DIRECTV: What’s next for Paytv in U.S and Latin America?

VVVolVolVolVol o6 o6 66l l. .No. NoNo. No77 N N 55 oo5.. 818 June 2018 2019

AFRICA

Digital Switch-Over: By MarcelConnecting Dischinger Africa using the digital dividends

C O N T E N T S Vol. 7 No. 17

The future of VSAT in the emerging market Editor in-chief Aliyu Bello Newtec CEO Thomas Van den Driessche Named President Executive Manager Tonia Gerrald of the Board of SSPI SA to the editor in-Chief Ngozi Okey Head, Application Services M. Yakubu Brave new regional heights Editorial/ICT Services John Daniel At Endemol, content is king Usman Bello Ethiopia joins space race, set to Alozie Nwankwo launch Earth Observation Satellite Juliet Nnamdi Bolivian Space Agency deploys Newtec Dialog hub Client Relations Sunday Tache Lookman Bello Sudasat now provide broadband services via Arabsat 6A Satellite Safiya Thani The future of electronic voting machines in Africa Marketing Offy Pat Tunde Nathaniel Thuraya's X5-Touch won 'Top Mobility User Wasiu Olatunde Experience Solution' at MSUA 2019 Award Media Relations Favour Madu Towards Digital Transformation in Africa Khadijat Yakubu Zacheous Felicia Six TV channels ink deal to broadcast Finance Folarin Tunde via Bangabandhu satellite Canal Algerie now available on Arabsat-5C for DTH over Africa DIRECTV: What’s next for Paytv in U.S Space Watch Magazine is a publication of and Latin America? Communication Science, Inc. All correspondence should be addressed to editor, space Watch Magazine. South Sudan launches international voice Abuja office: Plot 2009, Awka Street, UTC Building, gateway GF 11, Area 10, Garki, Abuja, Nigeria Tel: 234 80336471114, 07084706167, email: [email protected]

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1

Editorial

The future of VSAT in the emerging market

Emerging market are quite often emerging market will only take place if it is develop VSAT networks that seamlessly interpreted as untapped lucrative markets deployed new network operators that can integrate broadcasting and two way that can yield high returns. This is true in focus on the challenges without the i n t e r n e t a c c e s s s e r v i c e s . D V B cases such as the emerging vehicle constraints of a legacy infrastructure and technologies are the widely used by market in South Africa, or the emerging operational overheads. Since more than internet access VSAT networks. What is TV subscriber market in other parts of the half of countries on the continent have lacking is the integration of the content and continent. There's also another side of a licensed ISPs and other operators to the networks so that a subscriber can have typical emerging market: its unqualified provide VSAT services, we can consider full multimedia offering from a single nature wrapped I business and the market as partly deregulated and service provider. technology risks. The pure fact is that this open for further consideration (at least as is uncharted territory that could spell great an emerging market). And then of course, there is the equipment success, as easily as it can lead to greater price entry barrier. VSAT systems with a disaster. Finding the most suitable revenue model typically 1.2 m, 2W equipment is possibly the most critical component in configuration are still in the region of USD The Africa VSAT market is an emerging unlocking the business potential of 3,000 for volume orders including shipping, market in the true sense – its hold the emerging markets. Just think about what duties, and clearance charges. At this level, promise of untapped revenue from prepay did for the GS$M market. For it is still a niche product for corporate and thousands of subscribers, while at the internet, access services to the mass h i g h i n c o m e s u b s c r i b e r l e v e l . same time conceals the risks of entering market in Africa, the challenges are more Developments are under way to reduce the into an unqualified business territory. The complicated. Having a prepay service is total cost of implementation to below USD phenomenal success of MTN and only the first step in developing the correct 1,000. This will then bring VSAT network Vodacom in the GSM cellular markets has revenue model. Another example is the within the reach of the mass market. The created an almost romantic picture of the DStv pay-TV market which offered last aspect of the emerging VSAT market in region. And rightfully so. The success of subscribers a full selection of channels for Africa is the most challenging of all: the the GSM has illustrated the potential of a fixed monthly cost. This is underwritten development of a wide and in-depth skills Africa and has positioned the continent by decoder technology that can remotely based throughout the continent that can squarely on the investment map. For be switched-off should a subscriber not install and maintain two way VSAT VSAT, the secret lies in the fine print. To meet his or her monthly commitments. systems. unlock the market, it needs to dig deeper The main issue here is that internet Satellite technology based networks are in to the specific dynamics and look access services have the same 'always- burdened with the fact that their beyond the promise of thousands of on' nature as DStv, yet the service grade performance is dependant on the quality of subscribers. There's no doubt that the depends on how many subscribers are the subscriber equipment, more so than is VSAT market can equal or exceed the online at any given point. This means that the case for one-way broadcasting satellite potential of a GSM market in Africa. The both the network operators and the networks. Poorly installed subscriber sites question is, how? subscribers have no firm base line on the can influence the total network quality of service and the user access performance and result in overall The market potential for VSAT levels at any particular time. degradation of service quality. In order to technologies is vast. Its includes high fully develop the Africa VSAT market all capacity backbone services for GSM and In order to fully unlock the mass market industry players will have to cooperate in PTT, specialist services for government for satellite broadband internet access providing training and to invest in skills. and military applications, dependable service, network operators will have to Once the skills levels are in place to deploy video, telephony and data services for the develop their own unique models. These VSAT network to the mass market, then corporate space, and internet access and will undoubtedly be prepay, as is GSM attention can be given to the challenges of voice services for domestic customers. cellular, but they will have to integrate the logistics and practical implementation But for now, this discussion is more about always-on nature, ads well as be linked to constraints in the regional market. the dynamics of the corporate and the usage and perhaps even the domestic broadband VSAT services continent. Africa's VSAT market is indeed a truly sector, rather than the high capacity emerging one. It holds both the potential of networks for the GSM market, or the The next dimension that needs to be vast revenue potential as well as business, specialist networks for the government. resolved is the actual technology technology and implementation risks that platforms that can be used for the broad- typify emerging markets. I have no doubt To unlock full potential of the VSAT user in Africa. VSAT technology has come that this market will be developed and broadband market it must be deregulated a long way and is a proven and reliable ultimately conquered by the most skilled to attract investment and third party platform for connectivity to any remote innovative business leaders Africa has to operators. The good news is that this is locations. What is now needed is a move offer. happening in many countries, such as into standard-based technology with full The current wave of investment in the Nigeria, and the growth of the interoperability between manufacturers. continent looks set to continue. But to ride telecommunications sector in these The current generation is mainly still this wave, investors needs to recognize nations clearly shows the benefits of proprietary and, although there is much that the revolution remains essentially deregulation. It is not the role of the talk about the open DVB-RCS standard, African – and that it requires an African i n c u m b e n t t e l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n this is yet to be fully mainstream in reality. solution. African partners and African c o r p o r a t i o n t o t a k e e m e r g i n g excellence will be found at the core of all technologies to the market. Broad Another technology-related issued is to sustainable solutions. applications of VSAT services by the 5

APOINTMENTS

ushering in the next generations of Newtec CEO Thomas Robert Lightfoot joins wireless communications. Van den Driessche Lockheed Martin Space “With dynamic spectrum access playing Named President of the as Vice President such a crucial role in enabling next- Board of SSPI generation wireless technologies, I'm looking forward to working with the DSA Robert Lightfoot, a longtime NASA executive members, governments, and regulators who served as both the agency's acting Space & Satellite Professionals International around the world to enable more efficient adSource:ministr Airbusator aDefencend hig andhes tSpace-ranking civil (SSPI) announced that Thomas Van den spectrum utilization,” said Suárez. servant, will join Lockheed Martin Space as Driessche, Chief Executive Officer of “Spectrum is a key income for wireless vice president, Strategy and Business Newtec, has been appointed president of the communication systems and there are Development, effective May 6. In his new Board of Directors by vote of its members. many opportunities that arise when role, Lightfoot will lead strategic planning, considering flexible access to this advanced technology concepts, and new Van den Driessche will work closely with Prof Seidu Mohammed resource. We need to create new business strategy for the corporation's Board Chairman David Myers, President of solutions and innovate to close the Space business area. Lockheed Martin the Communications Sector for Peraton, to Libby Barr d i g i t a l g a p a n d c o n n e c t t h e Space is a $9 billion, 18,000-person continue the growth of SSPI's membership unconnected. Dynamic spectrum enterpriseAdewale Adeyipo that has been a leader in satellite beyond traditional GEO communications definitely has a lot to contribute.” and launch systems since the dawn of the into LEO, MEO, earth observation, optical space age. The business area's programs communications and into a new era of the P Enterprise, Broadcom, Mimosa, and include GPS, missile warning and space economy, with a more global footprint. Ruckus Networks will join the communications satellites for the Other current board members represent International Telecommunication Union Department of Defense; human and robotic Blue Origin, Boeing, CBS, Ericsson, (ITU), policymakers and regulators from exploration systems for NASA; weather and Eutelsat, Globalstar, Hughes Network around the world, and many other commercial communications satellites, and Systems, Kymeta, OneWeb, Planet, SES, speakers for the premier event on strategic missile and missile defense S p a c e X , S p e e d c a s t , S S L , t h e spectrum policy and spectrum systems. Spaceconnection, Viacom and Viasat. management. Eutelsat announces the Speedcast Names Singtel appoints appointment of new Barrie Woolston as Dominic Barton to Company Secretary, Senior Vice President Board of Directors Julie Burguburu

Speedcast International Limited announced Singtel has announced the appointment Eutelsat Communications announces the that Barrie Woolston has been appointed of Dominic Barton as an independent appointment of Julie Burguburu as Company Senior Vice President of the company's director of the Board with immediate Secretary of the Group and a member of the Media and Broadcast team. In his new role at effect. Barton has been Chair of the Executive Committee. Julie will oversee Speedcast, Woolston will help Broadcasters Board of Canadian mining company Eutelsat's legal, compliance, regulatory and and Media companies navigate the Teck Resources since 1 October 2018. A governance issues by heading the complexities of global content distribution McKinsey & Company veteran, Barton company's teams in charge of these and the emerging trend toward IP and cloud- was Global Managing Partner of functions. She will succeed Edouard based services using the company's McKinsey until July 2018, a role he held Silverio, who has decided to pursue new scalable global infrastructure that consists of for nine years. He is currently Global professional projects beyond Eutelsat. As a satellite, fiber and cellular networks. Managing Partner Emeritus. Before senior counsel member (“maître de Woolston has 30 years of experience in the becoming managing partner, Dominic requêtes”) to the French Conseil d'Etat, Julie Technology, Media, and Telecom sectors, served as McKinsey's chairman in Asia Burguburu was, up until now, a State with a particular focus on managing from 2004 to 2009. rapporteur to the Administrative Litigation customer relationships and driving new He also headed McKinsey's office in Division. She has held several top business. Before working at Speedcast, Korea from 2000 to 2004. Barton is the management positions in the French State Woolston was the Chief Commercial Officer Chancellor of the University of administration. From 2014 to 2016, she was at AsiaSat and the Commercial Director at Waterloo, the chairman of the Deputy Chief-of- Staff to Claude Bartolone, Arqiva. Throughout the years, he has gained International Integrated Reporting President of France's National Assembly, a strong understanding of DTH, OTT, Council, Canadian Minister of Finance's then from 2016 to 2017, to Bernard satellite, and digital media technologies. Advisory Council on Economic Growth Cazeneuve, in his role of Interior Minister and the Seoul International Business and then Prime Minister. Julie previously Advisory Council. He is also a spent four years in Shanghai, China, where Dynamic Spectrum trustee of the Brookings Institution, a she was Vice-President of Veolia China, with founding member of non-profit the responsibility of transforming the Alliance announces organisation FCLT Global (Focusing company. In particular, she steered the Capital on the Long Term), a member of reorganization of the Chinese and Japanese Martha Suárez as new the Singapore Economic Development structures as well as the merger of Veolia's President Board's International Advisory Council, water and waste management entities in and a member of the boards of Memorial China. Prior to that, she had served seven Sloan Kettering in New York City and the years at the French Conseil d'Etat from 2003 The Dynamic Spectrum Alliance (DSA) has Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada. to 2010. announced the appointment of its new Konnect Africa, an initiative of the satellite President, Dr. Martha Suárez. Following Eutelsat is dedicated to satellite broadband her previous role as General Director of on the African continent, announced the The National Spectrum Agency (ANE) in launch of its Internet access offers in Côte Colombia, Dr. Suárez will continue her d'Ivoire. The initiatives offers numerous work promoting the efficient use of advantages for professionals and spectrum, which is critical to addressing individuals key social and economic challenges and SPECIAL REPORT United Arab Emirate Brave new regional heights

The United Arab Emirate, UAE is on the verge of making history, after turning its dream of becoming the first Arabic and Islamic country to send a spacecraft to Mars into reality, while positioning itself amongst leading countries in the field of space exploration and advanced space manufacturing, according to this report.

In 204, the government of the United Arab Despite the Emirati led nature of the testing phase to ensure its readiness before Emirates (UAE) announced its intention to program, it also demonstrate the role the launch date, with less than 500 days are develop and launch a robotic spacecraft to international partnership often play in the remaining for the launch. It is planned to Mars orbit . the plan marks an ambitious execution of national space programs. reach Mars by 2021, coinciding with the 50th expansion of UAE's space activities, which has The spacecraft will be launched on a anniversary of the founding of the UAE. previously focused on remote sensing and Japanese space vehicle, and the co9munications and coincided with the government of UAE has launched several Several aspects related to the design, establishment of United Arab Emirate space cooperative agreements with other assembly of the structure, cameras and agency. The UAE's commitment to a scientific nations including the US and Russia to control have been verified. So far, the Mars exploration project encompasses many exchange information related to Mars Probe's systems and components, as well of the typical goals and driver that are found in science and exploration. as its ability to communicate with the ground government space agencies. station have been checked by the team. The Through these agreements, the UAE is Probe has succeeded in all the tests it has Driven by its ambitious aim of positioning itself seeking access to training and knowledge been subject to so far, ahead of the five as a global distinguished location in terms of development for its scientists and environmental tests to be conducted on the offering advanced communications services of engineers. To that end, the UAE space probe from June to December 2019. The all kinds, the UAE has been actively building its agency has also entered into an scientific devices the probe will be using, satellite communications infrastructure. agreement with Lockheed Martin under including The Emirates eXploration imager Currently, it has seven than satellites and is which a space related skill will be (EXI), Emirates Mars Ultraviolet planning to launch Mars probe, maximizing its established for students and young Spectrometer (EMUS), and the Emirates capacity to not only meet the domestic's professionals. Although not solely related Mars Infrared Spectrometer (EMIRS), are demand but also to serve the whole MENA to the Mars mission, the program ready. The EMUS has been successfully region by providing high advanced solutions in demo9nstrates the UAE's emphasis in mounted on the Probe. this realm. linking space development to scientific These devices are key to achieving the and technical capacity building. objectives of the scientific mission, which is Driven by its vision, Abu Dhabi has made a deeper and wider understanding of the strategic initiatives to become a global satellite Last month, the UAE Space Agency and Martian atmosphere, and the study of communications leader. Mubadala, Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre climate change and its relationship to established by Abu Dhabi to facilitate the (MBRSC) announced that 85 per cent of atmospheric erosion, which was one of the diversification of its economy, incorporated its the Hope Probe project has been reasons for the disappearance of liquid satellite communications company “Yahsat”. completed. In a joint statement, the two water from the surface of the planet. Another USD 1.58 billion was invested to develop two organisations confirmed that most of the unique aspect of this mission is that for the satellites. Partnerships with EADS Atrium and main parts of the project have been first time, a Mars exploration project will be Thales Alenia Space, world-class players, completed and are currently undergoing able to take a global picture of the Martian were made for the design and construction of intensive testing to ensure every aspect of atmosphere. It will do so by taking an these two satellites. Yahsat 1A was launched the Probe is ready for activation a few integrated picture of the atmosphere on April 2011 by Arianespace and Intelsat New months before the launch date. The throughout the day and for a long period of Dawn telecommunications satellites, the fifth Probe has already entered an intensive time, helping to capture data on the planet's satellite sent by the UAE into space for communication purposes. Emirati officials have described three key motivations for the project: symbolism and inspiration; acting as a catalyst for knowledge and skill development; and providing an anchor project for the domestic space industry in the UAE. The launch of the spacecraft will be symbolically important, as it is planned at Mars in 2021 to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the UAE independence. The mission has also been named “Hope” with the explicit purpose of sending a massage of optimism. The UAE has defined specific science objective for the mission and is involving local universities in the execution of the scientific activities. It is planned that the spacecraft and the associated mission support element will be manufactured entirely by Emirati citizens with up to 150 people employed in the program. SPECIAL REPORT

The announcement of the plan follows the commercial space industry will triple in size decision of the UAESA's board of directors to by 2040. adopt its articles in tandem, and in support of “In 2017, the total global space economy the objectives of the UAE Vision 2021 and the value amounted to USD 348 billion, 79% of UAE Centennial 2071— which aim to which were commercial revenues while establish the UAE as one of the world's best 21% were for government budgets and nations across various economic, social, and manned spaceflight. Private investments in environmental fields. space grew by 30.5% in 2017, as compared to 2016, and over the past 10 years the The strategy also contributes to the UAE's average yearly growth of private industry Science, Technology & Innovation Policy, as revenue grew at an average rate of 9.6%,” well as the UAE Strategy for the Fourth said Al Falasi. Industrial Revolution. It envisions a competitive national economy based on “Through this plan, we seek to bolster our knowledge, innovation, and future leading position in the space sector and technological applications that integrate the with the vision and support of our wise latest physical and digital technologies, while leadership make the UAE one of the also encouraging small and medium leading countries in the field of space enterprises. science,” concluded Al Falasi. The investment plan is based on the National Space Policy issued in 2016, which called for Dr Mohammed Nasser Al Ahbabi, director a comprehensive approach to attracting and general of the UAE Space Agency, said: promoting investment in the space industry, "The UAE's space economy witnessed encouraging and facilitating commercial remarkable diversification and growth space activity, and establishing the UAE as a throughout the previous period. The overall atmosphere in different seasons across the major regional and global hub for space investment in the UAE's space projects year. This data will be made available to the activities and advanced research and exceeded Dh22 billion with more than 10% global community. development. growth rate on projects expenditure during the past two years. The number of space- Dr Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of State Dr Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, UAE Minister of related establishments in the UAE reached for Higher Education and Advanced Skills and State for Higher Education and Advanced 57, which provided over 1,500 job chairman of the UAE Space Agency, said: Skills and Chairman of the UAESA, said: "The opportunities,” said Al Ahbabi. “The Emirates Mars Mission's Hope Probe is agency's adoption of the National Plan for the There are several notable examples of almost complete. The UAE is on the verge of Promotion of Space Investment comes within significant undertakings in the local making history, after turning its dream of the framework of its strategy and the industry. These include, the 'Hope Probe' becoming the first Arabic and Islamic country objectives of the sector in general. These Emirates Mars Mission, launching next to send a spacecraft to Mars into reality. This objectives seek to contribute towards year, the ambitious Mars 2117 long-term monumental endeavour is the culmination of diversifying the national economy and plan to build a self-sustaining colony on the efforts of a skilled and experienced team of developing advanced science, technology, Mars in 100 years, an astronaut young Emiratis, who with the support of the and applications in the UAE, along with programme, as well as the successes of nation and its visionary leadership will secure supporting scientific research, building satellite telecom operators Yahsat and the UAE's position at the forefront of space Emirati capabilities and instilling a culture of Thuraya. The Mohamed Bin Rashed Space exploration and the international space innovation, especially among the younger Center in Dubai has also recently launched sector.” generations. the first locally designed and built UAE “Space offers active and creative applications earth observation satellite, Khalifa Sat. “The UAE, through this ambitious project, has and solutions for growing vital local, regional, positioned itself amongst the leading and global needs and challenges. These With several of the largest and most countries in the field of space exploration and solutions include - but are not limited to - globally active investment vehicles in the advanced space manufacturing. The project navigation tools, management of transport world, in recent years the UAE has has so far showcased the level of capabilities and shipping, management of natural diversified its global investment strategy and world-class facilities that are available in resources, sustainability, monitoring of beyond the traditional asset classes and the UAE. The development and launch of the pollution and climate change, surveillance, begun strategically investing in venture Hope Probe to Mars would not have been crisis management and many more,” said Al capital, including founder-led start-ups in possible without the inspired guidance of the Falasi. Series A or later-stage deals. Mubadala UAE's leadership, whose trust in, and support “The plan contributes to transforming the UAE Investment Company, which also owns a of young talented Emiratis has enabled our economy into one based on knowledge, significant stake in Virgin Galactic, has nation to achieve success across a range of advanced skills, and innovation. It also recently opened offices in Silicon Valley and sectors and industries,” added Dr Al Falasi. encourages cooperation and partnerships London where they operate their venture with relevant parties in the government, capital-led initiatives through both their private, research, and academic sectors, as investment in the $100B Softbank Vision UAE Space Agency regional well as further serves to encourage local and Fund, as well as plan direct investments it hub plan foreign investment in the space industry and intends to make. attract leading space firms to establish Al Ahbabi went on to say: "The UAESA regional and global headquarters in the UAE,” recently signed a cooperation and The UAE Space Agency (UAESA) has added Al Falasi. collaboration and funding agreement with launched a National Plan for the Promotion of Private investments in space grew by 30.5% Krypto Labs as an incubator and Space Investment aiming to increase in 2017, as compared to 2016, and over the accelerator for local entrepreneurs to domestic and foreign investment in the UAE past 10 years the average yearly growth of develop and deliver innovative and space sector. The initiative promises to private industry revenue grew at an average commercially feasible geospatial, Earth transform the nation into a regional hub for rate of 9.6%. According to CNBC, wealth observation and remote sensing commercial space activities and advanced management experts from Bank of America applications, with special focus on solutions research and development. It also aims to Merrill Lynch are expecting the Space used in city planning, land management, encourage local investment vehicles to Economy to be worth $2.7 trillion in 30 years, and coastal security, as well as solutions consider funding opportunities in the space while Morgan Stanley forecasts that the used in disaster management operations." sector, both domestically and globally. SPECIAL FEATURE At Endemol, content is king

Scene from Survivor South Africa CHAMPION

Global content leader, Endemol Shine Group currently has strong presence and creative operations in more than 30 markets, as well as the resources to deliver world-class productions to local broadcasters and other platforms across the globe”.

The selection of Helga Palmer as the new American Idol, Deal or No Deal, The Money It is a content company that has partnered managing director of Endemol Shine Africa Drop, Wipe Out and MasterChef, all with with topnotch artists and producers in the was greetd with enthusiasm within the successful formats around the world. With entertainment industry. Its creation, industry. Endemol Shine Africa is the creator presence and creative operations in more management, ownership of iconic of popular TV series like Survivor, Clash of the than 30 markets, Endemol Shine Group entertainment brands and original content Choirs, Big Brother and Isidingo. Helga “has the resources to deliver worldclass available on different platforms make it a Palmer, according to Moeletsi Mbeki, the productions to local broadcasters and other world-class multimedia company. As part of Executive Chairman of Endemol Shine Africa platforms across the globe” the group's partnership, it works with is a highly skilled professional who has an content producers in various streams as extensive and established record within the Endemol Shine Group distributes formats music, digital, live events, licensing, television industry. He says her experience in of all genres and operates from more than sponsorships and merchandising. Some of business affairs and entertainment 80 offices worldwide with close to 400 these producers include Howie Mandel of production meant that Endemol Shine Africa broadcasters, licensees and producers as Alevy productions, Rob Lee of Bayonne is under strong leadership and one that opens its clients. Though it is jointly managed and Entertainment, Sharp Entertainment, opportunities for further growth. funded by 21st Century Fox and Apollo Noreen Halpern of Halfire Entertainment Before becoming a commissioning editor at Global Management LLC who each own and Rhett Bachner and Brien Meagher of M-Net in 2003, Palmer first worked with 50%, CORE Media Group retains its own B17 Entertainment. Other select partners of Endemol South Africa. She then returned to capital structure in the new joint venture. CORE Media Group include Dick Clark the company in 2011 where she has since The majority of Endemol's entertainment Productions (for So You Think You Can played a pivotal role in managing areas share is owned by Mediaset, co-owned by Dance), Ford (as the official American Idol including the Creative Department and the Berlusconi family, John de Mol's Cyrte sponsor) and Fremantle Media (as the Strategic Partnerships and launching some of Group and Goldman Sachs, an investment American Idol partner). Outside its United the company's most successful long-running and securities firm. Its global distributor States-based companies, it also has an scripted hits. Endemol Shine International controls the international operation in the United portfolio of more than 3,000 formats and Kingdom. Among the world class brands of Endemol Shine Africa is a subsidiary of the 38,000 hours of scripted and non-scripted CORE Media Group's portfolio is the Idols Endemol Shine Group; a merger of third party programming of formats like format worldwide. transnational corporations Endemol, Shine Broadchurch, The Biggest Loser, The Group and CORE Media with joint funding Brain, MasterChef, MasterChef Junior, Mr Survivor South Africa st from 21 Century Fox and Apollo Global Bean among many others (Endemol Shine Survivor is also another important franchise Management LLC. These media corporations Group Formats Catalogue, Endemol Shine of the Endemol Shine Group. The Survivor have created a 'global content creator, Africa produces media contents as Big franchise was developed from 'Expedition producer and distributor' with such Brother Africa, Big Brother Mzansi, Big Robinson'; a Swedish television series in international franchises as Big Brother, Brother Angola,and Survivor South Africa 1996. As a result of its low cost and high among many other programmes. SPECIAL FEATURE

ratings, it immediately became a marketable This was the fifth season of the show in compete on the show. In addition, franchise worldwide. After its American debut South Africa. Corne Krige led the 'Selatan' members of the audience are involved via in 2000, several adaptations have been tribe while Mark Fish led the 'Utara' tribe. If a the social media though they do not vote for produced. The success of a contestant is tribe fell short at a task, the winning tribe was the winner of the show. largely dependent on relationships and immune while the losing tribe was made to This was achieved by the encouragement alliances with other players. The mode of face the 'tribal council' where tribe-mates of the audience to participate through the relationship is that of networking with real and nominated and voted off a member from use of various media to follow the show. virtual teams. Unscripted behaviours such as their own tribe. The 'Selatan' tribe eventually This was also done within the South African scheming, lying, cheating, ostracizing produced the winner in the person of media landscape through the various teammates, manipulations and various Graham Jenneker. It was shown on M-Net. Survivor South Africa social media extents to which the contestants go, The rainbow nature of South Africa was platforms like the official website of demonstrate a level of questionable ethics. brought to play in this show. The contestants Survivor South Africa, SurvivorWiki and Survivor South Africa is similar to all other were ten males and ten females and with the their official YouTube channel. Another adaptations of the show with every detail of the inclusion of the two tribal captains, they important involvement of the audience was show was already planned before production; were 22 contestants in all. The introduction through the use of the hashtag on social ranging from an already scouted location to the of the two tribal captains was a unique media like Twitter and Facebook. Hashtags screening and gathering of the 'perfect' group localised attribute of the show. As a result of like #TeamFish and #TeamKrige were used and designing the 'challenges' that have been this, the South African audience could to display allegiance of their fans to the gamed-out/acted before the filming of the identify with the sporting icons because they show and the contestants. show began but the producers can only control are well known people in the country who the actions and reactions of contestants in a served on national teams Helga Palmer limited manner. These icons would be easy to identify with Viewers’ rating There is only one reality show that has because they participated in rugby and The average viewership and rating for outlasted all its competitors and for 18 South soccer that are popular sporting activities in Survivor South Africa CHAMPIONS on the Africans the Survivor South Africa offer them South Africa. Soccer, rugby and cricket are M-Net chart over a period of four weeks adventure of a lifetime. Who will outwit, outplay the most popular sporting activities, was 99,500 viewers while its rating was an and outlast to become the sole survivor of the including local and international fixtures, average of seventh. This was at the sixth season of Survivor South Africa? known to draw many spectators. inception of the broadcast of the show on M-Net. Towards the end, its viewership and The 6th season of Survivor South Africa was .A way through which feedback from the rating over another period of four weeks shot in Philippines in high definition – audience was maintained was from their had increased with an average of 122,750 stretching over more days than ever before social media platforms like Facebook, viewers and an average rating of fifth on the and including panoramic aerial drone shots of Twitter and the homepage of the show's M-Net chart.The initial rating for the first azure waters and dense green archipelago official website where audience could vote episode of the first season of Survivor islands, deftly offset by close-ups of slithering via Mobile, WeChat and SMS platforms. South Africa was huge with about 1.2 creatures and all kinds of exotic crawlies as The audience voted for their favourite tribal million viewers; a feat that surpassed other scene-setting and dramatic irony establishing captain won by Corne Krige. The ability to M-Net reality series like Big Brother or Idols shots – looks crisp and beautiful.’ promote a franchise across multiple that made it the most watched episode of a It delivered intentionally and unintentionally platforms captured a wider range of reality show on the channel In contrast, golden TV moments from the contestants from audience. Through Survivor's adaptation of American Survivor, on the global media the very first Survivor SA Philippines episode a multiplatform approach of convergence, landscape, had the highest rating and an ranging from "I'll probably move up in the especially Internet technology, viewers income of $50 million in advertising in 2000. leadership quite quickly", to "lets go speak to were engaged on various media. With the high number of followers as our respective people” recorded in such cases as the 51 million During the event, each team has its own people who tuned in to watch American Survivor SA finally has not just one but two unique means to be identified. The team Survivor's first season finale in 2000, reality stories playing out simultaneously – the one on members all have to work together in order television generally has translated to a very TV screens and the one under the official to protect themselves against starvation by large and important part of popular culture. social media hashtag of #SurvivorSA that making fire for food, against cold by making creates a richer viewing experience for the fire to stay warm and by island ouster competition show than ever building shelter for a place before Some common features of the local to sleep and against rain. adaptations include the location on a remote- The various tribes have to island, formation of tribes, tribal councils, the compete against each other tribal council jury, rites of passage, immunity so as to win challenges, get tasks, rewards, torches, branded bandanas supplies that may be and immunity idols. The tribal council jury is needed in such tribes and made up of players voted out of the show. f o r i m m u n i t y f r o m Another common element is the merger of e l i m i n a t i o n s . T h e both tribes into one after a significant number contestants also vote off of contestants has been voted off. The last members of their tribes until tribe on Survivor South Africa CHAMPIONS the final stage of the show was the Juara tribe. The tribe arrangement where the remaining team allows the contestants to be judged members form the last tribe individually and not at the tribal level. The tribal of the show and the winner council jury also determines who the final emerges from this tribe. Survivor is. Survivor creates vicarious The May 2014 edition of Survivor South Africa thrills and emotions for its was tagged the Survivor South Africa target audience because it CHAMPIONS because it was a special edition is a reflection of cultures, with the involvement of two sporting legends in interpersonal practices and the persons of ex-Springbok rugby captain values made visible among CEO, Endemol Corne Krige and soccer superstar Mark Fish. the diverse participants that MARKET REPORT

Ethiopia joins space race, set to launch Earth Observation SatelliteEutelsat.teleport (Source: Eutelsat)

Following recent announcements, Ethiopia is set to become the 9th African country to send a satellite into space, after Ghana, Kenya, Angola, South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, Algeria and Morocco

Though, African countries arrived very late in the even refer as far back as 253 B.C. Between launch by Ethiopia, will captures earth use, Geostationary Orbit, (GSO) when most of the 1900 and now about 18 famine periods which in turn, inform the country about the strategic resources which are ideal for the were registered in the country's history, environment, including agricultural continent had been allocated to other according to a report, most instances production. Satellite imagery offers a tool Administrations outside Africa on the principle of famine and hunger are both rooted in food to monitor, prevent, study, reconsider, and “first come, first served”, more countries across insecurity. react against practices that deteriorate or Africa are announcing their space exploration The Ethiopian economy is predominantly abuse our environment. bid. The latest is Ethiopia. agrarian, where almost half of the GDP is In sub Saharan Africa, inappropriate Ethiopia recently overtook Egypt to become the contributed by the agricultural sector (45%) governmental policies and institutional second most populous nation in Africa after and creates employment opportunities for weakness are main responsible factors for Nigeria. The government tries to encourage over 85% of the population. the recurrence of food shortage or poverty foreign investment over a broad range of Ethiopia will become the 9th African country and underdevelopment in general. industries. Foreigners are allowed to hold up to to send a satellite into space, after Ghana, Whenever food shortage occur in a given 100% equity ownership. To permit private Kenya, Angola, South Africa, Nigeria, country, the government is responsible for participation in telecom services the Egypt, Algeria and Morocco. either causing the crisis or failing to government amended the Investment prevent it. In Sahel states circumstances, Proclamation in 1998, providing for private Lessons from Malaysia lack of appropriate development polices companies, national or foreign, to invest in the The practical value of space technology and strategies is one of the main factors telecom sector in partnership with the was illuminated to Mazlan Othman, the which results vulnerability to disaster. government. director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) in 1997 Natural resources like soil and forests are In Ethiopia, people living in areas where the when forest fires burnt more than 400,000 vital resource bases upon which rural natural resource base is poor or deteriorating hectares in Malaysia and Indonesia, farmers depends for their survival. often have limited opportunities for earning their engulfing the entire region for weeks with However, these resources are getting livelihood. Their situation is worsened if acts of thick, choking clouds of smoke. Although depleted over time at an alarming rate and man lead to pollution and environmental satellite imagery was available from affects farmers' agricultural production degradation. developed nations, it was expensive and and productivity. In general, the ecology in inadequate to assist her native Malaysia in the area has become more fragile than With China”s assistance Ethiopia will see its first fighting the forest fires. Othman explains ever resulting in a decline in agricultural Multi-Spectral Remote Sensing Satellite that “we needed satellite photos of hot production and productivity, frequent food ETRSS-1 launched into space in November spots, but the accuracy initially available shortage, drought and famines. The 2019, according to a communication from its was only a resolution of 1 kilometer. That proposed satellite will provide the much Ministry of Innovation and Technology. was insufficient and satellites with better needed platform for early warning and According to the document, the Earth resolution only came over Malaysia once monitoring the changes in the environment observation satellite is under construction by every 20 days.” Othman makes the key thereby enabling the promotion of new Ethiopian and Chinese experts, in virtue of an observation that “we realized that we could policies for mitigating the effects of agreement signed between the two nations in not rely on others for our specific needs.” draughts and hunger. Addis Ababa. Since then, Malaysia has championed the development of a regional system of “In Africa, as today, that space applications are disaster monitoring satellites, a cause the playing a major role in areas such as UNOOSA supports. meteorology, navigation, weather forecasting, Othman states that within Malaysia, while natural resources management and enough funds are not being allocated for e n v i r o n m e n t a l m o n i t o r i n g , d i s a s t e r research, there are concerted efforts to management and prevention, health, improve awareness among the public that if education, agriculture, peace and security”. you want to build up the country in a bottom- Depending on the diversity of covered areas, up approach, space technology must be a space applications are crucial in achieving the part of the solution. A well informed Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). conclusion is made that developing According to a report, the Chinese Government countries such as Malaysia need to build donated about 6 million dollars for the training of their own infrastructure (or have specialists involved in the development process infrastructure built with their specific needs of the satellite, whose cost is estimated at 8 in mind) not only for the mere reason that million dollars. The ambition of Ethiopia to put owning your own technology is convenient ETRSS-1 into orbit was to improve climate but because it is sorely needed to solve the monitoring capabilities and take advantage of all myriad of problems these regions face. collateral information. In Ethiopia, famine incidences caused by Satellite imagery from the satellite to be drought goes back to the 11th century and some IN THE NEWS

Bolivian Space OneWeb plans internet access services Agency deploys to rural areas in Angola Newtec Dialog hub Satellite operator OneWeb African continent has locations lack a power has expressed its intention to approximately 15.3 percent infrastructure. install telecommunications Newtec has announced that it has of the world's population Therefore, it is very common infrastructures to facilitate and an Internet penetration deployed a Newtec Dialog® hub for the to see solar-powered satellite internet access in rural areas rate of 15.6 which lags terminals connected to mobile AgenciaBolivianaEspacia (ABE) which in Angola, in a meeting with significantly behind the rest base stations, payphone will enable the agency to extend access to Angola president Joao of the world's average of kiosks, and automated teller residential broadband to at least 6,000 Lourenco. According to 37.7 percent. machines for digital inclusion users. The service will be delivered via OneWeb chairman Greg Only 7 percent of the of these unserved areas.The ABE's Tupac Katari 1 satellite in Ka-band. Wyler, the project is expected world's Internet users are in A n g o l a n f i r s t The project, which is part of the to start in 2020 and to provide Africa.The project in Angola telecommunication satellite government's National Broadband Plan, connectivity to all rural areas is part of the company's Angosat 1 built in Russia with will serve the currently unserved Bolivian within two or three years. global plan to accelerate space segment: 14.5 E orbital population at an affordable rate of entry for Though being located on the the development of the first position, weight 55 kg, plans ranging from 4Mbps download and western coast with access to global satellite telecom payload weight 262.4 kg, 1Mbps upload, and will mirror a similar a submarine cable network, network by 2021, with a payload power 3,753 W, cost of residential broadband access Angola continues to be one of s y s t e m o f w i r e l e s s frequency band C, Ku, found in urban areas. Africa's largest markets for b r o a d b a n d a c c e s s number Repeaters 16C + 6Ku The service will utilize the MDM2210 DVB- satellite communications, as everywhere on Earth. and a lifespan of 15 years was much of the country's S2X IP satellite modem which is a two- Satellite solutions have lost after launch in 2017.The t e l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s way, high throughput modem that enabled both the extension launch of the first Angolan infrastructure outside of the of mobile backhaul reach, supports a wide range of IP services such satellite "Angosat 1" was capital city Luanda was as well as a direct point of expected to offer many as Internet/intranet access, Voice over IP destroyed by the 27-year civil presence in the villages, benefits, both economically (VoIP) and multicasting services. Its ease war, which lasted until 2002. f a r m s , s c h o o l s , a n d and job creation, therefore a of installation, high-performance According to the world businesses. Obviously, in replacement satellite has modulation techniques and integrated Wi- Internet Usage Statistics, the most instances, remote been planned for 2020. Fi enable network operators to offer IP broadband services in a cost-effective way over Ku- and Ka-band networks. The Bolivian government recognizes the Sudasat now provide broadband services via importance of the availability of broadband services both for businesses and the Arabsat 6A Satellite general population of the country and aims to connect 50 percent of households to an Internet service by 2020. “The introduction The Sudatel Telecom Group, services is hosted by the pleasure with this strategic of the Newtec Dialog HUB will give ABE through one of its companies Sudatel Telecom Group partnership with Sudatel the flexibility and scalability as they Sudasat and Hajar Group, in via Abu Haraz satellite Group through Sudasat. He continue to introduce broadband services partnership with Canar station. p o i n t e d o u t t h a t t h e to the Bolivian population via their world- Telecom, witnessed the The satellite has been increasing demand for class teleport,” said Bart Van Utterbeeck, launch of Arabsat 6A satellite launched successfully satellite telecommunication VP South America, Newtec. at orbital position 30.5, from Cape Canaveral, services in the region “Newtec is very pleased that the Bolivian which includes a load of four Florida, USA after all requires cooperation and Space Agency has placed its confidence in Ka-band transponders, necessary measures have agreement with leading us,” added Ramon Ertze, Account through which Sudasat will been completed. This companies, Providing high Manager, Newtec. “We look forward to p r o v i d e b r o a d b a n d o p e r a t i o n h a s b e e n quality and reliable services helping to enable future social inclusion c o m m u n i c a t i o n s a n d a t t e n d e d b y E n g . and economic growth in Bolivia.” broadband services across TarigHamzaZainElabdein, TarigHamzaZainElabdein, The Newtec Dialog HUB has been the Sudanese territory to President & CEO of President & CEO of Sudatel installed at the Amachuma ground station, Internet providers, VSAT S u d a t e l G r o u p a n d G r o u p , C h a i r m a n o f located 4,000 meters above sea level, subscribers and mobile Chairman of Board of Sudasat, said: "This move which literally takes Newtec technology to network operators. Directors of Sudasat, who marks a milestone in the new heights. The ground station received an invitation from company's history and accommodates Tupac Katari 1's two It also provides multi- the Kennedy Space confirms its strategic plan to 120MHz transponders. ABE is now purpose solutions for Center in Florida and move the company to an embarking on commercial rollout of the commercial and government Arabsat for attending the i n t e g r a t e d service. sectors. Arabsat 6A includes launch operation. t e l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s “We selected Newtec because we were many of state- of- Art o p e r a t o r t o d e l i v e r impressed by the company's innovation services that makes it the The President & CEO of unprecedented services and capabilities, which we have seen most satellite up- to- date, Arabsat, member of through partnerships, deployed all over the world,” said Ivan effective, flexible and S u d a t e l B o a r d o f upgrading it from the local Zambrana, Executive General Director, versatile as it has a high Directors, Eng. Khalid and regional level to a much ABE. “The Newtec Dialog hub will enable capacity and provides digital Balkheyour and the CEO higher level. This move will us to offer services according to our b r o a d c a s t i n g , of Canar Telecom, Eng. be the first step in the requirements yet to keep our costs down telecommunications and HashimHasab El-Rasoul, process of launching a without any compromise on performance Internet services to the witnessed this launch satellite for Sudan in which or flexibility. We look forward to our customers in Sudan. operation as well. Sudatel will play a pivotal continued work together in helping to Arabsat President & CEO role through its foreign connect even more of the Bolivian It is worth mentioning that K h a l i d B i n A h m e d strategic partnerships” population in the future.” this satellite ground station Balkheyour expressed his ZainElabdein concluded. IN THE NEWS

Sudatel Telecom Group posts net profit ArabClicks eye 48 million internet users of US$32 million for to boost e-commerce in Egypt 2018 ArabClicks, a performance- The Board of Directors of Sudatel Telecom based marketing platform Group has approved the Group's financial that helps e-commerce results for the year ended Dec 31, 2018 at its companies connect and board meeting held on Wednesday, March 27, grow in the Middle East and 2019 at The Group's head office in Khartoum. North African (MENA) Sudatel's financial performance for 2018, like markets – has expanded its all other businesses in Sudan, was impacted by services to Egypt, which is a major currency devaluation in Sudan. home to the highest number Sudatel Telecom Group (STG)'s contribution in of Internet users in the Arab forming digital transformation in Sudan is vital World. due to infrastructure that STG owns, in addition Since its formal entry into to wide experience in developing services and the North African nation in products, which are leading to achieving May 2019, the Dubai-based digitization. With a vision to be the leading ICT company has already provider in the region Sudatel developed a lot signed a handful of deals of services and has planned for full with key market players. Talks are underway with transformation by 2020 in deferent areas such the dominant platform for and fashion, the reports point as E-Learning, e-health, mobile money, M2M, many other e-commerce companies and online Egyptians with 40 million out. IoT, and cloud computing, etc. users, a growth of 20 per “ O u r a d v e r t i s e m e n t Highlights of the annual result indicates that the content publishers in the country. cent since 2017. marketing programmes will company's West African subsidiaries At present, there are more help content publishers in contribution to Group's operating revenue “Not only e-commerce firms but also online content than 2 million Twitter users in Egypt bring in revenue increased from 34% in 2017 to 51% in 2018. the North African country, a through online links without This is a result of recent investments made by publishers and social media influencers are approaching growth of 18 per cent driven disturbing the website the Group in West Africa including network mostly by millennials who users,” said Romano, upgrades and expansion. Additional ArabClicks to help them turn more than 48 million are tweeting mainly about r e f e r r i n g t o t h e n e w investments are also underway in 4G food and travel. Instagram is monetisation tools offered by technology, network coverage and customer Internet users across Egypt into a stable source of the country's second most ArabClicks that smoothly experience that will increase revenues. popular platform with 11 transform published content The groups also posted net profit of US$32 revenue and benefit all the s t a k e h o l d e r s i n t h e million users posting mainly into a potential source of million compared to US$45 million in 2017, about fashion, music and revenue generation. while the overall operating revenue of US$326 process,” said ArabClicks Co-founder and Chief travel. According to the company, million down by 36% from US$513 million There are 3.5 million p r o d u c t s l i k e 2017. Commenting on the results, the Executive Officer Mauro Romano. Snapchat users, of which ArabClicksLinkConverter chairman of the Group, Dr. Fadul Abdalla Fadul more than 2 million are and ArabclicksSmartLink noted, “We adopted a very clear strategy of Historically, Egypt had many firsts to its credit as female who tend to consume turn any hyperlinks into a partnering with successful international firms to primarily the news, followed s o u r c e o f r e v e n u e expand our operations both in Sudan and in the e-commerce sector grew in the region. Cairo, for by lifestyle and fashion generation without altering West Africa. This strategy is serving us well and topics. the user experience. will be continued.” Sudatel's CEO, Eng. Tarig example, was the first in MENA to introduce online Replicating its successful W h i l e Hamza ZainElabdein, said “Sudatel has moved UAE operations in Egypt, ArabClicksLinkConverter from being a telecom operator providing voice food ordering concept way back in 1999 with Otlob. ArabClicks is devising a scans website content and and data to an ICT solution provider. strategy to assist e- m a k e s o n l i n e l i n k s The Sudatel Data Center is one example of this “ Y e t , e - c o m m e r c e penetration in the country is commerce firms, content embedded in a publisher's with customers that include large institutions in publishers and social media content generate income, its Sudan such as banks, Public incorporations still at a nascent stage,” said Romano. influencers in the country S m a r t L i n k e n a b l e s and insurance companies. We are also hosting generate a smooth and publishers and influencers to Google's servers and this vote of confidence in The latest study by the country's Ministry of strong revenue stream monetise commercial link our data center has boosted our reputation through its affiliate marketing across all of social networks globally.”The national auditor for the Republic C o m m u n i c a t i o n s a n d Information Technology p r o g r a m m e s a n d and channels, the company of Sudan and the representatives of foreign monetisation tools, the said, adding that the unique audit firms have expressed their gratitude to (MCIT) thighlighted that e- commerce only comprised c o m p a n y s a i d i n a f e a t u r e o f Sudatel's management for its collaboration and statement. ArabclicksSmartLink also congratulated the company's progress in 0.4 per cent of the total retail trade in Egypt. “But the “Egypt has the potential to allows content creators to settling its debts from its own resources. The be one of the Arab-speaking tweet, post share and send Group's negative working capital has figure is set to increase very quickly as more than half of world's biggest e-commerce revenue generating links to decreased from USD 380 million in 2012 to markets. Some 60 per cent anyone anywhere. USD 134 million in 2018. Sudatel Group and its t h e c o u n t r y ' s t o t a l p o p u l a t i o n u s e s t h e of the population is aged “Our affiliate links aren't just subsidiaries in Mauritania, Senegal, Nigeria under 30, and increasingly limited to blogs and websites. and Ghana (submarine cables), in addition to internet. All they need is awareness about utilising t e c h - s a v v y, ” R o m a n o ArabclicksSmartLink helps its office in Dubai, are audited by a network of highlighted. turn product and brands links foreign professional auditors: EY, HLB and the untapped potential of the online market,” Romano Government statistics i n t o a h i g h - p o w e r e d AFACOR in Mauritania.Sudatel is the only suggest that about 8 per cent h y p e r l i n k t h a t e a r n s Sudanese company quoted on the Abu Dhabi explained. T h e s o c i a l m e d i a of the estimated 48 million commission for every sale,” Stock Exchange and the largest company internet users make online said Romano. “This means listed in Khartoum Stock Exchanges. Its penetration rate in the country, according to Bain purchases in Egypt. Most of one can make money from financial results are published systematically these transactions are in the Facebook Twitter, Instagram, on the websites of the above mentioned and Company, stands at 40 per cent. Facebook remains categories of electronics, Pinterest, email list and other markets. entertainment, airline tickets online platforms.” SPECIAL FEATURE

T h e future of electronic voting machines in Africa

Today, African governments are placing greater and greater demands upon voting technology. However, flaws with current voting technologies spur concerns that we were too quick to embrace computerized technology while not recognizing the vulnerabilities to which this new technology exposes our electoral system.

In Africa, its still common to find out that an DREs is not as recent as might be other machines through normal voting election somewhere around the world was believed. The first patents for electrical activities. challenged and followed by protests and vote recording machines began appearing violence. The voting systems are the means in the middle of the 19th century. However, There are numerous potential threats to used by people who have the right to vote to the idea was not truly realized until 1974 voting, and many of these attacks apply freely choose between different options. when the first commercial electronic vote only to DREs. However, some threats Today, African governments are placing recording machine was available.With concern a range of voting methods. John Ugbe greater and greater demands upon votingCEO, D RMultiChoiceE, vote Nigeriars are given a unique technology. In the past few decades opportunity to check the accuracy of their However, the problem of a single person computers and networking were introduced votes via the review screen. They are casting of multiple votes applies to any to further increase efficiency. presented with a list of all the contests and voting method. With newer systems such their choices in each, and voters may as DREs, however, this could be This computerization has had profound confirm that each selection in correct. accomplished much more subtly. consequences. On the positive side, election administration has become more efficient as There are high possibility that a sort of large quantities of paper no longer need to be “Corrupt vote- denial-of-service attack could affect non- produced, counted and stored securely. The computer based voting systems, they are of counting process itself is quicker and many counting practices much more concern with DREs. In this type persons with disabilities are now have long been of of attack, DREs would not allow voters to accommodated in the voting process. cast any ballots at all. If an attacker gained concern to administrative privileges to a voting One of the requirements of elections is that a terminal, he could prematurely end the voter's choices must be kept secret so that elections.” election and prevent any more votes from voters can make decisions without fear or being cast. Denial-of-service attacks could intimidation. Keeping ballot information Despite the acclaim of electronic voting happen if the computers at a polling place private prevents voters from being forced systems in improving accessibility for all crashed simultaneously or if computers into voting in a certain manner. It also many groups of voters, computerized depending on internet connections to Austin Okere, prevents vote-buying attacks. As long as a voting couldFounder lead, CWGto new Plc problems for download ballots at the start of an election voter's choices are secret, he cannot prove to other groups of voters. Many users may were denied service. a potential buyer for whom he actually voted. not be experienced using computers and may not be comfortable performing a task Corrupt vote-counting practices have long Electronic voting is a voting system that uses as important and official as voting on such been of concern to elections, and with in any of its phases electronic means to machines. It is possible that the “digital electronic voting systems, there is an assist the voting process. In the context of divide” will be seen in voting and may increased threat of vote flipping. For electronic voting may be achieved via two discourage older voters, who are typically instance, the Diebold's AccuVote Optical channels, visa- viz, poll-site electronic voting the more experienced voters but less Scan voting terminal is vulnerable to systems and remote electronic voting experienced computer users, from voting. attacks that can be carried out with system. The former, as in poll-site electronic commercial off-the-shelf equipment and voting systems, implies the presence of the only take a few minutes. The vote elector to vote in a pre-defined and controlled Security Background tabulations can be manipulated so that place by the electoral commission. The latter Although DREs have been touted as the votes for a certain candidate are not does not imply the presence of the voter in a best solution for accurate elections, many counted or are switched with another previously defined place: the vote can be computer security experts have candidate, thus affecting the resulting cast anywhere using the Internet as a expressed major concerns about their totals. This could be done so that evidence susceptibility to fraud and errors. A study medium of communication between the vote stealing would be impossible to trace. system and the voter. of the source code for one type of DRE, the Diebold AccuVote-TS revealed many In the past, precinct-level fraud was a With the growing mobility of voters, election security flaws that could be exploited to affect an election outcome. major security issue. The introduction of administrations were forced to offer electronic voting machines aid in the possibilities to participate when voters were prevention of this type of fraud, as well as not present in their home constituency on These included bugs that allowed voters to cast multiple votes without being later mitigating ballot box stuffing and vote election day. Diaspora voters are allowed buying, but their use can lead to other send their ballots via mail. In addition, d e t e c t e d a n d a l l o w i n g v o t e r s types of attacks. Insider attacks are of military personnel residing abroad were administrator access to the systems. given the possibility to vote. Another report on the reliability of the concern to voting machines, as they are AccuVote-TS revealed that malicious in the hands of the technicians or The newest forms of electronic voting are code could be easily installed on voting developers. DRE systems. Although they are, in many machines on Election Day, and could respects, a novel form of voting, the idea for spread like a computer virus, infecting IN THE NEWS

ITC expands its Thuraya's X5-Touch won 'Top Mobility User current security Experience Solution' at MSUA 2019 Award service portfolio Thuraya Telecommunications complements the 'bring testament to the inventive Integrated Telecom Company announced that Company, a subsidiary of Al your own application' mindset we encourage at it expanded its portfolio of security services by Yah Satellite Communications (BYOA) concept, where e v e r y l e v e l o f o u r launching a new suite of Managed Security Company (Yahsat), has won customers can download organization,” commented Ali Services (MSS) to assist organizations with the Top Mobility User any app of their choice. Al Hashemi, Thuraya CEO. monitoring, threat detection, incident handling, Experience Solution at this An unrivalled 5.2-inch HD “Our customers rely on and management of ongoing cybersecurity year's Mobile Satellite touchscreen protected by a dependable communications risks. Innovation award organized rugged Gorilla® glass to do their job and, in many These MSS services provide proactive and by Mobile Satellite Users display, front and rear c a s e s , r e m a i n s a f e l y comprehensive security monitoring of network Association (MSUA). The camera, and high-capacity c o n n e c t e d i n r e m o t e devices, endpoints, Cloud and SAAS based accolade was won by the battery bring everyday environments. With this environments. Leveraging extensive ICT Thuraya's X5-Touch device – smartphone functionality to a w a r d , t h e X 5 - To u c h industry knowledge, the world's smartest and most the remote environments of continues to reinforce its Cyber criminals are working on new techniques innovative satellite phone. satellite communication. credentials for the most for getting through the security of established The announcement was Meanwhile, the X5-Touch's demanding of users.” organizations, accessing everything from IP to made during the company's omni-directional satellite The MSUA accolade isn't the individual customer information — they are participation at the Satellite a n t e n n a e n s u r e s first to be awarded by the doing this so that they can cause damage, 2 0 1 9 C o n f e r e n c e i n u n i n t e r r u p t e d association to Thuraya. In disrupt sensitive data and steal intellectual Washington DC, US. communications in more 2017 the company's XT-PRO property. The Top Mobility User t h a n 1 6 0 c o u n t r i e s , DUAL device won the Top ITC will provide this service line to address the Experience Solution award including a number across Land Mobility Satcom unique concerns and lack of security resources recognizes the X5-Touch's Africa, Asia, Australia, and Innovation Award for a in the Saudi market, as well as provide visibility superior usability, as well as Europe. In addition, full second year, after landing the to threats in real time. Managing all of the its market-leading status, dual-mode and dual-SIM same title in 2014. Also in security technologies deployed in the average which is underpinned by a capabilities provide the 2014, Thuraya'sSatSleeve enterprise has become a daunting task for series of category-firsts. The flexibility to effortlessly product – which converts a many and staying well ahead of the threat X5-Touch is the first satellite switch between satellite smartphone into a satellite originators to mitigate their impacts is phone to run on the Android and terrestrial networks. phone – received MSUA's considerably harder. o p e r a t i n g s y s t e m – a A host of crucial safety Innovator Award. “Many Saudi companies have expressed fundamental pillar of its features such as advanced “Through the design and frustration with the fact that they don't have award-winning flexibility and navigation and tracking functionality of the X5-Touch, adequate threat monitoring or the appropriate user experience. functions, alongside a built- we set out to create a device level of attention they need from their managed T h e o p e r a t i n g s y s t e m in SOS button, reinforce the that felt as natural and services provider. provides users with a X5-Touch's credentials as a effortless to use as our Moreover, many service providers don't have m u l t i t u d e o f a p p s o n device built for the most personal smartphones, but the experience or know how to tailor their purchase, while developers r e m o t e a n d t e s t i n g with added ruggedness,” support for the Saudi market. Many gain the freedom to develop environments. c o m m e n t e d S h a w k a t organizations still struggle with managing risk and customize bespoke apps “Congratulations to all at Ahmed, Thuraya's Chief because they can't optimize all of the security to meet the unique needs of Thuraya for securing C o m m e r c i a l O f f i c e r . tools or simply don't have the resources to d e v i c e u s e r s . T h i s today's award, which is “Usability is in many ways monitor their outputs,” said Ahmad Hasan, CCO of ITC. Effective cybersecurity is increasingly complex UAE Space Agency to launch new satellite to deliver. The traditional organizational perimeter is eroding and existing security by year-end defenses are coming under increasing The UAE Space Agency the satellite at a ground Abdulla Al Marar, Head of pressure. Point solutions, in particular antivirus and Exolaunch have station in YahSat Labs in Space Projects in the UAE software, IDS, IPS, patching and encryption, a n n o u n c e d a j o i n t Khalifa University. Space Agency, said: ?During remain a key control for combatting today's agreement to launch a new D r E n g . M o h a m m e d the upcoming months we will known attacks; however, they become less satellite by the end of this Nasser Al Ahbabi, director assemble the satellite and effective over time as hackers find new ways to year to measure the general of the UAE Space then conduct comprehensive circumvent controls abundance and distribution Agency, said: The MeznSat tests in a simulated space “Expanding our service offering with SIEM, of methane and carbon project falls within the environment to ensure that Threat Intelligence, WAF, Vulnerability d i o x i d e i n U A E ' s framework of the UAE M e z n S a t w i l l o p e r a t e Management, Penetration Testing and a t m o s p h e r e . T h e Space Agency's strategy, efficiently once it is in orbit Security Device Management, will significantly agreement to launch which aims to develop above Earth. It is crucial that increase our ability to assist our clients with this MeznSat was signed during Emirati capacities and we test the satellite prior to its challenge by providing real time 24/7 the recent Global Space expertise and support launch at the end of this monitoring and 360° Cyber Protection in Congress in Abu Dhabi, scientific research. The year.” “MeznSat will join the support of their program,” he added. reported Wam. satellite will play a key role outstanding collection of “We have developed multiple services as a MeznSat was developed by in studying the Earth's satellites developed, owned trusted Telecom and ICT partner, so this was students from the American atmosphere and providing and operated by the UAE for just a natural extension of our desire to help our University of Ras Al high-quality data which will a breadth of purposes, clients identify and manage their security risks Khaimah and Khalifa help to address the many ranging from remote sensing more effectively,” said GhassanItani, CEO of University. The satellite will challenges facing our and Earth observation to ITC. “We are especially excited to be able to operate using a shortwave planet.” c o m m u n i c a t i o n s a n d provide an affordable alternative for the small, infrared spectrometer. 'Our wide experience in navigation, collectively mid and large-enterprises who often cannot A team of students will cubesat launches will showcasing the UAE?s take advantage of this type of support for monitor, process, and ensure the success of this position and leadership various reasons,” he added. analyze the data sent from important milestone. within the space industry,” he added. OPINION

Towards Digital Transformation in Africa

Sudatel Telecom Group contribution towards digital transformation in Sudan is vital due to its infrastructure, in addition to wide experience in developing services and products, leading to achieving digitization, according to Eng. Asim HAJO

Recent advances in digital technologies are transformational. The dimension of change in bringing about significant and extraordinary processes was given considerable attention changes in many aspects of our social and in the development of process virtualization economic lives. Digital technologies are theory, which describes the transition from a considered to be combinations of information, physical process to a virtual one in which the computing, communications, and connectivity physical interaction between people and/or technologies, such as social media, mobile objects has been eliminated (e.g., electronic devices, analytics, and cloud computing. commerce, online distance learning, online These consumer-driven technologies have banking). Process virtualization can be become central to every workplace and home, compared to the phenomenon of digitizing, having become a part of our daily routines; i.e., the technical process of transforming essentially, fundamentally changing the way analog signals into a digital form. we communicate, participate in the digital world, and conduct ourselves socially and Furthermore, the phenomenon of digitization commercially. has recently been discussed in the context of digital transformation in applied managerial So before we answer the question above, let literature, where digital transformation was us talk about consumer behavior and reflect defined as “the use of new digital Eng. Asim HAJO on the needs of humans, which keep technologies (social media, mobile, analytics changing. A couple of years ago, one of the or embedded devices) to enable major lifestyle trends was only about availability of business improvements (such as enhancing money, M2M, IoT, and cloud computing, things. Taking mobile services as an example customer experience, streamlining etc. we found that it's only about communications operations or creating new Sudatel, as a part of its digital using voice calls or short message service business models. Due to technology transformation portfolio, has introduced (SMS). After a while MNOs in partner ship with revolution and its impact on the daily life, mobile financial services to achieve digital third-party contents provider(CPs) developed transformation is must, so most of the financial inclusion. Sudatel launched its new services called value added services services and products have to be introduced mobile money services in collaboration (VAS) that colored customer's lives including in a modern way in its shape and the way they model with central bank of Sudan under entertainment and deferent, targeted multi- are delivered to the beneficiaries and end brand name Gorooshi. Gorooshi service media content. Subsequently, with the growth users as well. provides many services to end user such as of smart phones and tablets telecom So to achieve this digital transformation first money transfer p2p, settle invoices and operators and service providers started of all it has to respond and enhance the topup for telecommunications, payments developing more digital services that satisfied customers experience and maintain it in a for government services, purchase and customer's needs and wants. By the time better way not just for making users happy payments of utilities etc. these new services grew and created new but also it becomes important for the Gorooshi is available with two options for revenue streams, their impact on other providers of the services to survive in today's interact with the customer: 1. USSD for all traditional services (Voice, SMS etc.) from tough competition markets and changing types of mobile phones include even perspectives of usages and revenue became business world. Also things have to be feature phones 2. Mobile App for smart visible. considered in implementing deferent digital phone users and tablets. These two options services that are: allow high-value customers and low-value W i t h r e g a r d t o t e c h n o l o g y - d r i v e n Market segment customers as well to benefit from this transformation, a shift concerning people's Availability and continuity of the service. Also Sudatel launched its local interactions with digital products services store for android applications under brand is taking place, moving from evaluating Security name Sudan Store which allows developers performance to researching experience. This Also the main stakeholder's accountabilities and designers of mobile apps to upload change is partially due to increased and roles have to be stated very clear before their applications in local store with high connectivity, mobility, and domestication of start the journey of transformation standards criteria lead for reachability and digital increasing relevance of digital devices stakeholders might essential to be accessibility for the local users to in our lifestyle, and how people choose to addressed: download the favorable apps very easy, an express their identities. New digital services example for these apps, is Natigaty app, (e.g., M-Health, E-Learning, Mobile Money, 1. The government which provides the result and details for the IoT etc.) are contributing greatly to our lives. 2. The regulatory bodies Sudanese students' secondary and primary There are some dimensions for describing a 3. The operators and ICT providers certificates. technology-driven transformation that are: 4. The beneficiaries Finally, the needs of digital transformation Sudatel Telecom Group (STG)'s contribution become very crucial and it is s a main driver for every country's development, 1. The new processes in forming digital transformation in Sudan is consumer's satisfaction and prosperity of 2. The user experience vital due to infrastructure that STG owns, in life. With digital transformation, new digital 3. Change in relationships addition to wide experience in developing possibilities can be created to elevated the 4. Change in markets services and products, which are leading to socio-economic activity of a nation. In 5. Creation of new organizations achieving digitization. With a vision to be the Sudan, Sudatel is walking this path, and we 6. Change in the amount of customers leading ICT provider in the region Sudatel aim to make even bigger things happen for 7. Disruptive impact developed a lot of services and has planned our customers and for the Sudanese A technology must impact three or more of for full transformation by 2020 in deferent citizens. these dimensions in order to be classified as areas such as E-Learning, e-health, mobile IN THE NEWS

Canal Algerie now Six TV channels ink deal to broadcast available on Arabsat- via Bangabandhu satellite 5C for DTH over Six private television satellite on a pilot basis, n o n - g o v e r n m e n t a l Africa channels have entered into officials said. There are 31 organisations working in the a g r e e m e n t s w i t h television channels in the remotest parts of the country. Arabsat has announce that Canal Algerie is B a n g l a d e s h country . At the ceremony, “The satellite covers the entire now available on Arabsat-5C, the leading Communication Satellite BCSCL also signed a country and will help remove Arabic satellite platform for Direct-To-Home Company Ltd (BCSCL) to m e m o r a n d u m o f the digital divide,” said services over Africa. air programmes through the understanding with Sonali Mahmood. Bangabandhu Satellite–1. Bank, allowing the state-run Information Minister Hasan Canal Algerie is an Algerian French speaking The deals were signed at a lender to take connectivity Mahmud called the launch of public television channel, owned by EPTV p r o g r a m m e a t t h e from the satellite. Among the the satellite as a matter of (Algerian Public Television), who also owns A3 InterContinental Dhaka services, giving connectivity pride for Bangladesh. Local also available on BADR-6, Terrestrial TV, hotel where the first for television transmission TV channels, banks and Tamazight TV and Coran TV Canal Algerie a n n i v e r s a r y o f t h e and direct-to-home (DTH) telemedicine services are broadcasts its programs 24/7 via different successful launch of service are the main features getting low-cost services from platforms all over the world. Bangladesh's first satellite o f t h e s a t e l l i t e , s a i d the satellite, he said. Posts, Globecast is expanding its longstanding was celebrated. Deepto TV, Mahmood. A company has Telecom and ICT Minister relationship with Arabsat, providing the Somoy TV, Jamuna TV, taken connectivity to launch Mustafa JabbMeasat-3bar said the technical broadcast solutions needed to Bijoy TV, Bangla TV, and MY the DTH service, said Bangabandhu Satellite-2 will deliver Canal Algerie across Africa. Arabsat- TV will run programmes Mahmood. be launched as per Awami 5C at 20° East is designed to serve the African through the satellite, which O n W e d n e s d a y , League's election pledge. market, matching the specific technical was launched into orbit from BeximcoCommuni-cations “We are taking preparations requirements with the growing demand across Florida on May 12 last year Ltd launched its DTH service to launch the next satellite,” the continent. Arabsat -5C has a huge under a project involving Tk Akash. BCSCL officials said he said. footprint, equipped with an innovative, 2,702 crore. Akash is taking five out of 40 About 772 remote chars, powerful C-band beam which covers 100 per No figures on the sum transponders of the satellite. valleys and islands will come cent of African satellite TV households and involved in the contracts A satellite's transponder is the u n d e r t h e s a t e l l i t e needs only the minimum required dish size to w e r e g i v e n . B C S C L series of interconnected units c o n n e c t i v i t y b y 2 0 2 1 , receive its channels. C h a i r m a n that form a communications according to BCSCL officials. This new broadcast of Canal Algérie is part of ShahjahanMahmood said c h a n n e l b e t w e e n t h e The company is expected to t h e c o m m e r c i a l c o n t r a c t b e t w e e n BCSCL is providing low- receiving and the transmitting reach its commercial targets Télédiffusiond'Algérie, the Algerian public TV cost services to local antennas. It is mainly used in within seven years. The and radio broadcasting operator and channels compared to satellite communication to postal department released a Globecast. existing service providers. transfer the received signals. commemorative stamp to Giorgio Giacomini, MD of Globecast in the Other television stations will The DTH service and mark the occasion. Zunaid Middle East, said, “We have a longstanding be on board within next few televisions will use one-fourth Ahmed Palak, state minister and very successful relationship with Arabsat. days, he said. Currently, capacity of the satellite. f o r I C T , a n d A K M We are perfectly positioned to both launch most television channels in Another one-fourth will be Rahmatullah, chairman of the new channels and expand the reach of Bangladesh, including four- used by the Army, the Navy parliamentary standing existing channels, providing cost-effective state owned stations, are and other government committee on posts, telecom end-to-end services to do so. using the country's lone agencies, banks and some and ICT, also spoke. “The launch of Canal Algerie on Arabsat-5C comes as part of our core mission to connect Arabic societies across the world; we provide African, Arab and Islamic communities with Viasat to deliver the world's first link 16-capable the largest possible choice of Free-To-Air TV channels in Africa,” says Khalid Balkheyour, Low Earth Orbit spacecraft Arabsat president & CEO. “Furthermore, the broadcasting of Canal Viasat has been awarded a Viasat will become the first i m p r o v e t h e c o m m o n Algerie via Arabsat-5C, highlights the contract by the Administrator company to prototype and operating picture across the continued successful Arabsat and Globecast of the Space Enterprise test space-based Link 16 global battlespace. partnership. This is expanding across Consortium, under the Air capabilities compatible with additional territories beyond MENA, helping Force Research Laboratory fielded U.S. Air Force, Army, “The XVI award highlights grow the reach of the existing Direct-to-Home S p a c e Ve h i c l e s X V I Navy, Marine Corps, and Viasat technology leadership portfolio of channels active on Arabsat-5C, program, to deliver and test Special Operations Link 16- in Link 16 and space-borne and supporting the addition of more leading the first-ever Link 16- enabled platforms, including tactical communications,” channels on Arabsat-5C in the very near capable LEO spacecraft. ground vehicles, aircraft, s a i d K e n P e t e r m a n , future.” Leveraging the Company's maritime vessels, and president, Government Founded in 1976 by the 21 member-states of leadership in satellite dismounted users. Systems, Viasat. “Our the Arab League, Arabsat has been serving innovation and military innovative spacecraft design the growing needs of the Arab world for over communications, the Viasat- The XVI program is a key step and development coupled 30 years. Now one of the world's top satellite designed spacecraft is towards making a global Link with expertise in next- operators, and by far the leading satellite i n t e n d e d t o e n h a n c e 16-enabled LEO satellite generation tactical datalinks services provider in the Arab world, Arabsat warfighters' situational constellation, transforming and cybersecurity places carries over 500 TV channels over 200 radio awareness by extending the Link16 from a Line-of-Sight Viasat in a unique position to stations, two pay-TV networks and a wide range of Link 16 networks – (LOS) to a Beyond Line-of- address the Department of selection of HD channels reaching tens of using a constellation of S i t e ( B L O S ) n e t w o r k , Defense's urgent need for a millions of homes in more than 100 countries satellites to provide greater providing U.S. and allied fast-to-market, cost-effective, across the Middle East, Africa, Europe, a c c e s s t o L i n k 1 6 m i l i t a r y f o r c e s w i t h space-based Link 16 solution Central Asia--including an audience of over capabilities in contested or ubiquitous, secure, high- to maintain a technological 170 million viewers within the 21 Arab congested environments. s p e e d a n d r e s i l i e n t e d g e i n c o n t e s t e d countries alone. Under the XVI program, communications necessary to environments.” SPECIAL REPORT

DIRECTV: What’s next for Paytv in U.S and Latin America?

In some ways, DIRECTV's strengths come as no surprise. As a leading provider of digital television entertainment in the United States and Latin America, DIRECTV is using the latest technology to bring customers the hot new shows, hit movies and big games – with superior sound and picture, and outstanding customer service at a competitive price.

DirecTV, the first direct television service in the United States, is a leading provider of Spanish and Chinese language special requiring connection through a central hub digital television entertainment in the United interest channels, up to 55 pay-per-view (DIR 2005). HNS has already paid more States and Latin America. It operate two movie and event choices, and seven HDTV than 94 percent of the $1.3 billion total cost direct-to-home, or DTH, operating segments: channels. DirecTV U.S. also distributes over of building and launching the three in-orbit DIRECTV U.S. and DIRECTV Latin America, 600 local channels.. satellites. which are differentiated by their geographic location and are engaged in acquiring, In addition, DirecTV Latin America is a DirecTV-1, 2, and 3 are the first three promoting, selling and/or distributing digital provider of digital satellite television in Latin satellites of DirecTV Company in orbit. The entertainment programming via satellite to America, including South America, Central three satellites collectively provide more residential and commercial subscribers. America, Mexico, and the Caribbean. DLA is than 200 TV channels. DirecTV-1 was primarily owned by The DIRECTV Group, as launched with an Ariane 4 in December DirecTV provides satellite TV services to its well as the local operating companies 1993, DirecTV-2 with an Atlas-2A rocket in customers through a fleet of satellites, (LOCs) that sell the DirecTV service in Latin August 1994, and DirecTV-3 in June 1995, providing services through Ku-and Ka-band America. DLA currently has 8.6 million on an Ariane-42P H10-3 rocket. All three transponders. The ownership of a large subscribers in 28 countries through the spacecraft are HS-601 body-stabilized number of Ka-band transponders on board LOCs located in the various countries. models, which are designed and built by the DirecTV satellite fleet provides the Approximately 91% of the Latin American Hughes Space and Communications opportunity to provide broadband services to DirecTV subscribers are in Brazil, Mexico, Company. The satellites are located at 101 its customers. Venezuela, Argentina, and Puerto Rico. The degrees West longitude in GEO orbit. The DirecTV Group also has an aggressive DirecTV-1 spacecraft has 16 transponders, In June 1995, DirecTV first three satellites strategy in Latin America to buy its only which are powered by 120-watt traveling were launched and started operation in orbit satellite TV rival in the market and is planning wave tube amplifiers. DirecTV-2 and shortly thereafter. These satellites provided for competition against local cable. DirecTV-3 have reconfigured amplifiers to digital quality, multichannel TV programming provide 8 channels with 240 watts. The over the U.S., which became a major The Hughes Network Systems provides amplifiers are suitable for analog or digital competitor to cable companies. In order to broadband satellite networks and services to signals, and they are capable of transmitting reduce interference from neighboring consumers and enterprises. The HNS high-definition television (HDTV) signals as satellites and enable the use of small- satellites, called Spaceway, are designed to well as CD quality audio. The solar panels diameter consumer antenna dishes, the provide broadband Internet access service generate a combined 4300 watts of satellites were at the higher-powered BSS marketed under the name DIRECWAY. The electrical power and a 32-cell nickel- frequency is 9 degrees, in contrast to two first few Spaceway satellite contracts have hydrogen battery for power supply during degrees spacing for the traditional, lower- been granted to Boeing Satellite Systems eclipse. power Ku-band and C-band satellites. (BSS). The Boeing 702 geostationary satellites are designed to operate in the Ka- The three DirecTV satellites operate in the band spectrum. The first planned orbital slot BSS portion of the Ku-band spectrum (12.2- Corporate structure for these satellites is 103 The DirecTV Group Inc. was originally divided degrees West longitude. The into three segments, which included DirecTV Spaceway satellites include U.S., DirecTV Latin America, and Hughes innovative onboard digital Network Systems The DirecTV U.S. is the processors, packet switching, largest provider of DBS television services and spot beam technology based on the number of subscribers (13.9 which enables the satellite to million). DirecTV U.S. currently has a fleet of provide services to small eight satellites, which distribute more than terminals, while onboard 850 digital video and audio channels, routers will enable mesh including about 125 basic entertainment connectivity. Users of the channels, 31 premium movie channels, over system will be able to directly 25 regional and specialty sports networks, an communicate with any other Professor Sir Martin Sweeting aggregate of over 600 local channels, over 35 user of the system without

6 SPECIAL REPORT

12.7 GHz) with circular polarization. They and specialty sports networks, over 120 deliver 48 to 53 dBW radiated power over Spanish and other foreign language special Amidst uncertainties resulting from product the United States. Each spacecraft weighs interest channels, over 31 pay-per-view demand and market acceptance, around 3800 pounds (1727 kg) at the movie and event choices, and over 130 economic conditions, existence of new and beginning of its life on orbit. Each spacecraft national high-definition, or HD, television desirable programming content and has an HS-601 model body which is channels. interactive features, competition, and composed of two main modules. The bus technological risks, the company continued module is the primary structure that The major competition for DirecTV is cable to innovate and expands its capacity to carries launch vehicle loads and contains television, which today has over 65 million meet immediate and long term needs of the the propulsion, attitude control, and subscribers. The advantage of cable market. electrical power subsystems. The television is in no up-front investment by the payload module is a honeycomb subscriber, and local distribution of channels. A satellite communication payload consists structure that contains the payload However, the major advantage of DirecTV is of the satellite antennas and the electronics, telemetry, command, etc. in providing a large number of channels transponder. A satellite transponder usually Other parts, such as reflectors, antenna versus the average number of 40 channels consists of a receiver, frequency converter, feeds, and solar arrays, can be attached for cable TV. and transmitter package. Transponders directly to the primary module, and are usually customized to the L-, C-, Ku-, X- antenna configurations can be placed on The programming of DirecTV originates from , V- and Ka-bands and are used for different the Castle Rock Broadcasting Center in types of services. The transponder three Castle Rock, Colorado, and Los Angeles, receives the signal, converts the frequency faces of the spacecraft bus. California, which are digital broadcast between the up-link and downlink, and facilities that convert standard analog boosts the signal through an amplifier On July 4, 1998, the main spacecraft control programming into digital signals. These before transmitting the down-link.Most of processor (SCP) aboard the DirecTV-1 signals are uplinked to DirecTV satellites, the currently existing payloads are satellite failed. Therefore, the control of the located in geosynchronous orbit. The considered to be transparent type, which satellite was automatically switched to the satellites retransmit the signals back to earth only consist of RF amplification and spare SCP and the spacecraft continued its using different beams that cover the entire frequency conversion. normal operation. A similar failure happened continental United States. The digital beams to DirecTV-3 satellite on May 4, 2002. are directly received in the U.S. using The increase in the on-board transponders DirecTV-3 was moved to a graveyard orbit in receiving equipment and an 18-inch satellite on one of its earliest satellites, beginning October 2002 but returned back to dish. from DirecTV-8 and the use of better digital operation in 2003, when it was leased to compression techniques enable the Telesat. Telesat used So far, advancement in digital compression satellite to broadcast a larger number of the DirecTV-3 as backup for its troubled technology has enabled DirecTV satellites local and national channels and provide Nimiq-2 at 82 degrees West under the services to operate optimally. Before this better coverage over the continental U.S. designation Nimiq-2i. The satellite has been technology advance, one analog broadcast- Better digital compression algorithms have moved in 2004 to back up Nimiq-1 and is quality video signal was transmitted through make it possible to send more channels per now operated under the name Nimiq-3. one satellite transponder. Therefore, a transponder and therefore have the same typical C-band satellite was only able to effect on revenue as increasing the number DIRECTV Business transmit 24 video-programming services. of on-board transponders, but are also DirecTV is a publicly traded company with Through digital compression advances, a associated with less cost and do not need a common stock listed as “DTV” on the NYSE. digital video signal needed only 10 to 25 design modification. The company is 34% owned by Fox percent of a satellite transponder bandwidth. Entertainment Group, Inc. As the largest Therefore, a single transponder can now In comparison to cable companies, which direct broadcast satellite provider, transmit six to 10 channels of programming. provide less than ¼ the number of channels DirecTV's major competitors are Comcast, as DirecTV, thereby creating an incentive EchoStar Communications, and Time In addition, large high-power satellite for subscribers of cable companies to Warner Cable. DirecTV has the second designs provided a large powersource for switch to new service, DIRECTTV's largest annual sales among its competitors, new powerful transponders. DirecTV Group superior attractiveness translates to a and the lowest number of employees. has introduced new plans that include faster annual growth of the number of broadcast of local channels in ultra high subscribers, which eventually leads to The number of subscribers of DirecTV is d e f i n i t i o n f o r m a t , a d v a n c e d n e w higher revenue for the company. However, increasing annually at a considerable rate. programming and interactive services, and if the predicted market does not DirecTV has over 24 million subscribers as new digital video recorders with interactive materialize, the extra transponders can be of April 2015, within the US and the Latin capabilities. DirecTV has also continue to leased America which on average generates $65 of e x p a n d D i r e c T V ' s i n t e r n a t i o n a l revenue per subscriber. programming lineup, grow our presence in Market Model DIRECTV U.S. provides over 18.5 million rural markets, and has introduce Home The DirecTV's market is segmented into subscribers with access to hundreds of Media Center that provide an entertainment four markets vis-a-viz the number of channels of digital-quality video pictures solution for the entire home. subscribers, revenue per subscriber, and CD-quality audio programming that we market drift, and market volatility in each transmit directly to subscribers' homes or DirecTV service capacity group that affect the baseline revenue of b u s i n e s s e s v i a h i g h - p o w e r e d the company. So far, the number of current geosynchronous satellites. expansion In 2005, DirecTV offers only a total of 225 subscribers base is divided into four group channels of movies, sports, local channels, based on the defined service packages. According to its company report, The first group, which is called “Basic”, has DIRECTTV provides one of the most pay per view, high and ultra definition TV, and digital video programming. The company has the extensive collections of programming largest number of subscribers and provides available in the MVPD industry, distributing successfully expanded its channel bouquets to 2,000 local and 150 national channels for basic satellite TV services. The second more than 2,000 digital video and audio group, called “Premium 1” has over 4.5 channels, including about 200 basic an extended service. This goal was achieved through the launch of several satellites, million subscribers and has a number of entertainment and music channels, 40 extra movie channels. The third group premium movie channels, over 50 regional which has become the backbone for providing extended service. called “Premium 2” and has 5.5 million SPECIAL REPORT subscribers for a package of all extra movie DirecTV-1R and DirecTV-9S is scheduled for launch in and sports channels. The last group consists 2006. The two satellites are both Space DirecTV-1R was launched in October 1999 of a portion of the U.S. customers who are Systems Loral LS-1300 models. The in order to expand the channel capacity subscribers to the international channels. The purpose of these two satellites is to serve the and on-orbit redundancy of the DirecTV company's revenue is weaved around the growing market with local channels and add satellite cluster. The satellite was basically type of service package, number of new services. DirecTV-9S is to function intended to replace DirecTV-1, which still subscribers per package, charged premium, mostly as a backup for DirecTV-4S and 7S. stayed in orbit as a backup satellite. number of on-board transponders, number of The satellites are designed for a lifetime of 15 DirecTV-1R is located close to the other leased transponders, lease price per year, years with enough propellant to maintain three DirecTV satellites. The DirecTV-1R market uncertainty for each package, and station-keeping and orbital stability. Each s p a c e c r a f t c a r r i e s 1 6 K u - b a n d transponder leasing market uncertainty. satellite is capable of operating in two modes. transponders, for additional Ku-band In the first mode it can provide high-quality capacity that is used to deliver new The most important driver of revenue is the local and national digital video service, which programming services. The satellite number of on-board transponders. The is broadcast through 27 beams with 54 delivers 7.7 kilowatts of power, which is increase in the number of on-board transponders, and in the second mode it uses nearly 30 percent more power than its transponders creates the possibility of 44 transponders broadcasting through 30 predecessor models. The Hughes 601HP broadcasting more digital channels and beams. The total power at the beginning of model uses gallium arsenide solar panels therefore increasing the number of channels the life of each satellite is 13 kWs. for each of the four major packages, and other technological advances to particularly for the basic package, which has provide a larger power capability DirecTV-8 the greatest number of subscribers. DirecTV DirecTV-4S DirecTV-8 is planned for launch in 2005. The contract for the satellite has been granted to has a plan to increase the amount of local DirecTV-4S was launched in November Space Systems Loral for an LS-1300 channel coverage to beyond its current 2001 and was the first spacecraft in the platform. The satellite weighs 3800 kg with an channels. The extra transponders can be DirecTV fleet to use highly focused spot 8.5 kW power and a designed lifetime of 15 used to fulfill this goal. More channels in each beam technology. The spot beam years. The satellite's function is to support the package translate to an increase in technology enables DirecTV to provide its current and next generation higher coding attractiveness of the DirecTV services; local channel programs in metropolitan rate services that DirecTV provides. therefore, DirecTV attracts subscribers from markets. DirectTV-4S also functions as a DirecTV-8 has a Ka-band payload that uses its rivals, such as other cable companies, redundancy in orbit. The satellite is a t h e f u l l 1 , 0 0 0 M H z o f K a - b a n d thereby resulting in increase in DirecTV's Boeing BSS-601HP model, which carries communications bandwidth available to link growth trend, with the increase in the number spot beams payload for local channels, DirecTV facilities. This new payload is a part of transponders. and a national beam payload. DirecTV-4S of DirecTV's dramatic infrastructure operates on the Ku-band frequency. The development for the upcoming launch of local The next important driver of revenue is spot beam payload has a total of 38 digital and high definition services in the Ka- leasing some number of extra transponders. traveling wave-tube amplifiers which are band. The alternative source of revenue is the powered by a combination of 30-watt, 45- software upgrade, which is a highly flexible. watt, 65-watt, and 88-watt. The national However, the cost of software upgrade is b e a m p a y l o a d h a s t w o a c t i v e DirecTV-10, 11, and 12 assumed $20 million based on the DirecTV transponders with further capability for two Three of the satellites are planned to be Group annual report as a portion of the total active high-power and six active low-power launched in 2007, with one of them remaining cost of software upgrade of this company. The transponders. as a ground spare satellite (DirecTV-12). The cost of software upgrade is low in comparison contract for these satellites was granted to with designing more transponders for the DirecTV-5 and 6 Boeing in September 2004. All three satellite, but the benefits are far more than just satellites are designed based on Boeing 702 DirecTV-5 and 6 were launched in May adding a number of transponders. With model satellites. These spacecraft will 2002 and March 1997, respectively. The investment in R&D for digital compression provide DirecTV with unprecedented two spacecraft were originally purchased techniques, DirecTV can send a larger national and local broadcast coverage in from PrimeStar Company in 1999 and they number of channels per transponder, which High Definition Television (HDTV) and will were renamed to DirecTV-5 and 6. The two increases the channel delivery capacity on operate in the Ka-band. board of a single DirecTV satellite. However, satellites were designed by Space the cost is much less than a change of original Systems Loral. The original names of the design, extra satellite mass, and extra launch two satellites were Tempo1 and Tempo 2, Spaceway 1, 2, and 3 cost. The alternative of software upgrading which belonged to TeleCommunications Spaceway satellites were originally designed has also been combined with different satellite, Inc. (TCI), and its partner to provide broadband internet access. The numbers of transponders to boost the PrimeStar. The companies lost their GEO original service goal was to provide direct revenue generation of the satellite. slot in an auction to MCI for a DBS FCC site-to-site connectivity at rates of 512 Kbps license for $682m. and 2 Mbps for remote locations and up to 16 The satellite transponder leasing market is of The bus of each spacecraft is a three-axis Mbps at larger locations. The baseline considerable importance, because most of body-stabilized LS-1300 platform satellite's design has Ka-band transponders, the communication companies lease some designed by Space System Loral. Each and contains on-board digital processing, number of transponders on satellites in order satellite carries 32 high-powered Ku-band packet switching, and spot-beam technology. to provide telephony, video, and data transponders at 115 watts, which can be Each satellite has a capacity of 10 Gbps in services. Accordingly, approximately 80% of switched to a 16 transponders at 220 watts comparison with 1 – 1.5 Gbps supported on on-orbit commercial satellites lease a number configuration. The total transmitter power Ku-band satellites. The Spaceway satellites of their transponders. of each satellite is 3500 watts. It should be operate on 12.3 kW of power and weigh 3842 The business of leasing transponders has mentioned that DirecTV-6 became kg. The Spaceway satellites are based on been profitable with high margins over the damaged by a solar flare in April 1997, a the Boeing 702 platform design, and past thirty years and has had a considerable month after its launch. The solar flare considered to be one of the most complex growth due to a high demand for broadcast disabled three transponders and damaged commercial satellite systems manufactured. video and data services. Most of the the solar array, which caused three power Each satellite has a flexible payload with a transponder-leasing providers have been in outages in later stages of the satellite steerable downlink antenna that can be the business for several years, as have lifetime. reconfigured when operating on orbit. Intelsat. DirecTV-7S and 9S DIRECTTV space assets DirecTV 7S was launched in May 2004 IN THE NEWS UAE: Data remians Spacecom rounds off AMOS-17 Satellite of the future pre-launch preparations economy Spacecom, operator of the simulating the launch and AMOS communications AMOS satellite fleet, today harsh space environment. satellite fleet, covering Smart Dubai has launched a report titled announced that its newest AMOS-17 is currently diverse territories with an “Decentralized Data for Dubai” in association satellite, AMOS-17, is u n d e r g o i n g f i n a l International global with Outlier Ventures D3 Sandbox exploring completing the final stages preparation operations e x p a n s i o n g r o w t h the role of data and the Fourth Industrial o f i t s p r e - l a u n c h ahead of shipment to Cape strategy. Revolution in smart city building. preparation. AMOS-17, Canaveral, FL where it is The findings of the report underlined the scheduled for launch later scheduled to be launched Spacecom today is an opportunities presented by the convergence this summer to the 17°E established market leader of emerging technologies such as artificial on a Falcon-9 launch intelligence (AI), distributed ledger technology o r b i t a l p o s i t i o n , i s vehicle by SpaceX. in Europe, the Middle (DLT), and the Internet of Things (IoT), to specifically designed for East with the 4°W orbital transform city services for citizens and meeting the growing David Pollack, president slot 'hot spot', has enterprises. communication demands and CEO of Spacecom established a significant The study additionally asserted that open of the African continent. stated, "We are excited by footprint in Africa and networks were vital for delivering the next the opportunities AMOS-17 North America and is now stage of open data infrastructure. With extensive C-Band will offer our clients e x p a n d i n g t o A s i a . Younus Al Nasser, Assistant Director General HTS capabilities, Ka-band throughout Sub-Saharan S p a c e c o m h a s a n of Smart Dubai, CEO of the Dubai Data and Ku-band, the satellite Africa. With a state-of-the- excellent reputation in the Establishment, said: “Smart Dubai is on a w i l l c o m b i n e b r o a d art digital payload, m a r k e t w i t h a n mission to establish Dubai as the world's regional beams and high experienced and stable smartest and happiest city. All of our efforts throughput spot beams to i t w i l l b e t h e m o s t management and strong and plans are aimed towards the ambitious maximize throughput and technologically advanced financial backing. objective of reinventing the city as we know it, spectral efficiency. It will satellite to service Africa taking services to a higher level, and strengthen Spacecom's and will deliver a large Our collective vision is to addressing any and all challenges standing in African, Middle Eastern variety of services as well position Spacecom as an the way of the bright future we strive to build.” and European operations. as connect Africa, Europe international satellite “With that goal in mind, we are looking to tap and the Middle East. services provider — one into the massive potential of technology – and E q u i p p e d w i t h a n Spacecom established in t h a t o p e r a t e s a data, in particular – to promote innovation and advanced digital payload 1994, launched its first constellation of advanced create value for our communities, companies, constructed by Boeing geostationary satellite – satellites at multiple partners, and investors in the UAE and S a t e l l i t e S y s t e m s AMOS-1 in 1996. orbital locations and abroad,” he added. “We are eager to explore International, the new m a i n t a i n s i t s and develop our partnership with Outlier satellite has already A dynamic, growing, personalized attention to Ventures, and this report we are launching c o m p l e t e d i t s s a t e l l i t e o p e r a t o r - its customers over a wider today marks the beginning of our journey to environmental testing Spacecom operates the range of territories. explore data decentralization and facilitate the effective and secure exchange of data.” “We are adamant in moving forward with our plans to establish an open, collaborative, and South Sudan launches international voice innovation-friendly environment, which is indispensable for emerging technologies and gateway smart cities to flourish,” he concluded, noting that Smart Dubai will be a catalyst that provides support for innovative start-ups, South Sudan has just c o m m u n i c a t i o n , broad band network, government entities, and the wider community launched its international technology and postal optical fiber network, The report revealed that by 2050, 68% of the gateway for the first time services. He says with the infrastructure for national world's population will be living in cities that since independence in launch of the new digital a n d i n t e r n a t i o n a l produce more than 80% of global GDP. Data, 2011. A gateway is a piece project, South Sudan will connectivity. the study asserts, will be the engine driving the of networking hardware connect faster with the rest growth of these megacities, posing challenges u s e d i n of the world. He said licenses have been in infrastructure, communication, transport, telecommunications for “With today's inauguration awarded to a number of and healthcare. t e l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s of the gateway, we expect companies to start pulling networks that allows data our people to experience optical fiber cable from Outdated and ineffective work systems and to flow from one discrete improvement in the quality South Sudan border with the lack of coordination among the various network to another. The o f i n t e r n a t i o n a l Uganda, via Nimule to relevant city entities have restricted gateway will allow South communication for voice Juba. He added that when innovation, stunting comprehensive and S u d a n i m p r o v e i t s and data. the projects are completed sustainable development. According to the i n t e r n a t i o n a l it will ensure high speed report, public-private partnerships have communication. The 30- The implementation and helped establish networks, constituting a first internet services that will million-dollar project was operationalization of South step to addressing the issue, but the challenge a c c e l e r a t e t h e remains in connecting individuals, assets, and first approved by the then S u d a n i n t e r n a t i o n a l development of the e- data to truly benefit from these networks. S o u t h e r n S u d a n gateway is not the end government and various Furthermore, the study reveals that by 2025, government in 2007/ But point, but one achievement electronic services. the amount of data produced annually will due to the conflict and among others to come.” He reach 180 zettabytes, up from 4.4 zettabytes e c o n o m i c c r i s i s , i t s said many projects are For his part, President in 2013. The number of times a person implementation slowed underway in partnership SalvaKiir who graced the interacts with communication devices is set to down. with other sectors and launch of the international reach 4,800 per day within six years'.. Michael Makuei is the regional bodies. Among gateway, urged youth to minister of information, which include, national make good use of the

7 SPECIAL REPORT

Digital Switch-Over: Connecting Africa using the digital dividends

As analogue television broadcasts are being switched off and replaced by more spectrally efficient digital television transmissions, this report recommends using unused spectral resources from digital migration as a best solution to bridge Africa’s digital divide.

Until the 1990s, broadcasting was mainly a transmitters operate both in the 174- most popular channel. The usage pattern of matter of transferring sound or video streams 230MHz band in the VHF band and 470- these channels depends on geo-location, through the airwaves by means of analogue 862MHz band in the UHF band. rural or urban area and time. signals. This was a linear process, with each Even though, there was no recorded data element in the content stream taking its turn to of measured spectrum occupancy rate Generally, TV broadcast services operate transmit behind the one that went before it. This regarding TV band utilization, researchers on the licensed Very High Frequency (VHF) worked well enough, except for one thing: it conclude that small portion of the allocated and Ultra High Frequency (UHF) radio required a lot of bandwidth, especially as lot of spectrum is used and the vast majorities spectrum which have a favorable capacity was taken up on wireless electronic are wasted; since there are limited, almost propagation and penetration characteristics frequencies in order to carry signals in this 54 national TV transmitters national and can cover a wide area with relatively manner. transmitter sites across the continent. small transmission power. In most cases all of those allocated spectrum are not utilized Secondly, digital data can be compressed For instance, in Ethiopia, the second most efficiently due to different reasons. through algorithms. Simply put, this means that populous country in the African continent, large patterns of “ones” and “zeros” can be has a varied geographic topography which With rising demand for bandwidth, several mapped and called into action through much r e s u l t e d i n v a r i o u s c l i m a t e s . researchers around the world have smaller patterns of “ones” and “zeros”. This Communication in Ethiopia is less measured and studied the occupancy of means that more content can be stored developed and mostly controlled by spectrum in different countries. These electronically on less space than previously. government. Internet provision in Ethiopia findings suggest that except for the What such compression also does is to allow for has been very poor and Ethio telecom is spectrum allocated to services like cellular more content to be transmitted on the same only ISP in the country. According to a technologies, and the industrial, scientific bandwidth than would otherwise be the case. report in 2014, only 3.7% of total population and medical (ISM) bands, most of the use internet. Main reason for low allocated spectrum is underutilized. Among In addition, digital compression also means that penetration of internet in the country was all the underutilized portions of the data can be broken up into in many separate due to costly existing delivering methods frequency spectrum, in the Ultra High and simultaneous “packets”. These “packets” and lack of adequate infrastructure. Frequency Television bands have been of can be re-assembled in the right order at the Although service providers have utilized particular interest owing to the superior destination. Thus, there's a torrent of small this scarce resource efficiently, there is propagation characteristics as compared to signals of data bits that are unleashed through also some part of spectrum part which is the higher frequency bands. In generally the system simultaneously, instead of being in underutilized due to different factors. One speaking, the underutilized TV channels the form of stitched-together and sequenced of the underutilized spectrum parts is collectively form the TV white spaces. The messages that have to wait their turn in a linear spectrum allocated for terrestrial TV amount of available unused spectrum queue. By contrast, the old analogue flow transmission. In TV transmission band varies with location and time. wasted bandwidth with pauses and blank there are some unused channels resulting Traditional wireless communication is spaces between electronic data signals. In in what is called white space. based on static or fixed frequency allocation other words, digital distribution gives us much plan. That means spectrum is regulated so greater efficiencies in the use of bandwidth. In ethiopia, there are three basic types of that most of the bands are allocated In Africa, a significant portion of television TV transmissions. These are terrestrial exclusively to a single system licensed to broadcast spectrum is unused at any one place transmission or broadcasting, unencrypted use that band in any given location, this because there is more unassigned broadcast satellite or Free to Air (FTA) and Internet allocation is fixed and independent from spectrum than is needed to prevent Protocol (IP) TV. Terrestrial transmission or location. Unfortunately, the reserved broadcasters from interfering with one another. broadcasting is main interest of this paper. frequencies are not in use most of the time, But the digital swichover overcomes this Ethiopian Broadcasting corporation (EBC) deriving in spectrum inefficiency. According problem resulting in a large amount of is an Ethiopian public service broadcaster. to Federal Communications Commissions unoccupied bandwidth in the TV band. EBC operates not only TV channels but (FCC), the utilization of fixed spectrum In terms of frequency allocation plan, the also FM radios (FM Addis 97.1 and FM assignment is approximately 15-85% spectrum in the frequency band 174-230MHz 104.7 MHz) and AM radios (National depending on space and time. and 470-862MHz is earmarked for Radio). There are also some regional Broadcasting Services on a primary basis. public broadcasters, such as Oromia TV, This leads to the concept of a spectrum Africa is a part of the ITU Region 1 terrestrial Amhara TV, Southern TV and Tigray TV. hole, often defined as a band of spectrum allocations, and the 790-862MHz Currently EBC operates three main TV frequencies assigned to a primary user, but at a particular time and specific geographic band has been earmarked for Mobile channels including EBC 1, EBCGarki 2 (Addis Village integration scheme quickbird satellite image 2003 communications applications. Currently the TV TV), and EBC 3. Among all these EBC 1 is location, the band is not being utilized by SPECIAL REPORT

internet for rural areas is by using wireless technologies which work at unused spectrum. One of the candidate technologies which can minimize the problem of the rural broadband connectivity is a band which is allotted for terrestrial TV broadcasting but not used; referred as TV white space. The work of using TV white space for rural broadband internet service has been started in different parts of the world.

Since signal are propagated at longer distance with small power, these unused spectrum can be used as internet of things. Industry forecasts estimate there will be more than 50 billion connected devices by 2020, with a good proportion of these communicating and sharing information wirelessly, enabling a wide range of applications. Mobile broadband is too expensive for 'things' and mobile broadband also means battery powered devices would need to be charged far too often and all those that user. In order to improve the spectrum use, this means that fewer base units are sensors would load the cellular networks to utilization it is possible to allow secondary required to cover greater areas and that such a level that there would be little network users to access a spectrum hole unoccupied access points can serve larger areas. capacity left. by the primary system at the right location and In addition, white-space frequencies In smart grids for utilities, these spectral the time in question. penetrate obstacles, a characteristic that resources can also be used to improve meter makes them particularly promising for to meter communication, especially in grids Digital dividends affordable rural broadband because little across difficult terrain. This allows operators new infrastructure or land alteration is to manage the utilities system remotely. The In many countries, analogue television required for deployment. unused resources has been described as broadcasts are being switched off and key candidates of the 'Internet of things' (IoT) replaced by more spectrally efficient digital Up to now, rugged terrain has posed the because unlike mobile networks, it provides television transmissions, and the spectrum greatest challenge to using radio technology machines with dedicated communications that exist in the TV band have good for rural broadband because microwave channels and standards to cope with high propagation and building penetration frequencies, like the 2.4 GHz used for Wi-Fi, numbers of user nodes and low cost and characteristics. This potentially makes them require a line of sight, meaning the maintenance requirements. Because low- suitable for use in rural broadband components of radio equipment must be frequency broadcast requires low power, applications, where transmission links may be visible to each other. In mountainous or white space is ideal for connecting devices several kilometers in length and may involve thickly forested country, this line-of-sight and sensors with small, long-lasting challenging terrain such as hills, foliage, and requirement means large towers must be batteries. water. built to hold transmitters, receivers, repeaters and antennas. In rural areas with In addition, public agencies can have access The availability and unique qualities of these only a few customers per square mile, to spectrum in the TV band; this would spectral frequencies promise to make Internet service providers (ISPs) cannot improve the capacity and quality of their broadband faster, less expensive and more justify the expense of building large towers. networks, as well as facilitate their expanded widely available, especially in rural areas, VHF/UHF frequencies, however, can travel use for e-government and consumer where they are more abundant. The signal is from miles away, penetrating foliage, stone, services. These spectral resources can be robust, is unaffected by weather, works well in brick and even metal to reach all the corners used in emergency response and public rugged terrain and requires little infrastructure inside a building—the qualities that made safety organizations, such as police force, to deploy compared with other prevailing them work well as TV signals. fire and medical teams responding to technologies. accidents, crimes, natural disasters and other similar events. However, the actual bandwidth depends on Possible applications of TV how much spectral resources so called white spectral resources Today, two out of three people in the world do space is available in a given area and how Fundamentally, spectrum being a scarce not have access to internet. More than half of many devices make use of that bandwidth at a resource, extra resources can be used to the population in the world lives in rural areas given time. Rural areas have higher vacant TV meet growing local demand by using with almost no any access to broadband channels due to small TV broadcasters at the spectrum that would have otherwise internet connectivity. While it is too expensive area, while suburban and urban areas have remained fallow. The ability of the unused to lay fiber in rural and remote areas with low less vacant TV channels. This means that the spectrum to travel seamlessly through population density, satellite coverage offers bandwidth capacities of the white-space obstructions and rough terrain is particularly cost-effective solution. One possible solution frequencies are higher in rural areas than in beneficial for rural areas with low to zero proposed was using under-utilized spectrum urban ones, simply because there are more mobile network coverage. Providing band which was previously allotted for other available channels and fewer subscribers per broadband service to the rural area is services. Spectrum band which was square mile. challenging task especially at mountains assigned for terrestrial TV broadcasting is In hilly regions or harsh terrain, the area where and thick forest areas. one of the under-utilized band and favorable more spectral resources are needed to cover Now a day's internet is one of the most for rural connectivity due to its signal the actual demand, is typically two to six times important things in our daily activities. propagation characteristics. that of Wi-Fi. This is due to the particular Providing broadband internet by currently characteristics of the low radio frequencies, prevailing technologies for all people is which carry farther and penetrate better. challenging task especially for communities Ground waves cling to the curvature of the Abimbola Alale, who live in rural and remote areas. One earth, spreading over greater distances and Managing Director, NigComSat possible solution to provide broadband requiring less power to do so. For broadband

8 IN THE NEWS

SpaceX puts up 60 MultiChoiceDiski stars shine at the satellites for Elon PSL Awards Musk's 'Starlink' internet

Billionaire Elon Musk's SpaceX firm has launched a Falcon 9 rocket containing the first 60 satellites of its multibillion-dollar "Starlink" constellation. The system is intended to provide internet from space and could one day number 12,000 satellites. The rocket took off without incident from Cape Canaveral in Florida. The second stage will see the satellites released one hour after launch, at an altitude of 270 miles (440 kilometers). They will then use their thrusters to take up position in a relatively Measat-3b low orbit of 340 miles (550 kilometers). That's slightly higher than the International Space Station, but well below the majority of terrestrial satellites, the highest of which sit in a geostationary orbit of 22,400 miles (36,000 kilometers). The launch marks the heaviest payload for any SpaceX rocket to date, as each satellite weighs 500 pounds (227 kilograms). MultiChoice's significant Challenge interns who Bloemfontein Celtic won The satellites are designed to form the initial contribution to the sports would learn the trade of the title of Diski Challenge phase of a planned constellation capable of economy which is focussed sports broadcasting. Her C h a m p i o n s w h i l e beaming signals for high-speed internet both on and off the pitch, insatiable appetite to learn S i z w e T w a l a a n d service from space to paying customers was recognised to through l e d t o t h i s b u d d i n g Khanyisile Mayo won the around the globe. Starlink will become the awarding of the PSL broadcaster being groomed honour of top goal scorers. operational once 800 satellites have been Chairman's award to one of as a sports anchor for This is a tribute to activated, which will require a dozen more MDC's former broadcast MultiChoice during the first MultiChoice's contribution interns, LindiweDube. The launches. three years of the Diski to the sports economy in a w a r d r e c o g n i s e s SpaceX's Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Challenge and she has S o u t h A f r i c a a n d individuals that live, conduct recognition of these Canaveral Air Force Station is a world-class since gone on to anchoring themselves and achieve in Absa Premiership matches exceptional performers is launch site that builds on strong heritage: The a manner from which testament to their sports site at the north end of the Cape was used for and presenting other sports, society can learn. including the national development initiatives. many years to launch Titan rockets, among the In his award speech, PSL hockey league. MultiChoice Group's most powerful rockets in the US fleet. SpaceX Chairman Irvin Khoza said investment into African took over the facility in May 2008. whilst her contribution to MultiChoice remains true to football drives an entire Musk has said he sees the new Starlink f o o t b a l l w a s i n t h e its commitment to develop sports economy – jobs, venture as an important new revenue stream commentary space, it was local talent, recognising community development, for his California-based Space Exploration how she had defied the exceptional performers and facilities maintenance, and Technologies, known as SpaceX, whose odds to be where she is enriching lives. “Our award- player development, launch service income he expects to top out at today, that made her a winning talent development a m o n g m a n y o t h e r around $3 billion (€2.7 billion) a year. worthy recipient of the p r o g r a m m e e n a b l e s initiatives, and has a major The latest launch will make SpaceX an early chairman's award. “She p a r t i c i p a n t s t o b u i l d impact on the development forerunner, along with rival OneWeb, a startup, grew up and spent all her life meaningful careers and and prosperity of football, but well ahead of Amazon's Project Kuiper, the until work in an informal develop skills that allow while ensuring world-class settlement. All her mom brainchild of Musk's space rival Jeff Bezos. them to compete on the availability of quality sports c o u l d g i v e h e r w a s The center of the complex is composed of the world stage and we are viewership for all South education,” commented Africans. concrete launch pad/apron and flame exhaust extremely proud of what Khoza. they achieve,” says Joe The MultiChoiceDiski duct. Surrounding the pad are four lightning “She refused to be defined Challenge is SuperSport's towers, fuel storage tanks, and the integration Heshu, MultiChoice Group by the poverty she was born E x e c u ti v e : C o rp o r a te m u l t i - f a c e t e d C S I hangar. Before launch, Falcon 9's stages and into. She seized the gap she Affairs. “Just as importantly programme aimed at Dragon are housed inside the hangar, where was given as an intern at though, it goes even further supporting development in Dragon is packed with cargo. A crane/lift SuperSport and put her b y a d d r e s s i n g t h e b o t h f o o t b a l l a n d system moves Falcon 9 into a transporter- head down and grew. She fundamental economic broadcasting. It includes a erector system so that Dragon can be mated to went right there where she principles of job creation, football competition for the the rocket. The vehicle is rolled from hangar to started and built her mother poverty alleviation and PSL reserve teams; life- launch pad on fixed rails shortly before launch a house. She personifies inequality.” skills training for players; to minimize exposure to the elements. SpaceX courage and today refuses In the MultiChoiceDiski broadcast internships; Launch Control, also at Cape Canaveral, is to let the circumstances of C h a l l e n g e a w a r d s leadership training for responsible for operating the Falcon 9 your birth define you. categories SiphoChaine of c o a c h e s a n d t h e throughout the launch countdown. People of any gender, if you Bloemfontein Celtic claimed opportunity for community SpaceX's rockets and spacecraft are designed are looking for a role model, t h e P l a y e r o f t h e TV channels on DStv to air she's right here for you to and manufactured at the company's Tournament award and the matches for free. More emulate,” added the PSL headquarters in Hawthorne, California – a SibonisoConco of Golden than 150 matches have chairman. b e e n b r o a d c a s t o n complex that spans nearly one million square A r r o w s w a s n a m e d Lindiwe was part of the first SuperSport channels and feet. MultiChoiceDiski Shield crop of MultiChoiceDiski Player of the Tournament. community TV stations

11 IN THE NEWS

Marlink extends partnership with SpaceX Falcon Heavy Launches Arabsat-6A Newtec to enhance global VSAT network On April 11 at 6:35 p.m. EDT, band coverages in addition 30.5°East, 39°East and Falcon Heavy launched the to other frequency bands. It 44.5°East positions of the Arabsat-6A satellite from will be located at one of geostationary orbit, Arabsat Newtec, a specialist in the design, Launch Complex 39A (LC- Arabsat's orbital positions is the only satellite operator development and manufacture of equipment 39A) at NASA's Kennedy and will support Arabsat's for satellite communications, and Marlink, the in the MENA region offering Space Center in Florida. The competitive position as the world's leading provider of end-to-end the full spectrum of managed connectivity and IT solutions for satellite was deployed first operator in the region b r o a d c a s t , enterprise and maritime industries, have approximately 34 minutes for satellite capacities and telecommunications and extended their partnership to future-proof after liftoff. services. Founded in 1976 broadband services. Marlink's global VSAT network. As the F o l l o w i n g b o o s t e r by the 21 member-states of confirmed Number 1 maritime VSAT separation, Falcon Heavy's the Arab League, This capacity will continue provider in the industry, Marlink will adopt two side boosters landed at Arabsat has been serving to expand with the launch of the Newtec Dialog® platform to evolve and SpaceX's Landing Zones 1 the growing needs of the A r a b s a t ' s n e w 6 t h - enhance its industry-leading VSAT services and 2 (LZ-1 and LZ-2) at Arab world for over 30 generation satellites, for its maritime customers. The agreement Cape Canaveral Air Force years. Now one of the making the Arabsat satellite builds on the companies' long-term Station in Florida. w o r l d ' s t o p s a t e l l i t e fleet the youngest in the cooperation in the Enterprise market. Driven Falcon Heavy's center core operators, and by far the region. by the rising demand from its extensive landed on the “Of Course I leading satellite services customer base for higher throughput Still Love You” droneship, provider in the Arab world, services, Marlink decided to step-up its which was stationed in the Arabsat carries over 500 investments by adopting the Newtec Dialog Atlantic Ocean. Arabsat-6A TV channels over 200 radio platform to continue building the superior i s a h i g h - c a p a c i t y stations, two pay-TV VSAT network of tomorrow for the maritime t e l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s networks and a wide industry. satellite that will deliver selection of HD channels Driven by the rising demand from its extensive television, radio, Internet, reaching tens of millions of customer base for higher throughput services, and mobile communications homes in more than 100 Marlink decided to step-up its investments by to customers in the Middle countries across the Middle adopting the Newtec Dialog platform to East, Africa, and Europe. East, Africa, Europe, continue building the superior VSAT network of Central Asia--including an tomorrow for the maritime industry. Marlink will Built on Lockheed Martin's audience of over 170 expand the use of the Newtec platform for all e n h a n c e d L M 2 1 0 0 million viewers within the maritime customers, including shipping and p l a t f o r m , A r a b s a t - 6 A 21 Arab countries alone. tanker companies, cruise ships, ferries, super includes several innovations \ yachts, fishing and offshore supply vessels that provide advanced Ka Operating a growing fleet of (OSV). spot beam communications owned satellites at the Newtec Dialog is a single-service and services and Ku and Ka- 2 0 ° E a s t , 2 6 ° E a s t , multiservice VSAT platform that allows operators and service providers to build and adapt high-quality infrastructure and satellite networking according to their business or Himalaya HD bolsters MEASAT's HD Video missions. It gives operators the power to offer a variety of mobile and fixed services on a single Neighbourhood platform, all of which can be delivered to home to the MEASAT-3, 150 countries and more than customers operating remotely. MEASAT Satellite Systems MEASAT-3a and MEASAT- 80 percent of the world's Using the Newtec Dialog platform, Marlink will S d n . B h d . ( M E A S AT ) 3b satellites, forming the population. In Asia, MEASAT be able to take advantage of network announced the launch of region's strongest video has built 91.5E into Asia's key virtualisation by offering flexible, future-proof Himalaya TV HD (“HTV”) for neighbourhood. video hot slot. From 91.5E, we VSAT services to meet the needs of its distribution across Nepal and provide DTH services for customers worldwide. "Enhancing our high- Asia Pacific via the MEASAT-3 From 91.5°E, MEASAT award-winning broadcasters quality VSAT network with Newtec Dialog will satellite. HTV, founded in 2010 supports broadcasters and in Malaysia, India and enable us to build an even more future-proof is a Kathmandu-based private DTH operators to distribute Indonesia. 91.5E also leads network for our customers on land and at sea," television company of Nepal. UHD, HD and SD channels A s i a i n H D c h a n n e l said Erik Ceuppens, CEO Marlink Group. HTV produces news and to audiences across Asia, distribution, with 57 HD Newtec CEO Thomas Van den Driessche said: entertainment programs that Australia, East Africa and channels. “Digital transformation is playing a critical role raises awareness of human S o u t h - E a s t e r n MEASAT will continue to in all aspects of business today and adding issues and embraces the E u r o p e . M E A S AT h a s develop 91.5E with the launch Newtec Dialog for maritime, as well as d i v e r s e n e e d s o f a achieved much success of MEASAT-3c in 2016, which enterprise customers, is a logical step forward. multicultural society. since that launch—we have will add even more in-orbit As a pioneer in the delivery of business-critical grown from providing redundancy. MEASAT also IT, communications and digital solutions, The addition of Himalaya HD d o m e s t i c s a t e l l i t e looks toward new areas of Marlink is a managed service provider both regional feed increases communication services to growth, such as UHDTV and sectors can count on. We are therefore M E A S A T ' s v i d e o regional operations and satellite broadband. 91.5E is incredibly proud that Marlink has chosen neighbourhood in Nepal to 8 internationally across Asia, already prepared for the Newtec to enhance its Maritime VSAT network channels featuring news, Africa, the Middle East, UHDTV explosion. MEASAT- and continue its high standard of service for general entertainment and Europe and Australia. Our 2a, a C-band and satellite customers around the world, both today and in factual programming. The fleet of six satellites has broadband satellite, is the future.” 91.5°E prime video hot slot is coverage across more than expected to be contracted in the first part of 2015. 18 IN THE NEWS

Yahlive introduces 'RT David M. Tolley Join Intelsat as Executive France HD' to the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Middle East Intelsat, S.A. announced the Investment Committee. s t r a t e g y a s w e b r i n g Global television news network RT has appointment of David M. During that period, he was innovative services to market expanded its partnership with Yahlive, the Abu Tolley as Executive Vice Chairman of the Board of and pursue new opportunities Dhabi-based satellite joint venture between P r e s i d e n t a n d C h i e f Directors of NewSkies in the verticals that we serve. world leading satellite operator SES and the Financial Officer, effective Satellites N.V. and led the His wealth of investing, UAE satellite company Yahsat, by introducing June 3, 2019. public-to-private acquisition, corporate finance and capital RT France HD to French speakers in the MENA r e - I P O a n d u l t i m a t e markets experience will be a region via Yahlive's MENA beam. Tolley will report to Intelsat's divestiture of NewSkies to tremendous asset as we Chief Executive Officer, SES S.A. Prior to Blackstone, continue to take a disciplined Yahsat partnered global satellite operator SES Stephen Spengler, and he was a Vice President at approach to capital allocation. to create a new company operating under the oversee Intelsat's global Morgan Stanley in the He will build upon the YahLive brand to offer Direct-to-Home (DTH) finance organization. He will Investment Banking Division, progress that Jacques television capacity and services to more than s e r v e o n I n t e l s a t ' s where he provided banking Kerrest, our retiring CFO, has two dozen countries in the Middle East, North Management Committee and advisory services to made toward achieving our Africa, South West Asia and Europe. YahLive and be based in the eSES’stabsli sOperationshed and room em ater gitsin headquartersg financial in objectives Luxembourg and focus offers DTH satellite services to free-to-air and c o m p a n y ' s U . S . companies in the broader on delivering value to all of our pay-TV broadcasters in this region. It owns and administrative headquarters communications sector. stakeholders. commercialises 23 BSS-transponders on the in McLean, Virginia. Yahsat 1A spacecraft and operating in the Ku- FarhadTolley Khan, earned Chief his Commercial bachelor's Of ficerTolley, Yahsat added: “I am excited to band frequency Tolley brings over 20 years degree in economics and be joining Intelsat at a pivotal of financial experience to history from the University of t i m e , w h e n g l o b a l For the next three years, RT France HD will be Intelsat. He most recently Michigan and his MBA from expectations for ubiquitous added to Yahlive's existing bouquet of other s e r v e d a s t h e C h i e f Columbia Business School. broadband connectivity are popular TV channels, and will reach more than Financial Officer of OneWeb He currently serves on the growing faster than ever. The 10 million households across Algeria, Tunisia, where he led the global board of directors of ExteNet c o m p a n y i s u n i q u e l y and Morocco. A longterm partner of Yahlive, RT finance organization and S y s t e m s a n d t h e positioned to capitalize on the renewed its agreement with Yahlive in 2018 to served on the company's Smithsonian National Air and opportunities ahead and play continue broadcasting RT International HD & Executive Committee. Prior Space Museum. an integral role in the global RT Arabic HD. RT is a leading news source in to OneWeb, Tolley served as Commenting on Tolley's 5G telecommunications the Middle East and North Africa region, with a a Senior Managing Director appointment, Spengler said: ecosystem. It's an exciting weekly audience of 11 million people across 15 in the Private Equity Group “I am very pleased to time for Intelsat and I look countries, and remains one of Yahlive's key at Blackstone where he led welcome David to Intelsat. He forward to supporting and broadcasters in the region. satellite services strategy is a great addition to our advancing the company's and investing and served on leadership team and will help transformation.” In 2018, RT's reach has significantly increased t h e P r i v a t e E q u i t y us execute our long-term “ a c r o s s Ya h l i v e ' s A r a b i c - s p e a k i n g communities, to 10.3 million DTH and 0.2 IPTV households or 42 million viewers, according to the SES Satellite Monitor, an annual market Ivory Coast accelerates Digital Migration with SES research conducted by the leading satellite operator. RT France will now bring local, experience required to regional, national and international stories to I v o r y C o a s t ' s p u b l i c an integrated digital TV with a the French-speaking viewers in the region. broadcasting company, the built-in DTT decoder. support our ambitious YahLive is a joint venture created by the Al Yah S o c i é t é I v o i r i e n n e d e projects, including the Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat) Télédiffusion has selected In addition to using SES-4 to implementation of new and SES, one of the world's most prominent SES as its digital partner in a accelerate the digital broadcasting standards.” satellite broadcasting companies. major move to meet the switchover, the capacity country's 2020 deadline for leased on SES-4 for digital “The move from analogue The partnership provides the edge needed to switching over from analogue broadcasting will also be to digital broadcasting can create a new HDTV hotspot over the Middle to digital broadcasting. Under u s e d t o b r o a d c a s t be complex, and we are East, North Africa and South West Asia region. this multi-year agreement, 60 RadiodiffusionTélévisionIvoi fully committed to making The new company operates under the brand analogue turned digital rienne (RTI), the state's this as hassle-free as name of YahLive and offers HDTV services channels will be broadcast public TV network, to fulfill its possible for the SIDT in from the Yahsat-1A satellite located at 52.5°E. with brighter, sharper picture public service mission of Ivory Coast. YahLive offers Ku band satellite capacity and better sound, via the providing local news and suitable for broadcast services through three SES-4 satellite at 22 degrees information to Ivorians. Our satellite will provide the connected high power beams. West. reliability to broadcast high- picture-quality TV services The Ku – MENA beam offers “Pan Arab SES will be using the “SES has provided us with an to Ivorians, while our teams coverage” over more than 18 countries in comprehensive coverage of innovative solution to ensure Middle East & North Africa. Also, the Ku - East SES-4 to ensure high service deployment of digital TV by are well-positioned to beam offers coverage over GCC, Iran, availability of bandwidth and broadcasting multiplexes deliver the technical Afghanistan & Pakistan. The European Ku to broadcast all channels via across the country. This is an services and innovative beam offers the possibility of up-linking from the Digital Terrestrial important milestone as we solutions required to Europe for TV contribution into the East or T e l e v i s i o n ( D T T ) are now one step closer to facilitate a successful MENA beams. YahLive is also ideal for on- infrastructure across Ivory ending analogue service,” digital migration for Ivory demand services like ad hoc feeds and live C o a s t . T h e s e d i g i t a l said Yeo Adama, General Coast,” said Clint Brown, events for broadcasters who require channels will then be Manager of the SIDT. “We Vice President of Sales and occasional satellite bandwidth. We can also available to all Ivorian are excited to work with SES, Market Development for help you with satellite news gathering. television (TV) viewers who which has both the technical SES Video in Africa. have a digital set-top box or capabilities and the practical

12 26 IN THE NEWS ASIA

NSSLGlobal brings from our competitors. Now with remote areas and fibre back-up for FusionIP-LITE, vessel operators in Asia regional towns and cities. We are very next-generation unified can also benefit from safer, smarter and pleased with this partnership with the more efficient operations thanks to the Tongan Government which showcases comms to the Asia seas power of always-on communications.” how building infrastructure in rural areas can help provide urban areas with back- NSSLGlobal has unveiled the latest Tongan Government up connectivity options in case of fibre addition to its maritime portfolio, malfunction or natural disaster. Until now, FusionIP-LITE. Based on the award- signs deal with Kacific rural areas were depending on urban winning FusionIP, FusionIP-LITE is for remote island centres to distribute their bandwidth to specifically engineered for the Asia seas. them. With Kacific's solution for Tonga, For a single monthly service fee, connectivity urban centres need rural and remote FusionIP-LITE allows users to benefit areas in reciprocal cooperation to from seamless automatic switching complete the urban infrastructure build between cellular and satcom networks to Kacific Broadband Satellites Group up.” ensure “always-on” connectivity with (Kacific) has signed a fifteen-year In January 2019, the international fibre speeds of up to 40mbps. This unique agreement with Tonga Satellite Limited, cable that connects Tonga's capital NSSLGlobal solution also incorporates a Tongan government company, to Nuku?alofa to high speed internet was automatic WAN switching, an email provide high speed broadband via severed, leaving most of Tonga's people service, core firewalling, eNOAD and file satellite to the Pacific Island nation. and organisations without access to the m a n a g e m e n t / s y n c h r o n i s a t i o n The bandwidth supplied by Kacific's high internet or international phone calls. capabilities, all at no additional cost. throughput satellite, Kacific1, will be During the 12 days in which the cable was used to connect communities in 89 repaired, satellite technology was used to FusionIP-LITE integrates the best of two remote outer islands with high-quality provide bandwidth to the nation. communication worlds for the Asia seas. internet – equivalent to that available in The Kingdom of Tonga is a Pacific Island Cellular connectivity is the primary the main cities of Tonga. In the case of a nation with 36 inhabited islands of its 169 connection and satcom the secondary; fibre cable outage, similar to the one total islands. These stretch across when vessels move out of cellular range, experienced over 12 days in January approximately 800 kilometres of water. they are seamlessly transitioned between 2019, the satellite bandwidth can be The population of just over 108,000 networks to achieve “always-on” redistributed and shared with Tonga's people, of which 82,000 are classified as communications while ensuring optimum main centres. living in rural areas, usually consume data speeds. “Kacific will provide a formidable around 2.4 Gbps of broadband NSSLGlobal'sFusionIP-LITE service platform to develop powerful e- bandwidth. uses a single 3G/4G/LTE SIM which is government applications and ensure capable of delivering high-speed continuous improvement of these bandwidth up to 20km offshore — with a p p l i c a t i o n s , ” s a i d ICT-based education to download speeds of up to 40mbps — HonourableDrTevitaTui'Uata, Minister making it ideal for leisure, fishing and for Commerce, Consumer, Trade, build digital Bangladesh commercial vessels. FusionIP-LITE will Innovation and Labour. “The Kacific stressed help busy vessel operators passing system is uniquely designed for the rural through the coastal waters of several and remote areas of our Pacific nations D i s s e m i n a t i n g i n f o r m a t i o n a n d countries to benefit from the high-speed of and beyond. It precisely meets the communication technology-based cellular with the service assurance and needs of Tonga to provide real universal science education among young students coverage of satellite, all without changing access, finally completing full would help them in acquiring knowledge multiple SIMs or dealing with a variety of broadband access to all residents of easily for building a developed digital providers and bills. Tonga, wherever they are.” Bangladesh. “This system also uniquely provides FusionIP-LITE also utilises the new backup to avoid deep digital disruption The opinion came at a function arranged Iridium Certus Next constellation as a as we have observed in our recent fibre at sadarupazilaparishad auditorium on failsafe guarantee of “always-on” cut. We have seen first-hand the Thursday afternoon for distribution of connectivity when outside of cellular responsiveness and efficiency of the digital sound systems among 176 coverage providing speeds up to Kacific operations in such an event. With government primary schools of 704kbps*. The great benefit is that the this agreement we look forward to sadarupazila in Rangpur. The digital customer pays the same price no matter moving these operations to the new equipments were distributed under the what network they use. powerful and Pacific-focused Kacific1 Fourth Primary Education Development satellite” Programme to launch academic activities Priya Patel, APAC Regional Sales The bandwidth supplied by Kacific will in multimedia classrooms to make Director, NSSLGlobal said: “Since its b e f o c u s e d o n g o v e r n m e n t lessons easily understandable for primary launch in late 2017, the award-winning infrastructure such as hospitals, health level students. FusionIP has been a phenomenal clinics and dispensaries, primary and success and firm customer favourite, but secondary schools, police stations and Earlier on July 10 last year, laptops were its deployment has been limited to post offices. The bandwidth will also be distributed among authorities of these European coastal waters. We can expand used to support local businesses and GPSs for improving quality of primary our FusionIP suite as this service is based foster the creation of new platforms for education and enhancing skill of primary around our in-house engineered economic development, such as school teachers in preparing digital products. cooperative marketplaces promoted by contents. Sadarupazila chairman Tongan government. NasimaZamanBoby as chief guest This enables NSSLGlobal to deliver Christian Patouraux, CEO and founder distributed the digital equipments among solutions that are practical and rapidly of Kacific said, “Our satellite technology head teachers of 176 GPSs in the function bring them to market. This agility and is remarkably effective in providing both organised by sadarupazila primary engineering expertise differentiates us low cost, accessible broadband to 28 IN THE NEWS ASIA

education office. With upazila primary launch the trial run of ATM using the and DC power, to simplify installation. Its education officer Zakirul Islam in the bandwidth of BS-I and we have a plan to cutting-edge modular design results in c h a i r, u p a z i l a n i r b a h i o f f i c e r bring the maximum ATMs under its lower cost of ownership throughout the IshraatSadiyaSumi, upazila engineer coverage gradually.' entire lifecycle, while improving reliability ShamsulArefin Khan and assistant Officials said, 'TVs are not needed to and streamlining maintenance. engineer of the Department of Public install any earth station to get the service The GX100NX introduces a new 'All-in- H e a l t h a n d E n g i n e e r i n g from BS-I. Installation of earth station One' GX Below Deck Terminal (BDT) AsaduzzamanZemi addressed the requires a big cost for the TVs and that is which integrates an antenna control unit occasion as special guests. The upazila why the BCSCL is providing connection (ACU), a modem, a power supply, a 4-port level government officials, members of to the TV channels with its ground switch and a mediator in a single unit to school managing committees, teachers, station through the optical fibre for further reduce the time and cost of guardians, civil society members and transmission.' installation in Intellian's Fleet Xpress local journalists attended the function. French manufacturer Thales Alenia Rack. The speakers said the government was Space launched the BS-I in May 12 from Reducing complexity further, Intellian also implementing different projects aiming at Florida of America at a cost of Tk 2,765 provides an upgraded antenna ensuring quality education at the primary crore and according to the plan, it would management and control platform. The level to give stronger foundation to the reach break-even within seven years of new AptusNX software includes an young children for their secondary, starting its commercial service. installation wizard with a step-by-step higher secondary and higher education. Located at the 119.1 east geostationary commissioning guide for easier setup and slot, BS-I would cover the SAARC enhanced diagnostic capabilities, which The chief guest said during the tenure of c o u n t r i e s a n d I n d o n e s i a , t h e sends an alert to the operator when the present government, epoch-making Philippines, Myanmar, Tajikistan, predictive maintenance is required. successes had been achieved in the Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkestan and Eric Sung, CEO of Intellian, commented, education sector in last ten years. 'The a part of Kazakhstan. The coverage is “We're delighted to introduce the all new primary school teachers, SMC members the strongest in Indonesia, the GX100NX to the valued partners and and guardians should work unitedly to Philippines, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal and customers at our APAC partner event. run multimedia classrooms for Bhutan, for which these six countries With its future-proof and user-friendly successful implementation of the have initially been chosen for business. design, our new Global Xpress terminal government's digitisationprogramme for BCSCL has hired international will deliver performance, installation and faster development of the country,' she consultancy firm Thaicom for two years servicing benefits to diverse customers, added. She asked primary school to run marketing and sale of the especially those in the commercial teachers to properly teach students connectivity of BS-I in six countries, shipping, oil and gas, and yachting using digitised ICT facilities multimedia including four neighbours. The Thai firm markets.” The GX100NX will be classrooms to improve quality of is currently active in around 20 commercially available at the end of June. education at the primary level. countries. The satellite's operations include 'direct-to-home' service for TV channels, VSAT (very small aperture terminal), backhaul and network Bangabandhu-1 restoration, disaster preparedness and SES Networks and PNG satellite completes 1 relief and many others. DataCo restore year in space connectivity to Intellian introduces the Bangladesh's first communication earthquake-stricken all new 1 metre Global satellite Bangabandhu-I is set to connect Papua New Guinea all local television channels as it would Xpress terminal, mark the first launching anniversary. The Bangabandhu Satellite, launched into GX100NX Mobile networks and broadband internet the orbit on May 12 last year, has been access for corporate and consumer providing connectivity to the TVs through Intellian, the global leader of mobile customers operated by PNG DataCo have optical fibre instead of earth station, satellite communication antenna been restored by SES Networks following meaning the connection cost declined systems, has unveiled an all new 1m a 7.2-magnitude earthquake that struck drastically, said officials. Chairman of Global Xpress terminal, GX100NX at the near the town of Bulolo, Papua New Bangladesh Communication Satellite Intellian Asia-Pacific Partner Event Guinea in the early morning hours of 7 Company Limited ShahjahanMahmood being held in Seoul, Korea. The Intellian May 2019, SES has announced. on Saturday said, 'An elaborate GX100NX offers high-speed data and Connectivity for DataCo customers was programme has been taken to mark the global operation, and exceptionally disrupted due to damage caused to critical occasion but the celebrations will take efficient RF design for unrivalled link nodes of terrestrial and subsea place on May 19 instead of May 12.' performance on the Fleet Xpress transmission infrastructures between Port Replying to a query, he said, '12 TVs are service. It is also future-proof, with Moresby and Madang following the now running broadcast operation support for 2.5GHz Wideband Ka earthquake. Contingency teams from receiving services from the BS-I and the networks and optimized reflector and SES Networks used an additional O3b remaining would be connected before radome. GX100NX users can also Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) beam to May 19.' unlock even higher levels of bandwidth deliver an extra 1.5 Gbps of low-latency IP Besides, the BS-I is working to connect with a 10W BUC option, which is easy to Transit service to ease network automated teller machines of different install and requires no additional congestion on DataCo's damaged primary banks to offer uninterrupted and secure components. link. The additional bandwidth was made banking services. Meanwhile, it has Based on Intellian's new NX technology available within hours of receiving a completed demonstration for the job. platform, the GX100NX uses a single request from DataCo. The BCSCL chairman said, 'Initially, coaxial cable, which combines Tx, Rx, “Together with DataCo, we are glad that Dutch-Bangla Bank Limited would connectivity has been restored swiftly to

29 IN THE NEWS ASIA

enable communications and critical the country.” communication satellite. With MEASAT- disaster recovery services in the Ajay Chitkara, director and chief executive 3d, MEASAT reaffirms its commitment to immediate aftermath of the earthquake,” officer, Airtel Business, said: “We are provide core infrastructure for the said Imran Malik Khan, Vice President, pleased to combine our VSAT operations Malaysian ICT and broadcast industry. Global Fixed Data Sales of SES with Hughes to serve the connectivity Collocated with MEASAT-3a and N e t w o r k s . “ We r e c o g n i s e t h e needs of Digital India. Combining the MEASAT-3b at 91.5°E, MEASAT-3d will importance of communications services proven capabilities of both the companies, serve the growth requirements of 4G & in the event of natural disasters to the partnership will bring synergies to the 5G mobile networks in Malaysia while facilitate quicker information transfer forefront for the benefit of customers across continuing to provide redundancy and between families and communities, as the length and breadth of India.” additional distribution capacity for video well as to coordinate recovery and The largest satellite service operator in in HD, 4K and ultimately 8K in the Asia- search-and-rescue operations. Our India, HCIL provides broadband networking Pacific region. Furthermore, MEASAT-3d thoughts are with the affected technologies, solutions, and services for will aid in bridging the digital divide in communities, and we offer our well businesses, governments. Airtel is a Malaysia by enabling 100% coverage for wishes.” significant VSAT service provider in India, high speed consumer broadband “It is our duty to provide the essential offering satellite connectivity to services to all Malaysian households.” communications links for our customers unreachable terrains and helping Arnaud de Rosnay, Head of Telecom to connect with their loved ones and businesses supplement their terrestrial Satellites at Airbus said: “MEASAT has facilitate critical business and networks with satellite for primary and selected Airbus again to build their new operational activities,” said Paul backup connectivity. The combined entity multimission satellite which will be based Komboi, Managing Director of DataCo. will be positioned to introduce new VSAT on our highly reliable Eurostar E3000 “We are glad that SES's O3b MEO and related technologies to deliver a wide product. There are already 46 E3000 satellites has provided us and our range of quaility products and services. satellites operating successfully in orbit customers with a reliable, high- HCIL will continue to serve existing HCIL and Airbus is committed to providing throughput and low-latency solution in and Airtel customers while focusing on innovative and “best-in-class” satellite our time of need. The fact that serving the growing networking needs of solutions to enable MEASAT to be the connectivity services were restored in enterprise and government customers in operator of choice in the region. The the shortest possible time at critical India. mission also builds on Airbus' unique areas where our primary linkages were heritage in the field of SBAS (Satellite down has helped the local communities, Airbus to build multi- Based Augmentation System) navigation businesses and organisations greatly.” payloads. It is a great honor to have been mission satellite for trusted by both MEASAT and KTSAT to combine their missions, a true testament Hughes India and Airtel MEASAT to our collective ability to be flexible – a announce new satellite key differentiator in today's market.” venture to serve Airbus has been selected by MEASAT Global Berhad (“MEASAT”), the leading Internet prices to enterprise and Malaysian operator, to build MEASAT-3d, a decrease significantly Government customers new multimission telecommunications satellite to replace capacity and augment its in Azerbaijan in India core business in Malaysia, Asia, Middle East and Africa. Positioned at 91.5°E collocated with MEASAT-3b, also built by Azerbaijan's primary internet provider Hughes Communications India Ltd, and Airbus, MEASAT-3d will deliver improved Delta Telecom will reduce the internet BhartiAirtel Limited (“Airtel”), India's performances to progressively replace prices for local providers by 70 percent leading telecommunications services MEASAT-3 and MEASAT-3a, supporting from May 10, 2019, Trend reports provider, today announced an Asia's premium DTH (direct to home) video referring to the company. The company agreement to combine their Very Small distribution. noted that only those operators will be Aperture Terminal (VSAT) operations in able to take advantage of the discount, India. The combined entity will bring Planned to be launched in 2021, MEASAT- which, in turn, will also undertake greater scale, operational efficiencies 3d will provide C and Ku-bands capacity for obligations to reduce the cost of the and market reach to serve India with D T H , v i d e o d i s t r i b u t i o n a n d internet for end users while maintaining secure and reliable broadband satellite telecommunication services. The new HTS the quality of services provided. and hybrid solutions for enterprise and Ka-band mission features multiple user Interested providers can contact the government networks. HughesChina and launched its spot two satellite beams for optimized its GPSsystem to deliver (Source: high China speed Daily company. subsidiaries will maintain majority broadband communications over Malaysia ownership in HCIL, the surviving entity, to bridge the digital divide in the country. Delta Telecom has been operating in and Airtel will have a significant It will also carry an L-band navigation Azerbaijan since 2000 and provides shareholding. hosted payload for the Korea Augmentation comprehensive solutions for corporate Satellite System (KASS) for KTSAT. customers, government agencies, banks, “In India today, satellite is an important MEASAT-3d is based on Airbus' proven and private companies, and also for about 80 layer in the enterprise networks across highly reliable Eurostar E3000 satellite percent of all internet service providers in all kinds of industries – from retail to platform. Planned for more than 15 years of Azerbaijan and the Caucasus. Delta petroleum to banking to military,” said operation, MEASAT-3d is designed to have Telecom is a distributor of the Partho Banerjee, president and an electrical power of 12kW. International Satellite Communication managing director, HCIL. “Together with Operator EUTELSAT and an authorized Airtel, HCIL will expand our VSAT and Dr Edmund Kong, MEASAT's Chief representative of EUTELSAT throughout terrestrial operations to serve the Technology Officer said, “We are delighted the Caucasus for leasing and using growing demand for always on, always to once again appoint Airbus as the channels, leasing satellite transponders. available network connectivity across m a n u f a c t u r e r o f M E A S AT ' s 8 t h

30 IN THE NEWS ASIA

Thaicom releases technical strengths to develop businesses year 2017-18 was $520.04 million, that are adjacent to the satellite business, Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) Q1/2019 results for example in the area of satellite reported. consultancy services, teleport services, as According to data issued by the PBS, the Thaicom Public Company Limited well as system integration of satellite and telecommunication services exports announced its financial results for the related communication networks. Thirdly, were recorded at $65.596 million during first quarter ended 31 March 2019. we have embarked on venturing into new the current year against $61.533 million Thaicom's revenue decreased business areas with a focus on digital and last year, showing decline of 17.12 per compared to the previous quarter and future technologies to diversify the cent. Among the telecommunication the same quarter of last year. Due to Company's portfolio and reliance on the services exports, the exports of call effective cost management, the profit satellite business.” center services increased by 6.6 percent. from normal operations improved. The The computer services exports have company reported a net loss due to the Globe Q1 profit grows seen a growth of 11.73 per cent, rising writing-off of assets in Q1/2019. from last year's $460.44 million to 44 percent $514.45 million. Among this sector, the Thaicom reported revenue from sales software consultancy services grew from and services for Q1/2019 of THB 1,303 $185.40 million to $235.76 million, million, down 13.5% from Q4/2018, and The Philippines' Globe Telecom has marking an increase of 27.16 per cent. down 13.4% from Q1/2018, mainly due reported a 44% year-on-year increase in The maintenance and repair of computer to the decrease of revenue of net profit for the first three months of 2019 services brought $4.289 million, showing conventional satellite services as the to 6.7 billion pesos ($129.1 million), partly growth of 298.61 per cent compared to Company secured a long-term contract as a result of strong data revenue growth. the exports of $0.918 million last year. with a major customer at discounted The company reported revenue for the The services regarding import and export yield. Whereas, revenue from the quarter of 36 billion pesos, up 13% year- of computer software declined by 6.97 Thaicom 4 broadband satellite on-year. Growth was mainly fueled by per cent, as it was recorded at $184.137 increased. increasing data usage across the million from last year's US $ 197.939 operator's service offerings. Mobile million. EBIT from normal operations was revenue grew 11% to 27 billion pesos, with Other computer services exports have maintained at Baht 96 million, a mobile data revenues reaching 16.5 billion been recorded at $88.098 million, significant improvement from Q4/2018 pesos, representing 61% of gross service marking an increase of 21.36 per cent and Q1/2018 when the Company revenues. Total mobile data traffic surged from last year. reported a loss of Baht 126 million and to 370 petabytes for the quarter. But mobile Furthermore, the information services Baht 20 million, respectively. Thaicom voice revenues fell 15% to 6.3 billion exports have witnessed increase by 74 reported EBITDA of Baht 559 million for pesos, with SMS revenues down 22% to per cent. These exports stood at $1.74 Q1/2019, equivalent to an EBITDA 4.2 billion pesos. million among which news agency margin of 43%, an increase from 24% for Globe's home broadband business services exports saw decrease of 21.85 Q4/2018 and 31% for Q1/2018 as a reported 21% higher revenue of 5.2 billion per cent while the exports of other result of cost saving measures. pesos, with the company's total subscriber information services increased by 150.54 base increasing 22% year-on-year to 1.7 per cent. The Company reported a net loss of Baht million. Of these, 63% are fixed wireless On a year-on-year basis, the information, 33 million for Q1/2019, resulting from the subscribers. Enterprise data revenues computer and information services writing-off of assets of Baht 34 million grew 16% year-on-year to 2.7 billion exports witnessed a nominal increase of and the loss from share of profit of pesos. 0.02 per cent in February 2019, reaching investment in joint venture of Baht 5 Globe's capex for the quarter reached 8.8 $80.96 million from US $ 80.94 million last million. billion pesos, representing 24% of topline year. The Company's sustained focus on revenues. “As we continue to invest in our It is pertinent to mention here that the providing managed and professional LTE network, we are also excited with the country's services trade deficit narrowed satellite services to partners in the APAC growth opportunities of our 5G commercial by 36.54 per cent during the first eight region, along with restructuring efforts, pilot launch in June this year,” Globe CEO months of the current fiscal year stringent cost management and lower Ernest Cu commented. compared to the corresponding period of cost of services rendered, has started to “Through this launch, we will be able to last year. The services trade deficit during yield positive results—thus offsetting the offer our customers a whole new July-February (2018-19) was recorded at global decline in earnings from satellite ecosystem of devices to enhance the way $2.30 billion against the deficit of $3.63 and transponder services and the they experience data to the home. This is billion during July-February (2017-18), challenging video market to some in line with our proven strategy of making showing decline of 36.54 per cent, official degree. our customers a priority, by providing them data revealed. A n a n t K a e w r u a m v o n g s , C E O , a superior digital and network experience, The services' imports into the country commented: “Our focus on cost control despite all the industry challenges that we during the period under review decreased and the restructuring of our organization face ahead.” by 19.54 per cent to $5.77 billion from has started to pay off. As we head further $7.17 billion last year, according to latest into 2019, we continue to work hard on Telecom, info services data of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics our 3 long-term strategies. Firstly, in (PBS). Compare to imports, the exports order to sustain our satellite core exports reach of services witnessed a marginal business, we have made good progress US$708.93 million negative growth of 2.14 per cent during in forming new industry alliances and the period. joint investments with other regional Pakistan's exports of telecommunication, The services exports during the first eight satellite operators. Meanwhile, we are computer and information services have months of current fiscal year were open to discuss various forms of project increased to $708.93 million in the first recorded at $3.47 billion against the collaboration to enhance public-private eight months of the current fiscal year. The exports of $3.54 billion during the same partnership. Secondly, we have earning made through these exports period of last year. continued to leverage our marketing and during the corresponding period of fiscal 31 IN THE NEWS ASIA

SoftBank develops March-4C rocket from the Taiyuan PSN Consortium signed Satellite Launch Center in north China's aircraft delivering a Public Private Shanxi Province was unsuccessful. The telecommunications first and second stages of the rocket Partnership Agreement worked normally, while the third stage had connectivity with Government of abnormal operation. Based on monitoring data, the third stage of the rocket and Indonesia satellite debris have fallen on the ground. SoftBank is developing an aircraft that The investigation has so far commenced. delivers telecommunications connectivity from the stratosphere. The company PSN Consortium signed a Public Private launched a High Altitude Platform Station Partnership (PPP) agreement with the (HAPS) business through HAPSMobile, a Government of Indonesia represented by China-developed smart joint venture between SoftBank and U.S.- Ministry of Communication and based company AeroVironment. With the InformationTechnology (MCIT) for the classrooms to improve aim of constructing a HAPS system that Multifunctional Satellite (MFS) called education in Egypt delivers telecommunications network SATRIA. The SATRIA satellite is a 150 connectivity from the sky for a global Gigabytes per second (Gbps) Very High business, HAPSMobile developed Throughput Satellite (VHTS) to cover the A shipment of container-like smart “HAWK30,” an unmanned aircraft for whole Archipelago of Indonesia, classrooms developed by a Chinese stratospheric telecommunications providing high speed internet to serve 98 company will arrive in Egypt soon, platform system that flies at altitudes of thousand schools, 40 thousand district bringing smart education to the north approximately 20 kilometers. and subdistrict administration offices, African country. The so-called Pop-up community health centers and other local C l a s s r o o m s w e r e i n v e n t e d b y HAPS refers to systems where unmanned government offices. The SATRIA satellite NetDragonWebsoft. According to Xiong objects such as aircraft flying in the is planned to be launched at the end of Li, the company's chief executive, the stratosphere can be operated like 2022 or early 2023. classrooms are similar to building blocks, telecommunication base stations to deliver and it only takes a few hours to set one up. connectivity across wide areas.] The 15 years PPP contract is valued He disclosed that the Egyptian about Rp 21,7 trillion (equivalent to USD government is planning to build 265,000 By utilizing HAPS, SoftBank aims to be 1,47 billion) to provide a satellite, launch Pop-up Classrooms across the country in able to build stable internet connection vehicle, 11 gateways, a start-up hub as the next three years. Xiong said that environments at locations unserved by well as 15 years operational cost. PSN developing countries in Africa are telecommunication networks, such as Consortium consist of PasifikSatelit constantly improving their infrastructure, mountainous terrain, remote islands, and Nusantara (PSN), PT Pintar Nusantara yet at the same time lack quality developing countries. Sejahtera (financial holding company of education resources. This situation has PSN), PT Dian SemestaSentosa, and PT led to co-operation opportunities involving Furthermore, by interconnecting with Nusantara Satelit Sejahtera will provide the up and coming Chinese digital current telecommunication networks, the full SATRIA network. “The PSN education industry, he added. SoftBank aims to realize wide-area consortium is privileged to provide such The cost of a Pop-up Classroom is about connectivity that spans both the sky and key infrastructure for the development of ¥200,000 yuan (almost £22,900), while it the ground to enable drone utilization, as Indonesia and we hope this network will would take millions of yuan to build a well as contribute to the adoption of make internet accessible to all traditional smart classroom in a local Internet of Things (IoT) and 5G. Since Indonesian wherever they are in the community, Xiong said. This is an H A P S c a n p r o v i d e s t a b l e Archipelago,” AdiRahmanAdiwoso, CEO opportunity brought about by the Belt and telecommunications networks without of PSN said. Road construction, and these cost- being affected by situations on the ground, Meanwhile for the interim solution, PSN effective classrooms will reshape the the technology is also expected to help through the recently launched Nusantara imbalanced allocation of education assist rescue and recovery efforts during Satu satellite will provide the largest resources,” he added. times of disasters. portion of the requirement satellite capacity to BAKTI (Agency for SK Telecom inks “HAWK30”, the unmanned aircraft for Accessibility for Telecommunication and stratospheric telecommunications Information Technology). This interim broadcast partnership platform developed by HAPSMobile, solution together with other current users with SBS measures approximately 78 meters long. will provide a substantial load to the Powered by solar panels on its wings that Nusantara Satu satellite. house 10 propellers, “HAWK30” can fly at PSN and its partners is planning to launch Korea's largest mobile operator SK speeds of approximately 110 kilometers Nusantara Dua satellite in early 2020 to Telecom has entered into a memorandum per hour on average. Since “HAWK30” flies anticipate the ever rising demand of of understanding with Seoul Broadcasting at high altitudes above the clouds, its solar satellite capacity in Indonesia. PSN and System (SBS) for the joint development of panels are continually powered by its partners with Nusantara Satu, media business. The new deal means sunlight. “HAWK30” can also be flown for Nusantara Dua and SATRIA satellite will that SK Telecom, which commercialised a long periods that range up to a number of become one of the largest regional player 5G network in December 2018, now months since it takes advantage of the in Asia-Pacific region partners with the three largest terrestrial stratosphere's climate, which sees winds TV broadcasters in Korea, namely KBS, that are relatively gentle year-round. Launch of Yaogan-33 MBC and the aforementioned SBS. SK Telecom says that it will work with satellite fails in North each partner to develop new media solutions and business models based on China 5G. They will jointly develop 5G-based The attempt to launch a remote sensing 4K/Ultra HD live broadcasting system; Yaogan-33 satellite carried by a Long conduct trial application of the system for

32 IN THE NEWS ASIA

broadcasting of sports and other events; in 2017. Internet penetration reached 72 today verified its commitment to the ICT create 5G-based innovative content; and percent of the urban population and 48 industry against cybersecurity threats by e x p l o r e p o s s i b i l i t i e s i n d i g i t a l percent in rural areas. However, internet launching its first cybersecurity lab in advertisement, augmented reality and penetration rates dropped significantly Nanjing, China. Following the hologram outside of the most populous island of establishment of the Nanjing complex, . Java (58 percent), reaching less than 20 the company is already planning to “ T h r o u g h M O U s w i t h d i v e r s e percent of the population in Sumatra (19 expand across the globe with broadcasting companies, SK Telecom will percent) and standing at only 2.5 percent cybersecurity developments in Italy and create new business opportunities in the in the outlying provinces of Maluku- Belgium already in the pipeline. The media solutions and content markets by Papua. opening of a new lab represents an leveraging its strength in media-related important milestone for ZTE as it looks to technologies,” commented Kim Hyuk, vice In view of this, Teleglobal and SES' project increase transparency and enhance trust president and head of 5GX Media is aimed at complementing the ongoing with third parties. B u s i n e s s G r o u p . Palapa Ring project spearheaded by The MOU with SBS follows SK Telecom's BAKTI, which involves connecting the With the vision of “Security in DNA, Trust January agreement with Sinclair major islands in Indonesia with 11,000km through Transparency”, ZTE is Broadcast Group, one of the largest TV of undersea fibre-optic cables to provide committed to providing customers with broadcasting companies in the US, to broadband internet infrastructure. end-to-end security products and establish a joint venture company to lead services by integrating security the next-generation broadcasting “Teleglobal is honoured to be chosen by considerations and controls into every solutions market in North America Indonesia's Ministry of Communication aspect of the product's life cycle. The and Information Technology as one of the cybersecurity lab aims to provide global Teleglobal brings key providers for satellite capacity for the customers, regulators and other BAKTI project. At Teleglobal, we believe stakeholders with security assessment broadband access and in the power of connectivity, in opening and audit services, such as source code new doors of opportunity to communities reviews on ZTE products including 4G mobile connectivity in Indonesia and around the world,” said and 5G, security design audit, procedural services to rural CandraIndianto, Teleglobal Director. document review, black box testing and “With the new service offering, Teleglobal penetration testing. communities in is bridging the digital divide and bringing Indonesia via SES much-needed e-Government and other Furthermore, the cybersecurity lab, essential services to the underserved functioning as an industry cooperation Networks rural communities of Indonesia. SES and research platform, will also facilitate Networks' unparalleled global reach and in-depth researches and explorations in Communities in remote areas of Indonesia operational expertise make them the ideal the security field. will soon be able to enjoy reliable partner to provide reliable, high-speed broadband internet access delivered by broadband connectivity to all corners of “The security lab is an open and Teleglobal enabled by SES Networks' Indonesia.” cooperative platform for the industry,” managed data services and the SES-12 said Zhong Hong, Chief Security Officer satellite. Under a new agreement, “Satellite-based networks are ideal for at ZTE. “ZTE plans to gradually achieve Teleglobal and SES Networks will be USO projects as they provide scalable its cybersecurity goals through three p a r t a k i n g i n t h e M i n i s t r y o f and easily-deployed broadband access to steps: first, meeting the requirements of Communication and Information remote locations, where conventional cybersecurity laws, regulations and Technology's universal service obligation terrestrial-based networks may take a far industry standards as well as certification (USO) project via its USO agency longer time and be cost-prohibitive to schemes; second, conducting an open BadanAksesibilitas Telekomunikasi deploy,” said Imran Malik, Vice President, dialogue to enhance transparency and danInformasi (BAKTI) to provide Global Fixed Data at SES Networks. “We establishing cooperation with customers broadband internet access and mobile are honoured that we are able to as well as regulatory agencies; and third, backhaul services to 150,000 sites in transform people's lives by working jointly sustaining the open cooperation remote parts of the country. together with Teleglobal to deliver high- mechanism to contribute to cybersecurity performance data connectivity services standardization.” The five-year agreement will see for the archipelago via SES-12, which has Teleglobal contract 1.3 GHz of capacity on recently secured landing rights for ZTE is committed to meeting the security SES-12, one of SES' high throughput operations in Indonesia. Internet demands of customers and regulators satellites (HTS) covering the Asia-Pacific connectivity and mobile services will not and leveraging the platform of the region, with an option to extend for a only empower these underserved c y b e r s e c u r i t y l a b f o r f u r t h e r further five years. The largest SES GEO communities, but also unlock the as-yet- transparency, cooperation and HTS covering Asia-Pacific has six regional untapped economic potential of the digital communication. Moving forward, the beams and 72 high throughput user spot economy.” company will collaborate with world-class beams and can provide cost-effective security organizations to jointly conduct solutions for broadcasters, content ZTE launches its first security assessment, certification, operators, mobile network operators, training and consulting. internet service providers, enterprise, cybersecurity lab in maritime and aeronautical and China to boost ICT Confronted with the cybersecurity government customers across Asia- challenges in the 5G era, ZTE will Pacific and the Middle East. industry security continue to adhere to the company's vision of “Enabling Connectivity and Trust According to data released by Indonesian Everywhere” and bring trustworthy ZTE Corporation, a major international cybersecurity capabilities worldwide. Internet Service Providers Association provider of telecommunications, (APJII), 55 percent of the country's enterprise and consumer technology population were connected to the internet solutions for the Mobile Internet, has

33 IN THE NEWS ASIA

China develops new- into space. It has flexible and rapid expected to lower the cost of entering response abilities and can be launched space. The rocket has been named "CZ- generation rockets for within 24 hours. Jin Xin, deputy chief 11 WEY" under an agreement between upcoming missions commander of the rocket, said the Long the China Academy of Launch Vehicle March-11 could support emergency Technology, China Space Foundation communications and remote sensing and a Chinese automobile producer. China has developed a number of new- observations after natural disasters and China's first seaborne rocket launch is generation carrier rockets to take the incidents. It is also designed for scheduled for mid-2019 in the Yellow country's space industry to the next level. commercial use to meet the growing Sea, said Jin Xin, deputy chief LONG MARCH-7 needs of launching micro satellites. commander of the rocket, at a press The Long March-7 is a medium-sized China is planning its first sea-launch of conference of the China Aerospace carrier rocket with high reliability and satellites carried by a Long March-11 Science and Technology Corporation safety. It is designed to launch cargo rocket this year. earlier this year. A seaborne launch has vehicles during the construction of China's many advantages over a land launch. manned space station project and meet the For instance, the launch site is flexible long-term demand for upgrading manned APSI and ICEYE to and falling rocket remains pose less carrier rockets in service. provide South Korean danger. Using civilian ships to launch The rocket is 53.1 meters long with a core- rockets at sea would lower launch costs level diameter of 3.35 meters, four 2.25m- new space market with and give it a commercial edge, said diameter boosters and a takeoff weight of experts. The seaborne launch 596 tonnes. It has a lift capability of sending SAR imaging solutions technology will help China provide 13.5 tonnes of payload to low-Earth orbit, l a u n c h s e r v i c e s f o r c o u n t r i e s or 5.5 tonnes of payload to sun- APSI, Asia Pacific Satellite Inc., and participating in the Belt and Road synchronous orbit, according to Wang ICEYE, the global leader in small satellite Initiative. Xiaojun, who is in charge of the Long synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) The Long March-11, with a length of 20.8 March-7 rocket system. technology, announced today that the meters and a takeoff weight of about 57.6 On June 25, 2016, a Long March-7 rocket o r g a n i z a t i o n s h a v e s i g n e d a tonnes, is the only rocket using solid launched a number of payloads into orbit memorandum of understanding about propellants among China's new from the the Wenchang Space Launch working together to support the South generation carrier rockets. It has a Center in south China's Hainan Province. Korean New Space market. As a part of relatively simple structure and can be On April 20, 2017, at the same launch site, the agreement, APSI will supply ICEYE's launched in a short time. The rocket can a Long March-7 launched cargo spacecraft SAR imagery in South Korea and also carry a payload of up to 350 kg to a sun- Tianzhou-1 into space. It is also China's provides mutual support from both APSI synchronous orbit at an altitude of 700 first digitally designed carrier rocket, and ICEYE to deliver radar imaging km and 700 kg to a low-Earth orbit at 200 meaning no paper blueprint was used related satellite solutions for the South km. It is mainly used to carry small throughout the design and production Korean market. satellites, and can take multiple satellites process. ICEYE successfully launched its second into orbit at the same time. The rocket is also more environment radar imaging satellite, ICEYE-X2, in The Long March-11, which made its friendly than in previous generations. Free early December 2018 , receiving maiden flight on Sept. 25, 2015, has so of highly toxic propellant, "it is powered by significant attention in the global Earth far sent 25 satellites into orbit in six kerosene and liquid oxygen, which observation market. The satellite launch launches with high reliability and good increases its thrust by 50 percent and was an initial step towards creating the performance rates. In addition, Chinese lowers costs to one-tenth of conventional necessary SAR satellite constellation of space experts are also developing the propellants," Wang said. The Long March- ICEYE for frequent and reliable satellite- engine for a modified version of the Long 7 will become the main carrier for China's based information about any location on March-11 rocket, which is expected to future space missions, according to Wang. Earth, regardless of the time of day, and carry up to 1.5 tonnes of payloads to the LONG MARCH-9 even through cloud cover. sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of The Long March-9 rocket will be China's ICEYE is providing commercial data 700 km. largest heavy-lift carrier rocket. It will be services to both government and industry capable of lifting 50 to 140 tonnes into low- users. The company is actively Earth orbit, which is key to China's lunar increasing the size of its SAR satellite China to further exploration, deep space explorations, constellation, with up to five more space infrastructure construction and satellites being launched throughout promote space utilization of space resources. It will greatly 2019. ICEYE's small SAR satellites can cooperation for UN enhance China's ability to promote space be manufactured and launched cost- development and safeguard space effectively, providing up to 1-meter sustainable security, said Zhang Zhi, chief designer of resolution SAR images. development the rocket. In addition, the heavy rocket is APSI is a provider of equipment and being designed to facilitate China's lunar services for multiple government missions, including landings with crew. programs in South Korea, and with the China will promote international space LONG MARCH-11 support of ICEYE's leading technology, cooperation to contribute to sustainable The Long March-11 is a four-stage, solid- will grow to provide further data, development goals set by the United fueled rocket that is used to launch hardware and radar imaging solutions to Nations, a senior official with the China payloads to low-Earth and sun- the governmental and commercial National Space Administration (CNSA) synchronous orbits. It is 20.8 meters long, customers in South Korea. said Wednesday. "China is to build a new with a maximum diameter of two meters tyape of cooperative and win-win and a takeoff weight of 58 tonnes. China plans to launch relationship with other space agencies Since its maiden flight on Sept. 25, 2015, and international organizations around the Long March-11 rockets have been carrier rocket at sea the world, to jointly enhance the role of launched six times, sending 25 satellites China plans to launch a Long March-11 space industries in facilitating carrier rocket at sea this year, which is IN THE NEWS ASIA

sustainable development," said CNSA meteorological satellites for more operational. The World Meteorological deputy director Wu Yanhua at the United countries along the Belt and Road, said a Organisation has included China's Nations/China Forum on Space Solutions: senior official of the China Meteorological Fengyun series of meteorological Realizing the Sustainable Development Administration's National Satellite satellites as a major element of its global Goals. Meteorological Centre. The services will Earth observation system. Committed to better service for countries be provided based on the results of a along the Belt and Road Initiative, survey of 81 countries. especially developing countries, Chinta is By the end of April, 22 countries, mu Space secures deal constructing a space information corridor including Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, and sharing satellite resources, according Russia, Libya and Sudan, had to provide satellite to Wu. "China's earth observation satellites responded to the survey. monitoring service in have actively supported the construction of All of the respondents said they wanted the Belt and Road spatial information to install the application software Thailand corridor, vigorously developed space platforms of the Fengyun satellites for international cooperation," said Wang weather forecasting, as well as climate mu Space announced that it has secured Cheng, a researcher from the CNSA. FY- and environment monitoring. They also a deal to provide the facility, equipment 2H, the meteorological satellite located requested a range of services, especially and services to support the system over the Indian Ocean, can fill the in monitoring rainfall, droughts, dust monitoring of a high throughput satellite. observation gap and provide weather storms, heavy fog and lightning, in The satellite monitoring station is monitoring service to countries along the addition to training courses on Fengyun expected to start operations in May 2019. Belt and Road, said Tang Shihao from meteorological satellite data analysis, It will be located in the northern Thai China Meteorological Administration. remote-sensing applications and data province of Chiang Mai. The unique strength of satellites in collection. “We're ready to start the installation work. supporting telemedicine, epidemic Many countries along the Belt and Road We'll ensure to meet the service and prevention and control, and distance have high mountains, deserts, oceans performance expectations of our clients education, social security services can be and a lack of accurate meteorological through our customer-oriented project improved, Wu said. i n f o r m a t i o n . T h e n u m b e r o f m a n a g e m e n t a p p r o a c h t , ” s a i d Independently constructed and operated by meteorological disasters in the regions is SamathornTeankingkaeo, mu Space's China, the BeiDou Navigation Satellite more than double the global average, the chief technology officer. mu Space, a System has been widely used in many administration said. space technology company based in countries and regions. "The system started Ms Wei Caiying, deputy general-director T h a i l a n d , d e v e l o p s s a t e l l i t e to provide RNSS (Radio Navigation o f C h i n a ' s N a t i o n a l S a t e l l i t e communication technologies to Satellite System) services worldwide last Meteorological Centre, said that real- accelerate the adoption of Internet of December," said GaoWeiguang from China t i m e d i s a s t e r m o n i t o r i n g b y Things devices and smart cities. It plans Satellite Navigation Project Center. meteorological satellites could provide to lead space technology development Wu Yanhua said that China was developing these countries with a scientific basis for and encourage new space investments s p a c e e c o n o m y a n d s u p p o r t i n g disaster prevention and reduction. in Ashia-Pacific. commercial space development by pushing "Weather-related disasters such as In 2017, mu Space was able to secure a forward the commercialization of space typhoons pose a threat to life and satellite license from Thailand's National technologies. property. Tracking their path could help Broadcasting and Telecommunications As the provider of Long March launch local authorities decide how to proceed Commission. The 15-year license services, the China Great Wall Industry with evacuations," she said. enables mu Space to operate a satellite corporation (CGWIC) has performed 48 In addition to real-time monitoring, the and provide satellite-based services in dedicated launch services and 17 China Meteorological Administration set Thailand until 2032. piggyback launch services to international up the Emergency Support Mechanism clients with high successful rate and for international users of Fengyun competitive pricing, according to Zhou satellites last April, which covers disaster Telenor has invested Yuanying from CGWIC. prevention and mitigation. over US$4 billion in Wu said that China would undertake So far, 15 countries including Iran and monitoring and research of global climate Mongolia have registered as users of the Pakistan since change by taking advantage of satellites, to mechanism. inception achieve the goals outlined in the Paris According to the administration, the Agreement. mechanism can switch the on-duty By pushing forward international space satellite to a quick-scan mode focusing Telenor Pakistan, one of the country's cooperation, China is also committed to on areas required by users when they are leading telecom operators, has unveiled joint efforts to tackle contemporary issues hit by disasters. "During disasters, its Sustainability Report 2017-18 which with global impact including poverty, Fengyun satellites can scan as often as highlights the company's transformative h u n g e r, n a t u r a l d i s a s t e r s a n d every five or six minutes. The China efforts towards building Pakistan's environmental pollution, Wu added. Meteorological Administration could economy and society. By staying true to send users cloud images and products its purpose of connecting people to what via satellites and public clouds," Ms Wei matters most and integrating the UN China to customise said. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) For example, in March, China provided a to its core strategies and activities, satellite data for remote-sensing monitor report on Telenor Pakistan continues to make countries participating in flooding in Iran via Fengyun. The significant contributions to the country's analysis estimated the coverage and socio-economic progress. its Belt and Road terrain characteristics of the flooded The report delves into Telenor Pakistan's Initiative area, which greatly assisted the country's investments in the country in addition to China will offer customised data services evacuation efforts. China has launched the contributions it has made to the for disaster prevention through its Fengyun 17 Fengyun series meteorological national exchequer in lieu of direct and satellites, of which seven are currently indirect taxes. It also provides insights IN THE NEWS ASIA

into the company's role as one of Pakistan's countries and regions along the "Belt jointly building international organizations leading employers with thousands of direct and Road" route, and it is the and other aspects. and indirect employees. The powerful information and communication social impact of Telenor Pakistan's digital technology that supports the interventions in critical domains of life, such construction of land and sea cables and Long March Rockets as agriculture, digital literacy, diversity & backbone networks in 12 countries. Complete 300 Launches inclusion, environment, human rights, and ethics &compliance, is also one of the key During the Innovation Road, a sub- With a Long March-3B rocket putting a takeaways of the Sustainability Report. forum of the Second Belt and Road new communications satellite into orbit on Forum for International Cooperation, March 10, China's Long March carrier which was held in Beijing on April 25, rocket series completed 300 launches, China Internet users over Science and Technology Daily reporter having sent more than 500 spacecraft into 828 million at end of noticed that the subject was how best to space since 1970. The Long March carrier cooperate with international partners rocket series, developed by CASC, is 2018 and create the future together with responsible for about 96.4 percent of all innovation. the launch missions in China. It took 37 The number of Internet users in China years for the Long March rockets to increased to 828.51 million at year-end After China announced the Belt and complete the first 100 launches, 7.5 years 2018, according to the China Internet Road Science, Technology and to complete the second 100 launches, and Network Information Center (CNNIC). The Innovation Cooperation Action Plan, the only about four years to accomplish the number of users rose 7.32% on year, and Ministry of Science and Technology of final 100, with the average number of reached a penetration rate of 59.6%, the People's Republic of China (MOST) launches per year increasing from 2.7 to CNNIC indicated. Of the users, 816.98 immediately put it into practice. Wang 13.3 and then to 23.5. The success rate of million or 98.61% used handsets for mobile Zhigang, the Minister of Science and the 300 launches of the Long March access. In 2018, the average time of using Technology, pointed out that the MOST rockets stood at 96 percent. During the Internet services a week per surfer was has organized the implementation by third 100 launches, the Long March 27.6 hours. conducting science and technology rockets sent a total of 225 spacecraft, At the end of 2018, there were 368.33 people-to-people exchange, building weighing about 240 tonnes, into space, million FTTH/B subscribers, accounting for joint laboratories, cooperating in with a success rate of 97 percent, 90.4% of subscribers of fixed-line science parks and promoting reaching a high level in the world. From broadband access to the Internet. In technology transfer. The four actions October 1996 to August 2011, the Long December 2018, there were 4.49 million have already made fruitful results. March rockets set a world record for 15 mobile apps available in China, with 1.81 years of successful consecutive launches. million (40.3%) at Apple Store. Of the apps, China is the participant and the In 2018, the Long March rockets 30.7% were for gaming, 12.1% for daily-life beneficiary of the science and completed 37 consecutive successful services and 9.4% for e-commerce. technology globalization, and also the launches, ranking a global first for highest During the fourth quarter of 2018, the contributor and initiator of promoting number of successful launches. average download speed for fixed-line broader innovation and cooperation. To broadband access to the Internet stood at build the "Belt and Road" into a road of 28.06Mbps, increasing 47.6% on year, and innovation is the concrete action of how USF Board approves that for 4G mobile access to the Internet at China extends science and technology telecom projects for 22.05Mbps, up 21.3%. opening up and shares innovative There were 338.925 million IPv4 addresses achievements with other countries. The Sindh and 41,079 blocks/32 of IPv6 addresses as MOST jointly launching the Innovation well as 5.23 million websites registered in Road Cooperate Initiative with related Board of Directors of Universal Service China at the end of 2018. parties is an important measure to Fund (USF) approved to award contract to promote the "Belt and Road" scientific Telenor for next Generation Broadband to At the same time, China had total a n d t e c h n o l o g i c a l i n n o v a t i o n provide telecom communication services bandwidth of 8,946.570Gbps for cooperation genuinely. to unserved and underserved areas in international Internet connections, with distrtics of Dadu, Jamshoro and Thatta. China Telecom being the largest ISP with Huai Jinpeng, executive vice chairman Federal Minister for Information bandwidth of 4,537.680Gbps, followed by of the China Association for Science and Technology and Telecommunication Dr. China United Network Communications Technology(CAST), said the scientific Khalid MaqboolSiddiqui chaired the 63rd ( 2 , 2 3 4 . 7 3 8 G b p s ) , C h i n a M o b i l e and cultural exchanges are the basis for Board of Directors meeting of USF which ( 1 , 9 9 7 . 0 0 0 G b p s ) , C E R N E T the people-to-people ties. Since 2016, was also attended by Federal Secretary (115.712Gbps) and CSTNet (61.440Gbps). through the implementation of the "Belt Ministry of Information Technology and and Road International Science and Telecommunication MaroofAfzal, a press China's Science and Technology Organization Cooperation release said. The minutes of the meeting Platform Construction Project" and the were confirmed. Technology community "Belt and Road Folk Science and The meeting also approved award of to deepen international Technology Humanities Exchange Joint contract to Telenor in respect of NG-BSD Plan", the CAST has promoted NH & MW Lot-2 (N-25 & N-65), and NH & cooperation and make pragmatic cooperation with national MW Lot-3 (N-50 & N-70). The Board also more friends science and technology organizations approved award of contract to Pakistan along the "Belt and Road" and the Mobile Communications Limited (PMCL) UNESCO. in respect of South Waziristan Lot. Specifically, China and other countries By 2018, China's Beidou navigation will cooperate in the field of academic satellite system had been widely used in exchanges, talents training, mutual transportation, land planning, precision certification of engineering capabilities, agriculture, and other civil areas in over 30 IN THE NEWS ASIA

SKT, Microsoft target launching 354 satellites, including “We make design choices. Our system national, student and foreign satellites.” doesn't do broadband, it's narrowband enterprise IoT Dr. K Sivan also commended the efforts and short messages, but all of those of the team involved in the realization of design choices play into delivering at low the piggyback payload carried onboard cost with long battery life,” he said. “We're SK Telecom CEO Park Jung-ho and this mission namely, Vikram processor really offering a differentiated type of Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella have and low cost MEMS based Inertial service that co-exists in a really signed an MOU for cooperation in ICT, Navigation System (INS) developed by complementary way alongside either including 5G, artificial intelligence (AI) and Semi-Conductor Laboratory (SCL), cellular or existing satellite.” cloud. Under the MOU, SK Telecom and Chandigarh and ISRO Inertial Systems “Today we're focussing very much on our Microsoft will combine their technological Unit, Thiruvananthapuram respectively. unique data connectivity offering . . . So capabilities in areas such as 5G, AI and He also quoted “RISAT-2B is an for us it makes sense to work alongside cloud to jointly promote IoT business advanced Earth Observation satellite solution providers, system integrators, including smart factory; AI technologies with an advanced technology of 3.6m telcos who offer pieces of those more and services; media and entertainment radial rib antenna” complicated multi-technology solutions,” services; and new ways of working for ICT he added. companies under the SK Group umbrella. A total number of 5000 visitors witnessed o promote smart factory IoT business the launch live from the Viewer's Gallery, INNOVATION DRIVERS: Grant also operations, the two companies which is opened to the public. spoke on a panel on innovation at the established a business strategic ISRO is now gearing up for the launch of Australasia Satellite Forum in Sydney this partnership in February 2019 to launch Chandrayaan-2 onboard GSLV MkIII week. He said one key driver for startups Microsoft Azure with Metatron, SK during the window of July 09, to July 16, such as Myriota had been the increasing Telecom's self-developed big data 2019, with an expected Moon landing on availability of launch – having smaller solution. September 06, 2019. launch vehicles that are launching more frequently. SK Telecom and Microsoft will work together to further upgrade the service Myriota on track to The lower cost launch coupled with the and implement joint marketing activities. launch three more increasing capability of small satellites is y putting together the capabilities of SK a significant driver of business, Grant told Telecom's AI platform NUGU with satellites this year the ASF audience. “You're getting all Microsoft's Cortana digital assistant, the kinds of businesses popping up that can two companies will work together to offer Adelaide-based satellite Internet of use that kind of infrastructure. And if I new AI-powered products and services, Things provider Myriota is on track for the extrapolate that into the future I think we including consumer solutions such as launch of its next three satellites towards will end up where the space segment smart speakers and other offerings for the the end of this year and is currently becomes more like data centres, where enterprise. SK Telecom will adopt talking to a range of launch providers. there's people that run the data centres Microsoft 365 and expand itto other ICT Speaking to CommsDay on the sidelines and people can innovate on top with companies under the SK Group umbrella. of the Australasia Satellite Forum, software and services,” he said. Myriota CEO Alex Grant said dedicated PSLV-C46 successfully IoT providers were attracting the attention of large telecom and satellite Optus touts the launches RISAT-2B providers, who see the services as advantages of geosats complementary to their existing offerings. “We're seeing telcos eyeing an India's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle opportunity to expand their range beyond New low-earth orbiting and medium-earth (PSLV-C46) successfully launched their cellular footprint in an economical orbiting satellite networks still have a long RISAT-2B satellite from SatishDhawan way that doesn't involve building towers way to go before they can compete Space Centre(SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota. into areas that are not economical effectively with geostationary orbiting This was the 72nd launch vehicle mission feasible to do so,” he noted. satellite networks in the arena of from SDSC SHAR, Sriharikota and 36th c o n s u m e r a n d e n t e r p r i s e launch from the First Launch pad. Myriota currently has access to four communications. That's the view of Nick PSLV-C46 lifted-off at 05:30 Hrs (IST) satellites for its direct-to-orbit IoT Leake, Optus head of satellite networks, from the First Launch Pad and injected services. Three are from ExactEarth speaking on a panel at the Australasia RISAT-2B into a orbit of 556 km, about 15 while the fourth is its own satellite, which Satellite Forum. minutes and 25 seconds after lift-off. After it launched via Space X last year. It separation, solar arrays of RISAT-2B were eventually wants to build to a Leake was reacting to the proposition that deployed automatically and ISRO constellation of around 50 satellites. the latency advantages of leosats and Telemetry Tracking and Command meosats would see them wipe the floor Network (ISTRAC) at Bengaluru “We're heading towards the next three with geosats, especially as large, assumed control of the satellite. In the satellites, which are currently being built pervasive networks from the likes of coming days, the satellite will be brought by Tyvak and we'll launch late this year. OneWeb and Space X enter the market. to its final operational configuration. There's a number of launch providers that “The leos and the meos really need to get RISAT-2B is a radar imaging earth we're yet to announce for those an antenna solution together to the observation satellite weighing about 615 satellites,” Grant said. consumer,” Leake said. “I don't know kg. The satellite is intended to provide where that is at the moment because geo services in the field of Agriculture, While the IoT arena is an increasingly has the most cost effective and easy-to- Forestry and Disaster Management. competitive market, Grant said Myriota maintain antenna. It's parabolic, it doesn't ISRO Chairman Dr K Sivan congratulated had a number of advantages, including need any servicing, it's very low cost.” the launch vehicle and satellite teams its early start in the market – it started in involved in the mission. “With this launch, 2013 – a low price point and a 10-year Leake says there is an issue with the PSLV lofts 50 tonnes to space by battery life for its devices. costs of the phased array flat panels IN THE NEWS ASIA

required by leosats and meosats. “If they international partners including the evident in the satellite space. can't get that antenna to a better cost then Netherlands, the UK and Canada. they haven't got a business. It doesn't Lockheed Martin shipped the AEHF-5 to Rick Greenwood, VP engineering and matter how many satellites you've got up Cape Canaveral ahead of its expected operations for Airbus Secure Defence and there but you won't be able to compete June launch earlier this month. The Space, said security was at the forefront of with the hardware and the capability that satellite is claimed as “more jam- its next generation of spacecraft for we (as a geosat operator) provide. Those resistant, secure, survivable and Defence. “We have particular requirements of us on geo have fixed antennas, they are p r o t e c t e d ” a n d o f f e r s g l o b a l whereby we have to demonstrate and low cost and they work. Leo and meo are communications for sea, ground and air prove that the supply chain is secure – from high cost and they are unreliable at the force assets. a cyber perspective, from a supply chain moment. They need technology perspective. So it's having a direct impact development before these guys can “Our demand for bandwidth, for capacity on our supply chain,” he said. achieve more in terms of the cost of the is growing massively at a time when the Similarly, SES Networks head of terminal,” Leake said. things that we've put in place to provide government sales in Asia Pacific, Glen that capability are coming towards the Tindall, said there are now a lot more Kacific SVP Pacific John Hawker end of their life. And that's part of why we threats compared to a few years ago. concurred, saying it was difficult to see have to do something,” Brown said. “There's a lot more emphasis on what the disruptors in this market are,” cybersecurity and supply chain security. At given that we don't even know what the DEFENCE SATCOM BILLIONS: The SES our security team is twice the size of price of a flat panel will be yet.” – Grahame investment would be part of an expected our network team. We do a lot of work on Lynch, Commsday, $10 billion spend over the next 15 years supply chain assurance, even down to the on satellite and space capabilities. This component level,” he noted. – Geoff Long. will cover a range of projects from Australia wants to geospatial intelligence to space situational awareness and the satellite 5G, IoT seen as an partner US on new jam- modernisation program known as JP resistant satellites 9102. opportunity to take Brown said that JP 9102, which is satellite more anticipated to be a $2-3 billion program Australia is planning to invest in the US over the next decade, was now moving mainstream Defence-run Advanced Extremely High- ahead following a recent initial Industry Frequency (AEHF) system – a protected Request for Information. The project, The rollout of 5G networks, coupled with satellite network that is resilient to which takes over from JP 2008, will jamming and cyber attacks while offering the expansion of existing 4G networks and deliver the Australian Defence Forces' Internet of Things services, offers satellite more data capacity. future satellite communication capability The fifth AEHF satellite is due to launch operators an opportunity to become a across the space, ground, and control b i g g e r p a r t o f t h e m a i n s t r e a m late next month and Australia is hoping to segments. be a partner in the program similar to its telecommunications sector, according to participation in the Wideband Global speakers at the Australasia Satellite Forum Meanwhile, Patrick Del Guidice, director in Sydney. Satcom system, according to Luke Brown, of joint communications for the Defence assistant secretary of the newly formed Providing a keynote speech to the forum, Joint Capabilities Group, said a hosted Speedcast CEO Pierre-Jean Beylier said Space and Communications Branch of the payload on a commercial satellite could ADF. that for the first time, satellite is very much be one of the options for future capacity an integrated part and is contributing to the Delivering a keynote to the Australasia under JP 9102. Satellite Forum in Sydney yesterday, next telecommunications standard in 5G. Brown cited the growing demand for He said that 5G was developed with Defence has previously used hosted satellite in mind and would bring it into the bandwidth and capacity from Defence payloads on Intelsat's IS-22 and Optus users as the reason behind its proposed overall telecom ecosystem. C1 for capacity and Del Guidice said a “Close to 1.5 million 5G subscribers are involvement. similar arrangement for future capability “We, Australia, hope to sign our expected by 2025 and what's exciting would also be looked at. about that is that satellite will be an agreement to be a partner in that program “What we're doing right now is we're in the next few months. We hope to be a essential part of 5G… because it will going through a process of examining [deliver] 5G to rural areas,” he said. “5G is signatory to that international group, very the options that are out there for our much like WGS-6, to be part of getting really one of the key developments that is future satcom needs. A lot of the different going to change the satellite industry and access to that capability,” he said. solutions that are presented span from Australia invested around $700 million in another one is IoT.” milcom satellite solutions to hybrid Beylier also noted that Australia was an WGS-6, which gives it access to the full solutions to possibly hosted payloads 10-satellite WGS constellation. The 10th important country for the company, which is solutions. So we're looking at all of that listed on the ASX. “Our history started in WGS satellite was launched in March this space right now to understand what the year. Hong Kong, but the first phase of the next opportunities are, how they meet our generation is very much Australian-driven,” The first four AEHF satellites are already needs and the bottom line is we're in service. In addition to the fifth launch he said and noted that one of its first definitely not excluding the possibility for acquisitions was Adelaide-based Australia next month, a final sixth satellite is due to more hosted payloads,” he said during a launch in 2020. Satellite Communications back in 2012. panel session at ASF 2019. MASS MARKET APPEAL: Terry Bleakley, The AEHF system provides extremely VP Asia for Intelsat, said that 5G offers the SECURITY IN SPACE DOMAIN: satellite sector the chance to become more high-frequency range uplink and crosslink Meanwhile, panellists on a government capabilities and super high-frequency mass-market and he noted that Intelsat and military roundtable said that trade was now a part of a number of 5G range communications. It currently jointly a n d o t h e r t e n s i o n s i n t h e serves the armed forces of the US and standards bodies. “We have approached telecommunications sector were also 5G as an organisation in a lot different way IN THE NEWS ASIA than we looked at 4G. Intelsat is the first last 5% in the world that goes forward, ecosystem, and indeed our future, that satellite member of the GSMA and we're and our pricing may suffer but we whatever we do with a satellite now, needs trying to understand what is driving these increase the volume and we improve the to support and grow with our 5G network in organisations,” he said. efficiencies through a changing the future. Just like LEO constellations, 5G “I do agree with some of the 5G hype, but we ecosystem with high throughput and networks will take time to complete. As we also still have challenges around 4G. And equipment on the ground and modems, rollout and as we expand, it is envisaged satellite is playing a large role in the build out then we're going to be in a good space,” our satellites will be providing that much of 4G, and that's both in the developed and the Intelsat VP suggested. – Geoff Long needed content distribution enabling us to developing world. We've signed two large and Jessica Taulaga, Commsday / talk reach more Australians with 5G faster,” he deals in Japan in the last 12 months, one for Satellite said during his ASF keynote last night. a 4000 site extension of a cellular network and the other for a 1000 site extension of a Speaking at an earlier panel session at the cellular network. So that's in Japan, the third forum, Miller said Optus revenues had largest economy in the world and a Optus to tender for been heavily weighted by broadcast users. developed country using satellite next-generation However, he sees the diversification of the extensively to build out their mobile satellite business as its biggest challenge in networks,” he noted. satellite to serve future. broadcast, 5G needs Imran Malik, VP fixed data global sales for “Our broadcast business is about 70-80% SES Networks, said he expects the 5G of our revenues so we need to look at how impact to come at a later stage, noting some Optus is preparing to launch a request we can actually find new ways of growing in estimates that its influence will start around for tender to replace its D1 satellite that other areas, like other providers are doing 2026. “My opinion is a bit different – I see provides broadcasting coverage over globally. So it's Internet connectivity and there is a lot of hype for 5G, but I think 4G is Australia and New Zealand. However, in maritime and mobility in general, so that's what's going to pay the bills,” Malik said. “So a sign of the massive improvements in going to be a big challenge for us over the 4G now, 5G later, but lets worry about that the latest generation of high-throughput next few years,” he said. when the market is ready for 5G.” satellites, it will also consider launching a new satellite that can replace both its In its approach to market for a new satellite, Optus director of satellite sales Nick Miller D1 and D2 satellites. Miller said Optus would be aiming for two said that although 5G networks were not things: driving a harder faster return on its ready yet, he said the planning for pushing The announcement was made by Optus i n v e s t m e n t a n d w o r k i n g w i t h content to the edges of the network and director of satellite sales Nick Miller last manufacturers to place a spacecraft on combining mobile with satellite was night at the closing keynote of the orbit for less. Some of the advancements it happening now. “We're going to look at how Australasia Satellite Forum in Sydney. is now looking at are software defined we can distribute data best through either Speaking to CommsDay on the payloads that would allow it to redeploy our own GEO systems for future or the sidelines of the event, Miller said that bandwidth and power where required. coming LEO systems,” Miller told Optus had been visiting manufacturers yesterday's panel session. over the past month and had done a lot “On the extreme of commercialised of research and modelling in communications technology right now is PRICING IMPACT: Meanwhile, declining preparation for the RFT. beam forming on the fly – previously a prices for capacity in the satellite market are domain of military only, adaptable beams also pushing it into mainstream D1 was the first of three D-series can track individual aircraft or vessels as consideration. Malik said that while in the satellites and was launched back in they travel across a geographical region, past telcos had seen satellite as a last-resort 2006. Last year Optus signed an providing flexible power, frequency and service, the pricing points are now such that extended service agreement with Sky capacity,” Miller said. “At Optus, we it has a more attractive business model and TV in New Zealand for a further 10 currently have a large amount of broadcast total cost of ownership case. years. However, that deal is conditional beams. In the future, these beams can on Optus launching a new satellite to adapt to a blend of hybrid broadcast and “I think it's incumbent on all of us to educate replace the existing D1. broadband or change to fully broadband as the mobile network operators and the telcos customer needs dictate.” of the world on the relevance of satellite and “Such is the development of technology, now, in my opinion, the price points are such it may be that this new satellite can also In addition to acquiring HTS capacity, that we can challenge the terrestrial replace D2. We are now looking at Optus will look at other models including alternatives,” Malik said. satellites that have capability far beyond MEO and LEO capacity in a blended existing and first generation HTS ecosystem of connectivity. Optus this Bleakley also noted the lower prices but satellites with fixed capacity and beams. month will receive Telesat's ground added that it was no longer relevant to We are looking at flexible and adaptable terminal for its testing of Telesat LEO Phase compare pricing on a per-megahertz basis. power and coverage,” Miller said. 1 for broadband and cellular backhaul.“Part “Every satellite is different, performance is of our strategy is looking at the whole mass different and megahertz pricing means While the Singtel-Optus board has yet to file distribution on a broadcast sense, nothing. We talk about three things: approve any satellite investment, Miller multicast sense across Australia and New performance, economics and accessibility said the operator is taking the necessary Zealand and working out how best we can and there is a good thing with the pressure of steps now for its future satellite strategy. best mesh that into the 5G requirements for pricing and that is it's making us more This will see Optus widen its scope to distributed content,” he said of the coming acceptable mass market and we're getting new satellite areas such as mobility for Telesat trials. – Geoff Long. closer to other wireless technologies and aviation and maritime customers. pricing,” he said. The extra satellite capacity also fits in with Optus investments in 5G services, “We want to be more a part of that telecom according to Miller. space – we don't want to be the last one percent that we are today. If we can be the “5G is such an important part of our IN THE NEWS AMERICAS

The Dynamic Spectrum delivering packet optical transport and with Magellan Aerospace. broadband access solutions to give This innovative SRD technology is Alliance announces network carriers the ability to serve the being developed as part of a technology Cisco Systems, Swarm growing demand for bandwidth. development program with the goal to “Cisco Systems, Swarm Technologies, improve its technology readiness level Technologies and and UTStarcom are three important by eventually operating in the space UTStarcom as new organisations that are doing incredible environment. Kepler intends to be the things to bring new socially and first to use this technology as part of their members economically beneficial wireless satellite's thermal control hardware suite connectivity use cases to life,” before the end of 2019. concluded Garnett. “I'm looking forward The Dynamic Spectrum Alliance (DSA) to discussing this further with all of the The SRD radiator design has a unique has announced that Cisco Systems, DSA members, as well as regulators and property in which its effectiveness in Swarm Technologies and UTStarcom industry players, at the upcoming DSA emitting or retaining heat (its have joined the Alliance, as more and Global Summit.” “emissivity”) changes with temperature. more companies are introducing wireless The DSA will welcome government and Heat dissipation increases at elevated technologies that enable the full range of industry leaders to its annual Global temperatures and reduces at lower narrowband and wideband applications by Summit, the premier event on spectrum temperatures. The tunable radiator tapping into shared spectrum bands. policy and spectrum management, keeps the spacecraft within tighter Governments are recognizing that taking place June 26-27, 2019, in temperature bounds and reduces the growing demand for wireless bandwidth Washington D.C. The agenda of the need for survival heaters when the and a widening digital divide can only be upcoming DSA Global Summit is the spacecraft is cold. The SRD's properties addressed if they embrace and implement strongest yet, reflecting the importance are highly desirable for space dynamic spectrum access policies and of dynamic spectrum access in enabling a p p l i c a t i o n s , e s p e c i a l l y f o r regulations across a wide range of next generation wireless technologies. communication satellites where the spectrum bands. With confirmed speakers including the payloads tend to rapidly heat up at the “With rising demand for the full range of International Telecommunications time of transmitting signals (up to 80°C) next generation narrowband and Union, Microsoft, Google and Cisco and quickly get colder (down to -20°C) wideband wireless applications and Systems, industry leaders will discuss when dormant. technologies, the DSA is thrilled to and debate spectrum sharing methods welcome Cisco Systems, Swarm and models, including shared spectrum With the SRD, Kepler will be able to Technologies and UTStarcom to the to enable next generation Wi-Fi, 3.5-3.7 keep the spacecraft in the “Goldilocks Alliance,” said Paul Garnett, Chairman of GHz Citizens Broadband Radio Service Zone”: not too hot, not too cold. “We are the Dynamic Spectrum Alliance Board. roll-outs and the use of hybrid fixed looking forward to seeing this new “There is no denying the role that dynamic wireless networks to close the digital technology in action and how it will spectrum access plays in enabling next divide. benefit next-gen satellite platforms generation wireless technologies, on low-, moving forward,” says Jared Bottoms, mid- and high-band spectrum, so it is great The Global Summit will be held at The Kepler's Lead Systems Engineer. to welcome organizations that are all Westin, Washington D.C, June 25-27, “Magellan is looking forward to dedicated to enabling service providers to 2019. To register, please click here. For continuing the development of the SRD address growing demand for wireless further information about the DSA, with MPB, and is excited about the connectivity and to more cost-effectively p l e a s e v i s i t upcoming flight opportunity with Kepler” reach the unconnected and underserved.” www.dynamicspectrumalliance.org/. says Corey Mack, Space Business Unit He added: “The DSA is looking forward to Companies interested in joining the DSA Leader at Magellan. working with Cisco Systems, Swarm should visit the membership page, Technologies and UTStarcom as we which provides a membership level continue to work with governments and breakdown and further detail on how to SCD announces the regulators around the world to enable become a member. more efficient spectrum utilisation that will successful launch to bring better connectivity and promote Kepler Space of its SWIR social and economic inclusion.” sensor Cisco Systems has joined the DSA just Communications, over a year into its 5G RuralFirst project, a testbed that brings technology experts and Magellan Aerospace Semi Conductor Devices (SDC) - a local businesses to demonstrate how sign letter of intention global leader in the development and connectivity will benefit rural communities. manufacture of a wide range of cooled As a worldwide technology leader, Cisco to fly innovative smart and uncooled infrared detectors and Systems has been bringing 5G benefits to radiator device on high-power laser diodes has announced rural communities and is addressing the the successful launch to space and challenges of rural connectivity. satellite mission operation of its Cardinal InGaAs Short The mission of Swarm Technologies is to Wave Infrared detector. The detector connect people and devices any time, Kepler Communications and Magellan was integrated into a hyperspectral from anywhere in the world, at the lowest Aerospace Corporation have signed a imager installed in the Hello World Nano cost. Since it was founded in 2016, Swarm Letter of Intention to fly an innovative satellite. The hyperspectral imager was Technologies has been developing the Smart Radiator Device (SRD) on developed by Finland based VTT Ltd. world's smallest communications Kepler's third satellite, scheduled for (www.vtt.fi) and the Nano satellite by satellites, enabling network services and launch later this year. The unique SRD, Reaktor Space Lab Ltd. making hardware accessible at the lowest designed to significantly improve The imager provides infrared images possible cost. temperature management on-board that aid in providing solutions for UTStarcom is a global telecom future satellites, is being developed by monitoring and managing the effects of infrastructure provider, specialising in MPB Communications in partnership

36 IN THE NEWS AMERICAS

climate change and assist in predictions distribute 8K signals across continents. Based in Missouri City, Texas, SWE is of natural disasters like forest fires. Not only is the SES Industry Days an ideal an independent smart battery power The images from space received by the platform to showcase the latest satellite- system designer and manufacturer. VTT imager are of excellent quality which enabled products and services, the event The company has more than 50 years is also the result of the high performance has also gained the reputation of being a of experience in industries ranging from of the SCD InGaAs SWIR detector. This birthplace for innovation as over 300 oil and gas, military electronics, remote event adds to the growing list of space attendees from 190 companies around field applications and subsea. customers who are using SCD detectors the world gather together to discuss and products of various types and budding business concepts and how they The acquisition of SWE brings this technologies. can partner together to bring about more industry expertise to Ultralife According to Dan Slasky, SCD's CEO : cost-efficient and effective solutions for Corporation, allowing the two “SCD is proud to be part of VTT's nano their customers. companies to combine their technical satellite program with our Cardinal SWIR knowledge to improve the support detector. The SCD SWIR product line has “Samsung is delighted to partner once available to original equipment shown significant growth and the again with SES with another leading edge manufacturers (OEMs) in the oil & gas, prospects forward show even more technology demonstration at the SES offshore, and oceanographical sectors. demand for the high performance, yet Industry Days. Samsung is fully Ultralife has previously established cost effective sensors. To date, the SCD committed to the development of a future itself in the defense, medical, robotics Cardinal family of SWIR detectors have 8K TV market and this demonstration of and security sectors with its long- been implemented into Land, Naval and the viability of the SES satellite platform is lasting, rugged and reliable batteries. Airborne applications and now we can an important step towards that goal”, said “SWE shares many of Ultralife's values also add Space applications to our John Adam, Head of Business including engineering excellence and a portfolio.” Development and Industrial Affairs at high standard of quality for both product Samsung Research UK. and service,” explained Mike Manna, Samsung, Spin Digital “The collaboration with SES is helping to VP of Global Sales and Strategic define the compression and quality Alliances at Ultralife Corporation. “This and SES showcase 8K settings for the new 8K format exploiting made it a perfect cultural and strategic all the potential of the HEVC coding fit for us, as both companies can content via satellite technology. Our next step is to enable complement each other with our similar quality and compression for live 8K respective capabilities. This year’s SES annual Industry Days HEVC,” said Mauricio Alvarez-Mesa, CEO event kicked off with the world leading of Spin Digital. “In the past year, we have diversified satellite operator announcing that an 8K into a number of new specialist areas, demo signal is broadcast directly to a flat “Audiences want richer video experiences enhancing our portable power products screen TV with a built-in satellite receiver. that can be best fulfilled by immersive for smart home and internet of things The 8K content broadcast via ASTRA 28.2 Ultra HD content, hence a lot of our devices. With the acquisition of SWE, degrees East orbital slot is unveiled at the broadcast and video customers are we can continue this expansion into oil invite-only two-day event that is held in migrating their channels to high definition & gas and new marine applications. Luxembourg, with Spin Digital providing (HD) and Ultra HD. As their trusted the expertise to encode high quality 8K partner, our vast TV audience reach and “SWE's expertise in delivering signals, SES the bandwidth to broadcast ability to deliver truly engaging video sophisticated battery solutions for the signal, and Samsung the 8K flat experiences via satellite mean we are well c h a l l e n g i n g a p p l i c a t i o n s l i k e screen TV to receive and decode the placed to differentiate their offerings and measurement while drilling (MWD), broadcast signal directly. deliver customer success,” said Thomas autonomous underwater vehicles The 8K content, with 7680x4320 pixels at Wr e d e , Vi c e - P r e s i d e n t o f N e w (AUVs), manned underwater vehicles 50 frames/s, is encoded by Spin Digital Technology & Standards at SES Video. “It (MUVs) and marine buoys will using its HEVC encoder at a bit rate of 70 will be years before large 8K flat screens significantly support us in expanding Mbps for broadcast-grade quality, while or video walls become a common sight in further. SWE's team will also gain the transmission is carried out by SES on our living rooms. Nonetheless, we are access to the global engineering a single 33 MHz transponder using DTH anticipating the future by working with our knowledge and support of our battery broadcast parameters. The 82” Samsung industry partners to further improve the experts, allowing even more innovation 8K Q950RB QLED production model TV consumer's video quality experience and in battery technology.” receives this signal directly, and is using to define an 8K satellite broadcasting DVB-S2 transmission parameters standard.” The fit between the two companies is a specifically for this demo. This Samsung sentiment echoed by Michael Popielec, flagship TV features a 4000 Nits peak President and CEO of Ultralife luminance, an 8K-compatible HEVC Ultralife Corporation Corporation, who stated that “this 50/60 fps video decoder, the latest HDMI acquisition advances our strategy of interface and is capable of displaying High completes acquisition commercial revenue diversification and Dynamic Range (HDR) content. The TV of SWE enhances the operating leverage of our will soon be available across Europe. business model. Transmitting broadcast-quality 8K Global battery manufacturer Ultralife SWE checks nearly every box in our content across multiple video formats Corporation has acquired advanced calls for both efficient video coding and profile of an ideal acquisition candidate: battery solutions provider Southwest a complementary line of highly reliable infrastructure technology. While Electronic Energy (SWE) in a deal worth compression technology will become e n g i n e e r e d , m i s s i o n c r i t i c a l , $25m. The acquisition enhances Ultralife differentiated products; a blue-chip more efficient in the next few years, the Corporation's extensive portfolio of demo underlines how satellite is already customer base; an innovative culture battery and charger technologies and similar to our own; an experienced capable of reliably providing the expands the company's technical transmission bitrates necessary to technical engineering and new product expertise into new industry segments.; development team; a very strong IN THE NEWS AMERICAS

management team; and a business U.S., and also announced last year the relationship,” said Ron Levin VP, Mobility model aligned with our core business.” first details in the development of its and Global Accounts. “This achievement The deal marks Ultralife Corporation's ground system through an agreement is another step in materializing Gilat's second major acquisition in recent with Phasor Solutions, the developer of vision of enabling broadband anywhere, years, following the acquisition of UK- leading, enterprise-grade electronically- as well as a testament of Gilat's b a s e d b a t t e r y m a n u f a c t u r e r steered antenna (ESA) systems. recognized global HTS and IFC Accutronics in 2016, which has already leadership.” proven successful for both businesses. Mark Rigolle, added: “LeoSat has quickly changed the perception that satellite is a last resort for data communications by Telenor satellite selects LeoSat's commercial pairing the speed of fiber with the Newtec Technology to ubiquity of satellite and a whole new level traction hit of ultra-security. We are enabling a meet growing US$2Billion milestone paradigm shift by expanding the existing bandwidth demand satellite services market, opening- up new markets for space-based data LeoSat Enterprises announced it has networking for enterprise, telecoms and Telenor Satellite aims to satisfy rising signed more than US$2Billion in government communications across the demand from its customers for higher commercial agreements ahead of globe. From healthcare, maritime, throughput maritime services on its launching the world's fastest, most e n e r g y, b a n k i n g a n d r e m o t e THOR 7 Ka-band High Throughput secure and widest coverage data connectivity, we are continually being Satellite (HTS) with a new collaboration network delivered over a constellation engaged by new sectors, and the current with Newtec on their Newtec Dialog® of low-Earth-orbit satellites. These pre- momentum in our pre-launch sales platform. Newtec is a leader in the launch agreements signal strong clearly demonstrates that LeoSat is the design, development and manufacture of demand for LeoSat's business solution of choice for business equipment for satellite communications. backbone in space across a wide range connectivity. Clearly LeoSat has struck Telenor Satellite will use the platform for of fast-growing data and mobility a chord with a data network built for high end users such as Ferry, Cruise and sectors including, Enterprise, business, as it took just over 2 years for OSVs where they will be able to fully Telecoms, Government, Maritime, us to hit US$ 1 Billion in customer exploit the potential of THOR 7 and Healthcare and Finance. commitments and under 12 months to deliver a service that far exceeds what is double that figure at US$2 Billion”. possible to deliver today using existing With data volumes exploding, the hub based technology. Newtec Dialog® increasing demand to move large Honeywell selects also opens up the possibility to use quantities of data quickly and securely THOR 7 in new verticals not presently around the world is fast outpacing the Gilat's Aero Modem for using hub based technology for service infrastructure needed to carry it. LeoSat delivery. has developed a unique system its JetWave Satellite Launched in 2015, THOR 7 targets the architecture – a space-based MPLS Communication North Sea, North Atlantic/Norwegian network - providing Gigabits of secure Sea, Baltic Sea, Black Sea, Caspian connectivity with lower latencies than Solution Sea, Red Sea, the Persian Gulf and the fiber, opening-up new possibilities for Mediterranean Sea. Its HTS payload companies looking for scalable, flexible Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd., a worldwide uses high power spot beams making it solutions for their expanding networks. leader in satellite networking technology, ideally suited for the mobility VSAT “Whilst the list of companies launching solutions and services, announced that market. Telenor Satellite's new Anker “build it and they will come” mega Honeywell has selected Gilat's Taurus suite of services was also recently satellite constellations continues to IFC modem for its JetWave™ satellite developed to meet growing demand for grow, we believe that our commercial communication system. The integration unique VSAT profiles capable of meeting agreements valued at over US$2Billion of Gilat's aero-modem will enable any requirement. clearly demonstrate LeoSat's unique Honeywell to offer its JetWave solution “Today's maritime users wishing to solution is more than a vision. LeoSat is within territories as well as to roam in- remain constantly connected via their solving an essential business need that and-out of territories where Gilat's mobile devices and ferry and cruise not only resonates with our customers ground network is deployed. The operators are utilising maritime but has also attracted the firm backing Honeywell-Gilat solution will first be connectivity more and more to enhance of two leading satellite companies - deployed in China over China's HTS Ka operations efficiency,” said Jan Hetland, SKY Perfect JSAT and Hispasat”, said network for both domestic and flights Director, Data Services, Telenor Satellite. Mark Rigolle, CEO of LeoSat going in-and-out of China, expanding “Consequently, demand for throughput Enterprises. later to additional regions around the on vessels is increasing exponentially. As globe. a leading Ku- and Ka-Band satellite Our most recent customer agreements Gilat's high-performance Taurus aero operator and managed services include X2nSat, which has selected modem, has a proven global track record provider, we are committed to meeting LeoSat's laser-enabled data network to of providing unparalleled passenger user that demand and ensuring our service support the ever-expanding needs of experience. Gilat's industry leading IFC delivers the highest possible throughput. the healthcare industry, and FMC solution operates the largest global IFC This Newtec Dialog® platform will enable GlobalSat, which provides seamless network with over 1,000 commercial us to achieve that goal.” onshore and offshore network access aircraft installed with Gilat's solution. Newtec Dialog is a single-service and that will enable enormous productivity “Gilat is pleased to partner with multiservice VSAT platform bringing and efficiency improvements over Honeywell to offer JetWave in new scalability and flexibility to operators and legacy satellite infrastructures. territories and regions of the world, and service providers, allowing them to build LeoSat was recently granted a license are looking forward to further expansion and adapt infrastructures and satellite by the FCC to operate its network in the and cooperation of this strategic networking as and when required by their IN THE NEWS AMERICAS

customers. applications and subsea. The Accutronics in 2016, which has already Andrew Faiola, Head of Mobility at acquisition of SWE brings this industry proven successful for both businesses. Newtec, said: “In today's era of anywhere, expertise to Ultralife Corporation, anytime connectivity, satellite operators allowing the two companies to combine are being required to provide increasingly their technical knowledge to improve Isotropic Systems' Ka- better coverage, as well as higher the support available to original band optical devices bandwidth, faster services. Our work with equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in Telenor Satellite is another important the oil & gas, offshore, and becomes the first milestone for Newtec and we are oceanographical sectors. Ultralife has solution of its kind to confident the installation of our Newtec previously established itself in the Dialog multiservice platform will ensure it defense, medical, robotics and security market continues to deliver on its customers' sectors with its long-lasting, rugged and expectations.” reliable batteries. Isotropic Systems, the next-generation

integrated satellite terminal solution “SWE shares many of Ultralife's values provider, announced today it Comtech including engineering excellence and a successfully completed validation high standard of quality for both product Telecommunications testing of its Ka-band optical devices. and service,” explained Mike Manna, After previously completing successful Corp. awarded $15.0 VP of Global Sales and Strategic testing of its Ku-band solution Alliances at Ultralife Corporation. “This million additional demonstrating electronic beamforming made it a perfect cultural and strategic as an array, Isotropic has quickly funding from U.S. Army fit for us, as both companies can moved to similar qualification of its complement each other with our performance in Ka-band. As a result, respective capabilities. Comtech Telecommunications Corp. Isotropic has begun full array announced today that during its third beamforming tests for subsequent “In the past year, we have diversified quarter of fiscal 2019, its Command & delivery of first-generation Ka-band into a number of new specialist areas, Control Technologies group, which is part products planned for 2021 to strategic enhancing our portable power products of Comtech's Government Solutions customers such as SES and Inmarsat. for smart home and internet of things segment, received additional funding of devices. With the acquisition of SWE, $15.0 million on the previously announced Isotropic Systems' patented technology we can continue this expansion into oil three-year $124.2 million contract to will produce products for mass, & gas and new marine applications. provide ongoing sustainment services for enterprise, mobility, telco and mobile the AN/TSC-198A SNAP (Secret Internet operator markets. The low-profile and “SWE's expertise in delivering Protocol Router (“SIPR”) and Non- fully integrated terminals will be priced sophisticated battery solutions for classified Internet Protocol Router meaningfully lower than existing c h a l l e n g i n g a p p l i c a t i o n s l i k e (“NIPR”) Access Point), and baseband mechanically gimbaled dishes, yet offer measurement while drilling (MWD), equipment. SNAP terminals provide quick performance vastly superior to existing autonomous underwater vehicles and mobile satellite communications phased arrays and flat panel antennas. (AUVs), manned underwater vehicles capabilities to personnel in the field. (MUVs) and marine buoys will “We enable a completely new approach significantly support us in expanding The contract has been funded $65.6 to how the satellite industry can make further. SWE's team will also gain million to date.“We strive to provide the use of the enormous amounts of HTS access to the global engineering best service and support to the U.S. and NGSO capacity coming online,” knowledge and support of our battery Army's mission; this additional funding said Jeremy Turpin, Isotropic Systems' experts, allowing even more innovation confirms the commitment in that support,” Chief Technical Officer. “By leveraging in battery technology.” said Fred Kornberg, President and Chief the capability of our technology, our first

E x e c u t i v e O f f i c e r o f C o m t e c h physical Ka-band prototype lenses The fit between the two companies is a Telecommunications match exactly with the design sentiment echoed by Michael Popielec, expectations, removing the need to do President and CEO of Ultralife numerous fabrication cycles to tune the Corporation, who stated that “this Ultralife Corporation process. Starting with the customer's acquisition advances our strategy of requirements and defining the solution completes acquisition commercial revenue diversification and before spending time or money on enhances the operating leverage of our of SWE production is extremely appealing to business model. SWE checks nearly our anchor customers.” every box in our profile of an ideal

Global battery manufacturer Ultralife a c q u i s i t i o n c a n d i d a t e : a Isotropic Systems has previously Corporation has acquired advanced complementary line of highly announced key partner-customers, battery solutions provider Southwest e n g i n e e r e d , m i s s i o n c r i t i c a l , including SES Networks and Inmarsat Electronic Energy (SWE) in a deal worth differentiated products; a blue-chip among them. SES Networks selected $25m. The acquisition enhances Ultralife customer base; an innovative culture Isotropic Systems to develop its optical Corporation's extensive portfolio of similar to our own; an experienced beamforming antenna technology to battery and charger technologies and technical engineering and new product deliver cost-effective high-performance expands the company's technical development team; a very strong capacity via SES' O3b mPOWER expertise into new industry segments. management team; and a business constellation whereas Inmarsat plans Based in Missouri City, Texas, SWE is an model aligned with our core business.” to expand its service offering via its independent smart battery power system Global Xpress network taking full designer and manufacturer. The company The deal marks Ultralife Corporation's advantage of the Isotropic approach. has more than 50 years of experience in second major acquisition in recent industries ranging from oil and gas, years, following the acquisition of UK- “Our terminal architecture allowed us to military electronics, remote field b a s e d b a t t e r y m a n u f a c t u r e r make a smooth transition to Ka-band,

37 IN THE NEWS AMERICAS

while maintaining exactly the same cost radio systems, and space situational changing expectations and resources and performance advantages we have awareness (SSA). The Falcon Orbital available to them. Our new wideband Ka- demonstrated in Ku,” said Mr. Turpin. Debris Experiment (Falcon ODE), Band BUCs enable customers to design “Given the rapidly growing amounts of Ka sponsored by the United States Air Force flexible terminals that can operate on capacity, we have an aggressive plan to be Academy, will evaluate ground-based traditional GEO satellites, existing MEO first to market in the electronically scanned tracking of space objects. Harbinger, a networks and the much-anticipated LEO antenna space.” commercial small satellite built by York constellations that are now in the early Space Systems and sponsored by the stages of deployment.” said Francis As frequency bands and constellations U.S Army, will demonstrate the ability of Auricchio, President and CEO of Mission proliferate, Isotropic Systems' technology an experimental commercial system to Microwave. meets the need for multiple independent m e e t D o D s p a c e c a p a b i l i t y beams, massive instantaneous bandwidth, requirements. Additional product announcements from as well as significantly lower pricing and The STP-27RD mission carried Rocket the company include the introduction of a power consumption. Isotropic's technology Lab's heaviest payload to date, with the 150 Watt X-Band BUC in the Javelin will also provide the capability to maintain three satellites weighing in at around 180 package. This rounds out the Javelin two simultaneous satellite links for critical kg. The highly experienced Rocket Lab product family with a common handovers across the network. team have now delivered 28 satellites mechanical and control interface for the into orbit, enabling operations in space 150 Watt X-band, the 100 Watt Ku-band Rocket Lab successfully debris mitigation, Earth observation, ship and the 50/100 Watt Ka-Band. Each and airplane tracking and radio Javelin BUC weighs under 11 pounds launches three R&D communications. Rocket Lab's manifest and is ideal for multi-mission terminal is booked with monthly launches for the designs needing high power tri-band satellites for the U.S. Air remainder of 2019 for a range of capability. Force commercial and U.S. Government customers. Rocket Lab will scale to a At the SATELLITE 2019 event Mission launch every two weeks by the end of the will exhibit its complete product line of A Rocket Lab Electron launch vehicle year. The majority of launches in 2019 high power X, Ku and Ka Band amplifiers successfully lifted off from Launch Complex are scheduled to lift-off from Launch and BUCs and will have example 1 on New Zealand's Mahia Peninsula at Complex 1, with the first mission from terminal designs from key industry 06:00 UTC, Sunday 5 May 2019 (18:00 Rocket Lab Launch Complex 2 at partners on display in booth #809. NZST). The STP-27RD mission launched Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia Mission products will be on display three research and development satellites scheduled for late 2019. across the venue incorporated into many for the DoD Space Test Program that will industry-leading products from top-tier d e m o n s t r a t e a d v a n c e d s p a c e Mission Microwave customers' mobile and transportable technologies, including a satellite to terminals. evaluate new ways of tracking space announces new Ka- debris. The mission is Rocket Lab's second for band products for Telesat completes 5G 2019 and took the total number of satellites LEO/MEO/GEO satellite deployed to orbit by the company to 28. The backhaul demo over DoD Space Test Program, under Air Force networks LEO satellite Space Command's Space and Missile Systems Center, procured the STP-27RD Mission Microwave Technologies, LLC, a mission in partnership with Defense manufacturer of highly efficient Solid Satellite operator Telesat, Vodafone Innovation Unit (DIU) as part of the Rapid State Power Amplifiers (SSPAs) and Group and the University of Surrey in the Agile Launch Initiative. This initiative Block Upconverters (BUCs) is UK have successfully completed the leveraged Other Transaction (OT) authority introducing new wide-band Ka-Band world's first 5G backhaul demonstration to competitively rapidly award DoD launch products at the SATELLITE 2019 using a low earth orbit (LEO) service contracts with non-traditional, industry event in the Walter E. communications satellite. commercial small launch companies. Washington Convention Center The successful trial demonstrates that “It's a testament to our team and mission Washington, D.C. LEO satellites can provide effective partners that Electron has placed another backhaul transport for mobile operators, three satellites in orbit, just weeks after our Mission Microwave has released a family including for 5G services, the flawless mission for DARPA,” says Rocket of multi-band Ka-band BUCs to support participants said. Lab Founder and CEO Peter Beck. “We're LEO, MEO and GEO missions from a During the live test last month, Telesat's proud to have delivered 100% mission single switchable unit. Covering the Phase 1 LEO satellite connected to the success for the launch procured by the range of 27.5 GHz to 30 GHz, these units University of Surrey's 5G testbed, with Department of Defense's Rapid Agile will be electronically selectable in up to 6 the support of specialist Vodafone Launch Initiative, proving once again bands covering current and anticipated engineers. Rocket Lab's ability to provide responsive frequency plans. The new products are The satellite delivered a round trip and streamlined space access.” enhancements to the existing product latency of between 18-40ms, which is Approximately 54 minutes after lift-off, the lines, which already lead the industry in among the lowest latency recorded for a Electron launch vehicle's Kick Stage high power Ka-Band BUC deployments satellite connection. successfully deployed the three payloads to for commercial and Government The backhaul was used to support video their designated orbits. The Space Plug and SATCOM terminals. chat, web browsing and simultaneous Play Architecture Research CubeSat-1 streaming of up to 8K video, as well as 4K (SPARC-1) mission, sponsored by the Air “Our customers presented us with the video transferred to the edge of the 5G Force Research Laboratory Space challenge of enabling a single terminal to network. Vehicles Directorate (AFRL/RV), is a joint be used on a variety of current and “Providing cost effective, high Swedish-United States experiment to emerging satellite network architectures. performance backhaul services to MNOs explore technology developments in Satellite industry customers need a well- seeking to extend their 4G and 5G avionics miniaturization, software defined designed approach to accommodate the networks is an important market for 38 IN THE NEWS AMERICAS

Telesat's LEO program,” Telesat LEO predictive maintenance, disruption and President. “We continue to see VP Erwin Hudson said. management and aircraft health increasing data intensity across our “Telesat is collaborating with leading monitoring via Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) customer base, creating more sales customers like Vodafone, who are applications, which can significantly opportunities for RigNet's highly experts in their markets, to perform tests r e d u c e f l i g h t d e l a y s a n d f u e l differentiated and bundled solutions. The and demonstrations on our Phase 1 consumption. Safety benefits include intersection of managed communications, LEO satellite that help us optimize the improved communications with ATC, machine learning, and cybersecurity is design of our LEO system to most digital data and voice communications, leading customers to think differently about e ff e c t i v e l y m e e t t h e i r f u t u r e and flight data recorder streaming (also their digital transformation efforts and they requirements.” known as Black Box in the CloudTM). are choosing to partner with RigNet because Flight plans and arrivals can also be of the dependency between network Inmarsat SB-S optimised by pinpointing aircraft in four performance and the performance of critical dimensions, known as four dimensional business applications.” approved by U.S. (4D) operations, which include latitude, Quarterly revenue was $57.5 million, an Federal Aviation longitude, altitude and time. increase of $3.7 million, or 6.8%, compared The IP solution provided by Inmarsat's to $53.8 million in the first quarter 2018, and Authority for SB-S is also essential to air traffic a decrease of $2.7 million, or 4.5%, modernisationprogrammes, such as the compared to $60.2 million in the prior operations and safety Single European Sky ATM Research quarter. Compared to the first quarter 2018, communications (SESAR) masterplan and NextGen in the revenue grew in all segments: a $2.7 million, U.S. In addition, Inmarsat's SB-S powers or 50.2%, increase in Apps &IoT revenue, a Iris, a ground-breaking project by $0.7 million, or 11.1%, increase in Systems Inmarsat has received final approval Inmarsat and the European Space Integration (SI) revenue, and a $0.3 million, from the U.S. Federal Aviation Authority Agency (ESA) that uses satellite-based o r 0 . 7 % , i n c r e a s e i n M a n a g e d (FAA) for its SB-S digital airline datalink communication to enhance and Communications Services (MCS) revenue. operations and safety platform. modernise air traffic management over The revenue decrease compared to the The FAA has validated the capability of European airspace. prior quarter reflects a $3.9 million decrease Inmarsat SB-S to support air traffic Inmarsat is the only aviation satcom in SI revenue reflective of the percentage-of- services by providing direct datalink provider authorised to provide aviation completion nature of the SI business, and a communication between pilots and Air safety and operational services globally, $0.5 million decrease in MCS revenue, Traffic Control (ATC). The letter of including in China and India. partially offset by a $1.7 million increase in approval highlights the future potential Philip Balaam, President of Inmarsat Apps &IoT. Additionally there were two of this 'first-of-its-kind' service, stating Aviation, said: “Inmarsat has a rich history fewer days in the first quarter 2019 that SB-S technology “provides diversity of providing cutting-edge, transformative compared to the fourth quarter 2018. and potential for advances of capability services for the global aviation industry. Net loss attributable to common that will further maximise operational We are proud to continue that tradition stockholders in the first quarter 2019 was benefits and ensure safety”. The with SB-S, the world's first solution for $12.0 million, or $0.63 per share, compared e n d o r s e m e n t f o l l o w s a digital aircraft operations and safety. to net loss attributable to common recommendation last year from the I n m a r s a t i s t h e o n l y s a t e l l i t e stockholders of $5.6 million, or $0.31 per FAA's Performance Based Operations communications provider that can deliver share, in the first quarter 2018 and net loss Aviation Rulemaking Committee these benefits to airlines. Receiving the attributable to common stockholders of (PARC). FAA's final approval is a milestone of $49.7 million, or $2.62 per share, in the FAA approval follows an extensive live huge significance, reinforcing Inmarsat's fourth quarter 2018. Excluding the evaluation of SB-S by Hawaiian Airlines global market leadership and validating previously disclosed $50.6 million non-cash and United Airlines, which took place the potential of SB-S to maximise airline GX charge, net income attributable to between June 2015 and July 2018 on operational efficiency and safety for many common stockholders in the fourth quarter approximately 25,000 flights and seven years to come.” of 2018 was $0.9 million, or $0.05 per share. aircraft types. Inmarsat partners in the The SB-S digital aircraft operations The GX dispute accrual could be subject to evaluation included Cobham Aerospace platform is powered by Inmarsat's reduction under our Phase II counterclaims. Communications, Collins Aerospace, advanced global L-band satellite network, Net loss in the first quarter 2019 was SITAONAIR, ASG and L2. which has underpinned safety services adversely impacted compared to fourth China's Shenzhen Airlines is also using for 40 years. Inmarsat is scheduled to quarter 2018 by increased stock-based SB-S and Inmarsat's digital airline launch two additional L-band payloads in compensation, GX dispute Phase II costs, operations platform has been selected 2020 and 2021, further cementing its depreciation, and restructuring costs, which by Airbus as a Light Cockpit Satcom long-term commitment to offering highly are added back and reconciled to Adjusted (LCS) line fit solution on its A320 and reliable services over this spectrum. EBITDA below. A330 families. Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure Combining cutting-edge satellite defined and reconciled to its most technology with secure IP connectivity, RigNet announces first comparable GAAP measure below, was SB-S is the world's first and only global quarter 2019 earnings $8.4 million, a 13.0% increase compared to broadband solution for aircraft $7.4 million in the first quarter 2018 and a operational and safety communications, results 20.5% decrease compared to $10.5 million driving digital transformation in the in the prior quarter. airline industry. SB-S provides airlines “Once again, RigNet has delivered solid Net loss and Adjusted EBITDA in the first with capabilities and benefits no other operating results, growing total revenue in quarter of 2019 compared to the prior satellite communications provider can the first quarter of 2019 by 7% compared quarter were adversely impacted by deliver. to the first quarter of 2018. Revenue decreases in SI, due to the variable nature of SB-S's real-time IP connectivity delivers increased in each of our reporting that business. Additionally there was the powerful benefits to airlines. segments and improved Adjusted effect of two fewer days in the first quarter Operational advantages include EBITDA 13.0 % year-over-year,” said 2019 compared to the fourth quarter 2018. enhanced fleet and crew management, Steven Pickett, Chief Executive Officer Net loss was also adversely impacted by

39 IN THE NEWS AMERICAS increased stock-based compensation, because of the extraordinary actions large-scale HTS networks. iDirect Velocity is GX dispute Phase II costs, depreciation, precipitated by the Phase I finding. In enabling those with the right tools to and restructuring costs, which are addition, the company recorded $0.4 maximize network flexibility and lower total added back and reconciled to Adjusted million in acquisition costs and $0.6 cost of ownership. By integrating Satmotion EBITDA below. million in restructuring costs. In the fourth Pocket, we can ensure its customers don't Capital expenditures for the three quarter of 2018, the Company recorded a have to waste time and resources revisiting months ending March 31, 2019 totaled $50.6 million charge, net of approximately sites that are poorly commissioned.” $7.1 million compared to $6.6 million for $0.2 million of prior accruals, for the GX the three months ending March 31, dispute as an accrued litigation reserve. Toni Kousiafes, Vice President, Product 2018 and $10.8 million for the quarter In addition, the company recorded $0.2 Management, VT iDirect said: “Adding ending December 31, 2018. million of executive departure costs, and support for Satmotion Pocket on the iDirect Contracting and Operational Update $0.2 million of acquisition costs, as well as Velocity platform enables our customers to During the first quarter of 2019, RigNet a net $1.5 million increase in the fair value deploy new iDirect sites more cost- won a three-year contract with a large of earn-outs / contingent consideration effectively and get their customers up and international offshore drilling contractor which is composed of a $1.8 million running quickly. The tool is intuitive and to provide MCS. This contract, increase in fair value related to Intelie saves resources by allowing VSAT installers previously disclosed, is an exclusive partially offset by a $0.3 million decrease to autonomously commission remotes relationship for the contractor's currently related to Cyphre, all in the fourth quarter quickly and accurately, optimizing overall operating rigs, as well as any rigs which of 2018. The change in fair value of both network performance.” secure new drilling contracts during the theIntelie and Cyphre earn-outs / exclusivity period. RigNet also secured contingent consideration and the GX long-term contracts on two Floating, dispute accrued litigation reserve did not Production, Storage, and Offloading impact the Company's cash position in the Brazil updates radio (FPSO) vessels in Angola that are fourth quarter 2018. The Intelie earn-out frequency and satellite expected to commence in the third will ultimately be settled with stock. In the exploitation prices quarter of 2019. In the U.S. Gulf of quarter ended March 31, 2018, the Mexico, the company has completed Company recorded $0.8 million in 63% of the total coverage area in the acquisition costs and $0.2 million in buildout of our 4G LTE and 5G-enabled executive departure costs. All items listed Brazil's National Telecommunications network. The company expects to above are added back to net loss in our Agency (Anatel) has published the new complete construction on the network, non-GAAP measure Adjusted EBITDA. prices for the Right of Use of Radio already carrying live traffic, in the Frequency (PPDUR) and the Right of second quarter of 2019. Exploitation of Telecommunications and MCS Site count in the first quarter 2019 Satellite Services (PPDESS). This follows increased by 13.4% to 1,360 from 1,199 Satmotion Pocket and the resolutions from July and November of in the first quarter 2018, largely due to iDirect ensure reliable last year, which established deadlines for the increases in production sites and other new prices to take effect. sites, which are primarily related to connectivity at scale The resolution establishes that the PPDESS onshore drilling. MCS Site count for all services of collective interest will be increased 2.8% from 1,323 in the prior BRL 400. Services of restricted interest will quarter, with increases in offshore rigs, Integrasys has announced that its cost BRL 20. In the case of the public price production, and other sites, offset by the Satmotion Pocket auto-commissioning for the Exploitation Right for the Brazilian loss of one maritime site. tool is being tested on iDirect Velocity, a Satellite and use of associated radio In the Apps and IoT segment, RigNet highly scalable Very Small Aperture frequencies, the price will be BRL 102,677. signed its inaugural contract to provide Terminal (VSAT) platform to deliver managed IT services as a service managed service offerings across a wide (ITaaS). The three-year contract with array of markets, which is used by many of Viasat-Telebras to another large international drilling the largest satellite operators including enables quick provision contractor is the first solution offering of I n t e l s a t , S E S a n d I n m a r s a t . its kind for RigNet, stemming from the of high-speed satellite convergence of complex, real-time data Satmotion Pocket is an easy-to-use tool broadband services acquisition and analysis and the need for simplifying the VSAT commissioning for network optimization. The company process. It runs as a simple mobile across Brazil also signed an agreement, previously application and ensures that installers are disclosed, with a supermajor to provide able to accurately set up VSAT antennas Telebras, a Brazilian state-controlled public Intelie™'s real-time workforce tracking while drastically reducing deployment telecommunications company, and Viasat solution for a large facility currently t i m e a n d t h e r i s k o f e r r o r s . Inc., a global communications company, has under construction. announced the final approval of their Project backlog (using percentage of Ideal for high throughput satellite (HTS) contract by The Tribunal de Contas da União completion accounting) was $43.1 operators, iDirect Velocity enables (TCU), also known as the Brazilian Federal million compared to $23.5 million in the massive scale, global bandwidth Court of Accounts. Today's TCU ruling gives first quarter 2018 and $45.5 million in management and advanced mobility. By Viasat and Telebras the ability to quickly the prior quarter. The company using Satmotion Pocket, iDirect Velocity provide internet service across all of Brazil. continues to see significant global users can ensure that all their VSAT In October 2018, the TCU requested certain project activity related to increasing remote sites across the entire network are modifications to the Telebras-Viasat contract project capital expenditures across the set up quickly and accurately in order to fully commercialize broadband energy value chain. commissioned. This reduces time-to- s e r v i c e s o n Te l e b r a s ' s S G D C Additional Detail market, maximizes network performance (Geostationary Satellite for Defense and In the first quarter 2019, the Company and minimizes operating expenses. Strategic Communications) Ka-band recorded $2.1 million in GX dispute satellite. Today's TCU ruling approved all Phase II costs. The Company is adding Alvaro Sanchez, CEO, Integrasys, modifications, enabling the two companies back these Phase II costs to our non- commented: “Increasing demand for to continue bringing high-speed, affordable GAAP measure Adjusted EBITDA reliable bandwidth is leading to some IN THE NEWS AMERICAS

internet service to unserved and catastrophes; and help connect millions of provided by satellites is a very effective underserved communities, health clinics, Brazilians, promoting digital and social means to cut down on our travel times schools and hospitals across all of Brazil. inclusion. In the first few months of the new and save time for other activities. The agreement also enables the Federal administration, we were able to The jury appreciated the work's companies to leverage the SGDC satellite make satellite connectivity available over originality, the use of an experimental for enterprise and aviation markets, as the SGDC satellite, connecting over 4,500 design as the basis of the demonstration well as provide satellite-enabled sites, with more than 1,200,000 students and its ingenious proposal, as well as the Community Wi-Fi hotspot and residential now connected at around 3,700 schools,” students' ability to involve other people in services across Brazil. reinforced the president of Telebras, their project and to apply scientific Lisa Scalpone, vice president and WaldemarGonçalves. methodology. The prize winners from general manager, ViasatBrasil, each category will receive an all- commented, “From the beginning, we Brazilian school wins expenses paid week's stay in Madrid have been committed to full compliance where they will visit space research with Brazilian law. We recognize that our award in the Research centres, speak with scientists and relationship with Telebras is a complex Category of the Apollo technology experts and participate in and new business model, and we other cultural and educational activities. appreciate the thorough analysis of it by Space Contest the TCU and its staff.” sponsored by HISPASAT This year 252 teams from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Spain, Since October 2018, Telebras and Viasat Mexico, and Peru have participated in have installed more than 4,500 The research prize, this year focusing on the Apollo Space Contest. Thanks to broadband access sites, mostly schools. the topic “Usefulness and Benefit of Hispasat's patronage, this is the first year Telebras and Viasat combined the Satellites”, has been awarded to the work the contest has included Brazil, which capacity of Telebras' SGDC satellite with entitled “Atéqueponto a tecnología dos has given a warm welcome to the Viasat's innovative satellite platform to satélitesquedisponibilizou o sistema GPS initiative with 40 works presented to the bring affordable and scalable broadband influencia no tempo da vida das pessoas” contest. In the words of Cristina Perez services to Brazil. The arrangement is presented by the Miguel de Cervantes Cantó, the company's Communications founded on a success-based revenue- School in São Paulo (Brazil). Director, "for HISPASAT it is a source of share model. pride that a Brazilian school has won the “This is a great day for the people of The Brazilian team made up of Mariana prize in the research category. Brazil,” said Helcio Vieira, commercial Camargo Rubim, Rafaela BoyadjianAnjos HISPASAT has an extensive presence in director of Telebras. “In working on a and Camila Castillo Paranhos will enjoy an Brazil, where the company's subsidiary partnership model, we can take full all-expenses paid space camp in Madrid in HISPAMAR operates advantage of the synergies between the June which will include a visit to the . partners to enable the commercial operator's satellite control centre in These types of initiatives help spread viability of the SGDC satellite — Brazil's A r g a n d a d e l R e y . knowledge concerning the space sector only high-capacity Ka-band satellite The jury of the seventh annual Apollo and create technological jobs that will covering 100% of the country's territory. Ibero-American Space Contest, intended promote future studies related with Our goal is to connect the unconnected for students between 14 and 16 years old, s a t e l l i t e t e l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s " . across the country and meet our has made its decision and publicised the The contest aims to arouse students' obligations to provide internet services to winners. The prize for the Research interest in science and bridge the current Brazil's citizens, including under the e- category, sponsored by the Spanish divide between science and the government initiative known as satellite telecommunications operator, humanities with an inclusive focus for all GovernoEletrônico - Serviço de HISPASAT, has been awarded to the work cultural expressions, featuring six AtendimentoaoCidadão (GESAC), of the entitled Atéqueponto a tecnología dos different categories: research, Ministry of Science, Technology, satélitesquedisponibilizouo sistema GPS narrative/comics, robotics, multimedia, Innovation and Communications influencia no tempo da vida das pessoas, artistic, and experimental. The contest is (MCTIC).” presented by the Miguel de Cervantes organised by the National Aerospace Secondary School in São Paulo (Brazil). Technical Institute (INTA), the University Scalpone continued, “With today's TCU The project was carried out by a team of Zaragoza, the Albireo Foundation and approval, Brazil's important goal to reach made up of the students Mariana Camargo the University of Engineering and every corner of the country with internet Rubim, Rafaela BoyadjianAnjos and Technology (UTEC) of Peru. The will be realized. We expect to connect Camila Castillo Paranhos and supervised Spanish Foundation for Science and thousands of additional sites in the by the teacher PatríciaAparecida Campos. Technology of the Ministry of Science, coming months, bringing important social This year students participating in the Innovation and Universities, the COTEC and economic benefits to the people that Research category were asked to work on Foundation and the magazine need it most in the region. We are proud to the "Usefulness and Benefits of Satellites" MuyInteresante also collaborate. be a part of Brazil's digital growth plans, and how satellites contribute to developing and will continue to work with Telebras to science, helping society and improving provide critical socio-economic benefits, people's lives achieved through the power of our PlanetiQ selects ATLAS connectivity partnership.” .The prize winning work aims to show how Space Operations to geopositioning satellites can contribute to “The importance of today's TCU decision, our well-being by reducing our travel times. provide TT&C and data regarding the Telebras-Viasat contract, is The winning team has designed and services for that it will enable Brazil to leverage the implemented an experiment to collect real benefits of the investments made in its data from two groups of people who have constellation of satellite communications infrastructure, to travel through a maze with or without weather satellites and bring broadband connectivity to key directions of the path to follow. Based on government points of interest; provide the experimental data, the students communications assistance during major conclude that using GPS technology ATLAS Space Operations, Inc., a leading IN THE NEWS AMERICAS

innovator in ground communications for Rohde & Schwarz block upconverter (BUC), allowing low- the space industry, announced an frequency L band signals to be processed agreement to augment PlanetiQ's ground shows outdoor model and converted to the Ku-band. The station operations and provide telemetry, amplifier can be controlled remotely; it commanding, and data support for of its family of satellite supports all common standards such as a PlanetiQ's constellation of 20 small uplink amplifiers at web interface, SNMP, RS 232 and satellites. ATLAS will support the Low parallel I/O interfaces. Earth Orbit (LEO) constellation via their Satellite 2019 in global network of ground stations. Washington Maxar Technologies to PlanetiQ's initial set of satellites launches For the first time in the US, Rohde & in the fall of 2019, with the “Pyxis” — a receive full insurance Schwarz presents its R&S PKU100 Ku- fourth generation radio occultation (RO) band satellite uplink amplifier in an payout for WorldView-4 instrument powerful enough to provide outdoor version at Satellite 2019 show. over 10 times the amount of data than Satellite Loss It combines the best of two worlds in a current operational RO sensors are single device: the unbeatable strengths providing. The Pyxis regularly detects of solid-state amplifiers and the Maxar Technologies announced that its atmospheric conditions to the surface of compactness and low weight of tube insurance carriers have accepted the the planet with high resolution amplifiers. The extremely robust and company's $183 million claim for loss temperatures, pressures and water weatherproof model is perfectly suited arising from the WorldView-4 satellite on- vapor content. PlanetiQ's constellation is for outdoor applications and features all orbit failure, and have agreed to pay the slated to collect over 50,000 soundings the advantages of the indoor model. The company that full amount under their per day, evenly distributed around the R&S PKU100 can be used in ground insurance policies. Insurance proceeds globe. stations and satellite news gathering have already been received from several

(SNG) vehicles. The amplifier is to be insurers and full payment is expected to ATLAS is tasked with providing uplink found from May 6 to May 9 at booth 1943 be delivered within 30 days. Maxar will and downlink communications services during Satellite Show. use the proceeds to invest in its pre- for PlanetiQ from their robust network of existing capital priorities, including the ground stations – ensuring reliability and Munich, May 2, 2019 – Four models of development of its innovative WorldView low latency data delivery. “I am greatly the R&S PKU100 will be available, each Legion constellation. The operations of looking forward to working with in an indoor and an outdoor version. The DigitalGlobe, SSL and Radiant Solutions PlanetiQ,” Said Mike Carey, Chief R&S PKU100 is obtainable for the 12.75 were unified under the Maxar brand in Strategy Officer and Co-Founder of GHz to 13.25 GHz and 13.75 GHz to February; MDA continues to operate as ATLAS. “We have an incredible team and 14.5 GHz bands with RF peak powers of an independent business unit within the product, and we are thrilled to have been 400 W and 750 W. The solid-state power Maxar organization. entrusted with the opportunity to work amplifier is just as light, compact and high end weather missions with energy-efficient as conventional tube COSMIC-2's and now PlanetiQ's GNSS- amplifiers and therefore clearly superior RO missions.” to comparable solid-state products. The Speedcast enhances

new outdoor models are particularly Currently the ATLAS network consists of presence in the public robust and weatherproof and comply 31 operational and planned antennas w i t h I P 6 5 i n g r e s s p r o t e c t i o n sector with the globally employing Freedom™, a specifications, plus they offer numerous proprietary software platform that allows Introduction of features required for outdoor for seamless customer integration into applications. The R&S PKU100 can be Speedcast Government the communication network while mounted very close to the transmit o p t i m i z i n g a l l m i s s i o n c r i t i c a l antenna, saving RF power and Speedcast International Limited has components and providing automated minimizing capital and operating expanded its global brand family into the pass scheduling. expenses. Same as with the indoor government space with the launch of model, the fans can be hot swapped in Speedcast Government. The cloud-based software approach the event of a failure. If fitted with an Speedcast Government brings together makes communicating with both optional redundant power supply, the the former UltiSat and Globecomm commercial and U.S. civil spacecraft R&S PKU100 will continue operating government segments, and continues to simpler and more cost effective by should one of the power supplies fail. operate independently as a subsidiary of reducing capital expenditures at every the Speedcast group. The headquarters ground entry point. ATLAS Space The R&S PKU100 uses solid-state office is in Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA. Operations was at SATELLITE 2019 at output stages throughout and offers a Speedcast Government offers fully- the Walter E. Washington Convention genuine alternative to conventional tube managed, end-to-end, solutions to meet Center in Washington, D.C. held from technology. Should individual the mission-critical needs of US and May 6-9. transistors fail, for example, the global government operations around the amplifier will continue operating at world. ATLAS industry experts will also be on reduced power. The R&S PKU100 is the "The addition of Speedcast Government SSTL hand to discuss the latest trends in space only instrument on the market to offer is a great growth opportunity for the global communications, including technology, adaptive linearization. This improves Speedcast organization," says Pierre- Jean Beylier, Speedcast CEO. "With security and the new space economy. signal quality, enabling network operators to transmit significantly more market revenues expected to grow 7.2% data over the same signal bandwidth. per year over the next ten years in the The amplifier offers excellent efficiency, Government segment1, Speedcast's reducing operating costs. portfolio will continue to diversify, solidifying our leadership position in the The R&S PKU100 can be fitted with a remote communication and IT services IN THE NEWS AMERICAS industry with a strong presence in key WTA announces the Teleport Technology of the Year: vertical markets." nanoCDN for Satellite by Broadpeak "We are proud to launch Speedcast 2019 Independent Broadpeak'snanoCDN for satellite allows Government as the newest organization satellite TV providers to deliver a true under the Speedcast family," says Moe Teleport Operator and multiscreen experience with Adaptive Abutaleb, Speedcast Government CEO. Teleport Technology Bitrate content while preserving the quality "With the recent purchase of Globecomm, of traditional satellite distribution. The we have further strengthened our of the Year technology converts unicast streams into capabilities and infrastructure since multicast so that content can be delivered UltiSat joined Speedcast in 2017, and The World Teleport Association (WTA) over the satellite to a local gateway. have gained a wealth of additional has announced the winners of the 24th Broadpeak'snanoCDN for satellite allows resources and talented employees to help annual Teleport Awards for Excellence operators to deliver live TV content not only us in our pursuit to lead the industry in during an exclusive luncheon at to STB equipped with a satellite signal managed network services and solutions SATELLITE 2019. The awards are receiver but to all the screens in the house. supporting mission-critical operations." presented each year to organizations In addition, by deploying a circular buffer Speedcast backs their global "network of and individuals in the teleport industry within the reception gateway, satellite TV networks" and technology solutions with whose achievements have been providers can further expand their offering industry-leading 24x7 support from on- d e e m e d e x c e p t i o n a l b y t h e to include on all screens advanced site engineers in 40+ countries around the international trade association and its services such as trick play and start-over world, ready to be there whenever awards committees, made up of TV for increased monetization necessary. industry members from across the globe nanoCDN allows satellite TV providers to Speedcast International . come back into the “TV everywhere” game and push their key asset against traditional Ltd Connects 23 Rural T h e 2 0 1 9 r e c i p i e n t s a r e : broadband services providers: a global reach in regions where infrastructure does Courts for Colombian Independent Teleport Operator of not always exist or has limited capacities. Government's Judicial the Year: Santander Teleport Knowing that quality is important to Santander Teleport is an independent consumers, nanoCDN for satellite enables Branch teleport operator offering satellite operators to deliver multiscreen video communication services in C, X and Ku services with the same quality of bands for enterprise and government experience as satellite broadcast, Speedcast announced it will provide markets in a number of sectors connectivity services for 23 rural courts in providing a latency equal than traditional including maritime, enterprise, and satellite systems, with no buffering or Colombia with CenturyLink, a local defense. Its teleport facilities in Spain partner. Speedcast and CenturyLink are bitrate limitation during peak hours. Click provide access to the geostationary here to read more providing connectivity services for the arc between 67W to 65E thus covering Superior Council of the Judiciary (SCJ), a region from Western Australia to “Our 2019 award winners represent the two an institution within Colombia's judicial North America, Mediterranean Sea, branch responsible for administration and qualities that keep the teleport industry Indian and Atlantic Oceans. The growing,” said executive director Robert other tasks. teleport infrastructure is fully managed Speedcast will use integrated VSAT and Bell. “They are absolute commitment to 24/7 by the Network Operations quality of service for customers and MPLS technology to provide end-users Centre providing support in European with a hybrid, multipurpose network for technical innovation that expands their time zone and English/Spanish opportunities. services and solutions such as internet, languages to deliver excellence is video conferencing, voice, and IP PBX. customer service Speedcast with CenturyLink will provide In addition to honoring the winner from the courts with 6/3 Mbps 13:1 contention these two awards categories, WTA The company's mission is to provide presented the 2019 Teleport Executive of links. The project with SCJ will provide h i g h l y r e l i a b l e s a t e l l i t e connectivity for rural courts in Choco, the Year Award to Guido Neumann, communications services and Managing Director of CETel at the Putumayo, Guainia, Vaupes Meta, Puerto solutions to enable our clients to Carreño, Leticia and Vichada. luncheon, hosted by Walton De-Ice. WTA outperform in the most hostile also presented a Lifetime Achievement "We worked closely with the SCJ to environments. Santander Teleport develop a robust, high-quality service for Award to William Bartlett Walton Jr., brings its customers technical and President of W.B. Walton Enterprises, Inc. its rural courts," said ErwanEmilian, EVP operational excellence of the highest Enterprise & Emerging Markets, at The over 150 luncheon attendees included order via a recently upgraded facility, teleport, satellite and content distribution Speedcast. "Overcoming the digital divide including a new modernized Teleport goes beyond merely making services technology industry executives, as well as Operations Room to oversee all previous awards recipients from around available to underserved locations for technical and operations aspects of content, education, and commerce. The the world. WTA's director of development the company's facilities, infrastructure Louis Zacharilla emceed the event. connectivity services that we provide to and services and a new state-of-the- CenturyLink also help these remote towns art lab and training room named The uphold justice and fair governance." Academy. The Academy has already NASA investigation "These days, connectivity and speed is hosted a number of theoretical and uncovers cause of two expected, even in rural areas," said the IT hands-on training sessions for both Director at SCJ. "That's why it's important employees and customers, and it has science mission launch that our judicial branch uses high-quality, also witnessed the development of failures reliable connectivity services. We chose new software applications and pilot Speedcast for their fast deployment and tests for new services. Click here to NASA Launch Services Program (LSP) high level of service." learn more about Santander. investigators have determined the IN THE NEWS AMERICAS technical root cause for the Taurus XL GetSAT, Inmarsat Global Xpress has drawn a significant launch failures of NASA's Orbiting number of commercial and government Carbon Observatory (OCO) and Glory introduce market's customers due to its unique reliability, missions in 2009 and 2011, respectively: e a s e o f u s e , a n d s e a m l e s s faulty materials provided by aluminum smallest ruggedized interoperability with military satellite manufacturer, Sapa Profiles, Inc. (SPI). terminal for Global resources. With the Inmarsat type LSP's technical investigation led to the approval of GetSAT's terminals, ground involvement of NASA's Office of the Xpress and maritime on the move users have Inspector General and the U.S. access to a very compact terminal to Department of Justice (DOJ). DOJ's G e t S AT a n d I n m a r s a t , h a v e support their critical connectivity efforts, recently made public, resulted in announced that Inmarsat has type requirements,” said Steve Gizinski, Chief the resolution of criminal charges and approved GetSAT'sMilliSAT-H-GX and Te c h n o l o g y O f f i c e r, I n m a r s a t alleged civil claims against SPI, and its MilliSAT-W-GX for use on its Global Government. agreement to pay $46 million to the U.S. Xpress service. government and other commercial These new terminals are the lightest Hispasat to offer customers. This relates to a 19-year and most compact all in one on-the- scheme that included falsifying move solutions serving the Global satellite-based Wi-Fi thousands of certifications for aluminum Xpress network, the world's first and Hotspots in Brazil in extrusions to hundreds of customers. only globally available, high- throughput wideband network. partnership with NASA's updated public summary of the Leveraging GetSAT's highly efficient, Facebook launch failures, which was published patented InterFLAT miniaturized flat Tuesday, comes after a multiyear panel antenna technologies, these technical investigation by LSP and MilliSAT-H-GX and MilliSAT-W-GX are HISPASAT, the Spanish satellite updates the previous public summaries the first communications-on-the-move communications operator, announced a on the Taurus XL launch failures for the terminals for ground vehicles using the partnership with Facebook to offer OCO and Glory missions. Those public worldwide Global Xpress network. satellite-based Wi-Fi connectivity in summaries concluded that the launch These ruggedized terminals have been Brazil, supported by the Facebook vehicle fairing — a clamshell structure proven to operate in some of the Express Wi-Fi platform. In collaboration that encapsulates the satellite as it toughest environmental conditions. with local Internet Service Providers travels through the atmosphere — failed Their combination of size, weight, and (ISPs), the satellite-based Wi-Fi hotspots to separate on command, but no fast-tracking technology allows for will provide Internet access in areas of technical root cause had been identified. operation on land-mobile and maritime Brazil with limited connectivity. Today, From NASA's investigation, it is now platforms with aggressive vehicle connectivity is a basic requirement for known that SPI altered test results and dynamics. economic and social development, and provided false certifications to Orbital Size and weight limitations have satellites are a key infrastructure to bring Sciences Corporation, the manufacturer traditionally been a challenging communications to regions that are not of the Taurus XL, regarding the aluminum requirement for land-mobile SATCOM reachable by high speed terrestrial extrusions used in the payload fairing rail applications. The size and weight of the networks. frangible joint. A frangible joint is a MiliSAT-H-GX and MilliSAT-W-GX structural separation system that is make these terminals well suited for Facebook's Express Wi-Fi is a software initiated using ordnance. widespread adoption in the land mobile platform that helps service providers and market. mobile network operators build, operate, “NASA relies on the integrity of our The MilliSAT-H-GX's 25x27cm flat grow, and monetize their Wi-Fi business industry throughout the supply chain. panel antenna fits inside a 40cm in a sustainable and scalable way. While we do perform our own testing, radome allowing easy installation. Facebook partners with service providers NASA is not able to retest every single Additionally, the terminals' low power and operators such as HISPASAT who component. That is why we require and consumption allows for battery expand the provision of fast, affordable, pay for certain components to be tested operation, adding greatly to their and reliable access to the Internet over and certified by the supplier,” said Jim flexibility. With industry-leading SWaP Wi-Fi using Express Wi-Fi. Norman, NASA's director for Launch (Size, Weight and Power), the units set Services at NASA Headquarters in a new standard for small, Inmarsat In partnership with Facebook, Hispasat Washington. “When testing results are type-approved for SATCOM terminals will offer satellite-based Wi-Fi hotspots in altered and certifications are provided used with Global Xpress. different towns in Brazil. Hispasat will also falsely, missions fail. In our case, the “GetSAT is pushing the innovation provide its satellite capacity and its Taurus XLs that failed for the OCO and envelope in creating – and constantly managed service platforms to help Glory missions resulted in the loss of delivering – the industry's most reduce the time to market for its local more than $700 million, and years of miniaturized terminals for airborne, partners and ISPs responsible for the people's scientific work. It is critical that ground and maritime on-the-move commercialization and support to the end we are able to trust our industry to applications,” said GetSAT CEO, Kfir users. produce, test and certify materials in Benjamin. “Our mission to craft accordance with the standards we micronized technologies to support a This partnership highlights both require. In this case, our trust was small flat panel enables our team to companies' commitment to reach severely violated.” consistently find new ways to underserved areas and help overcome successfully reduce terminal size while the challenges resulting from poor or non- To protect the government supply chain, maintaining strength and power. Our existent connectivity in many regions of NASA suspended SPI from government MilliSAT-H-GX and MilliSAT-W-GX the world. The objective of the project is contracting and proposed SPI for terminals were developed to meet for Brazilians to be able to enjoy the government-wide debarment. The Inmarsat's exacting standards and Internet to access and the benefits that exclusion from government contracting provide users with ease of use.” the digital world offers through a simple, has been in effect since Sept. 30, 2015. “Designed for worldwide mobility, IN THE NEWS AMERICAS

easy-to-deploy solution. equipment and operational and support (Science Technology, Engineering and services. Currently under construction, Maths) subjects to sponsoring research The solution can be adapted to the Echostar XXIV is expected to launch in activities relating to space. The MOU will needs and economic resources of the 2021 and bring more than 500 Gbps of also look to encourage exchange of end users through a prepaid data pack capacity across the Americas. personnel between Airbus and HSA to system. Users of this service can “This agreement marks another enhance knowledge sharing and choose between different product and milestone in our longstanding understanding. These will include price options. After acquiring the data relationship with Hughes,” said Allison educational initiatives, space applications, pack for the selected data package and Lenehan, CEO of Xplornet. “JUPITER 3 research and technology, space policy, law entering an access code, users will only is expected to provide the highest speed and regulation, and explore long term have to connect their device to the satellite Internet service in Canada, with possible cooperation on space activities. Express Wi-Fi network to connect to the download speeds of 100 Mbps, Internet via high-speed satellite service. answering our customers' need for fast This agreement between Airbus and HSA and reliable broadband to connect them follows an MOU that was signed between The Wi-Fi hotspots will bring easy-to- to what matters.” HSA and the UK Space Agency and use satellite connectivity to Internet “For more than a decade, Xplornet has announced in January 2019. Justin Byrne users, who do not need to worry about teamed with Hughes for satellite from Airbus Defence and Space UK, said: installing any terminal or filling out any capacity and equipment to help them “This MOU with the Hellenic Space paperwork aside from purchasing pre- bring the benefits of broadband to Agency, builds on the cooperation we have paid data packs. This system also Canadians,” said Paul Gaske, executive already begun with the Greek space allows users to tailor their use to their vice president and general manager, industry and academia on programmes needs and budgets, without having to North America at Hughes. “We are such as Solar Orbiter and ExoMars. We commit to a fixed monthly payment. This excited to continue our successful look forward to future collaborations helps provide access to the digital world partnership as we launch our next- across Earth observation, science and so that everyone can have the generation JUPITER 3 Ultra High wider space applications.” The Hellenic opportunity to take advantage of the Density Satellite, and look forward to S p a c e A g e n c y C h a i r m a n benefits that the Information Society supporting Xplornet in delivering MrProtopapasChristodoulos said: “Airbus offers. essential, high-speed broadband to is one of the three largest space Canadians for years to come.” companies in Europe. In fact, the first The Ka band of the Amazonas 5 Powered by the latest JUPITER System Greek satellite was constructed by Airbus. satellite technology, EchoStar XXIV will enable This agreement opens up cooperation the continued growth of high-speed paths between Airbus and the Greek The Amazonas 5 satellite, which will services for applications including space ecosystem, whether it is the provide satellite capacity in this project, consumer, enterprise, aeronautical, academic institutions or the space industry features the new HTS (High- cellular backhaul and community Wi-Fi, of Greece.” Throughput) technology allowing bridging the digital divide and helping massive deployment of satellite businesses and communities to thrive. Eutelsat America Corp. connectivity services at a lower price in The satellite is expected to deliver Latin America. In the case of Brazil, the broadband services for 15 years and will to participate in NASA's satellite provides coverage in the Ka join the largest fleet of High Throughput Space Relay Partnership HTS band to more than 75% of the Satellites (HTS) across the Americas, all country's population. HISPASAT's utilizing JUPITER System technology, and Services Study subsidiary HISPAMAR operates the including EchoStar XVII, EchoStar XIX, Hughes 65 West and Hughes 63 West. satellite from its teleport in Caxias do Eutelsat America Corp., a subsidiary of Sul (in the State of Rio Grande do Sul). Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL), has been selected by NASA Xplornet, Hughes sign Airbus signs MOU with for the Next Space Technologies for Hellenic Space Agency Exploration Partnerships-2 (NextSTEP-2) agreement for as part of the NASA Space Relay EchoStar XXIV Satellite for future space Partnership and Services Study. The cooperation NextSTEP-2 programme seeks to capacity to deliver establish partnerships with US companies high-speed broadband to evaluate the incorporation of Airbus and the Hellenic Space Agency commercial elements into the future space to rural Canada have signed a Memorandum of relay services that will be provided by the Understanding (MOU) covering future agency's Space Communications and Hughes Network Systems, LLC space cooperation. The MOU will focus Navigation (SCaN) Networks. a n n o u n c e d t h a t X p l o r n e t on Earth observation, space exploration This first stage, for which Eutelsat America Communications Inc., Canada's and future growth opportunities Corp. has been selected, is a five-month leading rural broadband provider, has including software research and space study that will examine how relay agreed to a lifetime capacity agreement policy. Established in 2018, the Hellenic communications and navigation services on the next-generation JUPITER™ 3 Space Agency (HSA) is Greece's can be provided on commercial platform Ultra High Density Satellite (UHDS), national body responsible for space and s o l u t i o n s b a s e d o n s t a n d a r d s designated EchoStar XXIV. In a is part of the Ministry of Infrastructure, interoperable across commercial and contract valued at more than $250 T r a n s p o r t a n d N e t w o r k s . NASA networks. The study will determine million over 15 years, the agreement is the elements required to incorporate for approximately 50 Gbps of Ka-band Another key element of the MOU is to NASA's optical technology onto capacity reaching more than 90% of the share best practices in encouraging commercial spacecraft. This project could population of Canada, along with future generations to be involved in open the door to the use of Public-Private system gateway and consumer premise space, ranging from promoting STEM Partnerships to develop and introduce new IN THE NEWS AMERICAS

operational capabilities for future use by satellites in low Earth orbit, according to stock was approximately 95,719,000, NASA. the company. which would result in the issuance of David Bair, CEO of Eutelsat America approximately 0.24 shares of DISH Corp., said: “We are delighted to have EchoStar announces Class A common stock for each share of been selected for this study by NASA as EchoStar Class A and Class B common they evaluate partnerships with agreement to transfer stock outstanding on that date. The final commercial operators across the exchange ratio will be determined on industry to foster the growth of the BSS Business to DISH the distribution record date. commercial satellite communications The transaction is structured in a relay services market. This project could EchoStar Corporation announced manner intended to be tax-free to benefit future NASA missions for new today that it executed an agreement EchoStar and its shareholders. It is and greater scientific discovery, in with DISH Network Corporation expected to close during the second alignment with the NASA envisioned (NASDAQ:DISH) to transfer to DISH half of 2019, subject to customary Next Generation Architecture. We look the portion of its EchoStar Satellite conditions, including receipt of certain forward to the success of this initial stage Services business that manages and regulatory approvals. and to continuing to work with NASA as provides broadcast satellite services this project grows.” primarily to DISH and its subsidiaries Honeywell Selects ( “ B S S B u s i n e s s ” ) . E c h o S t a r Bolivia looking to offer shareholders will receive 22,937,188 Gilat's Aero Modem for shares of DISH Class A common stock its JetWave Satellite satellite capacity to upon consummation of the transaction. Paraguay The BSS Business includes the communication business of EchoStar that manages and provides broadcast satellite solution Bolivia is finalising a deal to offer services to DISH and its subsidiaries neighbouring Paraguay capacity on its and DISH Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V. It Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. announced Tupac Katari satellite, reports Prensa also provides telemetry, tracking and that Honeywell has selected Gilat's Latina, citing Bolivian minister of public control services to satellites owned by Taurus IFC modem for its JetWave™ works Oscar Coca. The aim is to help the DISH and a portion of EchoStar's other satellite communication system. The Paraguayan authorities to bridge the businesses. The transaction will also integration of Gilat's aero-modem will digital divide in the country by making include the products, assets, licenses enable Honeywell to offer its JetWave available a free band on the satellite and technology, and the business solution within territories as well as to previously reserved for the armed forces. operations, revenues, billings, liabilities roam in-and-out of territories where Coca said he will be meeting with his and operating activities, primarily Gilat's ground network is deployed. The Paraguayan counterparts in the coming related to those businesses and certain Honeywell-Gilat solution will first be weeks to discuss the possibility and that other EchoStar real estate properties. deployed in China over China's HTS Ka a connection to the new Pacific fibre link Mike Dugan, President and CEO of network for both domestic and flights of state-owned operator Entel is also on EchoStar said. “This transaction will going in-and-out of China, expanding the cards. allow EchoStar to focus our efforts on later to additional regions around the The Tupac Katari satellite has raised our high growth business of broadband globe. over USD 100 million in revenues since services and other initiatives, while Gilat's high-performance Taurus aero launching in December 2013, with the eliminating a negative growth modem, has a proven global track country's space agency (ABE) also c o m p o n e n t o f o u r f i n a n c i a l record of providing unparalleled p l a n n i n g t o l a u n c h a s e c o n d performance and the risk associated passenger user experience. Gilat's communications satellite –Tupac Katari with providing services to a solitary industry leading IFC solution operates II– in 2021. customer.” the largest global IFC network with over At closing of the transaction, each 1,000 commercial aircraft installed with SpaceX rocket brings EchoStar shareholder as of the Gilat's solution. distribution record date will receive “Gilat is pleased to partner with first batch of 60 shares in a newly created subsidiary of Honeywell to offer JetWave in new internet satellites into EchoStar housing the BSS Business territories and regions of the world, and and other assets transferring in the are looking forward to further expansion space transaction to reflect such stockholder's and cooperation of this strategic pro rata ownership of EchoStar Class A relationship,” said Ron Levin VP, and Class B common stock in the Mobility and Global Accounts. “This U.S. private space company SpaceX aggregate (“Distribution”). Immediately achievement is another step in launched its first batch of 60 Starlink following the Distribution, a subsidiary materializing Gilat's vision of enabling satellites into space on Thursday, in an of DISH will merge with and into such broadband anywhere, as well as a effort to build a 12,000-strong satellite entity and each EchoStar stockholder testament of Gilat's recognized global network capable of providing broadband as of the distribution record date will HTS and IFC leadership.” internet services. receive a number of shares of DISH The Falcon 9 rocket, carrying the Class A common stock equal to satellites, was lifted off at 10:30 p.m. 22,937,188 divided by the total number Vivacom provides Eastern Daylight Time (1430 GMT) from of shares of EchoStar Class A and satellite internet to Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Class B common stock outstanding on Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. the distribution record date. The Bulgarian Antarctic SpaceX designed Starlink to connect distribution record date has not yet Base at South Pole end users with low-latency and high- been determined. As of May 16, 2019, bandwidth broadband services by the total outstanding shares of providing continual coverage around the EchoStar Class A and Class B common Vivacom provides unlimited internet world using a network of thousands of IN THE NEWS AMERICAS

access to Bulgarian scientists at the often require antennas in multiple the infrastructure necessary to downlink Antarctic base "Sv. KlimentOhridski" as countries to download data when and and process the data has historically been well as to Sofia University's Astronomy where they need it without waiting for prohibitive for all but the most well-funded Department. This allows Bulgarian the satellite to pass over a desired organizations,” says Shayn Hawthorne, scientists at the Antarctic base to location. And the antennas are just the General Manager, AWS Ground Station. exchange data in real time and beginning of the infrastructure “The goal of AWS Ground Station is to astronomers to remotely control their requirements because customers make space communications ubiquitous telescope and receive real-time data. n e e d s e r v e r s , s t o r a g e , a n d and to make ground stations simple and The service delivered to the Antarctic networking in close proximity to the easy to use, so that more organizations can Base is provided through a direct antenna to process, store, and derive insights from satellite data to help connection via Vivacom's Plana satellite transport the data from the satellite. improve life on earth and embark on deeper station that provides services via a SES And then customers must build exploration and discovery in space. satellite. It allows Bulgarian scientists at business rules and workflows to Customers can rely on AWS Ground the Antarctic Base to exchange real-time organize, structure, and route the data Station's global footprint to downlink data data as well as use IP telephony, which to employees or customers before it when and where they need it, get timely will greatly improve the Antarctic base's can be used to deliver value. This data, and build new applications faster processes. r e q u i r e s s i g n i f i c a n t c a p i t a l based on readily available satellite data, investments and operational costs to without having to buy, lease, and maintain AWS announces build, manage, and securely maintain complex and expensive infrastructure.” antennas, compute infrastructure, and general availability of business logic at each antenna AWS Ground Station's self-service AWS ground station location. AWS Ground Station allows graphical interface makes it easy to identify customers to more easily and cost- downlink opportunities, communications effectively control satellite operations, windows, and schedule antenna time. This Today, Amazon Web Services, Inc. ingest satellite data, and integrate the enables customers to review confirmed (AWS), an Amazon.com company, data with applications and other cloud times in the console and cancel or announced the general availability of services running in AWS. reschedule prior to the scheduled contact AWS Ground Station, a new service that time. Because AWS Ground Station makes it easy and cost-effective for Using AWS Ground Station, antennas are located in close proximity to customers to control satellites from AWS customers can save up to 80 percent AWS Regions, customers have low- and download data from satellites into of their ground station costs by paying latency, local access to other AWS services AWS Global Infrastructure Regions using for antenna access time on demand, to process and store data. For example, a fully managed network of ground and they can rely on AWS Ground they can use Amazon EC2 to control station antennas located around the Station's growing global footprint of satellites and downlink data, store and world. Once customers upload satellite ground stations to downlink data when share the data in Amazon Elastic Block commands and data through AWS and where they need it. These ground Store (Amazon EBS), Amazon Elastic File Ground Station, they can quickly stations are also located in close System (Amazon EFS), or Amazon S3, use download large amounts of data over the proximity to AWS Regions around the Amazon Virtual Private Cloud (Amazon high-speed AWS Ground Station world, so customers can store, VPC) for secure communications between network, immediately process it in an process, and analyze the data locally, Amazon EC2 instances and the AWS Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud rapidly gain insights, and then quickly Ground Station antenna gateway, hunt for (Amazon EC2) instance, store it in take action. The recency of data is real-time business insights with Amazon Amazon Simple Storage Service particularly critical when it comes to Kinesis Data Streams and Amazon Elastic (Amazon S3), apply AWS analytics and tracking and acting upon fast-moving Map Reduce, apply machine learning machine learning services to gain conditions on the ground. This algorithms and models with Amazon insights, and use Amazon's network to timeliness depends on frequent SageMaker, add image analysis with move the data to other regions and communications between ground Amazon Rekognition, and improve data processing facilities. Getting started with stations and satellites, which can only sets by combining satellite data with IoT AWS Ground Station takes just a few be achieved with a large, global sensor data from AWS IoTGreengrass. clicks in the AWS Management Console footprint of antennas maintaining AWS Ground Station is available to schedule antenna access time and frequent contact with orbiting immediately in US East (Ohio) and US launch an Amazon EC2 instance to satellites. For example, as fast- West (Oregon) and will expand to communicate with the satellite. There are moving environmental, geopolitical, or additional regions and locations in the no up-front payments or long-term news events unfold on the ground, coming year. commitments, no ground infrastructure to AWS Ground Station customers can build or manage, and customers pay-by- downlink current data to any of the the-minute for antenna access time used. AWS ground stations around the To get started with AWS Ground Station, world. Customers can get timely data Honeywell Selects visit https://aws.amazon.com/ground- sooner, rapidly experiment with new station applications, and deliver products to Gilat's Aero Modem market faster without buying, leasing, Satellites are being used by more and or maintaining complex and for its JetWave more businesses, universities, and e x p e n s i v e a n t e n n a s a n d governments for a variety of applications, infrastructure. Satellite including weather forecasting, surface Communication imaging, and communications. To do this “Satellite data offers customers a today, customers must build or lease profound way to build applications that Solution ground antennas to communicate with help humans explore space and Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. announced the satellites. This is a significant improve life on earth, but the cost and today that Honeywell has selected Gilat's undertaking and cost because customers difficulty of building and maintaining IN THE NEWS AMERICAS

Taurus IFC modem for its JetWave™ SSPI opens Signature Solutions, SES announced today. satellite communication system. The Through this partnership, Briskcom will integration of Gilat's aero-modem will nominations for Its “20 leverage connectivity delivered by the SES- enable Honeywell to offer its JetWave 10 satellite as well as extend SES Networks' solution within territories as well as to under 35” list and managed services to customers in its core roam in-and-out of territories where Promise & Mentor energy markets, as well as expand its Gilat's ground network is deployed. The service offerings to other segments, such as Honeywell-Gilat solution will first be Awards the agroindustry, mining and broadband for deployed in China over China's HTS Ka ISPs. network for both domestic and flights Space and Satellite Professionals going in-and-out of China, expanding International (SSPI) today opened As an SES Networks partner, Briskcom will later to additional regions around the nominations for its 2019 “20 Under 35” access a managed pool of capacity and a globe. list and the associated Promise & Mentor tailored network management interface, Gilat's high-performance Taurus aero Awards. The honorees will be celebrated which enables them to become a virtual modem, has a proven global track at the Future Leaders Dinner on October network operator (VNO) without significant record of providing unparalleled 8, as part of the Satellite Innovation upfront investment. The VNO pools offer passenger user experience. Gilat's Symposium at the Computer History dedicated bandwidth, flexibility in service industry leading IFC solution operates Museum in Mountain View, California. design and teleport operations to ensure the largest global IFC network with over Nominations are due by July 31, 2019. high reliability and outstanding quality of 1,000 commercial aircraft installed with service. Gilat's solution. Every year, during its Future Leaders “Gilat is pleased to partner with Dinner, SSPI announces its list of the “20 Honeywell to offer JetWave in new Under 35” young space and satellite territories and regions of the world, and The agreement will enable Briskcom to professionals to watch in the years deliver reliable corporate network solutions are looking forward to further expansion ahead. “20 Under 35” honorees are and cooperation of this strategic ranging from Internet of Things (IoT), employees or entrepreneurs who have telemetry, voice over IP (VOIP) and internet relationship,” said Ron Levin VP, demonstrated initiative, creativity and Mobility and Global Accounts. “This access. In addition, Briskcom, a leader in problem-solving skills that created new mission-critical operations, can now deliver achievement is another step in capabilities, overcame major challenges, materializing Gilat's vision of enabling more advanced applications for projects of and ensured excellence in technology greater size and complexity. broadband anywhere, as well as a and service. testament of Gilat's recognized global HTS and IFC leadership.” The three top-ranking on the list are “The agreement with SES Networks makes honored with a Promise Award, which perfect sense from our business expansion recognizes the potential to become a perspective. More than ever, we want future leader of the industry, and partners that help strengthen our position Glavkosmos and ILS: complete video interviews in SSPI's and enhance our value proposition,” said Making Leaders series. During the CláudioCalonge, Commercial Director at Joint Work on the Dinner, SSPI also presents the Mentor of Briskcom. “Working with a company that International Market the Year Award to a satellite executive has the experience and knowhow of SES who has fostered young talent, both Networks corroborates the good work that within his or her organization and Briskcom has been doing in Brazil. We see Glavkosmos and the International throughout the industry. great opportunities to be explored and we Launch Services intend to develop are very optimistic about this new alliance.” collaboration, said Glavkosmos Director “It feels good every year to recognize the General Dmitry Loskutov and ILS outstanding young talent in our industry,” President Kirk Pysher. said executive director Robert Bell. “But “Briskcom is investing in cutting-edge talent recognition also serves a serious technology to deliver highly reliable As Dmitry Loskutov noted, Glavkosmos purpose. The space business is communication solutions to its clients, and its subsidiary GK Launch Services competing with the best-known names in including those sophisticated on-shore work closely with ILS and provide all the tech for the people it needs to drive energy sites far beyond the reaches of necessary support in promoting, radical transformation in the years terrestrial infrastructure,” said Omar Trujillo, primarily, launch services using the ahead. We will only succeed by making Vice President of Sales for Fixed Data Proton launch vehicle. According to sure that talent is at near the top of every Americas at SES Networks. “We are Glavkosmos Director General, closer company's priority list. Public recognition extremely proud to have Briskcom as our coordination with ILS will facilitate the helps make that happen.” SES Networks partner.” promotion of the Russian space products to the international market; will SES-10 provides enhanced coverage and help a better understanding of the needs Briskcom partners with significant capacity expansion over Latin and expectations of a customer. SES networks to offer America, serving SES customers across the fixed data, energy and mobility markets. The Russian-American Joint Venture, virtual network SES-10 was the first geostationary International Launch Services (ILS), has commercial satellite to launch on a SpaceX the exclusive right to market the launch operator services in flight-proven first-stage rocket booster. services with the use of the Proton Brazil launchers and those of the Angara family on the world market. Since 2008, Khrunichev State Research Briskcom, one of Brazil's leaders in and Production Space Center, a satellite telecommunications solutions designer and manufacturer of the Proton for the on-shore energy market, has and the Angara launch vehicles, has become a certified service provider partner for delivering SES Networks'