GSOA COMBINES WITH GVF RESULTING IN AN UNPARALLELED GLOBAL SATCOM TRADE ASSOCIATION
A trade association of 70 member companies spanning the entire satellite ecosystem from across the globe
Brussels, Belgium / London, United Kingdom -- The Global Satellite Operators Association (GSOA) and the Global VSAT Forum (GVF) today announce that their respective Boards have approved combining both associations. The combination taking effect on 1 June 2023 will result in GSOA becoming a trade association comprised of 70 member companies spanning the entire satellite ecosystem from across the globe with unparalleled resources, experience and relationships developed over their combined 48 years of existence, providing a strong single voice for the satellite industry.
GSOA will continue to be led by Ms. Isabelle Mauro, current Director General of GSOA. David Meltzer previously announced that he will be leaving GVF as Secretary General of GVF after four and a half years.
Ms. Mauro commented “I couldn’t be more excited about the great benefits that this next phase will offer to our members at this unprecedented time of growth and innovation of the satellite industry. Leveraging the assets of our combined efforts throughout the Satcom ecosystem and speaking with one strong voice will further enhance the transformative contribution our industry is making to global society and accelerate the positive impact on the global economy and the environment.”
“Combining GVF’s global membership from the space and ground segment and extensive member promotion activities with GSOA’s unparalleled satellite operator membership and advocacy activities will enable the combined organization to bring greater benefits and increased advocacy efforts to our members. I am very pleased to have helped bring about the combination prior to my departure”, said Mr. Meltzer.
GSOA’s Chairman, Rajeev Suri, commented, “The satellite communications sector needs a strong, unified voice and it now has that in GSOA. By joining forces with GVF and a broader satcom ecosystem, we get a step closer to deliver increased connectivity anytime, anywhere and underpin development and economic growth worldwide.”
“It's been my privilege to have served as Chairman of GVF’s Board for the past 16 years, during which our wide range of members have helped propel major advances across the satellite ecosystem globally. The combination with GSOA is a critical next step in enhancing benefits to our members and strengthening the overall voice of our industry, and I congratulate the leadership of both boards in bringing about this transformative combination”, said GVF’s Chairman, Dr. Arunas Slekys.
NOTES FOR EDITORS
GSOA is the only CEO-driven satellite industry association. It focuses on a core mission of providing a unified voice and a platform for collaboration for satellite operators globally to ensure their continued success and for broadening the opportunities for policymakers and industry players to leverage satellite services to fulfil their objectives. For more details visit GSOA website or contact us directly.
GVF is the sole global non-profit association of the satellite industry with members from the entire ecosystem, GVF has throughout its history brought together organizations from around the world representing operators, manufacturers, service providers, innovators and other parts of the satellite ecosystem that are engaged in the development and delivery of satellite technologies and services for consumers, commercial and government organizations worldwide. GVF facilitates expanded access to satellite-based connectivity solutions, through regulatory, policy and spectrum advocacy; training and certification; product quality assurance; and collaboration with user groups and other satellite stakeholders. For more details visit GVF.org or contact info@gvf.org.
GVF APPOINTS ADDITIONAL CO-CHAIR FOR WORKING GROUP’S EXPANDED REMIT
Dr Gavin Cox of Global Invacom Group Teams with Colin Robinson to Lead New Technology Working Group Agenda
GVF, the sole global non-profit association of the satellite industry with members from the entire ecosystem, has announced the launch of its new Technology Working Group.
The Technology Working Group will build upon the achievements of GVF’s existing Mutual Recognition Arrangement Working Group which has developed a consensus-based framework to improve the efficiency of satellite operators’ terminals type-approval procedures and collaborated with the Satellite Operator Minimum Antenna Performance (SOMAP) Group to provide guidance for antenna manufacturers regarding satellite operators’ expectations for new antenna products.
Initially, the expanded remit of the new Working Group will encompass GVF initiatives in connection with all facets of the satellite industry ground segment, including antennas, modems, software-defined networks/virtualisation, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. The Working Group will function to provide a high-profile platform and “showcase” – including advocacy, education/information, and promotion – for the satellite industry’s technology innovations and solutions.
The Technology Working Group will be co-chaired by Colin Robinson (who serves as the current chair of the Mutual Recognition Arrangement Working Group) and Dr Gavin Cox, R&D Engineering Manager at Global Invacom Group.
In announcing the development, Colin Robinson noted that, “Gavin Cox is a very welcome addition to the Working Group team and his knowledge and expertise will make an invaluable contribution to an expanded agenda reflective of today’s industry dynamics.”
Gavin Cox, incoming Co-chair of the Technology Working Group added, “I am delighted to be joining the leadership of the Technology Working Group. I have been supportive of GVF initiatives for several years and this is an important opportunity to contribute to the support that GVF gives to technology innovations.”
For more information, including details of how to join the Technology Working Group, please contact WG@gvf.org.
NOTES FOR EDITORS
GVF is the sole global non-profit association of the satellite industry with members from the entire ecosystem, GVF has throughout its history brought together organizations from around the world representing operators, manufacturers, service providers, innovators and other parts of the satellite ecosystem that are engaged in the development and delivery of satellite technologies and services for consumers, commercial and government organizations worldwide. GVF facilitates expanded access to satellite-based connectivity solutions, through regulatory, policy and spectrum advocacy; training and certification; product quality assurance; and collaboration with user groups and other satellite stakeholders. For more details visit GVF.org or contact info@gvf.org.
Global Invacom Group comprises companies creating the complete solution for satellite communications through development and manufacture of antennas; electronics for transmitting, receiving and distribution of signals; mounts and mechanisms for positioning and tracking signals; and waveguides. Global Invacom Limited is the centre of development for the company’s LNB and switch designs for the DTH market. Global Invacom Limited is also the home for advanced R&D. Global Skyware designs and manufactures the antenna solutions that enable the world’s leading communications equipment companies to deliver data via satellite.
INDUSTRY LEADERS ELECTED TO SERVE AS GVF BOARD MEMBERS
7 December 2022, LONDON - GVF has announced that the following four individuals have been elected to a two-year term to serve as members of GVF’s Board of Directors:
- David Bertolotti, Eutelsat
- Peter B. Davidson, Intelsat
- Yasir Hassan, Arabsat
- Arunas Slekys, Hughes
They join Nancy Eskenazi of SES and Julie Zoller of Amazon as members of GVF’s Board which is responsible for managing the business of GVF.
Commenting on the election result David Meltzer, Secretary General of GVF, said:
“The satellite industry is in the midst of dynamic change as companies are deploying new services and technologies and existing large companies have announced plans to combine. With the election of these four industry leaders to the Board, their knowledge, skills, and experience ensures GVF will continue to effectively represent the interests of its diverse membership during this time of dynamic change. In addition to the knowledge and skills these four people bring to the Board, they represent some of the leading companies in the satellite industry which will strengthen GVF’s position as the sole global voice for the broad satellite industry.”
NOTES FOR EDITORS
Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2022 as the sole global non-profit association of the satellite industry with members from the entire ecosystem, GVF has throughout its history brought together organizations from around the world representing operators, manufacturers, service providers, innovators and other parts of the satellite ecosystem that are engaged in the development and delivery of satellite technologies and services for consumers, commercial and government organizations worldwide. GVF facilitates expanded access to satellite-based connectivity solutions, through regulatory, policy and spectrum advocacy; training and certification; product quality assurance; and collaboration with user groups and other satellite stakeholders.