Satellite Industry News

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.

CARLSBAD, Calif., Aug. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Viasat Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT), a global communications company, announced today its Commercial off-the-Shelf (COTS) Visual Integrated Satellite Communications Information, Operation and Networking (VISION) software has successfully passed the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) First Article System Test (FAST). With Viasat VISION passing FAST, NATO can expedite the roll-out of its Ultra High Frequency (UHF) satellite communications (SATCOM) modernization efforts.

Hughes Network Systems, LLC (Hughes) an EchoStar company, today introduced the HR4860 Secure SD-WAN Gateway, a comprehensive networking device for distributed enterprises that combines best-in-class security with high-performance routing and Software-Defined, Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) features optimized for broadband networking. The HR4860 enables connectivity via best-available wired, wireless, and satellite services and is the successor to the market-leading HR4700 gateway.

Viasat Inc. today announced its Ku-/Ka-band multi-network, multi-mode Global Mobile Antenna (GMA) 5560-101 has successfully completed the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) D0-160G certification process and the U.S. Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) C-17 Modified Airworthiness Certification Criteria (MACC) testing.

EL AL Israel Airlines announced it officially launched its new fast, reliable commercial in-flight Wi-Fi service, powered by global communications company, Viasat (NASDAQ: VSAT).

AT&T rolls out their newest video offering called WatchTV, available on the nation’s best network for streaming video. 

PSN (PT Pasifik Satelit Nusantara) has selected Hughes Network Systems to provide its JUPITER System for broadband services over the PSN VI High-Throughput Satellite (HTS).

The legislation, signed into law on June 21 by Gov. David Ige, standardizes the process for small cell deployments, which are expected to have a significant impact on Hawaii's economic development.