News Analysis

The Satcom Industry in China: Accelerating to ‘China Speed’

by Blaine Curcio

Hong Kong, July 5, 2021--Having lived in Shenzhen for a handful of years, I would hear time and time again about things developing at “Shenzhen Speed.” In local parlance, the peak of Shenzhen Speed coincided with the early-1990s to mid-2000s building boom, when some buildings went up at a rate of 4 floors every 9 days. In the broader Chinese context, the phrase “China Speed” also gets used often, referring to industries developing quickly or infrastructure being built in the blink of an eye. 

The Asia-Pacific Satellite Market

by Omkar Nikam

Strasbourg, France, July 5, 2021--In the recent years, the Asia-Pacific region has become a bright spot for connectivity solutions. One of the reasons is its huge population, which represents approximately 60% of the humanity (4.6 billion people as of 2020). 

“I Think You Are On Mute”

by Lou Zacharilla

New York City, NY, July 2, 2021--If they asked me to write my personal history of the Pandemic the title would be, “You’re On Mute.”
While technology for sure allowed us to continue to do our work online, it is fact, as John Updike wrote, that “for every piece of candy there is a toothache somewhere.”

EXIM Bank Approves US$ 80.7 million financing for HISPASAT’s Amazonas Nexus Project

Washington, D.C., June 22, 2021--The Board of Directors of the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) unanimously approved, at its meeting on June 21, $80.7 million for HISPASAT, the Spanish satellite telecommunications operator of the Grupo Red Eléctrica. This transaction will finance launch services and also launch and initial in-orbit insurance of Amazonas Nexus, which will be launched in 2022 on a SpaceX rocket.

Yahsat Launches IPO

Abu Dhabi, UAE, June 21, 2021--Al Yah Satellite Communications Company PJSC  today announces its intention to proceed with an initial public offering (IPO) of part of its existing shares and to apply for admission of all of its shares to listing and trading on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (“ADX”). At least 30% of Yahsat’s issued share capital currently held by Mamoura Diversified Global Holding PJSC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mubadala Investment Company PJSC will be included in the Offering to individuals and other investors in the UAE (as part of the UAE retail offering) and to qualified institutional and other investors (as part of the qualified investor offering).

Hungary’s Telecom Concern “4iG” To Take Majority Stake in Spacecom

Tel Aviv, Israel, June 15, 2021--Spacecom, (Tel Aviv Stock Exchange: SCC), the satellite services provider and owner-operator of the AMOS satellite fleet, today announced that Hungary’s 4iG Plc., a Hungarian information technology and telecommunications company (Budapest Stock Market: 4iG Nyrt.), is negotiating to take a majority 51 percent stake in the Israel-based satellite services company.

Xenesis Acquires Minority Interest in Assured SpaceAccess Tech

Chicago, IL, June 15, 2021--Xenesis, Inc., an innovator in the free space optical communications (FSO) technology sector acquired a minority stake in Space Micro Inc. Through this agreement, Space Micro will become the exclusive manufacturer for componentry used in the Xenesis product line (including Xen-Hubs and Xen-Nodes) and Space Micro will also include the Xenesis devices in its product catalog and website.

Comtech Telecommunications Corp. Announces Results for Its Fiscal 2021 Third Quarter and Updates Its Financial Targets for Fiscal 2021

Melvile, NY, June 8, 2021-- Comtech Telecommunications Corp. (NASDAQ: CMTL) today reported its operating results for the third fiscal quarter ended April 30, 2021 and updated its financial targets for fiscal 2021. The company reported consolidated net sales of US$ 139.4 million and Adjusted EBITDA of US$ 17.7 million (or 12.7% of consolidated net sales).

Astra to Acquire Apollo Fusion

Alameda, Calif., June 7, 2021--Astra announced today its planned acquisition of Apollo Fusion in a transaction valued up to US$ 145 million. Apollo Fusion manufactures a leading electric propulsion engine. This acquisition allows Astra to provide launch and space services beyond low Earth orbit (LEO), to medium Earth orbit, geosynchronous, and lunar orbits.