Thanks to PixelPusher for sending this over a couple of weeks ago.
We used to joke “people need to know how to spell satellite” before they can do marketing or p.r. work for us. Maybe the satellite folks should learn how to spell “possibility” — or at the very least learn how to proofread their ads before they’re submitted for publishing.
The above ad, which really doesn’t say much, ran on the cover wrap of the 16 January 2012 issue of Multichannel News, opposite a lead story on DISH Network (a big wholesale customer for SES in North America).
At least they know to run a satellite business. Nice launch from Baikonur, and successfully separating SES-4. In this Russian video, they refer to SES-4 as “the Dutch satellite.”
In their “boilerplate,” they write “SES stands for long-lasting business relationships, high-quality service and excellence in the broadcasting industry.” Us rocket scientist know SES actually stands for “Société Européenne des Satellites” and that they’re based in the Groussherzogtum Lëtzebuerg (Grand Duchy of Luxembourg), not Holland.
Section 207 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 has been around for a while, obviously, but that hasn’t prevented the City of Philadelphia from passing a bill last fall to limit installation of satellite dishes. As Philly is Comcast’s corporate home, I’m not surprised.
It should come as no surprise that the SBCA is preventing the law’s enforcement, according to a report by the Philadelphia Daily News:
Enforcement of a bill passed by City Council last fall to regulate placement of TV satellite dishes has been stalled due to a petition filed with the Federal Communications Commission by the satellite-dish industry.
The Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association is fighting the bill, approved in October and sponsored by current Council President Darrell Clarke, prohibiting satellite-dish companies and installers from placing dishes at the front of homes unless putting them elsewhere would cause signal reduction or significant extra cost.
A petition filed in November by the association, and pending before the FCC, alleges that the bill violates a 1996 over-the-air reception-device rule that blocks restrictions of satellite-dish installations without a public-safety concern or historic-preservation justification.
“We feel that it isn’t just a matter of taste, but a matter of fairness,” said Lisa McCabe, the association’s director of public policy and outreach. “It’s a burden. It would increase the costs of doing business in the city and would ultimately fall on the users.”
The city’s two major dish companies, DirecTV and Dish Network, argue that the city uses “aesthetic concerns as a pretext to restrict consumers’ access to satellite television.”
But the city disagrees.
“There’s no consideration,” said William Carter, Clarke’s director of legislative affairs. “We simply ask that they don’t do in our community what they wouldn’t do in theirs.
“We were noticing a disparity in areas of the city inundated with satellite dishes. You don’t see this in Chestnut Hill, Society Hill,” Carter said, adding that more dishes are seen in areas with more renters.
Philly has more than 100,000 dish users and was the first city to pass such a measure.
Under the bill, dishes installed in the future must match the colors of homes, and hundreds of inactive dishes will be removed.
I doubt Philly will get its way. People simply refuse to pay higher rates for TV entertainment, and urban neighborhoods with a high concentration of new immigrants will always opt for satellite TV service and their international programming options. I’ve seen more satellite antennas in cities than ever before. You can’t argue with popular preference.
How about above-ground cables and wires strung from utility poles? Now that’s ugly!
Our friends at DigitalGlobe Inc., providers of satellite imagery via the Worldview spacecraft, have released photos of Syrian tanks surrounding residential neighborhoods. Via WaPo…
Stephen Wood, director of DigitalGlobe’s analysis center, said the photos show tanks, armored personnel carriers and other armored vehicles in the southern part of the city, some of them near apartment buildings.
The satellite images show an increase in the level of army activity in and around Homs from the previous 24 hours, Wood said.
Fighting in Homs has reportedly killed hundreds of people over the past week from bombardments followed by soldiers’ advances. The battle there is part of the Syrian government’s attempts to suppress an 11-month-old uprising against the rule of President Bashar Assad.
Wood said no battle damage was visible in the photos taken Friday, but previous images captured by the company’s satellites did show the effects of fighting.
And this report from Al Jazeera furthers the news…
Good job getting the images out. It’s good for business, especially if you consider there’s growth in the earth observation sector, according to Euroconsult.
Australia’s National Broadband Network Company orders two expensive broadband satellites from Space Systems/Loral; some politicians attack as not needed and too expensive. [Delimiter – 02/11/2012]
Satellite Internet company Skycasters launches a 1.8m Satellite Internet trailer said to be “fast, tough, and smart.” [Market Watch – 02/09/2012]
Remember the old days? Jamesburg Earth Station in California is for sale – again – after millionaire’s plan to turn it into an Internet business proved not feasible and he instead turned it into a home. [NPR – 02/11/2012]
U.S. threatens action against Thales Alenia Space, suspecting that it illegally used U.S. know-how or parts in spacecraft launched by Chinese rockets. [Baltimore Sun – 02/10/2012]
NASA seeks proposals for flight demonstrations of small satellite technologies with goal of increasing technical capabilities of these spacecraft. [SpaceRef – 02/10/2012]
First MUOS satellite set to launch February 16, but waveform for manpack systems that would allow warfighters Coms On The Move like cell phone capabilities still not ready. [Space News – 02/10/2012]
Raytheon is tripling the satellite capacity for all AN/ARC-231 airborne radio terminals at no cost to the end user. [SatNews – 02/10/2012]
U.S. officials consider developing standards for GPS spectrum to allow companies developing broadband networks to use mobile satellite frequencies without interfering with GPS devices. [Space News – 02/10/2012]
Twitter announces partnership with Iridium and Thuraya that will allow emergency tweets, or tweets from people who have no other broadband access, “available to every person on the planet.” [vatornews – 02/10/2012]
Russians may spend 346.5 billion rubles (almost US$12 billion) on its Glonass navigation satellite system between 2012 and 2020. [SatNews – 02/09/2012]
GE-Satcom, also known as Satlynx, is acquired by Trustcomm International. [SatNews – 02/09/2012]
DVB is investigating expansion of current DVB-S2 standard for satellite contribution and high speed links as Newtec launches Clean Channel Technology(TM) and calls for the DVB expansion. [MENAFM – 02/09/2012]
Iridium launches second-generation maritime broadband platform, Iridium Pilot(TM), offering fully global maritime broadband with data rates up to 134 kbps. [Market Watch – 02/09/2012]
Researchers in Germany claim to have broken voice encryption of satellite phones on the Thuraya network, exposing dangers and insufficiencies of current encryption algorithms. [Network World – 02/08/2012]
Reconn, an 8 lb. SATCOM tool introduced by the Harris Corp. and Coolfire Solutions, connects a smartphone to system hardware including a spectrum analyzer, power meter, LNB tester, and multi-meter, and will help users set up, activate, monitor, and troubleshoot satellite systems. [UPI – 02/08/2012]
This is the view from a sub-orbital flight? I think you will have “high rollers” ready to spend whatever Sir Richard suggests for a Virgin Galactic trip to see this, captain!
Global Industry Analysts releases report calling for satellites related products and services to reach J.S. $219.6 billion by 2015. [San Francisco Chronicle – 02/03/2012]
NewSat signs a 15-year $US180 million contract with MEASAT to supply capacity on its Jabiru-1 satellite; is close to funding new satellites. [Sydney Morning Herald – 02/03/2012]
Vislink to launch its new Advent Mantis “MSAT” Man Portable Data Terminal, a highly portable tri-band satellite antenna system specifically designed for rapid deployment in hostile environments, at CABSAT 2012. [SatNews – 02/03/2012]
NASA is seeking proposals for flight demonstrations of small satellite technologies with the goal of increasing the technical capabilities and range of uses for this emerging category of spacecraft. [Sacramento Bee – 02/02/2012]
SpaceX successfully test fires SuperDraco rocket engine – these engines “will power a revolutionary launch escape system that will make Dragon the safest spacecraft in history and enable it to land propulsively on Earth or another planet with pinpoint accuracy.” [SatNews – 02/02/2012]
The European Commission issues contract worth some 255m euros (£210m; $330m) to a German-UK consortium to provide eight more spacecraft for its Galileo satellite-navigation network. [BBC – 02/02/2012]
Viasat collaborated with Radisys to develop an entirely new ATCA-based Satellite Modem Termination System to support communications with ViaSat 1 and keep up with advancements in satellite technology. [Market Watch – 02/02/2012]
SES and French Internet provider France-Telecom-Orange announce expansion of SES’ ASTRA2Connect with higher speeds of up to 10 Mbps. [SatNews – 02/02/2012]
Inmarsat selects Metaswitch to expand and enrich FleetBroadband maritime communications service, allowing simultaneous calls. [SatNews – 02/02/2012]
Mercury Computer Systems to deliver integrated ATCA(R)-based signal processing subsystem to support next generation mobile satellite system. [Market Watch – 02/02/2012]
UniTek awarded contract by ViaSat to support the rollout of ViaSat’s Exede satellite broadband service. [Market Watch – 02/02/2012]
European Commission selects OHB AG of Germany over Astrium to build eight more Galileo positioning, navigation, and timing satellites. [Space News – 02/01/2012]
Eutelsat’s Tooway(TM) satellite service set to boost broadband in France for SFR affiliate, NomoTech. [Market Watch – 02/01/2012]
KVH announces major upgrade to its mini-VSAT maritime broadband network, overlaying global C-band satellite coverage atop its Ku-band footprint for first of its kind dual-band maritime satellite network covering 95% of the earth’s surface. [Market Watch – 02/01/2012]
Blue Sky Network selected as Premium Portal Provider for iridium Extreme(TM) satellite phone. [Market Watch – 02/01/2012]
Satworx teams up with Yukon Quest to provide the 1,000 mile Alaskan dog race event with a communication solution. [Market Watch – 02/01/2012]
Globalstar customer experience improved mobile voice and data performance as recently launched second-generation satellites come on line. [Market Watch – 02/01/2012]
Roscosmos identifies cause of the crash of Russian “Meridian” satellite in December as failure of one of the rocket engines. [CRI English – 03/31/2012]
SES is relocating SES-3 from its location over North America to provide coverage of the Middle East and South Asia regions. [Business Wire – 01/31/2012]
According to ambitious Turkish government road map for the country’s multiple satellite programs through 2020, a total of 17 Turkish satellites will come into orbit from 2012 to 2020. [SatNews – 01/30/2012]
The Iranian delegation has a point: the ITU system of satellite registry could use some revision.
The point was made at WRC-12 in Geneva last week. The bottom line is satellite operators do need to trust each other…
Arasteh said the issue of trust among nations using satellite frequencies is indispensable to the smooth development of satellite telecommunications, whose importance can be measured by the number of nations — even among the least developed — that have launched their own satellites in recent years.
“This trust has been eroded in recent years because of the excessive competition in the use of satellites and the consequent warehousing of slots,” he said. “What we are saying is that we should go much beyond the procedural approach we have taken up to now.”
However, with so much money at stake, the “trust” among operators loses out to “competition.”
Vessel carrying Atlas booster and Centaur upper stage for Air Force’s AEHF-2 mission contacts bridge over Tennessee River, causing part of the bridge to collapse – no damage to the rocket. [SatNews – 01/27/2012]
Namibia’s national electricity utility slashes costs of dealing with temporary outages by using GSM and satellite communications to link remote recloses with its head office. [IT Web – 01/27/2012]
Harris CapRock gets 3 year contract from Siem Offshore to deliver turnkey VSAT communications to five of its supply vessels located offshore in Brazil. [Scandinavian Oil & Gas Magazine – 01/27/2012]
SkyCasters partners with Ka You Communications on turnkey satellite communications solution called IPReady for EAS CAP (Emergency Alert System/Common Alerting Protocol) compliance. [SatNews – 01/27/2012]
AAI Unmanned Aircraft Systems and ViaSat sign strategic agreement to develop capabilities for beyond-line-of-sight satellite communications in new AAI unmanned aircraft systems aircraft. [Azo Robotics – 01/27/2012]
SBCA accepting grant requests from members and consumer satellite industry professionals until February 1, with grants to be awarded to deserving non-profits or individuals involved in worthy community efforts. [SatNews – 01/27/2012]
South African communications regulator refuses permission for satellite television network TopTV to broadcast sexually explicit channels.
[Reuters – 01/27/2012]
2012 World Radiocommunications Conference to review and modify global spectrum regulations to ensure the resource is “used effectively to benefit all players.” [TV Technology – 01/27/2012]
Russian Soyuz-U is launched toward International Space Station carrying the Progress M-14M cargo spacecraft. [SatNews – 01/26/2012]
Trichet joins board of EADS amid shakeup, with Enders slated to become new CEO. [Reuters – 01/26/2012]
Delta Airlines announce exclusive marketing agreement with OnAsset Intelligence, enabling Delta Cargo customers to view GPS location information on deltacargo.com. [SatNews – 01/26/2012]
Space Systems/Loral selected to provide high power communications satellite. [Space Ref – 01/26/2012]
Sea Launch manifest for 2012 includes Intelsat 19 in the spring and Intelsat 21 in the fall. [Spaceflight Now – 01/25/2012]
Russia’s Chibis (Peewit) microsatellite, which studies gamma-radiation generated by lightning in the atmosphere, is placed into orbit from the International Space Station. [SatNews – 01/25/2012]
Space storm predicted by NOAA hits satellites, airlines, but most communication systems not affected. [Computer World – 01/25/2012]
All Cirrus Aircraft can now be equipped with Perspective Global Connect, integrating worldwide weather, satellite phone, and text messaging features. [Market Watch – 01/25/2012]
Technion of Israel is developing 3 tiny, unique satellites which could be used for locating missing persons and people in distress.
[The Jerusalem Post – 01/24/2012]
Calian Technologies signs two new contracts for satellite ground systems with combined value of $7.6 million, including installation of Inmarsat BGAN RF ground system in China for Thrane & Thrane. [Market Watch – 01/24/2012]
LightSquared fights results of USAF interference testing, even as it faces accusations of bribery. [Daily Tech – 01/24/2012]
Novelsat’s 3G-Sat modulation solution NS3(TM) is first to make satellite data broadcasting possible at fibre level costs, successfully demonstrated in tests by SES and Satellite Mediaport Services. [Market Watch – 01/24/2012]
Military satellite communications market expected to be worth $9 billion by 2018. [Zawya – 01/23/2012]
Senator Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, accuses backers of LightSquared’s proposed LTE network of trying to pressure him into giving up investigation. [NextGov – 01/23/2012]
NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center has issued a watch for the strongest solar radiation storm since 2005. [R&D Magazine – 01/23/2012]
International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran urges World Radiocommunication Conference in Geneva to take decisive steps to end Iranian government’s illegal jamming of satellite signals. [International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran – 01/22/2012]
It was in the cards. Keeping Blockbuster retail outlets open for video rentals is not a good business. The future, my boy, is “streaming.”
However, if you convert parts of the store into a Dish Network service center, you may have a really good proposition on your hands. Via Reuters…
“We are committed to keeping the profitable stores open that are generating positive cash flow, but there are ones that aren’t going to make it,” Clayton said in an interview. “We will close unprofitable stores. We will close additional stores.”
Clayton would not give a time frame on the closings or say how many stores were currently unprofitable. Spokesman Marc Lumpkin said the closings will be on a “case by case” basis.
Clayton, who became CEO of Dish last year when billionaire Charlie Ergen stepped down to focus on Dish’s wireless strategy as chairman, said the stores that stay open will sell Dish subscriptions and may one day provide customer support for its television customers.
“If a consumer has a problem, just bring your box in and we’ll give you a new one so you don’t have to stay at home and wait for an installation,” he said.
Subscribers to Dish’s Latino service may also be able to pay their TV bills in stores in metropolitan markets, he added.
Dish has tried to tap the Blockbuster brand by unveiling a new Internet streaming service and a program to rent DVDs by mail, in a bid to challenge Netflix Inc.
If they buy Hulu and add wireless spectrum to serve their streaming business, Dish Network can be very well positioned in remaining a good business model.
