SES, Anadolu Networks announce capacity deal for local DTH platform in Turkey

2013 will witness a new satellite capacity deal between SES and Turkey-based Anadolu Networks. The two companies made it known that SES will devote one of the transponders on one of its ASTRA satellite for Anadolu's direct-to-home (DTH) satellite TV platform.

The Anadolu DTH platform will broadcast local TV channels across Turkey. It will tap the SES ASTRA 1G satellite at the prime orbital position of 31.5 degrees East for capacity and coverage.

In addition, Anadolu Networks has plans for the ASTRA 5B satellite set for launch during the third quarter of 2013. Anadolu will use ASTRA 5B to deliver its its content to Germany, the CIS region, and other countries outside of Turkey.

According to Norbert Hölzle, SES Senior Vice President of Commercial Europe, the DTH satellite TV platform launched by Anadolu Networks will not just increase the audiences of Turkish regional TV channels. It will also widen the reach of their businesses, allowing them to cater to a larger group of consumers outside local communities in Turkey through the advantages provided by satellite.

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NSR predicts big gains for VSAT, satellite broadband, backhaul markets by 2021

In the 11th Edition of its Broadband Satellite Markets report, NSR expects that the next decade will be very good for the backhaul, satellite broadband, trunking, and VSAT markets- as in, $9.1 billion worth of good.

The NSR report predicts that there will be more than 5.2 million subscribers of satellite broadband Internet and almost 2.9 million enterprise very small aperture terminal (VSAT) sites installed worldwide by the time 2021 rolls around.

According to NSR, the high-throughput satellites (HTS) launched into orbit above North America are finally showing their effect on 2012's growth curve for satellite broadband Internet access services. NSR believes these services will exert greater influence in America during the next year and a half. In turn, this will boost Western Europe, Latin America, and other regions.

The NSR report also covers the future of the enterprise VSAT market. According to the analysts, the Latin American and Asian markets will exceeded North America and other mature markets in terms of the size of their installed VSAT bases.

NSR further expects that backhaul services and IP trunking will also enjoy significant growth as services transition to provisioning with HTS and O3b capacity. The migration will provide new capacity at a much more affordable price compared to legacy services on the older C- and Ku-bands.

Globalstar Returns Its Second-Generation Satellite to Commercial Service

The company of Globalstar announced on December 5 that it has returned its second-generation satellite back to commercial service, after it was impacted by the momentum wheel issue.

Artist's impression of Globalstar Satellite

Globalstar Chairman and CEO Jay Monroe released a statement, saying, “After more than a year of development, Globalstar and Thales Alenia Space completed the software engineering, uploaded and tested the solution and then successfully returned the affected satellite to commercial  service. The solution not only permitted this satellite to return to service, but also provides a fix for similar problems that may happen across our constellation.”

All of the 18 launched second-generation satellites of Globalstar are now providing commercial service. The second-generation satellite constellation of the company will finally be complete with the February 2013 fourth and final launch of Globalstar’s six satellites. The constellation plans on providing speedy mobile satellite handset data services and high mobile satellite voice quality at high reliability standards, both to commercial and government customers in over 120 countries worldwide.

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MDA taps IAI for Amos-6 communications payload solution

MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates (MDA) recently announced that Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) will provide the satellite communications payload solution for the Amos-6 satellite. The MDA contract is worth more than $100 million.

MDA had begun working the project ever since receiving authorization back in June 2012.

Israeli satellite communications service provider Spacecom is the owner-operator of the Amos satellite constellation. The constellation delivers a large range of fixed and mobile communication services (such as Internet on satellite connectivity) to customers in Africa, the Middle East, Central and Eastern Europe, and Central Asia.

Amos-6 will be the newest member of the Amos constellation. Set for a 2015 launch, it will refresh existing satellite capacity.

MDA and IAI have earlier cooperated in January 2008. MDA-built tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) served alongside IAI-designed Heron drone aircraft during Canada's mission in Afghanistan.

Telstra, Vision Asia enter deal for managed satellite services in Australia, New Zealand

A joint announcement by Australian telecom company Telstra and direct-to-home (DTH) satellite broadcaster Vision Asia revealed that the two companies have signed a ten year contract worth more than A$24 million ($25.1 million.) Telstra will provide managed satellite services for Vision Asia's audience in Australia and New Zealand.

As per the contract, Vision Asia will send its services to Telstra over the IS-19 satellite. Telstra will encrypt, encode, and transmit these services to itd partner's Australian and New Zealand customers

According to Vision Asia, the new Telstra solution will provide them with international satellite service of higher quality and greater efficiency. Vision Asia will also be able to access Telstra's service expertise and track record in delivering the best in-class content distribution and management services to Australia's media industry.

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