Satellite Industry News

Satellite operators have begun pushing the Hill to renew satellite compulsory license legislation, the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act Reauthorization (STELAR), preferably permanently.

Viasat Inc., a global communications company, today announced an exclusive distributor agreement with StandardAero to offer a high-speed connectivity package for Bombardier Global business jets. The package will cover Viasat's Ka-band and dual-band Ka-/Ku-band equipment, inclusive of the Viasat shipset, radome and STC, for all Bombardier Global Express, Global Express XRS, Global 5000 and Global 6000 aircraft.

Today, DISH and Sling TV launched Inglés Para Todos, a new HD channel dedicated to teaching English as a Second Language (ESL). DISH is the first pay-TV provider to launch a channel developed with the sole purpose of helping viewers learn and improve their English proficiency. The channel is available at no additional cost to all DishLATINO subscribers regardless of their programming package, and to subscribers of Sling TV's "Best of Spanish TV" service.

Viasat Inc., a global communications company, today announced it has made new security capabilities available for U.S. and international Five Eyes (FVEY) naval forces. Viasat introduced its integrated Mobile Dynamic Defense (MDD) cybersecurity software for use at sea to securely capture and distribute sensitive data to onshore counterparts, and defend against rapidly evolving cyber threats during a maritime mission.

Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES), a leading provider of managed network services, today introduced HughesON™ Secure Connectivity Service (SCS), an affordable network solution for small- to medium-sized businesses. HughesON SCS is a secure firewall solution that comes complete with a plug-and-play router, continuous network management, 24/7 support, available 4G backup and optional PCI compliance software. The solution is optimized for performance and network security regardless of the type of broadband connection.

 La Compagnie, the exclusively business-class boutique airline offering two daily flights between New York and Paris, has partnered with Viasat Inc., a global communications company, to equip La Compagnie's brand-new, all business-class A321neo aircraft with high-speed Wi-Fi capabilities. Deployment of the new in-flight Wi-Fi service is scheduled for April 2019—making unlimited in-flight connectivity available to all 76 passengers onboard. 

EchoStar Corporation, parent company of Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES), was named “Global Satellite Business of the Year” at Euroconsult’s 15th Awards for Excellence in Satellite Communications. Pradman Kaul, president of Hughes, accepted the award during the ceremony held in Paris during this year’s World Summit for Satellite Financing.

Hughes Network Systems, LLC (Hughes), the global leader in broadband satellite networks and services, announced today it has been awarded a new General Services Administration (GSA) Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) contract for a fully managed, global satellite network to support distance learning programs for the Government Education and Training Network (GETN). The GETN community, a consortium of multiple agencies, has depended on Hughes to power its distance learning network across the U.S. and dozens of international sites, and this contract builds on the company’s commitment to deliver innovative network technology for the Federal Government.

Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES), an EchoStar company, announced today that its HughesON™ Managed SD-WAN solution won the 2018 SD-WAN Product of the Year Award presented by INTERNET TELEPHONY magazine. Hughes was recognized for its innovation, vision and execution in delivering superior SD-WAN solutions to distributed enterprises by combining innovative broadband optimization technologies and best-in-class security with integrated network management.

DISH today launched DISH OnePoint, an interactive app that gives business owners the ability to control multiple televisions from one interface using iPad and Android tablets. Users can use the DISH OnePoint remote app to efficiently manage large entertainment systems at properties installed with DISH set-top boxes, like sports bars, restaurants, fitness centers and waiting rooms.

AT&T announced plans Tuesday to become the first internet service provider to offer 5G speeds to Orlando customers by early next year.

Yahsat, a leading global satellite operator based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and wholly owned by Mubadala Investment Company, and Hughes Network Systems (HUGHES), a subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS), today announced an agreement to enter into a joint venture to provide commercial Ka-band satellite broadband services across Africa, the Middle East and southwest Asia. This new venture combines Hughes deep expertise as the global leader in broadband satellite networks and services with Yahsat’s unique position and knowledge as the leader in satellite broadband solutions across these regions.  Hughes will purchase a minority interest in the venture.

The Dallas-based telecom giant announced Monday that it's taking the next step toward "commercial deployment" by starting discussions with technology suppliers about building equipment for what's been dubbed Project AirGig. 

Canine-targeted service closing in on access to 70 million subscribers

The United States Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) has officially awarded global communications company, Viasat Inc., an eight-year, firm-fixed price contract to provide U.S. Government Senior Leader and VIP aircraft with in-flight broadband and connectivity services. The base year award value is $55.6 million. The period of performance for the base year award is Sept. 1, 2018, through Aug. 31, 2019. The base year and seven 12-month option periods have a total cumulative value of $559.8 million.

Nevada Becomes the First U.S. State to Commit to Making High-Speed Internet Available at all Parks Statewide.  Viasat Inc., a global communications company, today announced the Nevada State Parks Department will tap into Viasat's satellite-enabled Wi-Fi hotspot platform, to provide a rich connectivity experience at its parks statewide.

Viasat Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT), a global communications company, today announced the first ViaSat-3 payload module structure, built by Boeing, arrived at Viasat'sTempe, Arizona facility. With the initial payload module structure now at Viasat's facility, Viasat can begin payload integration and testing for the first ViaSat-3 class satellite that is scheduled to provide broadband service over the Americas, starting in 2020.

DISH and Independa, the global leader in remote engagement technologies, are transforming the way people interact with entertainment and healthcare services, whether at home or in senior living communities. Today at the Connected Health Summit, the companies announced that DISH's voice remote is now compatible with the Independa AnyTV Companion. When the Independa system is connected to a television installed with DISH's Wally receiver, users can easily control both their TV entertainment and Independa services with DISH's voice remote.

CARLSBAD, Calif., Aug. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Viasat Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT), a global communications company, today announced its Battlefield Awareness and Targeting System – Dismounted (BATS-D) device, known to the United States Department of Defense as the AN/PRC-161, is now authorized by the National Security Agency (NSA) for immediate use by Five Eyes (FVEY) partners and coalition forces, worldwide. The Viasat BATS-D radio bridges a critical gap between air and ground forces by providing real-time fused air/ground situational awareness to coordinate and direct forces instantaneously via machine-to-machine interface.

DISH, the first subscription model pay-TV provider to accept Bitcoin beginning in 2014, today announced it has added Bitcoin Cash as a payment option and is now using BitPay, the largest global blockchain payments provider, as the payment processor for Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash transactions with customers.