The 14th edition of the Satcom Africa Conference and Exhibition held in Johannesburg from May 31-June 2 was a unique opportunity to highlight the potentials of the African satellite market.   Over 60 companies from all over the world exhibited at the show, which was co-located with the TV Show Africa this year.  A distinguished lineup of speakers repres

A recent agreement to build a submarine cable by 2012 between two Islands, (Vanuatu and Fiji) emphasizes a clear trend: remoteness of a territory is not a barrier for cable connections as long as the market is valuable. Another announcement from the ITU on the sharp decrease of fixed broadband prices (50% between 2008 and 2010) with the 10 countries in the world with the biggest relative change in price all located in Africa illustrates the effect of the many cable projects that were completed recently in Africa, formerly the last satellite IP trunking stronghold.

The GVF Oil & Gas Communications Series has recently concluded its 12th conference which took place in Aberdeen, Scotland, over 17th & 18th May.For the second year in succession, theOil & Gas Communications Europe Conference extended its Digital Applications & Communications Dynamics focus beyond the territory of the mature hydrocarbon-bearing sectors of the North Sea, into the far northern latitudes of the Arctic Ocean region.

At the upcoming BroadcastAsia 2011 Conference, 80 of the world’s leading broadcast professionals will converge and lead discussions on seven broad topics shaping the future of television.Taking place at Suntec Singapore from 21 – 24 June, the four-day event will see industry players sharing their in-depth analysis and predictions around the latest business and technology developments, with a focus on Hybrid and 3D TV in particular.

Dr. Hamadoun Touré, the Secretary General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), is the latest high-profile luminary to confirm their attendance at Asia’s flagship information and communication technology(ICT) event – CommunicAsia2011. Dr. Touré will deliver a keynote address on 22 June at the CommunicAsia2011 Summit. In his track titled, ‘Next Generation Broadband Infrastructure,’ he will urge the industry to harness the unique power of broadband access to the Internet in order to unleash the full potential of individuals and communities everywhere.

Recent discoveries in remote areas such as the Arctic are pushing the Oil & Gas (O&G) sector further away from terrestrial service, which drives satellite connectivity in the digital oilfield.  NSR heard three distinct messages at the Global VSAT Forum’s (GVF) 4th Annual Oil and Gas Communications Europe 2011 conference in Aberdeen on 17 – 18th May.

The rapid growth in the delivery of content for viewing on mobile and Internet-connected devices is outstripping the pace at which broadcasters have deployed the workflow and quality control systems needed to effectively support these opportunities. This conclusion is part of the study, "U.S. TV Stations Infrastructure: The HD Transition Has Just Begun,"  released by Positive Flux, a firm that specializes in transforming media companies to address new opportunities.

Broadcasters rate production of 3D content and channels as their lowest technology investment priority, and the lack of programming for consumers who have bought a 3D TV is set to continue, according to Ovum. In a new report analysing the state of the 3D market, the independent technology analyst unveils findings from its Media and Broadcast Technology Investment Strategies survey which reveal a clear lack of enthusiasm for 3D in the broadcast industry.

Consumer expenditures on entertainment media in North America and Europe grew a mighty 69 percent to $234.8 billion in 2010, up from $138.8 billion in 2000, with cable and satellite television retaining its primacy as the leading form of entertainment media during the decade, according to IHS Screen Digest research.

Britain’s ambitions to have the best superfast broadband in Europe have been hit by a double blow over the past six months according to leading broadband analysts Point Topic.  The roll-out of next-generation broadband technology by BT and alternative networks has lagged a long way behind plans and take-up of the services where they are available has been sluggish.