Advanced Television

Inside Satellite

Chris Forrester

Chris Forrester is one of the most experienced and highly regarded journalists in the field. His insight and analysis, particularly in the satellite and pay-TV arena, is highly prized. He has written for all the major business journals in the sector as well as several national newspapers.

Intelsat rejects ITSO claim

Last month it was reported how the organisation which supervises Intelsat’s public service obligations, the International Telecommunications Satellite Organisation (ITSO), had complained to Intelsat’s bankruptcy court that Intelsat had not been paying its dues to ITSO. ITSU had asked the court to authorise a special payment to fund its costs and services. Intelsat responded ahead […]

June 9, 2020

Telesat & Telefónica prove LEO capability

Telesat is working with Telefónica on a series of in-orbit broadband and video tests on Telesat’s first-generation Low Earth Orbiting satellite. The tests, described by the pair as “rigorous”, were designed to explore the performance and feasibility of leveraging LEO satellites for high-end services. Testing demonstrated that Telesat LEO could be a viable option for […]

June 5, 2020

Baikonur to be economic ‘Freezone’

The Russian leased rocket launch site at Baikonur in Kazakhstan is to be turned into an economic Freezone with help from investors from the United Arab Emirates. The TASS news agency is reporting that Kazakhstan’s president Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, said the spaceport – now named after Russia’s first cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin – would also be further […]

June 4, 2020

SES to extend ‘Simplify and Amplify’ consolidations

As reported on June 1st SES is restructuring its European locations and staff, retraining some, redeploying some and making others redundant. SES is looking to trim €40-€50 million annually from its costs by 2021 and to “simplify operations and maximise efficiency”. SES plans to close its offices in Brussels, central London, the Isle of Man, […]

June 3, 2020

Intelsat wants Court to modify BlackSky loan

Last October Intelsat made a $50 million “synergistic” loan to BlackSky, owned by Spaceflight Industries. Now it wants the Court to amend the loan obligations and permit certain sales plans to proceed despite the bankruptcy. Spaceflight describes itself as a ‘next generation’ space company with launch facilities, and its BlackSky division specialises in images from […]

June 1, 2020

Telesat ups LEO plans

Notwithstanding the financial challenges head – and a string of bankruptcies from those pushing for satellite mega constellations – Ottawa-based Telesat is asking US regulators to approve a significant expansion of its planned 209-craft constellation. Now it wants 1671 satellites. Earlier this week it was reported that OneWeb, despite being in Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, […]

May 29, 2020

Eutelsat’s Video built on “sound foundations”

A report to clients from investment bank Berenberg says that Eutelsat’s cash-flow stability remains undervalued and underappreciated. It has issued a “BUY” note to investors and gives a target price of €13,30 (Eutelsat’s current share price is about €9.25). Berenberg says Eutelsat’s core broadcast business – representing over 60 per cent of revenues – remained […]

May 27, 2020

Intelsat wins one, loses another

Intelsat, despite its bankruptcy process, has launched CellBackhaul over the US for 4G and 5G mobile network operators. This is good news for the company and users as it will help provide coverage to the rural and suburban regions of the US with little or no access to mobile broadband. Intelsat says it is providing […]

May 26, 2020

OneWeb bonus incentive scheme hits objection

OneWeb, despite its bankruptcy, wants to pay special incentive bonuses to its few remaining staff in order to hold onto their skills during and perhaps beyond the bankruptcy process. But the US Trustee is objecting strongly. In a filing to the Court the Trustee reminds Judge Robert Drain that OneWeb paid out “large bonuses…shortly before […]

May 22, 2020

OneWeb wants bonus payments for retained staff

OneWeb, now in Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, has asked the court handling the process to permit incentive payments to retained staff of up to $8.8 million in order to hold onto those key workers during the bankruptcy process. OneWeb slashed its workforce from 531 to just 74 a few days ahead of the bankruptcy, and […]

May 21, 2020