24-10-2012, 12:22 PM
Communications
ABSTRACT
Business and investment issues continue to dominate satellite manufacturing and satellite service provider business this
year. Consolidation of ownership in fixed satellite service (FSS) companies by private equity investment firms suggests a
belief that FSS is undervalued. Time will tell how FSS companies will fare under this new ownership. Retrenchment to proven
technologies and services continues in a drive to maintain satellite service competitiveness with other means of data transport.
Established direct broadcast satellite (DBS) service providers continued to grow and began to transition to high-definition
(HD) and advanced services. U.S. digital audio radio service (DARS) providers XM Satellite Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio
experienced significant subscriber growth, while digital multi-media broadcast (DMB) services are starting in Japan and
Korea.