News Analysis

Monterey, Calif., August 23, 2010--A new analysis by SNL Kagan  reveals that the U.S. multichannel market delivered its worst performance on record in the second quarter, losing 216,000 customers compared to a 378,000 gain in the same period last year.

by Robert Bell

New York, NY, August 6, 2010--The World Teleport Association (WTA) just published its 2010 update of Sizing the Teleport Market, which provides the only market data on the teleport sector, from number of facilities to revenues, workforce and purchasing power.   WTA's Executive Director Robert Bell deconstructs the study and its implications for the industry.

Paris, August 2, 2010--Despite a limited market slowdown, the fixed satellite market reached a new high in revenues last year, according to Euroconsult’s soon-to-be-released report “Satellite Communications & Broadcasting Markets Survey, Forecasts to 2019.” The fixed satellite sector grew both in terms of transponder demand (+5.3%) and revenue reaching $10.3 billion revenue in 2009. The company maintains a positive outlook for the future of the industry. Television broadcasting and emerging markets continue to be the primary growth drivers, with satellite broadband service (“BBS”) systems contributing to growth as well.

by NSR

CAMBRIDGE, MA – August 2, 2010 - NSR’s annual review of the wireless backhaul via satellite market shows the industry made tremendous gains from the blistering pace of wireless subscriber growth in 2009 and the first half of 2010. Despite a challenging economic environment, the wireless industry was one of the global economic bright spots, which led to sustained demand for satellite backhaul services for use primarily in rural markets. 

by Martin Jarrold
Chief, International Programs, GVF
The GVF's global VSAT Certification Program, which was cited recently in the SSPI's Industry Innovator awards ceremony,  is making vital inroads in the maritime satellite space.

 by Elisabeth Tweedie

Cape Canaveral, Florida, June 15, 2010--SpaceX was never going to be a “quiet” company.  From its early days in 2002 it has attracted publicity, some good but much of it highly critical both of its objectives and of its ability to achieve them. 

Washington, D.C., June 8, 2010 – The Satellite Industry Association (SIA) released its 2010 State of the Satellite Industry Report, showing an 11 percent growth from 2008 to 2009 in overall world satellite industry revenues. Global revenues for the satellite industry totaled $160.9 billion in 2009, resulting in an average an annual industry growth rate of 11.7 percent from 2004 through 2009. 

by Chris Frith

Sydney, June 1, 2010-Providers hesitating about getting involved with Rural Access Network initiatives in the region would do well to consider the experience of providers under the Australian broadband subsidy scheme. Even though the challenges faced in developing countries is likely to be far greater, our expectation is that this first mover advantage will be repeated and with greater returns than in Australia. We therefore encourage providers to engage in these initiatives sooner rather than later, whilst putting in place strategies to mitigate downside risks. 

by Elisabeth Tweedie, Contributing Editor

Los Angeles, Calif., May 17,2010--The OMVC (Open Mobile Video Coalition) took a prominent position at NAB this year with the Mobile DTV Marketplace set up in the Central Lobby and a Mobile DTV Pavilion in the South Hall, as well as hosting a breakfast and speaking at several sessions. The OMVC is an association of nearly 900 TV broadcasters supporting the A/153 ATSC Mobile DTV Standard which was adopted by the ATSC in October 2009. This is an in-band system providing the mobile service as part of the terrestrial transmission within the same 6MHz channel used for ATSC HD and SD programming.