The Cable & Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia (Casbaa) will formally launch the Casbaa Satellite Group on 18 June in Singapore with a one-day conference featuring a keynote address from Douglas Kahn, president and CEO of PanAmSat, as well as the participation of senior executives from SES Astra, Boeing Space, Americom Asia-Pacifc, Shinawatra Satellite, AsiaSat, STAR Group, New Skies Satellite, AOL Time Warner and Binariang Satellite.

Among the papers that will be presented at the conference include: "Ten Years Ahead - Next Generation Satcoms" (speaker Randy Brinkley, president, Boeing Satellite Systems); "Broadband via Satellite - Prospects & Perils For Asia" (speaker Christopher Slaughter director Asia Pacific Communications Yankee Group);

"Financing In The New Era: Strategic Alliances, Partnerships, Mergers & Acquisitions."

With the Iridium crash and potential failure for a large, multi-billion dollar market for handheld mobile satellite telephony, investors are becoming increasingly cautious.
* What is the current state of satellite financing in Asia?
* What is the financial outlook for broadband systems?
* What are the various means to obtain financing?

"Broadband Content Over Satellite."

A key element in the future of the communications industry lies in rich media with 'infotainment' applications and services coming online all the time. Many now believe that the network itself is far less important than the information or content carried over the network.
* How will telecom operators, communications service providers, ISPs, content providers, broadcasters and media define themselves within this new economy?
* To what extent will the new communications economy be based around content?
* What are the market implications? Satellite News Gathering (SNG)? * Where are the threats and opportunities?

"Fast Forward To The Future: Strategic Intelligence Now!"

Content is king but does not yet reign supreme. Content markets are developing rapidly, with traditional providers going online, new entrants and specialist distributors emerging and media players merging into the telecoms industry.
* Will the convergence between telecoms, ISPs , broadcast and media continue?
* If content is to be the new currency, how will it be valued and leveraged as a strategic weapon?
* Who are the players in the content value-chain?
* What is the role of content access in forging industry partnerships?