News Analysis

by Peter Galace

Los Angeles, Calif., September 27, 2013--Given the fast changing configuration of the satellite-cable TV market, is the merger of DirecTV and its chief rival Dish Network now appropriate and sensible?  The answer is a clear “yes” from both companies. 

Miami, FL, Sept. 23, 2013 — Emerging Markets Communications (EMC), a satellite and terrestrial communications solution provider and satcom technology manufacturer, has acquired STM and its affiliate entities Global IP and Vodanet Brasil.

Hauppauge, N.Y., Sept. 16, 2013 — Globecomm Systems Inc. has reported a drop in its revenue to US$ 80.6 million during the fiscal 2013 fourth quarter, compared to US$ 104.8 million in the same period last year, as the company completed a major government project in January 2013.

Indiana, PA, September 12, 2013 — Quintech Electronics & Communications is acquiring 100 percent of all shares of DEV Systemtechnik GmbH & Co. KG. Quintech, headquartered in Indiana, PA, supplies RF signal routing equipment for over 24 years. Quintech’s product line includes matrix switches, routers, splitters, combiners, amplifiers, and LNB power supplies.

Hollywood, Fla., September 12, 2013 — HEICO Corp. has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Lucix Corp., a designer and manufacturer of high performance, high reliability microwave modules, units, and integrated sub-systems for commercial and military satellites.

Amsrerdam, the Netherlands, September 12, 2013.  According to a Carrier ID survey, carried out by the Satellite Interference Reduction Group (IRG) and Newtec, 93% of respondents suffer from satellite interference at least once a year, with more than half suffering at least once a month and 17% continuously in their day to day operations.

The September 2013 issue of  the  Satellite Executive Briefing  focusing on the EMEA Satellite Market sponsored by Gazprom Space Systems is now available.  Featuring:

The Danger of Overcapacity by Jan Grøndrup-Vivanco

4K TV:  Technology Push or Demand Pull? by Elisabeth Tweedie

What's Behind a Satellie Dish?  by Robert Bell

Verticals and Horizontals: Satellite’s Expanding Marketplace by Martin Jarrold

plus Product and Services MarketPlace Guide to IBC 2013, IndustryBriefs, Market Briefs, Executive Moves, Vital Statistics and Satellite Markets and Research 25^TM Stock Index  and many more.

 Click here or the cover image above to read or download the issue

by Elisabeth Tweedie

London, UK, Spetember 6, 2013-- At IBC this year, 53 of the approximately 1400 exhibitors claim to be showing something to do with 4K.  My guess is that the number is actually higher as many companies don’t list everything that they will be demonstrating in advance.  So does this mean that 4K is destined to become a commercial reality?

Stockholm, Sweden, September 5, 2013--Ericsson today completed the acquisition of Microsoft's Mediaroom business and TV solution. As the most deployed IPTV platform, with a global market share of around 25%, Mediaroom-powered TV services are offered by nearly 60 of the world's leading operators, delivering services to almost 13 million households, and close to 24 million set top boxes, worldwide.

by Robert Bell

New York City, NY, Septmeber 6, 2013--If you drive by a satellite uplink facility, also known as a teleport, you will see an array of satellite dishes, from large to small, a few buildings, and a surrounding security fence.  No matter where you go in the world, the set up looks basically the same.  But behind the satellite dishes, the reality can be completely different.