ORBITS: News Briefs

More HDTV Sets En Route

August 13, 2007—Satnews Daily–Forrester Research and Digital Entertainment Group (DEG) both predict enormous gains for HDTV adoption into homes. By year’s end, DEG predicts 52+ million homes will have HDTVs. That represents penetration into 36 percent of all homes in the U.S. In fact, DEC also states 20 percent of U.S. homes will have more than one HDTV. Forrester Research adds the HDTV growth has been much faster than their original forecasts. Expect more and more demand on satellite delivery of HD content. One reason? According to the Consumer Electronics Association, only half of those who HDTVs actually have HD content playing on their sets.



New Vice President for Harris

MELBOURNE, FLORIDA & CINCINNATI, OHIO: August 13, 2007—David Cunningham has just been named the vice president of Human Resources at the Harris Corporation. He’ll be responsible for the company’s Broadcast Communications Business. He joined Harris in 1987 and was, formerly, the director of Human Resources for the company.



JAMPRO Antenna Contract Rec’d

JAKARTA, INDONESIA: August 13, 2007–Satnews Daily—A contract has been awarded to JAMPRO Antennas of Sacramento by the leading Indonesian TV network, Global TV. The work requested is for the engineering of a high-powered UHF antenna system. The complete package will include a Jampro model JUHD skew fire broadband UHF panel antenna, 400 meters of Jampro WR-15000 high-power, low-loss Waveguide and a Jampro model RWCC constant impedance combiner. The RWCC will be a combo of two Global UHF channels (E37 and #51) each at 120kW, 240kW total input power. Side-mount or top-mount is available for the JUHD broadband UHF panel antenna, which is DTV-ready for UHF bands IV and V. Varying levels of vertical polarization can be configured for the horizontally polarized antenna.



Rural Alaska to Receive Satellite Direct Internet

ALASKA: August 13, 2007—Satnews Daily—Providing direct Internet service to sections of Southeast Alaska is At Contact Communications. As initially reported in the Alaska Journal of Commerce, a co-founder of EchoStar and part owner of Ketchikan TV LLC, David Drucker, manages this firm. Now his company has teamed with WildBlue to provide Internet service to some of the most rural areas of Alaska. At Contact Communications has an ambitious plan. They hope to launch 7 satellites. All will offer Ka-band service, which enables faster, broadband satellite communications with speeds up to 1.5 Mbps possible. His only competitor is HughesNet and their current satellite direct service for direct DSL broadband service. Drucker believes once the new satellites are in service, connections will possess speeds similar to T1.



Satellite Industry Learning Session




PARIS, FRANCE: August 17, 2007—Satnews Daily—The 5th World Satellite Business Week symposium will occur at The Westin in Paris from September 3 through September 6. The event comprises the 5th World Symposium for Market Forecasts for Satellite Business (a one-half day) as well as the 11th World Summit for Satellite Financing, which includes the World Space Insurance Forum. The program is organized by Euroconsult in partnership with SES, Milbank, Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems, Marsh, Arianespace, ISB, ILS and SpaceIsle. To learn more, use <a href=https://www.satellite-business.com target=”_blank”>this link</a> to arrive at the correct website.



Q2 Results for WORLDSPACE Satellite Radio





An example of a compact, portable, satellite radio.

SILVER SPRING, MARYLAND: August 13, 2007—Satnews Daily—WORLDSPACE Satellite Radio’s Q2 ended on June 30, 2007, and they have now acquired 190,333 worldwide subscribers. That is a loss from the prior quarter’s close. According to the company, such reflects low net additions in India and a net loss of subscribers in the rest of the world. The company has halted subscription sales in Europe and others within the Northwest beam coverage of its AfriStar satellite as they prepare for the testing and launch of their service in Italy. Revenues of approximately $3.6 million are report for Q2 2007, compared to $3.8 million for the same quarter last year. Subscription revenue was approximately $1.9 million for Q2 2007, identical to Q2 of 2006. However, on a sequential basis, subscription revenues in Q2 of 2007 were 4 percent higher than the $1.8 million recorded in Q1 of 2007. WORLDSPACE Satellite Radio has also announced the first OEM and aftermarket distribution agreement with Fiat Group Automobiles, where factory installation of the WorldSpace satellite radio as an option will be offered in Fiats starting in late 2009.