Dish Network launched a feature that gives customers using the Hopper the ability to control TV volume and power from their iPads. Dish added the feature to its second-screen iPad app, Dish Explorer, it said in a press release (http://bit.ly/1jDXxV9). In addition to the new feature, Dish added a new “Picked for Me” section to the app “offering personalized program recommendations based on viewing habits,” it said. Dish Explorer highlights the most popular programs on TV using real-time TV viewing trends, it said.

Inmarsat agreed RacoWireless will distribute Inmarsat’s IsatData Pro machine to machine (M2M) service. IsatData Pro will be one of RacoWireless’ primary network solutions for Latin America’s growing fleet-management market, said Inmarsat in a Tuesday news release (http://bit.ly/NxmaYc). The solution will enable M2M users “to enhance the efficiency and ensure the safety and security of their fixed and mobile assets in regions not covered by terrestrial telecommunications infrastructure,” it said. RacoWireless will integrate the solution into its Omega Management Suite, which serves as a cloud-based dashboard for global device management, Inmarsat said.

ViaSat requested access to the U.S. market using a proposed Ka-band satellite, ViaSat-KA 8W, the FCC International Bureau said in a public notice (http://bit.ly/1o0W6zY). ViaSat plans to operate the satellite under the authority of the U.K. at 88.9 degrees west, it said. The company wants U.S. market access to provide fixed satellite service using 18.3-19.3 GHz, 19.7-20.2 GHz, 28.1-29.1 GHz and 29.5-30.0 GHz, it said. In respect to a separate filing, the public notice said Sirius XM requested a 180-day special temporary authority to perform telemetry, tracking and command operations necessary to drift its XM-2 satellite from 115 degrees west to 27 degrees west. Sirius XM also requested a waiver of FCC rules to permit XM-2 to be maintained at 27 degrees west with a +/-0.1 degree east-west stationkeeping tolerance, it said.

Globalstar urged the FCC to adopt a proposal to increase power limits for indoor unlicensed national information infrastructure (U-NII) devices by 500 percent. The commission also can expand the U-NII-3 band by 25 MHz and consolidate all U-NII-3 equipment authorizations for digitally modulated devices under the U-NII rules, Globalstar said in an ex parte filing in docket 13-49 (http://bit.ly/1myjxFs). If millions of outdoor U-NII-1 access points were permitted to operate throughout the U.S., “it would be virtually impossible to repair the harm to Globalstar and those who rely on its licensed services,” Globalstar said. The filing recounted a phone conversation Feb. 18 between Globalstar attorney Regina Keeney and staff from Chairman Tom Wheeler’s office. Globalstar and NCTA, after being at odds on access to spectrum cable and other non-satellite communications companies want for Wi-Fi, had been talking about reaching a solution (CD Feb 19 p16).

Intelsat reported Q4 2013 revenue of $642.8 million, which is down from $672.3 million in the same period in 2012. Intelsat reported revenue of $2.603 billion for the whole year, which is slightly down from $2.610 billion in 2012, it said in a press release (http://bit.ly/1mf9kdr). The company’s revenue growth continues to be affected by reduced U.S. government spending and the oversupply environment in Africa, “which affects pricing within network services applications in that region,” it said. Those factors will likely persist this year, “resulting in overall reduced revenues for the full year compared to 2013,” it said. At $300 million, network services comprised 47 percent of Q4 2013 revenue, down 1 percent from the same period in 2012, it said. Revenue from media declined 3 percent to $218 million, it said. Government revenue also decreased in Q4 2013 by 14 percent to $116 million. Satellite-related services reported an aggregate decline of $7.5 million, “primarily due to decreased revenue from government professional services and flight operations support or third party satellites,” Intelsat said.

The FCC International Bureau seeks comment on a rulemaking allowing Globalstar to deploy a low-power terrestrial broadband network. Comments are due May 5, with replies due June 4, the bureau said in a Federal Register notice (http://1.usa.gov/1bmzZDX). The FCC released the NPRM last year (CD Nov 5 p5).

Global Eagle Entertainment and Air China signed an agreement to trial Global Eagle’s high-speed, Ku-band satellite-based connectivity service. The trial will let Air China passengers access the Internet and stored content on approved handheld devices, Global Eagle said in a news release Tuesday (http://bit.ly/1gRKv5b). Global Eagle will provide its connectivity solution and support for aeronautical certifications, training and program management, it said. The trial will begin this year, it said.

The FCC International Bureau granted LightSquared’s application to extend the license term of the MSAT-2 satellite until Dec. 31. Located at 103.3 degrees west, MSAT-2 provides service in the bands 1530-1544 MHz, 1545-1559 MHz, 1631.5-1645.5 MHz and 1646.5-1660.5 MHz, the bureau’s Satellite Division said in a public notice (http://bit.ly/1ghyBBZ).

Intelsat requested a 30-day special temporary authority beginning Feb. 18, to drift Galaxy 26 from 50 degrees east to 49.9 degrees east. At 49.9 degrees east, the satellite will continue to operate in the C- and Ku- bands, it said in its application to the FCC International Bureau (http://bit.ly/1bsrQhB). Intelsat also requested a 30-day STA beginning March 13, to use its Castle Rock, Colo., Ku-band earth station “to provide launch and early orbit phase services for the Amazonas-4A satellite” that’s expected to launch that date, it said (http://bit.ly/1jbxbc7).

The FCC International Bureau seeks comment on the impact of the privatization of Inmarsat and Intelsat on the satellite communications market. The comments will be reflected in the commission’s annual report to Congress as part of the requirements of the Open-Market Reorganization for the Betterment of International Telecommunications Act, the bureau said in a public notice (http://bit.ly/McRDOX). Initial comments are due March 12, replies March 27, it said.