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…

Providers of financial services connectivity are underlining the benefits of satellite networks, including high-level encryption, near real-time network speeds and quick set-up amid the growth of private networks.

Bankers, insurers, asset managers and others are weighing these advantages of satellite connectivity, but funding of financial services IoT networks has been…

Telecoms operators are expected to create VC funds dedicated to edge computing as the technology requires a greater integration of infrastructure and IT hardware.

Most independent VC firms have been pouring money into...

The advantage of access to proprietary passive 5G infrastructure is encouraging European MNOs to sell minority stakes in these assets rather than divesting them entirely, even those with significant debt burdens.

Telefónica recently announced plans to monetise around 50,000 towers across Europe, and connectivity analysts believe the most likely scenario will be...

Swiss nanosat venture Astrocast is aggressively ramping up to deploy satellites next year after securing more than US$9m in a series A round.

We speak to CEO Fabien Jordan to find out more about the venture’s plans to build out a new market for IoT...

Flat-panel antenna (FPA) manufacturers are expected to deepen their focus on land and government mobility as LEO and other pioneering satellite communications projects surface.

Financing among early adopters of FPA technology in the aerospace and maritime segments could…

SatelliteFinance compiles the latest M&A deals by country, company, mandate, and mandated.

This Mandates Table ran in SatelliteFinance Issue 236...

Seaports are turning to IoT as part of a data-generation focus to become increasingly self-sustaining amid 5G network slicing tests and a maritime-oriented digital incubation project in Europe.

UK-based satellite operator Inmarsat will collaborate with startups to find a route to market via its global satellite communications infrastructure that connects…