Satellite News articles from August 2003

Satellite News archives from August 2003

Boeing Acts Fast To Repair Damage.(Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle contracts)
August 4, 2003... With the worldwide launch business slumping, Boeing [NYSE: BA] is scrambling to defuse the crisis over a scandal that could cost the company $1 billion and already has resulted in its suspension from future bidding on Evolved Expendable Launch...

Loral Creditors Prepare To React.
August 4, 2003... Unsecured creditors of Loral Space and Communications [PNK: LRLSQ] are organizing in anticipation of the company's next steps after its July 15 Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection court filing. Creditors have taken a number of steps to prepare...

Spotlight: Restaurant Chain Enjoys Broadband Buffet.(Brief Article)
August 4, 2003... The family restaurant chain Golden Corral is deploying a variety of satellite broadband services much the way it offers a wide selection of food with its buffet-style dining. Satellite broadband will operate a range of IP-based applications...

UK Urges Restraint On Space-Related Spending.(Green Paper on European Space Policy )
August 4, 2003... The U.K. government has identified a number of problems with the Green Paper on European Space Policy issued jointly by the European Space Agency and the European Union, particularly the proposal to double public spending on space-related...

Robust DirecTV Puts Pressure On Cable.
August 4, 2003... By Jimmy Schaeffler Hughes Electronics [NYSE: GMH] and its satellite TV unit DirecTV are proving the validity of their newest subscriber-based business model that focuses on better, rather than more, customers. The latest batch of evidence...

Intelsat's Results Show Elusiveness Of FSS Recovery.(fixed satellite service)
August 4, 2003... Hamilton, Bermuda-based satellite operator Intelsat's 44 percent drop in net income for the second quarter, compared with the same quarter a year ago, highlights the plight of fixed satellite service (FSS) operators in a marketplace saddled...

Garmin Targets Growth In Aviation GPS Market.
August 4, 2003... Garmin International, a unit of Garmin Ltd. [Nasdaq: GRMN], is looking to strengthen its already formidable position in the general aviation GPS market through its proposed acquisition of UPS Aviation Technologies, a subsidiary of Atlanta-based...

Firms Formalize Launch Alliance.(Brief Article)
August 4, 2003... The much talked about launch alliance among France's Arianespace, U.S.-based Boeing Launch Services (BLS), and Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries was formalized July 27 with the signing of an agreement. Under the agreement, the three companies...

Rent-Way Selects Spacenet.(Brief Article)
August 4, 2003... Spacenet, the U.S. subsidiary of Israel's Gilat Satellite Networks [Nasdaq: GILTF], has been awarded a five-year contract by Rent-Way to provide a two-way satellite-based IP network to all of Rent-Way's 750 rental stores. The network will be...

StarBand Unveils Faster Modem.(StarBand 480 Pro satellite modem )(Brief Article)
August 4, 2003... StarBand, the struggling U.S. provider of two-way satellite broadband to residential and small office customers, has introduced a modem designed to provide peak download speeds of up to one megabit per second (Mbps) and upload speeds of 100...

Sydney Race Tracked by Satellite.(Brief Article)
August 4, 2003... Satellite-based telematics operator Satamatics, in partnership with its service provider SecTrack, is supplying satellite-based location tracking technology and services to the 68 yachts taking part in the Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race, which...

Alcatel Space To Build HOT BIRD.(Brief Article)
August 4, 2003... Alcatel Space, the satellite manufacturing arm of France's Alcatel [NYSE: ALA], has received a contract from Paris-based satellite operator Eutelsat to build the HOT BIRD 7A communications satellite to replace the HOT BIRD 7 that was lost...

Coast Guard Evaluates Fleet F55.(Brief Article)
August 4, 2003... The U.S. Coast Guard is evaluating the Fleet F55 service provided by London-based mobile satellite service company Inmarsat aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Shearwater. The evaluation follows beta testing and launch of the Fleet F55 service in...

FAA OKs Satellite Radio in Aircraft.(Brief Article)
August 4, 2003... The Federal Aviation Administration has given approval to a satellite radio system for aircraft offered by Sirius Satellite Radio [Nasdaq: SIRI], Clarion and Avionics Innovations. A Sirius receiver manufactured by Clarion that is...

Fire Marshal Uses Mobile Antenna.(Office of the Fire Marshal of the Ontario Government Ministry of Public Safety and Security)(Brief Article)
August 4, 2003... C-COM Satellite Systems [Toronto: CMI] is supplying its iNetVu Mobile antenna system to the Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM) of the Ontario Government Ministry of Public Safety and Security. The OFM has purchased the iNetVu, high-speed...

DirecTV Teams With Nielsen.(Brief Article)
August 4, 2003... DirecTV, the satellite TV unit of Hughes Electronics [NYSE: GMH], has signed an agreement with Nielsen Media Research to measure and publish ratings data for advertiser-supported networks delivered on the DirecTV platform. DirecTV said it...

The Satellite News Financial Ticker.(Industry Overview)
August 4, 2003... Week of July 25-31, 2003 Percentage 31-Jul One Symbol Price Week APT SATELLITE HLDGS ATS 3.14 6.4 ASIASAT TELECOM SAT ...

Telenor Carves Out Profitable Niche.
August 11, 2003... Despite an industry-wide downturn, aeronautical satellite communication services are gaining momentum. Offering aeronautical services can be a "very sound business for service providers who own and operate a global network of ground earth...

Bells Look To Satellite For Video Play.(Industry Overview)
August 11, 2003... The regional Bell operating companies' latest strategy for providing video service appears to be teaming with direct broadcast satellite (DBS) service providers. Both SBC [NYSE: SBC] and Qwest [NYSE: Q] have recently signed deals with DBS...

FCC's New Rules Overlook Industry Realities.
August 11, 2003... By Raul R. Rodriguez & Philip A. Bonomo The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently completed the most sweeping reform of its space station licensing process in more than two decades. New rules were adopted with the intent of...

Satellite-Based Digital Signage Market.(Industry Overview)
August 11, 2003... By Christopher Baugh Satellite-based video distribution is, and perhaps always will be, paramount to satellite industry success. Video represents the vast majority of revenue for virtually every satellite operator worldwide. Through...

Orbcomm Inks GPS Deal.(with GEOTrac Systems )(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... Orbcomm, a Dulles, Va.-based satellite communications company, has signed an agreement to provide data communication services for the GPS products with GEOTrac Systems is developing for oil and transportation companies to monitor their vehicles...

A&E Signs with SES Americom.(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... New York-based A&E Television Networks has signed a long-term service agreement with SES Americom for follow-on C-band transponder capacity on AMC-11, the successor satellite to Satcom C-3. Beginning in 2004, AMC-11 will be used for the...

Trimble To Supply GPS For Rail.(Cattron-Theimeg's ACCUSPEED )(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... Trimble [Nasdaq: TRMB], a Sunnyvale, Calif.-based GPS products maker, has been chosen as the primary GPS timing supplier for Cattron-Theimeg's ACCUSPEED locomotive radio remote control system. The system allows rail yard operators to control...

FCC's New Alaska Policy.(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... The Federal Communications Commission has ended its long-standing "Alaska Bush" satellite earth station policy and instead is allowing open-entry, facilities-based telecom competition in Alaska's rural communities. The Alaska Bush...

Intelsat Appoints Internet Execs.(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... Intelsat has appointed Stephen Spengler as a vice president for sales at its largest customer segment unit--the data, carrier and Internet segment. The company also named Ashley Fernandes as a regional vice president for Asia Pacific at the...

PGS Renews Telenor Contract.(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... PGS Geophysical of Norway has renewed its global satellite communications agreement with Telenor Satellite Services through June 2005. Telenor began providing communications via satellite to PGS in 1995. The current agreement calls for...

StarBand Embraces Mac Users, Offers More Bandwidth.(with StarBand 480 Pro satellite modem)
August 11, 2003... StarBand Communications is hoping to improve satellite broadband's customer experience with the launch of its new StarBand 480 Pro satellite modem. StarBand is the broadband partnership of satellite TV company EchoStar Communications [Nasdaq:...

The Satellite News Financial Ticker.(Illustration)
August 11, 2003... Week of August 1 - 7, 2003 Percentage Aug. 7 One Symbol Price Week APT SATELLITE HLDGS ATS 2.43 -22.9 ASIASAT TELECOM ...

EchoStar's Free Cash Flow Soars.
August 18, 2003... Littleton, Colo.-based EchoStar Communications [Nasdaq: DISH], fueled by a gain of 270,000 net new subscribers, flexed its financial muscle during the second quarter by sharply boosting free cash flow, revenue and net income. Industry...

Orbital Gets A Needed Boost.
August 18, 2003... With waning launch demand for commercial payloads, Orbital Sciences [NYSE: ORB] is one of a number of launch service providers looking for business from the military, civilian government and scientific communities. This refocus was demonstrated...

U.S. Agencies Release WRC Implementation Plan.(World Radiocommunication Conference )
August 18, 2003... The two U.S. agencies responsible for spectrum management -- the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) - have developed a schedule for implementation of the 2003 World...

Spotlight: GPS Technology Is Readied For Runners.(Garmin International's Forerunner 201)(Brief Article)
August 18, 2003... Olathe, Kan.-based Garmin International, a unit of Garmin [Nasdaq: GRMN], is planning to introduce an integrated personal training system that will use Global Positioning System (GPS) technology to aid runners and others in their outdoor...

Can WorldSpace Fill In The European Gap?(Industry Overview)
August 18, 2003... By Stephen A. Blum With the closing of Global Radio, satellite radio in Europe will be limited to service from WorldSpace's AfriStar bird for the foreseeable future. AfriStar was originally designed to serve Africa and the Middle East, but...

Gilat Restructures, Changes Leadership.(Brief Article)
August 18, 2003... Petah Tikva, Israel-based Gilat Satellite Networks [Nasdaq: GILTF], a satellite networking technology services provider, is undergoing a major restructuring and leadership change aimed at helping it firm up its financial footing. The...

Spacenet Beefs Up Arby's Broadband.(Brief Article)
August 18, 2003... Arby's, a U.S. fast food restaurant chain known for its thinly sliced roast beef sandwiches, is among the latest franchise businesses to adopt satellite broadband VSAT (very small aperture terminal) services to facilitate communications between...

New Skies' Business Strategy Boosts Earnings.(2nd qtr 2003)
August 18, 2003... Cost controls, stabilizing prices and additional capacity allowed New Skies Satellites N.V. [NYSE: NSK] to post heightened revenues and adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) for second quarter 2003,...

Space Imaging's Wildfire Contract.(Brief Article)
August 18, 2003... Space Imaging has received a contract from the Southern Group of State Foresters (SGSF) to provide satellite imagery and other products in support of fire management planning and wildfire risk analysis in the organization's 13 states. The...

Court Grants EchoStar's Motion.(Brief Article)
August 18, 2003... The U.S. Court of Appeals 11th Circuit Court in Atlanta has granted EchoStar Communications' [Nasdaq: DISH] motion to stay a district court's injunction, pending appeal. The court decision impacts a long-running case regarding the limits...

ORBCOMM Selects EDC For Africa.(Brief Article)
August 18, 2003... Dulles, Va.-based ORBCOMM has selected European Datacomm Holding (EDC) as its service distribution partner in the sub-Saharan Africa region to market ORBCOMM's low-Earth orbit satellite services to commercial customers. Both companies are...

Telenor Upgrades Network.(Brief Article)
August 18, 2003... Telenor Satellite Services has upgraded its Inmarsat C ground network and has begun transitioning all of its Inmarsat C services to its earth station at Eik in Norway. As a result of re-engineering its network, Telenor has standardized the...

Bluewire To Provide Broadband.(Brief Article)
August 18, 2003... Bluewire Solutions, a unit of Chronos Technology, is offering rural communities and small businesses in the United Kingdom broadband solutions based on radio, satellite and DSL technology. Bluewire Solutions is in the process of supplying a...

iSECUREtrac Buys Firm.(Tracking Systems)(Brief Article)
August 18, 2003... iSECUREtrac Corp. [OTC BB: ISRE.OB], an Omaha, Neb.-based developer of global positioning systems (GPS) for tracking and monitoring, signed a stock swap deal with Tracking Systems, a Harrisburg, Pa.-based electronic monitoring services firm, to...

Power2Ship's GPS/PDA Devices.(Brief Article)
August 18, 2003... Power2Ship [OTC BB: PWRI.OB] has entered into a non-binding letter of intent with ARL to provide ARL's 70 agents, operating 500 trucks, with a Power2Ship GPS/PDA device for each truck under a 36-month service contract. These devices...

The Satellite News Financial Ticker.
August 18, 2003... Week of Aug. 8 - 14, 2003 Percentage Change Aug. 14 One One Symbol Price Week Month APT SATELLITE HLDGS ATS ...

Norsat's New CEO Plans Changes.
August 25, 2003... Norsat International [Nasdaq: NSAT], a provider of satellite products for high-speed data transmission, faces the same financial challenges that many satellite companies confront. One difference, however, is that the company named a new leader...

StarBand's Revamping Raises Hope.
August 25, 2003... McLean, Va.-based StarBand Communications, a high-speed, two-way satellite Internet provider, has undergone a revamping as it prepares to emerge from Chapter 11-bankruptcy court protection by year-end. The company recently filed a...

Satellite TV Prices Drop Below Cable.(J.D. Power and Associates 2003 Residential Cable/Satellite TV Customer Satisfaction Study)(Industry Overview)
August 25, 2003... The average price difference between cable and satellite TV service has narrowed significantly over the past five years, with the average monthly expenditure for satellite service falling below cable for the first time, according to the J.D....

Spotlight: Environmental Focus Aids RADARSAT-1.(Brief Article)
August 25, 2003... Canada's MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates [Toronto: MDA] is finding increased interest in environmental and agricultural data supplied by its RADARSAT-1 satellite. Richmond, B.C.-based MDA's Geographic Information Products Group...

Satellite Industry Benefits From WRC.(2003 World Radiocommunication Conference )
August 25, 2003... By Leslie A. Taylor The 2003 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-03), concluded on July 4, reached a number of important decisions in the area of satellite communications, benefiting the industry as well as consumers. The...

EchoStar Adds Intrigue To Loral Auction.
August 25, 2003... EchoStar Communications [Nasdaq: DISH] is livening up the bankruptcy court auction for Loral's North American satellite assets by making an informal proposal to top Intelsat's $1 billion offer. Loral entered into voluntary Chapter 11...

Loral's Financial Results Show Steep Slide.(2nd qtr 2003)
August 25, 2003... New York-based Loral Space and Communications' financial performance slipped during the second quarter, reflecting a continuing deterioration of the company's condition that led it to seek Chapter 11 bankruptcy court protection last month. ...

Satellite TV Providers Challenge Law.(Brief Article)
August 25, 2003... DirecTV and EchoStar Communications [NYSE: DISH] have filed a lawsuit against Tennessee's Commissioner of Revenue that challenges the sales tax imposed on direct broadcast satellite (DBS) customers. The sales tax is not imposed equally on local...

Loral, Mitsubishi Complete Testing.(Brief Article)
August 25, 2003... The Optus C1 communications satellite, built by Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) for SingTel Optus and the Australian Department of Defence under a contract with Mitsubishi Electric, has successfully completed a complex series of in-orbit tests. The...

Star Choice Unveils Receiver.(Motorola DSR500 HD)(Brief Article)
August 25, 2003... Star Choice Communications has unveiled a high-definition (HD) satellite receiver, the Motorola DSR500 HD, to serve the Canadian satellite TV market. Star Choice will be adding three new high-definition channels in early September. These...

Frequency Electronics Secures Pact.(Brief Article)
August 25, 2003... Frequency Electronics [AMEX: FEI] has been awarded a contract to develop a new family of frequency reference sources for multiple on-board satellite applications. Under the development contract, FEI will adapt its technology to these new...

EMS To Supply Advanced Antenna.(for the Anik F1R spacecraft)(Brief Article)
August 25, 2003... EMS Technologies [Nasdaq: ELMG] has received an authorization to proceed (ATP) on a navigation antenna for the Anik F1R spacecraft, currently in production at European manufacturer Astrium. A contract is to be signed in the third quarter of...

Alpha Spacecom Teams Up.(Brief Article)
August 25, 2003... Alpha Spacecom [OTC BB: ASPC] has signed an agreement with China Film Group (CFG) to create a satellite digital cinema and home distribution platform for major Western and domestic motion pictures. The motion pictures, as well as other content,...

Victory Sports To Use AMC-4.(Brief Article)
August 25, 2003... SES Americom, the U.S. subsidiary of SES Global [Luxembourg: SESG], announced that Minneapolis-based Victory Sports has signed a multi-year agreement for C-band satellite bandwidth on AMC-4 for the distribution of Victory's regional sports...

Intelsat, Ascent Import Russian TV.(Brief Article)
August 25, 2003... Ascent Media Network Services (AMNS), a division of Ascent Media Group, is teaming up with Intelsat to deliver Channel One Russia Worldwide Network (formerly known as Public Russian Television) from Moscow into the United States for the first...

The Satellite News Financial Ticker.(Industry Overview)
August 25, 2003... Week of Aug. 15 - 21, 2003 Percentage Aug. 21 One Symbol Price Week APT SATELLITE HLDGS ATS 2.82 3.7 ASIASAT TELECOM ...