November/December | Volume 6 | Issue 6

REGULARS

1 Editorial

Europe: great expectations in space.

4 Satellite news

A round-up of the latest news.

FEATURES

12 Getting the most out of your link
In these difficult economic times and in regions that are struggling to find adequate satellite capacity, choosing the right modem is an important decision that can help a business overall. Satellite Evolution looks at the features you should be looking for when settling on a modem.

16 Modems driving demand
Comtech EF Data’s modem business is booming and especially in the Middle East and Africa. Satellite Evolution spoke to Daniel Enns, Senior Vice President, Strategic Marketing and Business Development to find out more about modems and how they affect the business.

18 IPTV: a new role for satellite
IPTV sounds great – the ability to tailor your entertainment to fit your needs and lifestyle - but what impact will it have on the satellite industry? Can it rival DTH services? Does satellite have a role to play?

26 Glowlink – the best kept secret in the industry
Glowlink provides innovative, affordable satellite monitoring and power control products to support the efficient operations of satellite–based communications networks. Based in California, the company is led by Jeffrey C. Chu, the co-founder, chairman and CEO of Glowlink. Helen Jameson spoke to him about Glowlink, its products and the future.

30 A strategic position
A ministerial meeting was held in November to implement the new European Space policy and to ensure that the region is kept firmly at the forefront of space. Satellite Evolution investigates the policy’s priorities and plans for the future.

36 COTM: a top priority for the military
The ability to communicate and to give and receive orders regardless of where you are is a necessity on the modern-day battlefield. The advancement of communications in the field has been dramatic over recent years but now, being able to communicate whilst also moving in areas deprived of all terrestrial communications is hugely important. Helen Jameson looks into Communications-on-the-Move.

44 Teleports: offering added value
Regional gateways are the vital link in the chain of satellite communications. They distribute a wide range of communications all over the world and also provide added value. Satellite Evolution finds out what a regional gateway is, what it does and how the role of the teleport is changing.

48 Putting risk into perspective
We are all more than aware that the world is experiencing a credit crisis but how is this affecting the global insurance industry and those who assess the risk of space-based assets. Philippe Montpert, Managing Director of Paris-based Willis Inspace generously agreed to speak to Helen Jameson from the point of view of the insurer.

50 The risk takers
The area of space risk assessment and insurance is a niche market but an extremely important part of any space programme. Helen Jameson finds out more about the business and how it all works.

52 The IP migration: a military operation
A 2003 mandate from the US Department of Defense called for the rapid conversion of the military communications system from legacy systems to IP. Known as ‘Everything over IP’, the programme is changing the way in which the military communicates. Global Military Communications finds out what the change to IPv6 will mean and the companies helping them to make that switch.