The challenged satellite connectivity sector and an approaching flood of capacity are key factors suggesting that the soon-to-close US$3.4bn buyout of Inmarsat is likely to be the first of several deals.

Some eyes are on the potential moves of satellite TV entrepreneur…

European independent towercos are expected to expand into other connectivity infrastructure sectors as they mature over time.

Unlike the US where most towers are owned by three domestic incumbents – American Tower, Crown Castle and SBA Communications, European cell sites remain largely...

Manufacturing startup Saturn Satellite Networks is looking to shake up the connectivity marketplace with low-cost smallsats designed for GEO. It recently acquired satellite module startup NovaWurks in a rare acquisition for the newspace sector.

We spoke to Saturn CEO Jim Simpson, a former Boeing executive who most recently was head of Hong Kong satellite operator ABS, at Satellite Innovation 2019 about what it brings to the emerging market...

Connectivity analysts believe cable operator Liberty Latin America is well positioned to help consolidate the region’s telecoms industry by swallowing more wireless assets.

US MNO AT&T recently sold its mobile operations in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands to...

The oil and gas sector is demanding more satellite bandwidth as the industry pursues increased digital capabilities, machine learning and security initiatives.

Oil and gas companies are keenly interested in the impact of LEO satellites on communications because…

As the satellite connectivity gold-rush settles, newspace startups are facing growing questions about follow-on financing amid an ongoing lack of liquidity events.

How these companies can bridge an apparent gap in the funding spectrum on their way to sizeable exits is an increasingly popular discussion point at industry events, and October’s Satellite Innovation 2019 in Silicon Valley was no exception. The catalyst in this...

Mississippi attorney general’s switch to support US MNO T-Mobile’s proposed merger with smaller rival Sprint is unlikely to persuade other opposing states to follow suit.

Analysts believe it remains difficult for the...

The satellite industry must do more to embrace standards and interoperability to take full advantage of its role in the US$2.2trn 5G market, according to the CEO of one of its largest operators.

Stephen Spengler, CEO of satellite fleet operator Intelsat, told the Satellite Innovation 2019 conference in Silicon Valley how he believes the industry is at a critical point to advance technologically. Although high-throughput capabilities and software-defined spacecraft are moving satellite beyond a perception of being just an appendage to the broader networking and telecoms space, he warned that...

Rapid growth and investment in IoT connectivity are leading to new and hurriedly growing markets, including those in environmental monitoring, maritime, manufacturing and related sectors.

Adopters of IoT connectivity are using cloud-based data analytics, machine learning, artificial intelligence and other high-tech to…

Japanese telecoms heavyweight NTT acquired unified communications specialist Arkadin in 2014 and recently rebranded the company as its US$11bn cloud communications division, alongside 28 other global brands including Dimension Data and NTT Security. The unit is expected to benefit from...

Cellular and Wi-Fi challenges such as propagation losses and unstable signals are driving more telcos to seek indoor connectivity vendors to optimise their networks.

California-based software firm ASSIA, which has helped nearly 40 carriers including AT&T, Verizon and Telefónica manage their indoor signals, said more...

Commercial space is showing more signs of investor acceptance amid emerging trends that include increasing large, mid-stage and regional activity.

Venture activity is flourishing, as executives in the sector weigh their choices in other approaches…

Increased adoption of OpenRAN has enabled operators to choose telecoms equipment from a wider pool of suppliers, but there are questions over whether the technology is a threat for the larger vendors.

OpenRAN was developed by industry association Telecom Infra Project (TIP) to standardise the design and functionality of...

Governmental entities are ramping satellite communications spending, encouraging commercial players to unite to grab their share of expected revenue growth.

In the US, federal agencies are increasing spending via mechanisms such as…

The ground segment is increasingly figuring in connectivity solutions as a growing number of projects for Earth observation and other uses focus on data volume, speed and interoperability.

The emphasis on data is happening as questions are asked about the ground segment’s role in satellite-based 5G…

European operators looking to expand their broadband coverage through cableco acquisitions are under increasing pressure from connectivity investors to adopt alternative investment strategies.

Swiss operator Sunrise Communications’ continues to face mounting pressure from investors trying to...

Google’s US$500m acquisition of Earth observation startup Skybox Imaging five years ago opened many doors for the bourgeoning newspace market. Satellite technology has been raising record levels of VC funding since the deal helped catapult the sector’s profile for a new investor class.

It is often celebrated as the market’s most notable exit, even though just two and a half years later a u-turn would...

While US rural wireless players have widely welcomed a proposed bill to replace Chinese vendors from their networks, some worry that a lack of clarity about the replacement process will negatively affect their revenues.

A US House panel in September unveiled bipartisan legislation that would...

Smallsat operators are expected to see price decreases for launch amid a reshuffle in the segment as big-name launchers Arianespace and SpaceX initiate services in the sector.

A significant element stands out in SpaceX’s plans, as the company says it will charge…

The drive for investment, jobs, spending and prestige is pushing the rise of new spaceports globally as launch sites underline their value propositions.

Proposals for launch sites are going up in virtually every corner of the globe amid the newspace explosion and increasing demand for launch pads, but not without the potential for risk, such as…

Increasing uncertainty around T-Mobile’s tie-up with smaller US MNO Sprint is expected to help further decelerate growth for the country’s towercos next year.

T-Mobile has held off new... 

I’m thrilled to unveil the rebranding of SatelliteFinance as Connectivity Business. While the extensive satellite market coverage we have been providing for more than 25 years is not changing, this new look reflects how core connectivity has become to its future success. 

Broadband will help satcoms return to growth in 2020 after a five-year decline, according to research from Euroconsult that predicts the market will expand to...

California-based startup Celona was recently founded on the idea that a modern technology stack powered by cloud software can make cellular wireless more accessible to enterprises. It recently secured US$10m in series A funding, which will be used to accelerate the development of its end-to-end solution architecture and support initial customer deployments. We speak to founder and CEO Rajeev Shah about Celona’s technology and its potential partnerships with...

Satellite manufacturers are adopting new approaches to the GEO market amid the increased flexibility of spacecraft and a focus on pricing strategy to generate orders.

Several advances in satellite technology and manufacturing are also paving the way to increased adaptability amid shifts in the industry, including…

CHICAGO:  Finance Information Group today announced that SatelliteFinance will now operate as Connectivity Business. 

In recent years we've added coverage of the terrestrial connectivity market to SatelliteFinance as we believe this expanded view helps inform our clients and increases the value of our service. To now reflect this expansion of our coverage, we're rebranding SatelliteFinance to Connectivity Business.

Connectivity Business compiles a schedule of upcoming commercial launches.

This Launch Schedule ran in Connectivity Business Issue 236...

Telcos servicing enterprises with international footprints are increasingly sharing LPWAN to meet their needs for cross-border IoT operations.

US-based AT&T recently struck roaming agreements with three Canadian operators – Bell, Rogers and Telus, providing their business customers access to...

Questions about the valuation and structure of a potential US C-band auction are pointing to a recent spectrum deal in Germany and two US frequency marts in recent years as models.

New developments are stirring interest in the monetisation of the 3.7-4.2GHz band as FCC Commissioner Michael O’Rielly suggested that the C-band Alliance…