New Era Systems proposes new market for ground station equipment

To celebrate its thirteenth year in business, New Era Systems is drawing attention to the little-known marketplace for used ground station equipment where serviceable but underused/unused satellite communications systems can be sold, purchased, and put to profitable use.

The company reported that satellite Earth stations are not using hundreds of millions of dollars worth of satellite antenna and RF equipment assets to their full potential, or at all. These equipment could be deployed in other locations that require them.

Phil Thomas, President of New Era Systems, pointed out the industry does not have a visible resource for the disposal of large satellite antenna systems as well as the sale and purchase of used gear. The Company seeks to help antenna buyers save money and turn surplus gear into cash by directing attention to the after-market for pre-owned equipment.

To this end, New Era Systems created a discussion centered on increasing the efficiency and transparency of the after-market. It is is urging satellite Teleports (including members of the World Teleport Association) and members of the industry to join the talks.

WTA releases Top Teleport Operators of 2012 annual rankings

In its recent announcement of the annual rankings of the Top Teleport Operators of 2012, the World Teleport Association (WTA) once more provided a unique insight into the diverse global sector of satellite teleport companies.

The WTA compiles its Top Teleport Operator rankings through surveys regarding the facilities, services, and business results of teleport operators worldwide.

The “Fast Twenty” of 2012 ranks all satellite teleport operating companies based on year-on-year revenue growth during their latest fiscal years. Meanwhile, the Independent Top Twenty of 2012 bases its judgement of independent teleport operators on said companies' revenue from all sources. The lists excludes companies who primarily operate a satellite fleet or terrestrial network.

Australian satellite communications company NewSat, for example, ranked 5th in the “Fast Twenty” of 2012 list and secured tenth place in the Independent Top Twenty of 2012 list.

Globecomm Systems wins second year for satellite teleport services with US government agency

A US Government agency awarded Globecomm Systems Inc. with the optional second year of a five-year, $6.8 million contract for satellite teleport and other satellite communications services.

Globecomm Services Maryland, Globecomm Europe, and Cachendo combined their efforts for the contract. All three companies are subsidiaries that are completely owned by Globecomm.

Previously, Globecomm reported that it had secured several contracts worth $6.0 million from the aforementioned US Government agency. Factor in the second year option, and Globecomm has secured a cool $12.8 million.

As per the second recently-secured year of its current contract, Globecomm will provide IT services via its satellite teleport facility, plus network connectivity, VoIP, and satellite TV. It will also extend WAN optimization, program management, operations and maintenance, storage, and distribution services. The Company's In-Country Field Engineers will be on call to handle any technical issues.

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ViaSat will assist US DoD rollout of interoperable SATCOM network

ViaSat Inc. will be producing more than $11 million worth of satellite communications equipment for the US Department of Defense. The equipment will be used to generate interoperable network services for American warfighters all around the world.

The DoD placed a number of production contracts with ViaSat for the Company's Joint IP Modem Network Control Centers (NCCs) and remote modems. They have also tasked ViaSat with additional development of the Joint IP Modem technology to increase its global network footprint and improve the efficienty of its regional connectivity.

The DoD's Joint IP Modem program intends to engender interoperability between warfighters and service networks, to utilize satellite bandwidth more efficiently, and finally to seamlessly unite disparate networks and technologies.

The interoperable satellite communications network will leverage teleports and Strategic Tactical Entry Points (STEPs) for fast and secure SATCOM services.

TA Associates buys out SpeedCast SATCOM company from AsiaSat

Private equity firm TA Associates bought out SpeedCast Ltd. from Asia Satellite Telecommunications Co. Ltd. (AsiaSat.) TA enjoyed the full backing of SpeedCast’s management team during its acquisition of the VSAT service provider.

Companies from more than 30 countries in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East turn to SpeedCast for VSAT satellite broadband access services, managed networking solutions, and value-added services. SpeedCast also serves the maritime and offshore oil and gas industries through its SeaCast broadband service.

Sixteen teleports and more than 20 VSAT hubs ensure reliable coverage and connectivity for SpeedCast's customers wherever they may be on the planet. The satellite communications company also operates eight sales and support centers. 

Industry analyst Comsys predicts that VSAT service revenues in Asia, the Middle East and Africa will grow at an 8 percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the next five years. Western markets, meanwhile, are expected to experience a growth rate of 4%.

In particular, the global maritime VSAT market is enjoying strong and steady growth. According to the Comsys report, worldwide maritime VSAT service revenues increased to $800 million in 2009, compared to $400 million back in 2004.

In addition to SpeedCast, TA Associates has acquired seven other investments in Asia. These investments have been both minority investments and buyouts in growth companies in telecommunications, technology, healthcare, and mining services. Five investments came from India while the two other companies, Forgame Tech Co. and Aicent, operate in China.

SES expands satellite capacity for Caster Networks teleports, VSAT, broadcasting services

A joint announcement by SES and Castor Networks revealed that the latter company has signed a capacity expansion agreement to meet the growing needs for Internet connectivity throughout Southern Africa.

Castor Networks is a Dutch satellite service provider that provides teleport, VSAT, and broadcasting services to European and African customers. Its capacity expansion deal with SES will open up new room on SES’ NSS-7 Ku-band communications satellite.

The additional capacity allows Castor to continue delivering voice and data services to mining, oil, and gas industries, ISPs, and governments in Southern Africa. Angola, Mozambique, and South Africa are some of the countries that benefit from its satellite communications services.

The NSS-7 communications satellite is located at 340 degrees East. European VSAT hubs that are expanding their services into remote Southern African regions can thus take advantage of the Ku-band satellite's excellent position and its Ku-band beam, which is dedicated to covering Southern Africa.

RRC providing teleport services for US Navy GIG in Italy

Rome Research Corporation (RRC) recently announced that it won a $6.8 million contract from the U.S. Navy. RRC will provide Teleport Commercial Satellite Terminal services at the Navy's Global Information Grid (GIG) facility in Lago Patria, Italy.

The GIG is the global network of information capabilities, processes, and personnel. It collects, processes, stores, disseminates, and manages information on demand for the use of military commanders, policy makers, and support personnel around the world through various interlinked wireless and satellite communications systems.

The grid operates during peacetime and war by supporting numerous missions and functions of the Department of Defense (DoD), national security, and related intelligence community. Its capabilities allow it to operate locations ranging from fixed bases, posts, camps, stations, and facilities to mobile platforms and deployable sites. Coalition, allied, and non-DoD users and systems can all access its systems through secure teleport facilities like the one in Lago Patria.

As a PAR Technology Corporation subsidiary, RRC runs a similar Navy facility at Chesapeake, Virginia. It also performs the same teleport terminal services in Landstuhl, Germany, and at Camp Roberts in California on behalf of the US Army. This experience makes the RRC eminently suitable to running the Navy's GIG teleport station in Italy.