News Analysis

Hong Kong, June 2, 2014--Satellite operator ABS is preparing for a major business expansion with the launch of ABS-2A & ABS-3A in 2014/2015 and further satellites to be added to the fleet in the following two years. ABS launched its sixth satellite, ABS-2 in February 2014, covering 80% of the world's population including the emerging markets of Africa, Asia, Europe, Middle East and Russia / CIS. 

Bethesda, MD, May 29, 2014--Lockheed Martinhas entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the assets of the Astrotech Space Operations business of Astrotech Corporation for US$ 61 million. Astrotech Space Operations is a satellite launch preparation service provider, from final testing and fueling to encapsulation and day-of launch operations.

Scottsdale, Ariz., May 28, 2014--The set-top box market has generally maintained historical leadership positions based on a cable, satellite or IPTV focus.Of the top five set-top box vendors—Arris, Cisco, Technicolor, Pace and Echosta—most are heavily weighted to one sector, or, in some cases, have robust proportions serving two of the three sectors.This definition won’t meet the needs of modern operators today who are looking at extending their services over multiple networks.

Pacific Ocean, May 27, 2014 – The EUTELSAT 3B satellite was successfully launched by a Zenit-3SL rocket operated by Sea Launch AG from the ocean-based Odyssey Launch Platform in the Pacific Ocean. Lift-off of the rocket carrying the six-tonne satellite took place on Monday 26 May at 21.10 GMT/UTC.

Ottawa, Canada, May 27, 2014--C-COM Satellite Systems Inc., a provider of mobile auto-deploying satellite antenna systems, and ViaSat Inc.have signed an agreement to develop a low profile, Ka-band mobile antenna system for the emerging commercial Ka-band services market. C-COM will manufacture, sell and support this new on-the-move antenna product under ViaSat license.

Petah Tikva, Israel, May 21, 2014 – Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd.  today reported its results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2014. Non-GAAP operating income was US$ 0.5 million, compared to a loss of US$ 0.1 million in the fourth quarter 2013. GAAP operating loss was US$ 1.5 million compared to a loss of US$ 2.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2013

Carlsbad, Calif., May 20, 2014 –ViaSat’s fiscal year 2014 results reflected strong growth. Revenues increased 21% to US$ 1.4 billion and Adjusted EBITDA grew 35% to US$ 221.2 million compared to last year. Net income attributable to ViaSat common stockholders rose to US$ 0.44 per share on a non-GAAP diluted basis, or a loss of US$ 0.21 per share on a diluted GAAP basis - compared to fiscal year 2013 net income of US$ 0.02 and a loss of US$ 0.94 per share, respectively.

Paris, France, May 20, 2014 – Eutelsat Communications today announced the sale to M7A Group S.A., trading under the name of M7 Deutschland, of Eutelsat visAvision GmbH., that operates the KabelKiosk platform of digital channels and interactive services for cable and IPTV networks in Germany.

Washington, D.C. May 19,  2014--The Satellite Industry Association (SIA) today released its 2014 State of the Satellite Industry Report, showing a three percent growth rate in world satellite industry revenues in 2013.Globally, 2013 revenues for the satellite industry totaled US$ 195.2 billion, up from US$ 188.8 billion the previous year.