SatNews

Satellite Industry Intelligence Since 1983

ORBITZ

  • EADS Astrium interest homepage BUSINESS — Astrium has been selected by ESA and EU as a prime candidate for the Galileo FOC Space Segment and Ground Control Segment. As a result, and to comply with EU procurement requirements, Astrium is inviting interested suppliers to submit their Expressions of Interest. For further information on the elements and services to be subcontracted and the Expression of Interest form, please refer to: https://www.astrium.eads.net/supplier-access/galileo-foc.

  • CAPACITY — EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS) and its EchoStar Satellite Services has entered into an agreement with SkyWay USA LLC to provide transponder service to support SkyWay USA’s satellite broadband Internet service. Through the agreement, EchoStar will provide SkyWay USA with domestic Ku-band satellite bandwidth, targeting rural customers.

  • REGULATORY — With support of companies such as Inmarsat and the Mobile Satellite Users Association, as well as Jennifer Manner, the SIA’s chairman of the board, MSV had submitted a proposal to the FCC that requested all handsets used in the national broadband network for first responders also possess satcom capabilities. Unfortunately, the FCC decided to rule against the proposal, according to the notice they released on September 26th. The “free market” syndrome struck their decision, wherein they stated the spectrum licensees should make the actual decision as to exactly what handsets and associated equipment should possess such communication capabilities. An add-on by the FCC did stipulate that the 700 MHz D Block spectrum should have some satcom connectivity. The current minimum pricing for D Block second auction is US$1.3 billion, after the first auction this year failed to draw a single bid.

  • INFO — Hughes Network Systems’ executive Daniel Losada, Senior Director of the Defense and Intelligence Systems Division (DISD), will address the Airborne Networks Conference on September 30, 2008, at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites in Alexandria, Virginia, starting at 4:55 p.m.. The Airborne Networks Conference brings together key subject matter experts from the Department of Defense (DoD) and industry to work together to make military airborne networks a reality.