Satellite News

Mobile Satellite Ventures (MSV) said it plans to extend its current generation network voice and mobile data services through 2011 on its next generation hybrid satellite-terrestrial communications network slated to be launched in 2010.

Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. has received a new order from Indian telecommunications operator Bharti Airtel to supply a broadband satellite network which comprises more than 13,000 SkyEdge IP VSATs.

The new 5.5m tracking station on Santa Maria island (Azores, Portugal) was formally inaugurated into the ESTRACK network yesterday.

Alcatel-Lucent announced that, following the DVB-SH pilot jointly performed by telecommunications operator SFR and Alcatel-Lucent from July to December 2007, both companies validated the fundamental assumptions for the deployment of a DVB-SH network co-localised, for its terrestrial part, with an existing commercial 3G+ network.

Eutelsat Communications announced a contract for its new Tooway satellite broadband Ka-band service with Swisscom.

SES Astra has signed further contracts to roll-out its satellite broadband service Astra2Connect also in France and Italy. Nine months after the product launch in April 2007, SES Astra has now closed distribution agreements in seven European countries.

PBLSat, a provider of in occasional use satellite services, announced the confirmation of long-term contracts for capacity on two satellites operated by Eutelsat Communications.

Comtech Mobile Datacom Corporation has received orders totalling US$17.7 million under its IDIQ contract with the U.S. Army Communications Electronics Command (CECOM).