Kevin Dunne, CEO, ETL Systems. At the Centre of Merger and Acquisition

In this Talk Satellite interview, Kevin Denne from ETL Systems discusses the major transformation taking place across the satellite communications industry. He highlights the impact of market consolidation, ETL’s recent acquisitions, and the company’s shift toward delivering full end‑to‑end solutions—from antenna to modem. Kevin explains how multi‑orbit and multi‑band requirements are reshaping system integration, driving the industry toward digital processing and hybrid RF–digital architectures. He also emphasizes the growing importance of strategic partnerships, software‑defined capabilities, and flexible infrastructure to meet evolving customer needs. The conversation explores the rise of sovereign SATCOM initiatives, the increasing involvement of governments in building their own ground‑segment capabilities, and ETL’s global footprint supporting more than 120 countries. Kevin also shares insights on emerging technologies in the Americas market, the shift toward digital IF, and ETL’s work on 5G NTN and direct‑to‑device connectivity based on 3GPP standards. He concludes with a preview of ETL’s upcoming 5G NTN demonstration at the SAT Show in Washington. A must‑watch for anyone following the future of satellite networks, ground infrastructure, and next‑generation connectivity.