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The article offers the author's insights on the announcement of internet company Google on its interest to use balloons and blimps at high altitudes, that will provide broadband service to undeveloped regions of Asia and Africa. He says that he disagrees with the view of an analyst, who stated that high altitude drones would replace satellite radio. He adds that there is no comparison between radio or television (TV) broadcasting and broadband interactivity despite the use of bandwidth.

The article offers information on the new satellite Jupiter 2/EchoStar XIX to be launched as announced at the Satellite 2013. It states that the satellite will be built by Space Systems/Loral Inc. (SSL) on the SSL 1300 bus and will have 50 percent more capacity than its predecessors Jupiter I/EchoStar XVII and than ViaSat.

The article discusses the implications of a broadband report released by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for the satellite broadband industry. The report assessed improvements in fiber and cable connections in the country in 2012. The study also indicated that the mean speed of broadband connection in the U.S. has reached 15.6 mega bytes per second.

The article reports that the age of truly commercial space launch vehicle market is on cusp of change with the success of Space Exploration Technologies Corp.'s (SpaceX) Falcon 9. Though it is not the first private company to break through the commercial market, it is the leader of the pack and had a vehicle before it got funds from U.S. National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA). The question now is whether SpaceX's pricing structure and technological innovation are sustainable.

The article presents information related to the use of satellites by maritime. It is informed that the demand for better connectivity in ships has been increased not by navigation and communications services need, but for facilitating consumer-level communications. It is evident that various companies like Intelsat and MTN Satellite Communications provide communications services to moving ships.

The article reports on the plan of Dish Network Corp. to offer satellite broadband to its customers as reported by Bloomberg LP. It notes that the offering will utilize EchoStar 17 to offer broadband service to up 2 million Dish Network subscribers. Furthermore, it cites the significant role of the offering in positioning Dish to compete in the non-broadcast video market, as well as the potential of satellite broadband to contend digital subscriber line (DSL) service plans.

The article focuses on the satellite industry. There was a time when satellite companies were separate from other communications companies. Hughes is a satellite company. The number of companies that can be categorized as purely satellite focused is constantly declining. Intelsat not only used satellites but also contracted for the development of entire classes of satellites.

The article evaluates the telecommunication product Exede Newsgathering from ViaSat Inc., that will allow for newsgathering services over the ViaSat-1 satellite.

The article offers information on the positive impact of tokens provided to broadband subscribers in the U.S. It states that satellite broadband has always suffered from greater bandwidth limitations than terrestrial alternatives. It mentions that the satellites will offer speeds that rival or surpass terrestrial digital subscriber lines (DSL) service, but DSL service does not currently operate under bandwidth caps.

The article looks at the steps taken by LightSquared Inc. to fight against the opposition on its plans to deploy a terrestrial Long-Term Evolution (LTE)Network ising L-band satellite frequencies. It is mentioned that government testing has suggested that LTE service will cause significant interference with around 75 percent of general-purpose GPS receivers. It is stated that the company should use TerreStar Corp.'s S-band spectrum to increase available wireless spectrum.

The article focuses on new services and products by Iridium Communications Inc. A new Iridium device is the Iridium Core 9523 voice and data module, which contains all of the satellite network access functions of the Extreme handset, allowing a device manufacturer to easily add full satellite connectivity to any device. Iridium is also incorporating global positioning system (GPS) functionality into the Iridium Extreme and the Iridium Core.

The article offers information on the decline in the use of digital subscriber line (DSL) services in the telecommunication industry. It states that Vodafone Group PLC of Germany is planning to migrate its broadband DSL subscribers to its own long term evolution (LTE) wireless network because it is paying Deutsche Telekom AG 500 million euros annually for the use of its wired network.

The article analyzes the trend of increase in the sales of satellite navigation equipment, with consumer global positioning system (GPS) hardware leading the growth, in the U.S. It is reported that, although satellite navigation equipment have seen commercial success in the country, the satellite navigation is the only commercial satellite service in which there are no commercial satellites.

In this article the author discusses the impact of a revolution in satellite capacity on broadband communication systems. According to the author, ViaSat-1 is expected to be launched in North America before the end of 2011, which will improve on the speeds and capabilities offered by ViaSat's WildBlue-1 and Hughes' Spaceway 3 satellites that provide satellite broadband offerings. The author says that Ka-Sat satellite broadband service will be launched in Europe.

The article discusses the acquisition of Hughes Network Systems Inc. by the company EchoStar. It throws light on the benefits of this merger for both of the companies. It mentions the enhancement in the networking abilities of Hughes Network Systems Inc., and set-top box capability of EchoStar due to their alliance.

In this article, the author reports on the success of satellite radio. Sirius XM Radio Inc. reported net income of 15.27 million dollars in the second quarter of 2010, rebounding from a loss of 159.64 million dollars in the 2009 second quarter. The author says that satellite-based services are not limited by location and they are not as complex or expensive as the sort of wireless network that would be required to provide similar coverage to Internet-based programming.

The author focuses on the interest of EchoStar in the satellite firm TerreStar Corp. He states that EchoStar is providing debtor-in-possession finance of about 75 million dollars to allow TerreStar to continue operations after its bankruptcy. Further it states that EchoStar to ultimately planning to acquire TerreStar in order to allow video-on-demand types of service to the users.

The article focuses on the satellite services in the consumer level or personal satellite services. It mentions the trend to have a personal satellite, such as satellite television, satellite radio, and satellite phones. It mentions several satellites such as Inmarsat suitcase, with umbrella-sized antenna which is convenient to use. It also notes the Ka-band satellites with smaller antennas and offers more spectrum real estate as well as better frequency reuse.

In this article the author discusses aspects of utilization of artificial satellite spectrum for terrestrial communication networks. He states that the approval of ancillary terrestrial component (ATC) use by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission network would increase the use of mobile system satellite (MSS) spectrum. He also comments that the decision would lead to development of communication devices which ensure separation of frequency and do not interfere with other services.

The article presents the author's views regarding the opportunity and difference between satellite broadband and terrestrial broadband. The author claims that satellite broadband was slower and more expensive than the terrestrial alternatives which has the opportunity to displace satellite service. He remarks that slow pace of terrestrial broadband has made satellite broadband the fastest option in some parts of the U.S.

The article discusses the emergence of commercial space exploration programs in the U.S. due to technological advancements and growth potential of the satellite industry. As stated, the U.S. government agreed for engaging commercial organizations in the management of routine space flights between Earth and near Earth orbits. It states that given the easy access to space at lower cost the entire space exploration scenario in the U.S. may change radically.

The article focuses on the alliance between AT&T Inc. and Terrestar Corp. to provide satellite phone service. AT&T will launch Terrestar's satellite voice service in its selected wireless plans in the first quarter of 2010. Companies including Globalstar Telecommunications Inc. and Iridium LLC went bankrupt due to high-priced voice service for the limited demand. Terrestar's satellite was launched in 2009 and reached an agreement with AT&T to offer combined cellular and satellite voice service.

The article comments on the acquisition of WildBlue Communications Inc. by ViaSat Inc. ViaSat needed a retail marketing arm for the broadband business it is trying to create, says the author. When ViaSat saw a business opportunity in the satellite broadband market it chose to offer a wholesale service to retailers, according to the author. ViaSat has no retail arm to compete with WildBlue, and WildBlue has no good option for the quantity of capacity it needs, opines the author.

The article focuses on the benefits of hybrid networks in addressing the bandwidth quantity and quality for direct-to-home (DTH) sector. It is stated that the availability of badwidth is a problem for DTH sector because of demand for more diverse and higher quality high definition (HD) video, due to which the demand for adding satellite capacity increases. It is stated that voice and data service would broaden the satellite video offering to match the competitors of DTH providers.

The article reports that the hybrid satellite networks are finding place in the consumer market. Hybrid networks involve the use of various communication technologies in an integrated network which allows each to be used where it offers the most advantage while mitigating its weaker aspects. The success of satellite radio's repeaters, retransmitting the satellite signal in the same satellite frequencies, gave rise to the idea of a similar approach for satellite telephones.

The author comments on why broadband satellite services will do better than retail services and direct-to-home (DTH) services in the current recession. Broadband, as stated, is rapidly becoming a necessity, while video is not because few people make their living watching television, but increasing numbers of people use the Internet for making their living. It is stated that, despite recession broadband is still increasing because it does not face the same level of competition that DTH does.

The article discusses the impact of the economic slowdown on satellite services that directly deal with consumer markets in the U.S. Even though satellite industry in general is expected do well during the period, services such as direct to home (DTH) services, that depend on consumers directly for their revenue will not be sheltered from the present bad times. It informs about the financial performance of North America's largest DTH provider DirecTV Inc.

The article presents the author's view on the impact of the VSAT services offered by Hughes Network Systems Inc. to a smaller class of customer. The author states that VSAT broadband services are essential to smaller businesses, the market for broadband connectivity to support these networks grows, offering new opportunities to network providers. The author cites problems of services, which include being not feasible in a five-store clothing retailer, low touch , and getting personal.

The author reflects on the basic business models for direct-to-home (DTH) broadcasting and its model. He notes ways to offer DTH directly to consumers, and organization must have infrastructure to deal with business issue. Moreover, he acknowledges that trade-off is offering broadcast service directly to consumer and receiving the entire cash flow.

The article offers information on the European model of direct-to-home (DTH) business provided by Eutelstat Communications and SES Astra. The model separates transmission from content as prompted by the initial commercial broadcasting conducted on a satellite provided by European governments. Another more fundamental reason for the separation of transmission and programming was the issue of Europe's many different cultures and languages.

The author reflects on the direct service to consumers provided by the satellite industry. According to the author, satellite services delivered directly to the consumer generate more revenue than those sold wholesale, while at the same time requiring an entirely different sort of organization. He states that satellite capacity leased for public switched telephone network (PSTN) use generally commands the lowest price of any market for satellite services.

The author reflects on how the consumer affects the satellite industry. He cites the importance of consumer use of satellites. He states that he will be discussing the growing importance of the satellite service portion of the satellite industry and considering various issues that propel, impede and obscure this growth throughout the coming months. He asserts that the introduction of point-to-multipoint satellite architectures propelled the satellite industry into the consumer arena and opened the door for the increasing use of satellites.