Optimism is high in Asia. With increased digital deployments, multichannel-TV will create more demand for satellite services across the region. But do the needs of Asian broadcasters differ from the rest of the world? Where are the opportunities? Are there potential roadblocks? Leading satellite industry experts will answer these questions and discuss industry issues at the CASBAA Satellite Industry Forum 2012 to be held on June 18 on the eve of CommunicAsia in Singapore.

During Satellite 2012, the Society of Satellite Professionals International (SSPI) bestowed the Industry Innovators Awards on Eutelsat Communications and ViaSat Inc in recognition of the development and launch of their High Throughput Satellites (HTS), KA-SAT and ViaSat-1, respectively. High frequency reuse and multiple spot beam architecture have packed 10 times capacity on these Ka-Band satellites without any deployment cost penalties.

Space is coming to L.A. in the form of a brand-new show called Spacecraft Technology Expo. To be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center May 8-10, this free-to-attend event is dedicated to bringing together global decision makers, engineers and the supply chain involved in spacecraft, satellite, launch vehicle and space-related technologies.

Focused on the design, build and testing of spacecraft, the expo will feature over 120 space-qualified companies promoting testing and design services, software products and component manufacturing through to complete spacecraft.

This month the West Africa Cable System (WACS) that will link Southern and Western Africa with Europe will start providing 15 African countries with 5.12Tbps submarine cable bandwidth capacity. In another month or so, the US $700 million Africa Coast to Europe(ACE) 5.12 Tbs submarine cable that will connect 23 countries will also start carrying broadband Internet traffic commercially.  The two cable systems will play a key role in reducing digital divides across the region and in connecting Africa with the rest of the world.

Bright lights.  Big crowds.  Penn & Teller, Circe de Soleil and showgirls wearing costumes that would make their grandfathers blanch.  If it’s April, it must be NAB in Las Vegas.

Telesat Holdings Inc.  today announced its financial results for the three month period ended March 31, 2012. For the quarter ended March 31, 2012, consolidated revenue was CDN $196 million, a decrease of approximately 3% (CDN $7 million) compared to the same period in 2011. The decrease in revenue was principally the result of a previously disclosed contractual rate reduction on one of Telesat’s Direct-to-Home satellites, partially offset by growth from Telesat’s international satellite fleet and the additional revenue received from the Canadian payload on ViaSat-1.

The power of multichannel TV continues to resonate throughout the Asia Pacific. Attracting over 130 representatives from advertising agencies, clients and networks, CASBAA’s TV Upfronts – The Kuala Lumpur Screenings on April 19th was the most recent stopover for the CASBAA Advertising roadshow.

The need for Military Satellite Communications is increasing in the Asia-Pacific region and GVF and its Membership are elevating the industry's profile through workshops, speaking positions and sponsorship opportuities at events such as SMi's 2nd instalment of MilSatCom Asia, to be held the 9th and 10th of May in Singapore.

Spanish satellite opeator Hispasat achieved record revenues of 187.5 million euros in 2011--a new high for the company.  Consolidated EBITDA was at 154.7 million euros, 7 per cent more than 2010. EBITDA margin increased 2.8 percentage points to 82.5 per cent, which shows  HISPASAT´s efficient management in 2011, a year in which the company reduced operating costs 120.9 per cent from 2010.

IBISWorld expects industry revenue to reach US$ 735.5 million in 2012, representing 15.2% annualized growth since 2007. “Thanks to restructured contracts and increasing demand for industry products, revenue from commercial clients and other government agencies is rising,” says IBISWorld industry analyst Agata Kaczanowska.