SatMagazine (SM)
Please tell our readers about your Company’s business focus, and history, within the various European market segments.
Spacecom is the multi-regional satellite operator of the AMOS satellite fleet currently consisting of the AMOS-2 and AMOS-3 satellites co-located at the 4 degrees West orbital location and the AMOS-5 located at 17 degrees East. Together, these satellites offer a wide range of communication and broadcast services throughout Europe, the Middle East, the U.S. East Coast and Africa via direct-to-home (DTH) and direct broadcast satellite (DBS) operators, Internet service providers (ISPs), telecom operators, network integrators and government agencies. Among Spacecom’s major European customers are DTH platforms like Xtra-TV in the Ukraine, T-Home SatTV in Hungary, Magio TV in Slovakia and Yes in Israel. AMOS works with leaders such as HBO for its European cable distribution, Ukraine’s Inter Media Group and MTV channels, among others.
Spacecom plans to launch the AMOS-4 in 2013 with coverage over Russia and South Asia, and AMOS-6 in 2015 with coverage over Europe and the Middle East. These two satellites will further enhance the AMOS brand throughout Europe and the company’s position as a multi-regional satellite operator.
SM
What European SATCOM sectors do you believe offer the most potential for Company growth and why?
Jacob Keret
As an industry leader in high quality broadcasting and communications services, Spacecom is focused on DTH platforms, TV broadcasters and programmers, corporate and government organizations, ISPs, network integrators, VSAT service providers and telephony operators. We believe that growth in these sectors remains strong from both a geographic and a services point of view. The AMOS constellation located over Europe provides us with an advantage in these markets and enables us to provide excellent, strong broadcast neighborhoods. We intend to continue pursuing broadcast and emerging broadband opportunities in the region and see the Ukraine and the Balkan region as a strong growth markets.
This summer, we announced our partner for construction of the AMOS-6 satellite also to be co-located at the 4 degrees West orbital position. AMOS-6 will be larger than AMOS-2 and AMOS-3 combined and will include Ka-band spot beams as well as Ku-band. It will also provide services to Western Europe in addition to Central and East Europe. Scheduled to be launched in 2015, the satellite will replace AMOS-2 when it ends its service. Another look at Europe from the 65 degrees East orbital position will bring the AMOS brand to areas in Russia and the CIS. The AMOS-4 is scheduled for launch in the second quarter of 2013 to bring Ka- and Ku-band beams to Russia, as well as the Middle East and the Indian Subcontinent.
SM
How is your Company coping with the euro fluctuations?
Jacob Keret
Since our start in 1996, Spacecom has focused on the formerly emerging markets in East and Central Europe. Over the years, our business has been predicated upon seeking and penetrating emerging markets. Our team and partners comprehend the importance of risk management policies, in initial contract negotiations stage as well as during the service providing stage. Therefore, euro fluctuations, though they are affecting our business, and are a challenge, aren’t threatening us and don’t slow us down.
SM
How will the European markets impact global, as well as your Company’s business opportunities?
Jacob Keret
Europe is one of our major markets.AMOS supplies three growing DTH operators with satellite services—Xtra-TV in the Ukraine, T-Home SatTV in Hungary and Magio TV in Slovakia. Spacecom and Magyar Telekom, the owners of T-Home SatTV and Magio TV, have just signed a follow-on, multi-million dollar long-term deal to provide more bandwidth to its platforms. These DTH operators anchor our business in Europe and we are very happy with the long term deals we hold with them.
SM
What obstacles do you see facing your Company in the European market? How do you plan on overcoming such challenges?
Jacob Keret
Europe is like any other market. There are myriad competitors, a changing digital landscape, robust new technologies and tricky economic challenges. Spacecom plans on reaching our business goals by doing what we have always done. First, we conduct in-depth research into our targeted markets. Next, we identify potential well-connected partners in the market and create a relationship with that group. We greet, meet and pursue business opportunities to create a win-win situation for all involved parties. Finally, we introduce the AMOS brand into the market and generate business by providing high quality and flexible solutions that meet and exceed the market’s needs. As Europe is facing financial and economic turmoil, Spacecom is prepared with risk management tools.
SM
What new technologies/products will your Company be working on and/or releasing over the next few months that will drive additional business in Europe?
Jacob Keret
One of the most important new technologies to grace the satellite industry is the Ka-band spot beam. We intend to use this new technology to bring broadband Internet to the consumer market. The upcoming AMOS-6 allows us to approach markets in Western, Eastern and Central Europe as well as Africa. We are very excited by the opportunities that are being raised from Ka-band services.
About the author
Jacob Keret brings to his position more than 20 years of global business and management experience in the aerospace and telecommunications arena. Jacob served for six years as vice president of marketing and sales at Starling Advanced Communications, an innovator in satellite communication systems. Prior to that, Jacob co-founded Spacecom Satellite Communication Services, a service provider for AMOS satellites.