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FOCUS ON THE SPACE INDUSTRY
Month of JUNE 1999
Sponsored by Intersputnik
FEATURES
Interview with John Higginbotham, Founder and CEO of SpaceVest
Mr. Higginbotham discusses the business prospects in the Space Industry.
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Profile on INTERSPUTNIK
We feature a profile on INTERSPUTNIK--an intergovernmental organization founded in 1971 to provide saatellite-based telecommunications services to international customers.
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TOP NEWS STORIES -
Month of June 1999
AccentHealth Selects Broadband VSAT Network from Gilat's Spacenet Subsidiary to Transmit Health Programming Via Satellite
Spacenet Inc., a subsidiary of Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd., and AccentHealth, Inc., one of the nation's leading health information services, today announced AccentHealth will begin implementation of a two-way, broadband satellite communications network provided by Spacenet to transmit its video programming to more than 9,000 healthcare facilities nationwide.
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AlliedSignal Buys Honeywell
AlliedSignal Inc.and Honeywell Inc. announced that they have signed a definitive merger agreement which will create a global technology
company with revenues of $25 billion and technical and product leadership
across a wide range of industries.
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AOL, Hughes ink deal to push TV, Net services
By Nancy Weil
America Online Inc. and Hughes Electronics Corp. have deepened their existing partnership with an announcement yesterday that the two will develop and market integrated digital entertainment and Internet services in the U.S.
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Arianespace, Inc. Welcomes New Director of Communications
Arianespace, Inc., the Washington based subsidiary of Arianespace, announces the appointment of Birgit Zacher, a citizen of Germany, as Director of Communications. In this capacity, Ms. Zacher will assume the responsibility for media and customer relations in the US market and assist in the development and communication of corporate
communication strategies.
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Arianespace to Launch Nilesat 102
Armand Carlier, Chairman and CEO of Matra Marconi Space, and Jean-Marie Luton, Chairman and CEO of Arianespace, sign the launch contract for Nilesat 102 on behalf of Nilesat SA, the Egyptian TV satellite operator.
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Asia Pacific First: C&W Optus selects Nortel Networks' Solution for Next-Generation Integrated Internet/Voice Wireless Network
Nortel Networks today announced a three-year, US$33 million agreement with Cable & Wireless Optus for the deployment of its General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) network solution in the year 2000 -- enabling the delivery of such high-speed data services as rapid wireless Internet access -- as well as a major enhancement
of C&W Optus' advanced IN (Intelligent Network) services platform and a significant expansion of its current network capacity. C&W Optus is the first GSM mobile operator in the Asia Pacific region to commercially deploy Nortel Networks' GPRS solution for the delivery of advanced wireless data solutions.
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Astra1H Launches Successfully
A Russian Proton rocket carried the Hughes Space and Communications - built Astra 1H communications satellite into orbit June 18 for Soci‚t‚ Europ‚enne des Satellites (SES) from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The Astra 1H is the Luxembourg-based satellite TV provider's ninth satellite and its eighth to be collocated at 19.2øE.
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BIA's State of the Radio Industry Reports on an Industry Transformed;
BIA Companies, leading financial analysts and advisors to the communications industries, has released its fourth annual, State of the Radio Industry 1999 study.
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Boeing Delta II Rocket Prepared to Launch Four Satellites
The first of four Boeing Delta II launches in a three month period for Space Systems/Loral and the Globalstar satellite telephony system is scheduled to take place from here on June 8.
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Boeing Forms Review Team to Address Recent Launch Failures
To address recent launch vehicle failures, Boeing (NYSE: BA) announced that an independent panel of experts will examine the company's mission assurance processes and procedures to strengthen its expendable launch vehicle reliability. The panel will review Delta, Sea Launch and Inertial Upper Stage (IUS) programs.
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Boeing to Develop Own Satellite System
In a strategic shift, Boeing Co., is reportedly going to develop its own high-capacity satellite system and services, according to the Wall Street Journal, quoting senior executives of the company.
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College Television Network Names Martin Grant of Channel One Network as President
College Television Network today announced that Martin Grant, formerly Channel One Network's President of Sales, Marketing and International Ventures, has been named President of College Television Network (CTN). Mr. Grant will help lead CTN during a time of significant growth: CTN's programming and advertising are available to more than 1.5 million college and university students daily at nearly 1,000 college locations across the United States; CTN's Link Magazine is now the most read college magazine in America; and CTN is now exploring acquisitions and Internet initiatives that will give it even greater reach into the demographically coveted 18-to-24 year old market.
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Comcast Enters Agreements to Develop Interactive TV
Comcast enters into agreements with Liberate Technologies and WorldGate Communications to develop interactive TV services.
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COMSAT Appoints Jay Ziegler Vice President of Corporate Communications
COMSAT Corporation today announced that Jay Ziegler has been named Vice President of Corporate Communications, starting June 21, 1999. In this position, Mr. Ziegler will be responsible for all corporate communications, and will also oversee the marketing communications programs for the satellite services and digital networking services divisions of the company.
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COMSAT International Names Gramaglia Vice President of Global Accounts
COMSAT International (CI) announced the appointment of Mary Gramaglia as Vice President of Global Accounts.
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DaimlerChrysler Aerospace Signs MOU with CASA
DaimlerChrysler Aerospace (DASA) and Construcciones Aeronauticas SA (CASA) signed a memorandum of understanding for the merger of CASA into DASA. Both companies are Arianespace shareholders and will jointly hold 12.3 percent of Arianespace's capital.
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Development Activity Paused On Teledesic Constellation
Exigent International, Inc. reported that subsidiary Software Technology, Inc. (STI), following the lead of strategic partner, Motorola, Inc., has suspended system engineering activity on the Teledesic "Internet in the Sky" program.
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Digital Microwave Corporation Opens Philippines-Based Asia/Pacific Service Center
Digital Microwave Corporation announced that it has opened its new Asia Pacific Service Center in the Clark Special Economic Zone, Philippines. The center serves as a centralized customer service facility for the Company's telecommunications customers in the Asia/Pacific Region.
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DirecTV 1-R Satellite to Expand Capacity and Strengthen In-Orbit Redundancy
DirecTV, a digital television service provider, will be part of Sea Launch's first commercial launch scheduled for August this year. In conjunction with Hughes Space and Communications (HSC), Sea Launch will use the world's only ocean-based commercial launch service to propel the DIRECTV 1-R satellite into orbit.
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EMS Technologies to Supply Advanced Wireless Products to Nortel Networks For Multimedia Satellite Link
EMS Technologies, Inc. announced that its Canadian operations have received a contract from Nortel Networks to supply advanced communications hardware and software for the ASTRA
satellite network of Societe Europeenne des Satellites (SES), and its ASTRA Return Channel System (ARCS).
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EUTELSAT and SES Complete Intersystem Coordination
EUTELSAT and Société Européenne des Satellites (SES) have reached a comprehensive intersystem coordination agreement which will optimize the use of the scarce natural resource of satellite broadcasting frequencies over Europe. The agreement, which was achieved with the active involvement of Deutsche Telekom AG (DT-AG), covers the current and planned use of certain orbital positions in the respective Ku frequency bands over Europe.
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Eutelsat's Board Approve Atlantic Bird 1
EUTELSAT's Board of Signatories, meeting in Rapallo (Italy) from June 21 to 25, gave the go-ahead for the Atlantic Bird 1 satellite. The new satellite, to be manufactured by Alenia Aerospazio and delivered in the second quarter of 2001, will be made available to EUTELSAT via a long-term lease contract.
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ForeignTV.com Announces Time Inc. New Media Executive as Vice President, Marketing
ForeignTV.com, an Internet broadcaster specializing in the
production and aggregation of streaming media content from around the world, has announced two senior appointments. Graham Cannon, Director of Communications and Strategy for Time Inc. New
Media was named Vice President, Marketing. Dennis Oppenheimer, most recently President of Abandon Artists, will be the company's Vice President, Music.
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Frank Luperella, Senior Vice President Of Atlantic Satellite Communications, Inc., Assumes General Manager Position
Frank Luperella, senior vice president of Atlantic Satellite Communications, Inc., has assumed the responsibilities of general manager of Atlantic; he is also senior vice president-general manager Waterfront Communications Corporation. The announcement was made by Donald H. Buck, vice president of The Transmission and Distribution Services Group of Video Services Corporation (VSC), and president of the Group's operating units - Atlantic, Waterfront, Audio Plus Video International, Inc. and Audio
Plus Video/West.
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GE Americom Enters a Joint Agreement with AT&T Alascom
for GE-8/Aurora III Satellite
GE Americom Communications, (GE Americom) announced today that it has entered into an agreement with AT&T Alascom to jointly own the GE-8 satellite, also to be known as Aurora III. GE-8 is to be launched and operational by early 2001.
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Globalstar Arranges $500 million Credit Facility
Globalstar (GSTRF:NASDQ) announced today that it has arranged a $500 million credit facility for the build-out of the Globalstar system. The facility will be fully underwritten by Bank of America .
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Head of NASA Space Station Moving to Head Hughes Satellite Programs
Randy Brinkley, the head of NASA's International Space Station program, left NASA to join Hughes Space and Communications Co., a unit of Hughes Electronics Corp. , as senior vice president of programs.
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Hughes Network Systems Provides Satellite Networking Solutions to Commercial Customers
Hughes Network systems has beenselected by General Growth Properties, Equilon Enterprises LLC and Motiva Enterprises LLC , VSAT (very small aperture terminal) technology-based services.
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Hughes satellite First with SES Ka-Band Service
The ASTRA 1H satellite of Luxembourg-based Société Européenne des Satellites (SES) was successfully launched with a Russian Proton D-1-e rocket from the Cosmodrome of Baikonur (Kazakhstan) in the early morning hours of June 18th, 1999 (07.49.30 a.m. Baikonur time; 03.49.30 a.m. CET; 01.49.30 a.m. GMT). ASTRA 1H is the ninth SES satellite in the ASTRA series and the eighth to be co-located at the orbital position of 19.2° East. In addition to 30 transponders in the Ku-band, ASTRA 1H carries the world's first commercial Ka-band payload for use over Europe.
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Integral Systems, Inc. Raises Approximately $19 Million
Integral Systems, Inc., a leading provider of satellite =
ground systems, announced it has sold approximately 1.1 million shares of its common stock to certain investors in connection with a private placement.
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INTELSAT Experiences Tremendous Growth in Internet Traffic in Asia-Pacific
INTELSAT announced its Internet traffic to the Asia and Pacific regions, including Australasia, has nearly tripled during the first five months of 1999. INTELSAT now carries more than 800 Mbit/s of traffic over the Pacific for Internet backbone connections.
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James Griscavage Named Vice President, Quality Assurance for TriPoint Global CommunicationsTM
James Griscavage of Sterling Va. has been named Vice President, Quality Assurance for TriPoint Global Communications, the Company announced.
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James L. Gray Joins Moog Board
Moog Inc. announced today that James Lee Gray, retired Chairman and CEO of PrimeStar Partners, LP, has been elected to Moog's Board of Directors.
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John Kole Named as a Managing Director of Comcast Interactive Capital Group
Comcast Interactive Capital Group (CIC) has named John Kole as a Managing Director. Comcast Interactive Capital Group is a new independent unit of Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSK, CMCSA) that functions as a venture capital fund to seek, acquire and manage investments associated with the Internet. Mr. Kole will assume responsibility
for identifying, investing in and working with portfolio companies of CIC.
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Kingston Vision Selects iMagicTV for Digital TV Services Deployment
iMagicTV, a leading provider of interactive digital television software for the telecommunications industry, announced that Kingston Vision, a subsidiary of UK-based Kingston Communications (Hull) plc, has chosen iMagicTV's DTV Manager, to deliver interactive television services including digital TV channels, Web-based email, high-speed Internet and Video on Demand to it's customers.
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Lockheed Martin Awarded GSA Millennia Contract
Lockheed Martin Information Support Services (ISS) is one of 12 vendors awarded the GSA Millennia contract for information technology services by the General Services Administration's Federal Technology Service. Millennia is valued at $25 billion over 10 years and is designed to support large system integration and software development.
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Lockheed Martin Intersputnik to Launch LMI-1: Communications Services to Begin in September
Lockheed Martin Intersputnik (LMI), a joint venture of Lockheed Martin Global Telecommunications and the Intersputnik International Organization of Space Communications, confirmed it will launch its initial satellite, LMI-1, by 6 September and initiate communication services by 30 September 1999.
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Loral Orion Introduces First Worldwide Broadband DVD Service
Businesses and Internet Service Providers around the globe can now turn to a single provider - Loral Orion - for Digital Video Broadcast (DVB) data transport to and from virtually any place in the world.
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Mobile Data Market Potential Soars to Over 32 Million Workers; June 23rd Conference Call to Discuss Findings
Connectivity to the Internet and an increasingly mobile labor force is fueling a host of new mobile data solutions in the United States. According to The Strategis Group's recent study, US Mobile Data Marketplace: 1999, over 32 million workers are potential candidates for these mobile data services. Only 2.8 million workers use a mobile data service today. Until recently, the complexity and the expense of these solutions have slowed the adoption rate for mobile data applications among businesses.
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Mobile Data Thrives on Narrowband; Industry Will Generate Almost $5.8 Billion In Annual Revenues By 2004
Narrowband mobile data operators will benefit from a short window of opportunity before the advent of wireless broadband services, according to The Strategis Group's recent study, US Mobile Data Marketplace: 1999.
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NASA's Quikscat Satellite Launched
After a 24-hour delay, NASA's Quick Scatterometer (Quikscat) lifted into space Saturday (6/19) on a Lockheed Martin Corp.-built Titan 2 rocket out of Vandenberg Air Force Base, CA.
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NBC and AT&T Broadband & Internet Services Enter into Long-Term Agreement
NBC and AT&T Broadband & Internet Services (AT&T BIS) today announced a wide-ranging and long-term partnership spanning broadcast, cable, and digital carriage of NBC and the NBC digital services. The agreement provides for long-term carriage on AT&T BIS cable systems of NBC's cable services CNBC and MSNBC, as well as a commitment by AT&T BIS to carry NBC's Olympics programming package on CNBC and MSNBC.
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Netsat Express: New President and COO
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NTL Enters Continental Europe; Acquires France Telecom's '1G Networks'
NTL Incorporated announced its first broadband venture in Continental Europe with a significant acquisition in France. Following a competitive tendering process, France Telecom and France Telecom Cable have announced that NTL is the winning bidder to acquire the "1G Networks" of France Telecom representing over 266,000 franchise homes.
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OpenTV and BskyB Develop Digital-based Supertext
OpenTV, Inc., a worldwide leader in interactive television software for digital television receivers, and British Sky Broadcasting Ltd. have announced plans to jointly deliver BSkyB's SuperText, a digital Teletext service that will replace the existing analogue version.
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PACE Close Deals at NCTA
Pace Micro Technology plc has closed several agreements at the National Cable Television Association Convention. One agreement involves the development of more than 100,000 digital set-top boxes for BellSouth Corp.'s MMDS digital home entertainment service. The first boxes are expected to arrive in November 1999.
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PeopleSoft selects Gilat's Spacenet subsidiary to provide a satellite-based interactive distance learning network
Spacenet Inc., a subsidiary of Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. (NASDAQ: GILTF), today announced that it was selected by PeopleSoft, Inc. (NASDAQ: PSFT) to provide a satellite-based network to enable PeopleSoft Knowledge Broadcasts, an interactive distance learning program designed to train customers on PeopleSoft's products. With 1998 revenues of $1.3 billion, PeopleSoft is one of the world's largest suppliers of enterprise application software and e-business solutions.
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Phoenixstar Announces Tender Offer and Name Change
Phoenixstar, Inc., formerly known as PRIMESTAR, Inc. (the "Company"), announced today that it has commenced a tender offer (the "Offer") for its 12-1/4% Senior Subordinated Discount Notes due 2007 (the "Senior Subordinated Discount Notes") and its 10-7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007 (the "Senior Subordinated Notes" and, together
with the Senior Subordinated Discount Notes, the "Notes"), each of which were originally issued by TCI Satellite Entertainment, Inc. On April 28, 1999, the Company completed its previously announced sale (the "Medium Power Sale") of its medium power direct broadcast satellite business, which constituted substantially all of the operating assets of the Company, to Hughes Electronics Corporation. Pursuant to the terms of the Medium Power Sale, the Company officially changed its name to "Phoenixstar, Inc." on April 29, 1999.
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Rich Foss Joins Motorola as Vice President and Director of Global Brand Strategy
Today, Motorola announced that Rich Foss has joined its Consumer Solutions Group (CSG) as Vice President and Director of Global Brand Strategy. Foss' new role will be key in the transformation of Motorola's focus on the consumer. Specifically, he will develop the global brand strategy for brand Motorola and sub-brands for all of CSG's consumer products including wireless phones, two-way radios and pagers.
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Robert Hopkins Promoted to Senior Vice President and General Manager, Sony Pictures High Definition Center
Robert Hopkins has been promoted to Senior Vice President and General Manager for Sony Pictures High Definition Center, including an expansion and extension of his relationship with the studio, it was announced today by William Humphrey, Executive Vice President, Digital Studios Division, Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE).
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SCI Systems Ships 5 Millionth Satellite Receiver to Echostar
EchoStar Technologies Corporation and SCI Systems, Inc announced that SCI has manufactured and shipped 5 million direct broadcast satellite (DBS) television receivers to EchoStar.
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Scientific-Atlanta Digital TV Pioneer Dr. Bill Wall Honored By Inter@ctive Week as an "Unsung Hero of the Net"
Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. announced that Dr. Bill Wall, the company's technical director for Subscriber Networks, has been named by Inter@ctive Week as an "Unsung Hero of the Net." Each year, the weekly publication honors a collection of 25 unsung heroes of the Net by compiling a diverse set of individuals whose efforts have significantly improved the network of networks, through advancements in its hardware, software, services and content.
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Scientific-Atlanta's CEO Wins NCTA 1999 Vanguard Award For Role in Developing Interactive Digital TV Services
James F. McDonald, Scientific-Atlanta's president and CEO, has
been selected as one of nine recipients of the National Cable Television Association's 1999 Vanguard Awards.
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Sea Launch receives Additional Launch Service Orders
Sea Launch announced four confirmed orders from Hughes Space and Communications (HSC) for delivery-on-orbit satellite launch service contracts. The new orders fall within the years 2001 to 2003 and bring the Sea Launch manifest to 19 confirmed launches.
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SeaChange International Appoints Honey Berman to Vice President of Programming and Licensing
SeaChange International, Inc. (Nasdaq: SEAC), the leading provider of complete digital video systems for television, has appointed entertainment licensing and program veteran Honey Berman to vice president of programming and licensing.
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Sixth Successful Launch Adds Four More Satellites to Globalstar Constellation
Globalstar today announced the successful launch of an additional four low-earth-orbiting (LEO) satellites into space, bringing the total number of Globalstar satellites that have been successfully launched to 24.
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SkyStream Adds Digital TV Veteran To Board of Directors
Broadcast Internet leader taps President and COO of TVN Entertainment Corporation to join its board
SkyStream Corporation today announced the appointment of James B. Ramo, President and Chief Operating Officer of TVN Entertainment Corporation, to its board of directors. As a member of the board, Ramo will leverage his 20 years of media industry experience as SkyStream continues its mission to provide a single backbone for television and broadband Internet services. TVN Entertainment provides pay-per-view movies and events in a near-video-on-demand format to both the cable and satellite direct-to-home markets.
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SkyStream Corporation Receives Intel Investment
SkyStream Corporation, a leading developer of broadband networking products that deliver media-rich Internet content over broadcast networks, today announced that Intel Corporation invested in the company. Financial details were not disclosed. The two companies have been collaborating on a series of digital broadcasting trials to transmit Internet data and television content over satellite and Digital TV (DTV) networks using SkyStream's Integrator family of products with Intel Architecture computing platforms.
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Success of CommunicAsia'99 Shows Renewed Optimism in Asian Market
The success of last week's CommunicAsia'99 demonstrates renewed optimism in the Asian telecommunication market--potentailly the largest in the world.
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Teal Group Forecasts 1,447 Satellites, 850-900 Launches Worldwide Through 2009
Teal Group presented its revised figures for the future of the worldwide satellite launch market at the WorldSat '99 Space & Satellite Finance Conference in New York City, June 14-16. The 10-year forecast, covering 2000-2009, includes a total of 1,447 satellites to be launched aboard 850-900 launch vehicles
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Telecom Leaders Discuss Satellite Communications in Africa
INTELSAT Director General & CEO, Mr. Conny Kullman, joined other industry executives and policy makers to discuss the future of satellite communications in Africa, at AFCOM '99.
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Tom Shields Joins Phase2Media as Vice President, Technology Strategy Internet Pioneer, Co-Founder of NetGravity to Lead Tech Solutions for Phase2Media's Ad Networks
Tom Shields, co-founder and former Chief Technology Officer of NetGravity, has joined interactive ad sales and strategy firm Phase2Media, as Vice President, Technology Strategy. Mr. Shields leads Phase2Media's development of technology solutions for advertisers on the company's networks. A recognized authority in the field, his expertise is also a resource for client sites to help them evaluate new and existing technologies to improve their online advertising efforts.
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Tribune Broadcasting Names Peter S. Walker Group Vice President/Tribune Television
Peter S. Walker, vice president/general manager of WGN-TV, Channel 9 in Chicago, has been promoted to group vice president/Tribune Television. In this position, Walker will oversee six stations: KTLA-TV, Los Angeles; KWGN-TV, Denver; KDAF-TV, Dallas; KHTV-TV, Houston; WGNO-TV, New Orleans; and KSWB-TV, San Diego.
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TVNZ: New Employee
TVNZ Satellite Services, part of the TVNZ group of companies based in Auckland, New Zealand, appointed Alan Lasoff to work exclusively for TVNZ Satellite Services in Asia.
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US Digital Communications, Inc. Appoints Industry Leaders Irving Goldstein and Thomas Wheeler to Board of Directors
Robert J. Wussler, Chairman and CEO of US Digital Communications, Inc. today announced that Irving Goldstein, until recently Director General and CEO of Intelsat, and Thomas Wheeler, currently President and CEO of the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association, have joined the Board of Directors.
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Voyager Telecommunications Ink Software License Agreement
Voyager Telecommunications announced that ATC Teleports has become the latest telecommunications firm to license its Automated Traffic Management System (ATMS) to provide the multiple facility company with the tools required to manage its resources and business.
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WebTV founder Perlman leaves Microsoft
WebTV Networks Inc. co-founder Steve Perlman, a tinkerer who made a fortune marrying the Internet with television, said Tuesday he is leaving two years after selling the company to software giant Microsoft Corp.
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XM Satellite Gets Capital Investment for Digital Radio
Clear Channel Communications Inc.; DIRECTV, Inc., a unit of Hughes Electronics Corporation; The General Motors Corporation; and a private investment group comprised of Columbia Capital, Telcom Ventures L.L.C., and Madison Dearborn Partners hit the accelerator on the emerging satellite radio market by making a $250 million combined investment commitment in XM Satellite Radio Inc.
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