Verizon's New 3G Market Opportunities

With United States' largest mobile network operator, Verizon Wireless, moving its customers to their Long Term Evolution (LTE) network, their 3G airwaves will perhaps soon be left unoccupied and obsolete.

Fortunately, Verizon found a way of making this 3G airwaves useful by launching two new prepaid phone plans last Friday, February 1, 2013. These said plans include unlimited voice minutes and messaging. With the limitation that these plans run only on 3G phones (10 times slower than LTE devices), they offer 500 MB of mobile data for $60, and another $10 to boost the broadband bucket to 2GB per month. The plans do not involve a contract.

The plans highlight its budget-friendly pricing. "So, when it comes time to think about the important task of keeping in touch with friends and family, taking time to investigate wallet-friendly options can mean a few extra dollars for weekend fun or paying down those holiday bills," said Verizon in a post in their website.

"With an affordable prepaid plan, and some creativity, you can stay in touch with friends and family and save a few dollars along the way."

See Also: Apple Tops U.S.’s Phone Market in 2012′s Q4

AfricaCom 2012 will include Australian independent satellite company

The African digital-world’s largest event will be attended by rising Australian independent satellite communications company NewSat Ltd. Now on its 15th year, AfricaCom 2012 brings together key organizations and executives from the ICT, media, and telecom sectors at the Cape Town International Convention Centre in South Africa, from November 13 to November 15.

Over 7,000 delegates are expected to attend the summit, which will include over 200 speakers delivering panel discussions, interactive workshops, lectures, and seminars together with an expanded exhibition where companies will showcase their latest technologies and applications.

With the rise of more powerful devices such as tablets and smartphones, the digital ecosystem is changing at a fast pace. AfricaCom 2012 hopes to address the issues facing the digital industry, while focusing on this year’s theme, "Reaching the Next Frontier of Growth". Businessmen are encouraged to join the Entrepreneurs Hub focusing on business development in the continent.

NewSat Ltd is optimistic that the summit will be the perfect platform to showcase its Jabiru Satellite Program: a fleet of high-powered Ka band satellites which will deliver additional bandwidth, as well as flexible payloads to the Middle East, Asia and Africa. Over the last years, demand for satellite capacity has surged especially in Africa, where the technology can meet specific needs like satellite broadband service in remote regions. Jabiru 1, slated for a 2014 launch, will become Australia’s first independently-owned commercial satellite, and will deliver new capacity over Africa crucial for other wireless technologies and digital services to grow.

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KCET and Link TV merging

One of California’s major community TV networks announced a merger with Link TV, an open broadcast channel operated by Link Media. According to KCET CEO Al Jerome, the development will bring together the two companies to form KCETLink. Al Jerome will become Chief Executive of the new entity while Link President, Paul S. Mason will be the Chief Strategy Officer.

KCET has long been a flagship of PBS Network in the Los Angeles Area. The merger however, will create, according to the press release “a new independent public transmedia company that acquires, produces and distributes provocative global programming targeted to a national audience across multiple media platforms”. It will also increase the reach of the network to almost 33 million homes across the country.

Jerome also expressed his high-expectations for the new media outlet to thrive in a the budding digital ave thanks to the combined resources. Since KCET left PBS, the network had been struggling with declining viewership. Link TV’s technology will help the outlet expand its reach across the nation, and create new business opportunities.

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Boeing receives approval for COMSATCOM Services Acquisition Program

The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) and General Services Administration (GSA) have authorized Boeing Commercial Satellite Services to act as a service provider of the Future COMSATCOM Services Acquisition program.

Boeing is now authorized to provide assorted satellite communications services to U.S. government customers. This including both fixed and mobile transponded and subscription services.

Boeing offers subscription agreements on military-unique services like UHF and Yahsat's military Ka-band, Ku-band and Ka-band commercial services from the Inmarsat-5 satellite, and L-band services from Inmarsat and Thuraya. These services can be secured through a GSA Schedule 70 contract with Boeing.

According to Craig Cooning, CEO of Boeing Satellite Systems International, the COMSATCOM program is another opportunity for Boeing to provide quality satellite communication services to its customers.

"Boeing continues to support the government's increasing need for satellite communications bandwidth," Mr. Cooning said.

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SkyVision acquires Afinis VSAT company, extends African presence

UK-based SkyVision Global Networks Ltd. continues to strengthen its position in the African market through its recent purchase of local VSAT operator Afinis.

Originally owned by Monaco Telecom, Afinis has local offices and licensing in Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Senegal. The African satellite communications company provides a wide plethora of VSAT products and services for the financial, mining, and oil and gas sectors.

Its new owner intends to leverage Afinis' extensive knowledge of the local sectors in accordance with SkyVision's overall strategy in Africa. SkyVision intends to become one of the biggest satellite communications companies in the African continent.

To that end, SkyVision is expanding its operations and services throughout the African continent. Afinis' firm presence in Africa's French-speaking countries, its significant grasp of the corporate market, and its value added services will help cement SkyVision's position as a significant satellite communications provider in Nigeria, East, Central and Southern Africa.

In turn, Afinis' current and potential customer base will benefit from the increased scale and strong customer service of the combined businesses. SkyVision possesses strong global reach and is increasing its activity and presence in Africa by bringing world-class services to the rapidly-developing local markets.

“We look forward to welcoming the Afinis team into SkyVision," said Doron Ben-Sira, CEO, SkyVision Global Networks, "and to continue offering customers the superior service they are accustomed to.”

SkyVision had earlier established a subsidiary satellite communications company, SkyVision South Africa.  It also signed a multiyear contract with satellite service provider Telesat. SkyVision will be tapping Telesat's Telstar 11N satellite for Ku-band capacity in the African region.

NewSat's Approach on USG Market

On a Milsatmagazine (MSM) interview, they asked NewSat on their approach on the United States Government (USG) market. NewSat’s Senior Director-Americas Diego Paldao answered that it is through partnerships with their partners, prime contractors, resellers and integrators.

“As a satellite operator we can certainly evaluate what USG contract vehicles are a fit with our business. However, we are primarily interested in approaching the USG market by working closely with our partners, not by competing with them. We will provide our part-satellite capacity, so our partners can provide the complete end-to-end solution,” said Paldao.

He also said that hosted payloads are certainly a topic of key interest and discussion today towards all satellite operators. There is a strong military and diplomatic relationship between Australia and the United States which is a logical start for discussion about the hosted payloads on the NewSat fleet. They will surely depend heavily on the guidance of their partners who have been in their area for so long. It is through direct solicitation from the USG that NewSat will be able to guarantee their satellites designed to support future missions in projected areas of operation.

See: CASBAA: The Growth of Ka Band Satellites

Israeli attorneys: Inmarsat provides VSAT services to Iran

An Israeli legal group is accusing VSAT provider Inmarsat of continuing to provide prohibited mobile satellite communications gears to Iranian government-controlled oil tankers and other ships despite US-initiated sanctions.

The U.S. government has imposed a series of commercial sanctions with Iran. The sanctions included satellite communications systems such as the mini-VSATs manufactured by Inmarsat. These satcom systems are reportedly used by Iranian ships to evade the US sanctions.

On July 12, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the US Treasury Department released a list of vessels that are reputedly acting directly or indirectly on behalf of Iranian government and commercial interests. A good number of the Iranian OFAC-blacklisted vessels are registered in other countries to hide their links with their home country. Twenty-eight ships on the OFAC list are specified to be equipping Inmarsat communications gear.

The Shurat HaDin-Israel Law Center sent a letter to Inmarsat on July 25. The Israeli legal group claims that Inmarsat continues to sell mobile satellite links to Iranian-owned or -controlled vessels.

A day later, Israel Law Center Director Nitsana Darshan-Leitner and Inmarsat spokesman Christopher McLaughlin had an interview. Director Darshan-Leitner claimed that Iranian-operated, foreign-flagged vessels use Inmarsat communications gear to help them slip through the embargo’s net.

“The evidence is very clear,” Darshan-Leitner declared, “Despite the sanctions, Inmarsat continues to provide satcom services. They are not supposed to deliver any service at all under the sanctions, not even emergency services.”

Spokesperson McLaughlin responded that Inmarsat had thoroughly analyzed the ships listed in the OFAC update. According to him, none of those ships are using the new Inmarsat mini-VSAT systems.

McLaughlin explained that Inmarsat's newer services allow the satellite communications company to identify users through their subscriber identity module (SIM) card numbers. This allows Inmarsat to gain a direct insight into their customer base while remaining true as a wholesale provider.

The Inmarsat spokesperson admitted some of the listed ships are apparently using older Inmarsat gear. However, McLaughlin also established that Inmarsat is an international treaty organization. Inmarsat is thus not obliged to find out the identity of the customers.

In addition, Inmarsat is also duty-bound to provide the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) service to every ship in the world. GMDSS are low-throughput signals designed to provide ship-to-shore emergency calls.

Director Darshan-Leitner apparently agreed that GMDSS service was an exception to the rule imposed by the sanctions. However, she pointed out that the embargo also includes Inmarsat mini-M and Fleet communications assets, and that the Iranians' use of these older VSAT units count as a violation of the bio.

McLaughlin called the mini-M and Fleet systems in questions “heritage services.” He explained that the heritage systems were contracted and installed during the time that Inmarsat did not require its distribution partners to identify all customers. Even after Inmarsat modified its business model, it remained unable to precisely identify what SIM card is activated where.

“For mini-M, Fleet, Inmarsat B and our other older services,” McLaughlin stated, “We cannot get that far down into the service provider structure. But I can tell you we have been through the whole list of ships,” he assured Darshan-Leither, “and none of them are carrying our broadband services.”

Eutelsat almost ready for HD satellite coverage of London Olympic Games

Eutelsat Communications is entering the last leg of its preparations to handle the huge demand for satellite communications that will be generated by the 2012 London Olympic Games.

The London Olympic Games is the biggest international multi-sport events in the world. It is expected to generate over 2,000 hours of satellite transmissions, which will be handled by a large number of satellite communications companies such as Eutelsat.

The European Broadcasting Union and its counterparts from the Middle East, Asia, and South America have booked capacity on four Eutelsat Ku-band satellites for the event. The satellites will transmit live high-definition (HD) coverage of official ceremonies, interviews, and breaking news regarding the Games' 300 events in 36 sports.

In addition, Eutelsat and its fellow satellite communications companies have taken efforts to assure the highest signal quality during the Games. Of particular note is their introduction of Carrier ID, a stamp on uplink signals that satellite communications operators can use to speed up the process of identifying transmissions to their satellites.

Two Eutelsat satellites will provide capacity for more than 70 EBU members. The rights-holding member countries of Europe's leading broadcasting association will be able to access 12 HD multilateral signals through the Eurovision network, which will leverage Eutelsat's speedy satellite services.

According to Jean-François Leprince-Ringuet, Commercial Director for Eutelsat, the London Olympic Games will usher in a new HD era for the Eurovision network.

"2012 is a stellar year for satellite delivery of sports and news events," Director Leprince-Ringuet said, "with Eutelsat coordinating a record volume of transmissions, peaking on June 17 to serve broadcasters and news agencies covering elections in France, Greece and Egypt as well as UEFA Euro 2012 games in the Ukraine."

Australia Satellite Communications Company: NewSat Limited

Despite the growth of fibre and cable, satellite communications companies remain indispensable in a technology-reliant society. The rise of smartphones and other high-tech mobile devices mean that individuals are looking access to digital and online technologies anytime and anywhere.

Ka band satellites

In Australia, one of the major players is the independent satellite communications specialist, NewSat. The company currently delivers various services like satellite broadband, video conferencing via VSAT systems, backhauling solutions, as well as teleport services. In fact, NewSat's teleport facilities, one in Perth and another in Adelaide, are some of the world's best, not bad for an independent company. The telecommunications ports handled by the Australian company are recognized and approved by major defence organizations. 

You might wonder, why should such communications facilities need certifications from defence organizations?

Well, NewSat services both enterprise and government customers. Many US Government agencies rely on the satellite communications provided by NewSat through their teleports. In particular, these government personnel are located in the Middle East, and Australia's location actually present the best look-angles into the region. The country's climate also present minimal rain fade interference to the teleport facilities which transmit highly-secure data to the agencies in the Middle East. This is why they need to be certified by many defence organizations. 

NewSat's Adelaide Teleport

NewSat’s teleports were recently recognized as a top 3 Finalist at the 2012 World teleport Awards as well, so despite being an independent company, they are able to deliver world-class services to complement their 75% global coverage.

Presently, NewSat is working on launching what is to be Australia's first independently-owned commercial satellites, the Jabiru-1 and the Jabiru-2. The company partnered with Lockheed Martin for the construction of the vessels, and their launches slated in 2014 and later 2013 respectively. 

The company already has rights to seven premium orbital slots, and with the high-powered Ka band satellites ready for launch in two years, Australia's satellite industry as well as space quest, will get a boost.