...
satellite further boost the international profile of the independent carrier...
government officials, and very senior members of the American political spectrum...
The independent satellite communications company has...
companies with market capitalisation between A$150 million and A$2 billion...
Most of the attending companies were...
from the mining , oil and gas resources sector...
Australia, NewSat also got assistance from Australian Ambassador to the US Kim Beazley...
NewSat had the opportunity to talk at length about what it was doing with the US military and how the slots that...
Commenting on the significance of the Arianespace deal, Ballintine said the French ambassador highly valued...
Jabiru Satellite Communication Won Backing from ASX, Embassy In an exclusive interview just after the international ASX roadshow held in the UK and New York, NewSat CEO...
The 2012 ASX roadshow just held in New York and the UK...
NewSat has recently acquired would be able to service the US military in the deployment of multiple satellites in the region...
already signed more than $500 million pre-launch contracts to date...
Nevertheless, NewSat was well represented and well received, he said "The sessions...
Jabiru's profile in the US, said Ballintine...
the partnership, given that Jabiru 1 will be the first independently owned satellite of NewSat and its home country...
The ambassador got NewSat to appear in a government function in the US...
Martin and sign a space launch contract with French firm Arianespace...
Being the only local independent satellite communications provider in...
"Present in that function were senior US military personnel, high ranking...

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Satellite Communications and Fiber Networks Rolled Out in Australia

Source: Total Telecom Two local ISPs have taken the wraps off their National Broadband Network (NBN) service launch plans following the government's announcement of its plan to deploy the wholesale network to 3.5 million premises within the next three years.

Related Article: Satellite Communications for Mobile Backhaul
Building the network is...
broadband to every Australian no matter where they live,\" said Mike Quigley, chief executive of NBN Co, the state-owned company tasked with deploying the network...
\r\n\r\niiNet on Monday announced it would become the first ISP to offer services on all three of the...
peak time, and 20 GB off-peak per month...
...
\r\n\r\nMeanwhile Internode, which was acquired by iiNet in December for A$105 million ($109 million), on Monday commercially launched...
95 per month for 30 GB...
broadband via fibre, 4% via fixed wireless, and the other 3% via satellite communications system...
no broadband alternatives, so it\'s great news for the people who live there,\" said Internode product manager Jim Kellett...
5 million premises in three years;...
ISPs iiNet, Internode unveil launch plans...
Nationwide...
within the next three years...
95...
will be able to connect at speeds of up to 12 Mbps...
an NBN fixed wireless service using the network\'s first LTE base station, which covers around 770 premises in Armidale, New South Wales...
Data usage will be capped at 20 GB...
\r\nSouth Wales will see more than 1 million premises connected, while Queensland...
\r\n\r\nFor...
691,600\r\nQueensland: 678,600\r\nWestern Australia: 429,200\r\nSouth Australia: 327,300\r\nAustralian Capital Territory: 135,300\r\nNorthern Territory: 65,200\r\nTasmania: 209,100...
\r\n\r\nPrices...
\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nThe numbers of premises across Australia that will see construction begin or be completed by mid 2015 are:\r\n\r\nNew South Wales: 1,010,700\r\nVictoria:...
of data, reaching A$139...
5 million premises...
\r\n\r\n\"We were first with Naked DSL and IPTV and now we\'re first to bring a full NBN service suite to the market,\" claimed...
iiNet CEO Michael Malone, who described offering customers all three access methods as a \"significant milestone\" for the company...
5 million premises including homes, businesses, schools and...
week pledged to either connect, or start work on connecting, more than 3...
5 million premises in three years;...
for 1 T...
the eastern part of Australia will see the highest volume of connections...
scheduled to take around 10 years...
\r\n\r\nThe announcements were made after the Australian government last...
network targets 3...
\r\n\r\n\"Construction contracts are in place and the major commercial and regulatory hurdles have been cleared, giving us the momentum we need to deliver better...
network\'s access technologies – fibre-optic, communications satellite, and fixed wireless – when its services go live next month...
95 per month, iiNet\'s fixed wireless customers...
satellite communications Network (NBN) service launch plans after the government pledged to extend the nationwide wholesale network to 3...
and Victoria will see more than 650,000 respectively (see below for full breakdown)...
start from A$49...
\r\n\r\nNationwide...
When completed, 93% of premises will be able to access...
\r\nTwo of Australia\'s Internet service providers (ISPs) have taken the wraps off their National Broadband...
\r\n\r\n\"Although some premises may currently have ADSL or 3G mobile broadband coverage, in most cases there are few or...
network targets 3...
\r\n\r\nNot surprisingly the most densely-populated territories located in...
ISPs iiNet, Internode unveil launch plans...
hospitals to its new fibre network between now and the end of June 2015...

Satellite-based Communication Provider Comtech Won $18.0 Million Army Contract

Comtech announced that it signed a three month undefinitized contract for the provision of satellite bandwidth for the U.S. Army's Blue Force Tracking ("BFT-1") and Movement Tracking System ("MTS") programs.
Older Satellite Communications News: Global Marine Networks Partnered with Vobal Technologies
BFT-1 sustainment contract announced earlier today...
0 million and the pricing for the...
The Company conducts business through three complementary segments:...
Movement Tracking System (\"MTS\") programs...
7 million indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity...
any optional performance periods...
the global commercial and government communications markets...
distinct from Comtech\'s receipt of an undefinitized $80...
the risks and uncertainties described in such Securities and Exchange Commission filings...
This contract does not include...
...
...
capabilities when terrestrial communications infrastructure is unavailable, inefficient or too expensive...
Datacom, please visit the company\'s website at www...
\r\n\r\nComtech...
com...
Any forward-looking information in this press release is qualified in its entirety by...
telecommunications transmission, RF microwave amplifiers and mobile data communications...
leader in the market segments that it serves...
The Company believes many of its solutions play a vital role in providing or enhancing communication...
...
satellite bandwidth has not yet been finalized...
CMTL...
...
products, systems and services for advanced communications solutions...
\r\n\r\nThis satellite bandwidth contract is separate and...
The Company sells products to a diverse customer base in...
...
Actual results could differ...
Army\'s Blue Force Tracking (\"BFT-1\") and...
18% announced today that its Maryland-based subsidiary, Comtech Mobile Datacom Corporation, received a three month...
The Company\'s Securities and Exchange Commission...
...
Comtech...
contract has been initially funded in the amount of $18...
Telecommunications Corp...
forward-looking in nature and involve certain significant risks and uncertainties...
This three month undefinitized satellite bandwidth...
packet data communication systems and location and messaging services through the use of advanced communication and network technology...
The Company believes it is a market...
undefinitized contract which calls for the continued supply of satellite bandwidth, through June 30, 2012, for the U...
\r\n\r\nCertain information in this press release contains statements that are...
...
Telecommunications Corp...
To learn more about Comtech Mobile...
\r\n\r\nComtech Mobile Datacom Corporation, a Germantown, Maryland-based company, is engaged in the provision of satellite-based...
satellite filings identify many such risks and uncertainties...
designs, develops, produces and markets innovative...
...
materially from such forward-looking information...

Satellite Communication VSATs of KVH Dominate Market

A report entitled Maritime Telecom Solutions by Satellite confirmed that KVH is now the maritime VSAT market share leader.
Older Post on Satellite Communications News
\r\n\r\nNote to Editors: High-resolution, press-ready images of the mini-VSAT...
for their networking requirements, and that the older maritime VSAT technology wasn\'t ideal due to the expense of installing large antennas...
Forward-looking statements include, for example, the functionality, characteristics, quality and performance of KVH\'s...
5%, which is among...
maritime VSAT market share leader with more users than any other network\r\n\r\nMIDDLETOWN, R...
be able to seamlessly switch between C and Ku-band service...
KVHI...
The company\'s TracPhone V3, with a 37 cm antenna, and its enterprise-grade TracPhone V7,...
communications market...
...
delays) in data transmissions, making it ideal for new cloud-based applications being adopted by leading ship management companies...
...
...
their CommBox(TM) ship/shore network manager into the end-to-end TracPhone solution for the mini-VSAT Broadband service...
entertainment, communications, and Internet services that they enjoy in their homes and offices...
up to be a new generation maritime satellite communications solution...
\"mini-VSAT Broadband\" is a...
KVH does not assume any obligation to update its...
since 2008, and that by the end of 2021 maritime VSAT services will account for 55% of a $1...
KVH reported in its 2011 year-end investor conference call...
75% has quickly grown to become the world\'s leading maritime VSAT network, according to a new industry research...
...
The company is based in Middletown, RI, with...
forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties...
, is the leading provider of in-motion satellite television and communications systems, having designed,...
\r\n\r\nKVH is the only maritime VSAT provider to manufacture its own fully integrated onboard...
In 2010, the company acquired the Norwegian maritime network management company Virtek, and has incorporated...
\r\n\r\nKVH...
Factors that may cause such differences include, among others,...
Broadband coverage map and the TracPhone V-series product line are available at http://press...
satellite The service is very fast, providing Internet downloads as fast as 4 Mbps, and has significantly lower latency (time...
worlds -- fast, high quality, global multimegabit service delivered to small, affordable onboard terminals...
distributed by GlobeNewswire, www...
...
...
the best in the industry...
as being in the leadership position in the growing maritime VSAT market...
\r\n\r\nKVH, TracPhone, and CommBox...
KVH\'s mission is to connect mobile customers around the globe with the same digital television...
...
, April 3, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Launched in late 2007,...
Industries, Inc...
\r\n\r\nFull details of the KVH mini-VSAT Broadband service and the...
which uses a 60 cm antenna, provide service throughout the Ku-band portion of the network...
...
com\r\n\r\nSOURCE:...
\r\n\r\nThis news release was...
KVH\'s mini-VSAT Broadband service accounted for 16% of an estimated market of just under 9,000 activated maritime VSAT terminals...
Earlier this year KVH announced that three global C-band transponders will be added, providing an overlay on the Ku-band service...
stationary land use, the KVH service relies on state-of-the-art ArcLight(R) spread spectrum technology provided by KVH\'s partner ViaSat VSAT +0...
report from Euroconsult, the leading international research and analysis firm specializing in the satellite and space sectors...
and editorial use...
TracPhone V-series product line are available on the company\'s website, www...
antennas, while providing similar speed and coverage, thereby reducing the capital equipment and installation costs for maritime customers...
It\'s exciting both to have accelerating sales and to be acknowledged...
mini-VSAT Broadband service, which KVH believes is far more than any other maritime VSAT solution...
All other trademarks are the...
\"\r\n\r\nKVH\'s mini-VSAT Broadband network was designed from the ground...
20% higher than the next closest competitor...
satellite coverage over the oceans to create a seamless web of multi-megabit service...
that its maritime VSAT revenues grew by more than 60% in 2011...
Euroconsult estimates the overall maritime VSAT market has grown at a rate of 15% per year...
We\'ve leveraged a new generation of spread spectrum technology to bring our customers the best of all...
service mark of KVH Industries, Inc...
The company\'s new TracPhone V11 dual mode system will...
in 2011 and more than two million voice calls, and had a network uptime of 99...
In \"Maritime Telecom Solutions by Satellite, Global Market Analysis & Forecasts,\" Euroconsult estimates at the end of 2011,...
com for download...
...
property of their respective companies...
\r\n\r\nAbout KVH...
those discussed in KVH\'s most recent Form 10-K filed with the SEC...
online, creating one of the widest Ku-band networks in the industry...
products and technology; anticipated innovation and product development; and customer preferences, requirements and expectations...
New \"Maritime Telecom Solutions by Satellite\" report concludes KVH is now the...
04% , which was developed...
forward-looking statements to reflect new information or developments...
the mini-VSAT Broadband(SM) service from KVH Industries, Inc...
...
The spread spectrum technology enables KVH to use antennas for its mini-VSAT Broadband service that are 85% smaller than TDMA VSAT...
Industries, Inc...
are trademarks of KVH Industries, Inc...
facilities in Illinois, Denmark, Norway, and Singapore...
KVH Industries, Inc...
...
could differ materially...
...
very high quality, reasonably priced broadband service to all types of vessels, using onboard terminals that were small and easy to install,\" commented Martin Kits van Heyningen, KVH\'s CEO...
7 billion maritime...
The actual results...
\r\n\r\n\"Our strategy from the launch of the mini-VSAT Broadband service four and a half years ago has been to create a single global satellite communications network that delivers very fast,...
\r\n\r\nTo build its global network, KVH has taken advantage of new commercial...
terminal, own and operate a global VSAT network, and provide worldwide 24/7/365 after-sale support...
KVH\'s mini-VSAT Broadband service delivered more than 100 terabytes of data...
com...
\"Our initial market research clearly showed that customers using maritime L-band services felt the costs were prohibitively expensive...
specifically for mobile use...
\r\n\r\nThis release may contain certain...
that together will cover 95% of the earth, including all of the world\'s major shipping lanes, fishing regions, and offshore oil fields...
KVH\'s market share was reported to be...
manufactured, and sold more than 150,000 mobile satellite antennas for applications on vessels, vehicles, and aircraft...
Fourteen Ku-band satellite transponders are already...
Unlike older maritime VSAT services using time division multiple access (TDMA) technology, which was originally designed for...
\r\n\r\nTo date, more than 2,000 KVH TracPhone(R) systems have been shipped for the...

North Korean Satellite/Rocket Launch Alarmed US

The Pentagon activated its new U.S. ground-based global missile shield as North Korea is set to deploy a long-range missile, said defense officials.
More Military Satellite Communications News
Excerpts: would be made by the president, officials said...
was being fueled, U...
”\r\n\r\n“We expressed our concern,”...
The...
base called Tongchang-ri, located on a west coast peninsula north of Pyongyang between April 12 and April 15...
A total of 30...
in the Sea of Japan and one Aegis east of Japan, according to a State Department cable made public by Wikileaks...
...
...
and our national interests...
preparations for the launch are continuing...
configuration, the launch is likely cover for a missile test since U...
...
officials said the missile being readied on a launch pad north of the capital of...
...
...
”\r\n\r\nThis is a DigitalGlobe 50cm resolution natural...
prior to launch, the Obama administration decided to activate the missile defense system...
territory, and the shorter-range defenses will be used to try and shoot down the debris before impact...
...
...
...
defenses were activated for the upcoming test...
violates the international law...
...
...
identical to that used with ballistic missiles that carry a warhead, they said...
three-stage interceptors are deployed...
...
\r\n\r\nThe missile’s first stage could impact in the Yellow Sea near South...
...
is planning a space launch of a satellite...
Image (c) 2012...
...
official would say only that “We’ve got...
...
Panetta on Saturday during a meeting with reporters aboard the Navy ship USS Peleliu...
\r\n\r\nNorth Korea has announced that it...
...
\r\n\r\nAccording to...
provo...
claim the rocket test is for space launch purposes, the officials said...
officials also said that regardless of the...
”\r\n\r\n“Through our combined capabilities, we can...
ground-based global missile shield in anticipation of North...
Defense Forces carried out aegis ship data sharing...
defense deployments are classified...
...
missile defense systems include networks of radar and space tracking gear, including ground-...
officials, the initial phases of the U...
It’s dangerous and it...
plans or intelligence but said, “We stand ready to defend U...
with a future North Korean launch, Panetta said the U...
Korea from launching missiles...
...
\r\n\r\nAlso, because the payload or warhead of the test launch cannot be determined...
official said the military’s large, X-band radar that is based on a oil-rig-sized...
As the missile...
Korea’s launch of a long-range missile, according to defense officials...
...
This activity appears consistent...
\r\n\r\nHowever, Cunningham said, “North Korea’s announcement that it plans to conduct a...
and has the capability to respond if and when appropriate...
The president of the United States made very...
DigitalGlobe, Inc...
spokeswoman Lt...
and sea-based radar, Aegis ships, and long-range interceptor missiles based in Alaska and California...
Aegis-equipped warships around Japan that are equipped with SM-3 missile interceptors...
...
sufficiently monitor North Korea’s efforts,” she said...
...
Pyongyang appears similar to North Korea’s Taepodong-2 intercontinental ballistic missile...
secrecy regarding its missile defense...
-based interceptors, are ready to shoot down the North Korean missile if space-,...
for details, a U...
\r\n\r\nHull-Ryde declined to discuss military operations,...
has “put whatever assets in place that we...
Action Team with the Japanese military...
...
...
Forces Japan activated a 24/7 Crisis...
activated its new U...
flight path could take it over Okinawa...
...
\r\n\r\n“The...
...
...
...
clear that the North Koreans should not do this...
allies, said officials who...
2009, when North Korea conducted a test flight of a Taepodong-2 on April 5...
satellites and RC-135 Cobra Ball aircraft based at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan...
Shared Early Warning system and the AN/TPY-2 X-band radar located at Shariki, Aomori, Japan...
officials, current intelligence assessments indicate the North Korean missile will be launched from a...
sanctions prohibit North...
we have to be fully prepared...
”\r\n\r\nDetails of the missile...
It is...
...
...
But...
DigitalGlobe imagery taken today can confirm a higher level of activity...
April Cunningham would not say if missile...
missile defense activation include stepped-up intelligence gathering by spy...
\r\n\r\nThe measures include stepped-up electronic monitoring, deployment of missile interceptor...
But as always takes place in these kinds of situations,...
...
what we need to monitor a possible launch...
...
color image of the North Korean launch site at Tongchang-ri...
that they will not do it...
any launch by North Korea as a violation of U...
The technology and rocketry used for a space launch is nearly...
need in order to deal with any contingency...
...
satellite It’s dangerous and it...
...
for any possibility—and we are...
\r\n\r\nThe missile defense activation was briefly mentioned by Defense Secretary Leon...
has deployed two Aegis ships armed with SM-3s, along with Patriot PAC-3 anti-missile batteries around Tokyo...
Japan and the Philippines, as well as U...
”\r\n\r\nA...
\r\n\r\nAny decision to shoot down the missile...
...
“We’re monitoring the situation very closely, along with our [Republic of Korea] counterparts, to ensure the defense of the ROK...
...
...
Providing a virtual presence is what DigitalGlobe does best, by rapidly delivering...
\r\n\r\nSatellite images published Monday show...
...
...
However, defense officials said the measures include the stationing of three Navy...
floating platform sailed from Honolulu to waters near Korea on March 26 as part of the activation...
...
...
North Korea from conducting launches that use ballistic missile technology,” she said...
with North Korea’s recent undertaking to refrain from long-range missile launches,” Cunningham said...
\r\n\r\nPrior to that launch, also announced by Pyongyang as a space launch, the Navy deployed two Aegis ships...
” The last time missile defenses were activated on the current scale was...
...
territory, our allies...
\r\n\r\nAccording to the...
Korea and the second stage could land east of the Philippines in the Pacific...
\r\n\r\nAsked...
Asked what military steps were taken to deal...
...
Leslie Hull-Ryde, a second Pentagon spokeswoman, declined to provide details on the North Korean launch preparation but said,...
long-range missile launch at any time would be in direct violation of its international obligations...
\r\n\r\nJapan’s concern is that if the missile goes astray or breaks up, it will target Japanese...
...
missile defense deployments are being closely coordinated with Japan’s government and military, which...
The Seventh Fleet and the Japan Maritime Self...
...
spoke on condition of anonymity...
Also, in 2009, the military shared ballistic missile data with Japan from the...
\r\n\r\nCurrent...
within the overall facility and significant activity at the launch pad specifically...
deployments contrasts with Japan’s openness on the issue...
\r\n\r\nThe Obama administration will regard...
...
...
...
...
The preparations included Aegis...
we have to be fully prepared for any possibility—and we are...
provo...
Security Council Resolutions 1718 and 1874 “clearly and unequivocally prohibit...
...
”...
\r\n\r\n“Such a missile launch would pose a threat to regional security and would also be inconsistent...
\r\n\r\nPentagon...
violates the international law...
It is...
Japanese Defense Minister Naoki Tanaka on March 23...
ordered missile defenses prepared for the North Korean launch...
Security Council resolutions regardless of whether the North Koreans...
with preparations for a satellite launch...
\r\nThe Pentagon...
And so our hope is...
\r\n\r\nThree interceptor ships near...
land-, and sea-based sensors determine its flight path is targeted at the United States or U...
clear that the North Koreans should not do this...
...
...
\r\n\r\nThe North Korean missile’s likely...
...
...
Panetta said of the upcoming launch...
closely monitors threats to international security...
“The president of the United States made very...
shareable, high-resolution imagery to provide up to date coverage of events on the ground...
ships, and activation of radar networks to areas near the Korean peninsula and western Pacific...
warships and ground-based PAC-3 defenses...
...

Hughes Won Satellite Communications Award

The global satellite broadband provider won the Inspire Award from the League of American Communications Professionals LLC (LACP) for its Channels newsletter in the 2011 Internal & Employee Communications Competition.
Other News: Satellite Communications Contracts
New Satellite Communications Contract for Jabiru-1
Hughes Network...
...
Customer stories across enterprise, government and consumer markets are featured from around the globe, some in video versions, along...
8 million systems to customers in over 100...
ranging from corporate, executive, and international communications for Fortune 500 organizations to product, service, and non-profit publicity...
Hughes and HughesNet are registered...
\r\n\r\nHeadquartered...
...
\r\n\r\nAccording to LACP, \"In summary, we congratulate...
best internal communications materials of 2011...
com/NewsEvents/ChannelsNewsletter...
broadband technology is changing the way people do business, learn, and play around the planet--and the essence of why Hughes is such a great place to work...
\"It\'s a testament to our many customer and employee contributors who have made Channels such an interesting read--telling the compelling stories of how...
broadband for home and office, delivering innovative network technologies, managed services, and solutions for enterprises and governments globally...
The winners demonstrated an outstanding focus on their target publics,...
We classify this entry as being among the...
00% , a premier global provider of satellite...
ETSI and ITU organizations, including IPoS/DVB-S2, RSM-A, and GMR-1...
\"\r\n\r\nThe 2011 competition drew the largest number of submissions ever--more than 550 from half a dozen...
\r\n\r\nThe competition was judged by a field of communications professionals affiliated with LACP and spanning a broad spectrum of expertise,...
...
Arunas Slekys, vice president of Corporate Marketing at Hughes...
vendor partners worldwide in hard copy and electronically, with a current distribution of over 15,000...
com...
satellite The LACP was established in 2001 in order to create a forum within the public relations industry that facilitates discussion of...
Systems, LLC, an EchoStar Company...
...
countries--representing a broad range of industries and organizational sizes, making the competition exceptionally tough...
communications operations and digital TV solutions...
Its products employ global standards approved by the TIA,...
\r\n\r\nAbout Hughes Network Systems Hughes Network Systems, LLC (Hughes) is the world\'s leading provider of satellite communications and wireless...
\r\n\r\n\"We are honored to receive this prestigious award,\" said...
...
has shipped more than 2...
\"\r\n\r\nChannels is published three times a year by Hughes and distributed to employees, customers, and...
...
with a senior executive message in every issue, plus new product/service announcements, all posted on the Hughes corporate Web site at www...
best-in-class practices within the profession while also recognizing those who demonstrate exemplary communications capabilities...
...
HughesNet® is the #1 high-speed satellite communications and 4G...
Internet service in the marketplace, with offerings to suit every budget...
received a first place Inspire Award from the League of American Communications Professionals, LLC (LACP) for its Channels newsletter in the 2011 Internal & Employee Communications Competition...
, April 2, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES), the global leader in broadband satellite communications solutions and services, today announced that it has...
that there are no conflicts of interest...
...
ERMANTOWN,...
outside Washington, D...
the entire team at Hughes involved for this year\'s work...
...
their interests, and their need to understand the key messages being communicated...
...
For additional information...
trademarks of Hughes Network Systems, LLC...
, in Germantown, Maryland, USA, Hughes operates sales and support offices...
Judges are screened to ensure...
countries, representing over 50 percent market share...
worldwide, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation SATS 0...
...
To date, Hughes...
about Hughes, please visit www...

Monday, April 2, 2012

Pay As You Go Satellite Communications

The only thing required is a web cam connected to a laptop to access EMC's HD Connect and global satellite communications link via Temasys Vidyo Cloud servers located in strategic data centers in the world’s major economic and developing areas.
Check out related satellite communications press release and other Satellite Communications News
Excerpts The EMC earth stations used were located in Miami and...
Hanoi used standard laptops...
easier scalability and greater versatility (see White Paper - White Paper - Affordable and Practical HD Conferencing over Satellite to Multiple Parties using EMC HD Connect and Temasys’ Cloud)...
However, in today’s global business environment, there are times when one or more of the parties needed for a videoconference...
No special video equipment is required: a web cam connected to a laptop simply accesses EMC\'s HD Connect and joins multiple parties...
...
one simply used a Smart Phone -- an iPhone4...
Technically, the solution is...
...
around the globe via Temasys Vidyo Cloud servers located in strategic data centers in the world’s major economic and developing regions...
“The routing of this call was chosen to optimize the quality of the experience...
One Singapore participant used an iMac and...
service, Temasys and EMC successfully conducted a multinational Vidyo conference, using a satellite communications link to simulate access into geographically-remote locations...
From desert locations deep in Asia and oil rigs in the Pacific to ocean going maritime vessels and land locked remote mining...
\r\nWith an innovative ‘pay as you go’ format, videoconferences can be...
we could have also connected our Amsterdam data center into the network...
Using EMC’s HD Connect service, which is the industry’s first on demand, ‘pay as you go’ high definition (HD) video conferencing over satellite...
No special video equipment is required: a web cam connected to a laptop simply accesses EMC\'s HD Connect and joins multiple parties...
simple, yet very powerful and robust...
During the 30 minute conference, documents and presentations...
The ability to allow participants to use virtually any desk top or mobile device to participate in...
facilities, videoconferencing for medical, engineering, operations and other reasons is finally affordable, high quality and feasible...
Having a global network of Vidyo servers located in three major regions, backed by...
Hawaii and were connected to one of EMC’s Pacific VSAT satellites...
around the globe via Temasys Vidyo Cloud servers located in strategic data centers in the world’s major economic and developing regions...
The combination of EMC’s HD Connect and Temasys Vidyo Cloud can show a 70 to 80 per cent reduction in the cost of a VC network when compared with the use of legacy systems, and provide...
With HD Connect’s unprecedented quality -- with low jitter, low packet loss...
using Vidyo Record and Replay...
call and then used our California data center to host the call...
From desert locations deep in Asia and oil rigs in the Pacific to ocean going maritime vessels and land locked remote mining...
”\r\nTom Luketich, VP of Strategic Marketing for EMC, said, “This demonstration was a remarkable illustration of the ability to bring high...
was equipment intensive and prohibitively expensive...
\r\nTemasys’ Vidyo Cloud embraces a technology that is...
High Definition Video Communication delivered over the public internet...
the applications for Emerging Markets Communications’...
(EMC’s) HD Connect empowered by the Temasys Vidyo Cloud are vast...
If any of the participants on the call had been located in Europe,...
Vidyo is building an enviable reputation as the world’s leader in...
\r\nFor this conference, four participants located in Miami, Florida,...
Hanoi, Vietnam and Singapore used a variety of devices as end points...
We used our Singapore data center to authenticate the...
facilities, videoconferencing for medical, engineering, operations and other reasons is finally affordable, high quality and feasible...
(EMC’s) HD Connect empowered by the Temasys Vidyo Cloud are vast...
and predictable and steady latency -- the quality of the conference was outstanding...
(Vidyo) as a Cloud” service proposition, teamed up with EMC, a premier provider of hybrid global satellite communications and terrestrial communications services...
quality, affordable, rich videoconference and visual collaboration experiences to participants located in some of the hardest to reach areas of the globe...
\r\nTo address this challenge, Temasys, a Vidyo Service Provider with a global network of servers and infrastructure to support their “Video...
were shared along with a simultaneous medical education video...
the conference adds a level of flexibility that is increasingly important to today’s mobile workforce...
Every day, thousands of Vidyo users place point to point and multi point calls, sharing...
knowledge, documents and videos and generally helping the business world function more efficiently...
Until now, the only solution to this situation...
\r\nBill Lewis, Managing Director of Temasys Communications, explained,...
conducted at a fraction of the price of a typical dedicated satellite communications data circuit...
simple, yet very powerful and robust...
does not have access to the public internet nor to a network capable of supporting access to multiple participants around the globe...
Participants in Miami and...
leading edge and has been proven in terrestrial applications...
Technically, the solution is...
\r\nThe applications for Emerging Markets Communications’...
The session was recorded...
satellite EMC’s industry-leading technology, allows us to offer a superlative VaaS proposition...

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Iran Launched Gospel Satellite

Early Friday, Iran sent a small satellite into space as part of the government’s ambitious space program. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad hopes the launch will “send a signal of more friendship” in the international community, though the West has shown concerns over possible military applications of Iran’s space technology.

The IRNA news agency reported that the locally-made satellite, Navid, or Gospel in English, is intended to gather meteorological data and monitor natural calamities. Weighing 110 pounds (50 kilograms) , the satellite operates at a maximum altitude of up to 234 miles (375 kilometers), moving around Earth 15 times a day. Navis is an example of miniaturized or micro satellite. This type of satellite is cheaper to make and requires less expensive launch vehicles.

Made at a local engineering university, Gospel is the third small satellite launched by Iran in recent years. The satellite is expected to remain in orbit for two months. The satellite features advanced control capacity, photocells and high-resolution camera.

Safir was the name of the launch vehicle used to carry the satellite into the space from Farsi. It has 20% more launch power compared with predecessor carrier missiles, reported IRNA. The missile is reportedly a ballistic missile which can be remodelled into an intercontinental missile.

The White House said the rocket was critical to the creation of long-range ballistic missile. Its use is a violation of a UN resolution prohibiting Iran from using ballistic missile technology for space launches, warns the US government.

Other News: More Funds for NewSat's Jabiru Satellite

Monday, January 30, 2012

AAI Unmanned Aircraft to Use ViaSat Satellite Network

AAI Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and ViaSat will work together to develop a beyond-line-of-sight satellite communications technology to be used in a new unmanned AAI aircraft. UAS specializes in the design and manufacturing of unmanned aircraft. It is a division of Textron Systems.

The project seeks to combine airborne and terrestrial satellite communications solutions from ViaSat and the advanced aircraft command and control technologies from AAI. The project will also use ViaSat’s Internet Protocol-based security and networking technology.

The Forward Airborne Secure Transmission and Communication (FASTCOM) system is a joint project of ViaSat, AAI Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Overwatch. The wireless cellular network ensures safe transmission of smartphone data. The 3rd and 4th generation communications capability of the network is expected to improve military communications in battlefields.

Steven Reid, AAI Unmanned Aircraft Systems' President and General Manager, said that collaborating with ViaSat will help the company maintain its competitiveness in system development and integration. The UAS will play a crucial role in the battlefield, he said.

Paul Baca, ViaSat Global Mobile Broadband’s Vice President and General Manager, said that the satellite carrier is capable of providing dedicated bandwidth for transmission of UAS video in the battlefield.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Satellite News Briefs

Thuraya Satellite Phone Provide Emergency Communications to Philippine Province

The Office of Civil Defense of the Cordillera Administrative Region (OCD-CAR) , Philippines has set up a Thuraya satellite telephone at the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) to be used by emergency response staff at the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council(PDRRMC). PSDWO usually serves as the Disaster Coordinating Center for the PDRRMC during flood, typhoons and other natural calamities.

According to Engineer Jojo Valera of the OCD-CAR, the satellite phone will serve as communications tool of last resort when all local networks are not operational due to bad weather.

The Thuraya satellite telephone will enable the response group to communicate with regional and national DRRMC. The satellite phone also supports text messaging in addition to voice calls. The phones are also being used in other regions Regions 1, 2, 3 and Metro Manila.

2012 World Radiocommunication Conference

The US promises to promote the discussion of new spectrum band allocation for broadband mobile service providers at the 2012 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-12) , a global marathon meeting of major telecommunications firms. The event started in Geneva on January 23.

Decker Anstrom, the head of US delegation to WRC-12, said the US representative will give priority in tackling the spectrum crunch at the one-month long quadrennial meeting. The event is hosted by the United Nations’ International Telecommunications Union.

Although WRC-12 is unlikely to reach a decision on the spectrum crunch, the meeting is a necessary step in outlining technical tasks need to address bandwidth scarcity over the next three and a half years so that the industry can look forward to WRC-2015 as time for making big decisions.

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Skycasters Improves Teleport Capacity With New Antenna

Satellite Internet provider Skycasters has finished its new 8.1m uplink antenna which boasts of higher gain than the company's existing 6.3m antennas. The new antenna is expected to increase Skycasters' redundancy and teleport reliability.

The Vertex-made antenna has an aluminum reflector fixed to a skeleton structure which keeps it in the right position, allowing it to focus electromagnetic waves on the feed. The reflector stands almost four stories tall. It had to secure clearance first from the FAA before its construction began. The gigantic antenna is supported by a kingpost weighing two tons.

Prior to this teleport improvement, the company had added a new UPS system, an advanced fire suppression system, and brand-new diesel generator. The new UPS system comes with an external bypass switch, so it can prevent costly losses due to downtime. The teleport's new fire suppression system is more eco-friendlier than the previous Halon-based system.

Skycasters teleport supports VPNs, corporate data services and other satellite-based communication services commonly used in emergency and disaster relief operations, public safety agencies and rural communications.

Other News:

The Competitive Edge of Australian Teleport and Satellite Industry

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Satellite Communications Asia: Launch Date of Shenzhou-9 and Shenzhou-10 Spacecraft Announced


The  China National Space Administration  is scheduled to launch the Shenzhou-9 and Shenzhou-10 spacecraft in 2012. This has been confirmed by  Spokesman Zhang Wei at a press conference held in the capital city of Beijing during the  release of a white paper titled "China's Space Activities in 2011.” However, the agency refused to provide the exact date.

On Thursday, the Chinese government released the report which detailed the development of the local space industry since 2006. I also outlined the ambitious space projects of the government for the next five years.

State Council Information Office’s  "China's Space Activities in 2011” was the third white paper on Chinese space industry . The first was released  in 2000, followed by another in 2006.

During the recent years, space projects have become a priority of the Chinese government in line with national development. The Chinese government said that its space activities are for peaceful and exploration purposes.
China is rapidly becoming a world leader in space technology. It has ranked among international pioneers in satellite technology recently, and more growth opportunities are expected to be seen in the near future.

China promises to  cooperate with the international community to maintain a peaceful and clean outer space, the document states. The white paper cited space transportation system, human spaceflights, Earth satellites and deep-space exploration as some of the priorities of the space agency. The government is also planning to make space laboratories, space freighters and manned lunar missions.  

In the  next five years, the agency will create orbiters for soft landing on the moon, roving and surveying, followed by collection of samples on moon's surface to be studied in ground laboratories, the white paper said.
Building a space infrastructure frame comprising observation satellites, navigation and positioning satellites, and communications and broadcasting satellites are also part of the plan. There will also be special deep-space project demonstrations, including mission to Mars.

China  is a signatory to 66 international space cooperation agreements along with more than 20 states and regions, and 44 of these agreements are in effect, Zhang said.  Zhang stressed the openness has always been the center of China’s space program.