NEWS

LATEST NEWS EXTRACTS FROM THE APSCC

Eutelsat to Acquire European Satellite Broadband Activities of Bigblu Broadband

July 31, 2020 - Eutelsat Communications has reached an agreement with Bigblu Broadband to acquire its European satellite broadband activities. Bigblu Broadband is the largest distributor of satellite broadband packages in Europe with a proven track record, as evidenced by its success as the main Gold member of Euro Broadband Infrastructure’s Preferred Partnership Programme since 2019. Bigblu Broadband has developed a well-established platform for satellite broadband, relying on a unique network of installers and resellers. The activities to be acquired by Eutelsat (BBB Europe) currently count around 50,000 subscribers across an expanding pan-European footprint which includes operations in the UK, Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Poland, Hungary and Greece. The agreement coincides with the entry into service of EUTELSAT KONNECT, due to start gradually from fall 2020 with operation at full capacity expected from early 2021, bringing capacity in high-demand areas, improved end-user experience and unparalleled economics and flexibility

 Hisdesat and XTAR Complete Transaction for XTAR‐Eur Satellite

July 31, 2020 - Hisdesat and XTAR have completed a transaction whereby Hisdesat purchased the communications satellite, XTAR-EUR. XTAR-EUR is positioned at 29 degrees east longitude and provides commercial X-band coverage over a wide geographic region from eastern Brazil and the Atlantic Ocean, across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia to as far east as Singapore. Hisdesat’s purchase will streamline satellite services operations, allowing both organizations to focus on optimizing solutions for the Spanish Ministry of Defence, the US Department of Defense (DoD) and other government and European clients. XTAR will continue providing secure satellite communications capabilities and services to various departments and agencies of the US Government.

Eutelsat and Intelsat Sign Multi‐year, Strategic Agreement to Secure the 48°East Orbital Position for EUTELSAT QUANTUM

July 30, 2020 - Eutelsat Communications and Intelsat have signed a long-term partnership agreement securing the 48°East orbital position. EUTELSAT QUANTUM will be located at the position, where the operators both have orbital rights. Expected to be launched by the end of 2020, EUTELSAT QUANTUM is a full expansion satellite providing premium capacity with unprecedented flexibility features. Its groundbreaking software-based design enables users to actively define and shape performance and reach to meet their specific requirements. The 48°East position, with its extensive coverage, notably of the MENA region, is ideally placed to address, amongst others, the unique needs of government users. Under the agreement, the capacity on EUTELSAT QUANTUM will be distributed by Eutelsat and its subsidiary, Eutelsat Americas Corp. and Intelsat and its subsidiary, Intelsat General Communications LLC (IGC), thereby maximizing the commercial potential of the satellite and creating conditions for the fastest possible ramp-up of the satellite. Each partner will benefit from the commercial reach of the other, notably in the government vertical, where IGC plans to offer the EUTELSAT QUANTUM satellite payload with additional security enhancements including secure and protected payload management, customized power allocation and ondemand beam forming. The resulting collaboration will enable the EUTELSAT QUANTUM payload to meet the U.S. government’s most demanding Information Assurance (IA) and Cybersecurity requirements.

Kratos Releases Latest RF Channel Simulator

July 30, 2020 - Kratos Defense & Security Solutions announced the release of the latest RF Channel Simulator with the widest bandwidth and most realistic testing to address the needs of today’s highly dynamic and data intensive communication systems. As more and more data is being transmitted with High Throughput Satellites (HTS), Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellations, aircraft, UAVs, missiles and a range of other applications, it is more critical than ever to realistically test the devices used in these systems, especially the modems and general receiver/transmitter subsystems thoroughly to assure communication systems will operate as planned. Kratos’ wideband Channel Simulator is a hardware-inthe-loop instrument that can be inserted between modems, receivers and transmitters, or other communications devices to replicate the most challenging RF conditions without ever leaving the lab. RF engineers are able to test and simulate a wide variety of operational conditions, including multi-path, fading, phase noise, Doppler shifts, and other channel effects to facilitate ground based testing before any live operational missions occur. This in turn reduces costs and program risk by assuring reliable communications.

Hughes Announces New JUPITER System Features to Power Higher Efficiencies and Performance

July 29, 2020 - Hughes Network Systems announced the release of the newest set of features for the JUPITER System, the company's Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) platform for broadband satellite services. Already the most widely used VSAT system in the world, the JUPITER platform is the system of choice for network operators, governments, mobile networks, and aeronautical and maritime service providers. Packaged into Release 7.4 are the company's latest improvements in return channel performance and efficiency as well as new functionality supporting Layer 2 network implementations.

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About APSCC
APSCC is a non-profit, international organization representing all sectors of satellite and space-related industries. The aim of the organization is to exchange views and ideas on satellite technologies, systems, policies and outer space activities in general along with satellite communications including broadcasting for the betterment of the Asia-Pacific region.

Conferences, forums, workshops, and exhibitions are organized through regional coordination with its members in order to promote new services and businesses via satellite as well as outer space activities. APSCC membership is open to any government body, public or private organization, association, or corporation that is involved in satellite services, risk management or associate fields such as data-casting, informatics, multi-media, telecommunications and other outer-space related activities with interests in the Asia-Pacific region. More information is available at www.apscc.or.kr.