News Analysis

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, August 19, 2013--Es’hailSat, the Qatar Satellite Company, and ARABSAT today announced the signing of a strategic partnership agreement to promote closer co-operation between the two companies and strengthen the reach and penetration of the 26 degrees East hot spot neighborhood for TV broadcasting.

Singapore, August 14, 2013 — Singapore Telecommunications Ltd. has decided not to sell its Optus Satellite division after reportedly failing to get an offer more than US$ 1.8 billion that the company was targeting.

Petah Tikva, Israel, August 14, 2013 — Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. reported on Wednesday lower revenues for the second quarter of 2013 at US$ 80.2 million, compared to US$ 82.8 million in the first quarter of 2013 and $85.3 in the second quarter of 2012.

London, UK, August 6, 2013 — Inmarsat plc. has reported slightly higher revenues and profits in the first half of the year, fuelled by strong growth in demand for broadband communications on ships and aircraft. Inmarsat reported first half 2013 revenues of US$635.2 million, up 1 percent than the US$629.6 million during the same period last year. Its adjusted EBITDA was US$327.2 million for the first half of the year versus $332.1 million last year while profit before tax was US$185.5 million against US$222.8 million last year.

Washington, D.C., August 1, 2013 — Intelsat S.A. reported a slight rise in revenue to US$ 653.8 million but posted a net loss of US$ 408.3 million, or US$ 4.19 per share, for the three months ended June 30, 2013.  The loss, however, included US$ 366.8 million for pre-tax charges related to early extinguishment of debt resulting from debt paydowns resulting from the company’s April 2013 initial public offering and debt refinancing activity in the second quarter.

Hong Kong, July 31, 2013-- Asia Broadcast Satellite (ABS) announced today the confirmation of the build of ABS-2A, a multi-beam 48 transponder Ku- satellite which will be launched in the fourth quarter of 2015 to ABS’ prime 75°E location. ABS-2A, covering the growing markets of Russia, India, Middle East, Africa, South East Asia and the Indian Ocean region, will follow ABS-2, the largest satellite to be launched over Asia scheduled in late 2013.

July 30, 2013, Germantown, Md.--Hughes Network Systems announced today that it has achieved carrier data rates exceeding 1 Gbps on its JUPITER System. Hughes believes this achievement to be a technology first for High Throughput Satellite (HTS) systems, resulting in more subscribers per satellite and greater capacity per subscriber.

Petah Tikva, Israel, July 18, 2013--Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd.  today announced that it has revised its management objective targets for 2013. Revenue for 2013 is now expected to be between US$ 335 million to US$ 345 million as compared to the previously stated range of US$ 350 million to US$360 million and EBITDA is expected to be approximately 7% as compared to 9%.

by Peter Galace

Beijing, China, July 10, 2013--As part of its comprehensive national development strategy, China in 2003, outlined its ten-year space goals. Some of its more important space goals include — an Earth observation system, an independently operated satellite broadcasting and telecommunications system, upgraded overall capacity of launch vehicles, a manned spaceflight, and a complete R&D and test system for manned space projects.

Hong Kong, July 9, 2013--SpeedCast has successfully closed a US$ 55 million Senior Secured Credit Facility. The proceeds of the credit facility was used to  finance SpeedCast’s acquisition of a 100% effective interest in Pactel International and refinanced existing indebtedness held by TA Associates, SpeedCast’s controlling shareholder.