Satellite Networks

Proof of the continuing importance of the handheld satellite phone market comes with the announcement that Thuraya has launched what it calls an enhanced generation of its popular XT-PRO DUAL satellite and cellular feature phone.

Germany-based LEO satellite operator Rivada Space Networks has announced a partnership with Thai Aerospace Industries (TAI) to provide connectivity services to commercial, military and general aviation sectors inside and outside Thailand.

Eutelsat OneWeb has signed an exclusive distribution partnership agreement with Libyan operator RLTT (Rawafed Libya for Telecommunications & Technology) to provide high-speed, low latency connectivity across Libya.

Indonesia’s new internet satellite, SATRIA-1, has reportedly been successfully tested and should be ready to begin operations in early 2024.

A satcoms collaboration described as “groundbreaking” has been signed in the past few days. Its aim is said to be to evolve the landscape of satellite imagery capabilities and geospatial services in Southeast Asia.

According to local press reports an international tender notice has been launched in Madagascar for the provision of satellite services.

Globalsat Group, a provider of mission-critical satellite and wireless connectivity solutions is partnering with satellite network operator Rivada Space Networks to provide access to a next-generation data network for customers in the energy, government, NGO, agriculture, utilities and transportation sectors throughout the Americas and beyond.

Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), India’s leading private sector player for aerospace and defence solutions, and Satellogic, a major name in sub-meter resolution earth observation (EO) data collection, have announced a collaboration for establishing and developing local space technology capabilities in India.

Telecoms tower company edotco announced a new partnership with integrated network solutions provider Zeta IOS to provide satellite-based solutions to boost rural connectivity in Malaysia.

Malaysian telecoms infrastructure services provider REDtone Digital says it has signed an authorised reseller agreement with SpaceX to offer Starlink's LEO satellite broadband services in Malaysia.

Leading Argentine commercial airline Aerolíneas Argentinas has selected Intelsat, operator of the world’s largest integrated satellite and terrestrial network, to provide multi-orbit in-flight connectivity service on 18 Airbus A330 and Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.

OneWeb India says it has received the necessary authorisations from Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) to launch Eutelsat OneWeb’s commercial satellite broadband services in India.

The Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC) welcomed the news that LEOsat operator Starlink has acquired licences to operate in Fiji, saying it will boost competition and make the digital economy more inclusive.

Satellite connectivity company Astranis announced it will have two satellites in operation next year over the Philippines to connect remote islands. 

Intelsat and Africa Mobile Networks (AMN) have revealed plans to deploy 1,340 new satellite-connected cellular towers in Madagascar, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Eutelsat OneWeb signed a multi-year master distribution agreement on Wednesday with African ICT integrator NEC XON to bring OneWeb’s LEOsat connectivity to Sub-Saharan Africa.

NOW Corp added another satellite broadband partnership to its collection on Wednesday, this one with aspiring LEOsat operator Rivada Space Networks to target enterprises in the Philippines.

The Republic of Djibouti has launched its first satellite, Djibouti 1A. It took off last weekend from the Vandenberg Space Force Base onboard the SpaceX Transporter-9, a dedicated SSO rideshare mission carrying a variety of payloads into sun-synchronous orbit.

SES announced on Monday that it has launched two more O3b mPOWER satellites into medium orbit, making its mPOWER satellite broadband offering ready for service despite reported electrical problems with the satellites.

Satellite internet service Starlink, from rocket manufacturer SpaceX, has won a tender from Mexico's state energy firm to provide services until the end of December 2026, according to Reuters.

Space X satellite connectivity subsidiary Starlink announced it launched broadband services in Benin, marking the sixth country in Africa to see the service. 

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Mauritius Research and Innovation Council (MRIC) have signed a memorandum of understanding  (MoU) to develop, launch, and operate an earth observation (EO) satellite for Mauritius.

Indian telco Reliance Jio Infocomm demonstrated its satellite broadband service JioSpaceFiber at India Mobile Congress on Friday, claiming it’s the first satellite-based gigabit service in India.

NOW Corp has signed a MoU with Mangata Networks to provide broadband satellite and edge computing solutions to enterprises in the Philippines, although actual services will have to wait until Mangata launches its satellites a few years from now.

Several high-growth sectors in South Sudan are to receive satellite-enabled connectivity solutions designed to serve specific requirements – with help from UAE-headquartered satellite solutions provider, Yahsat.

According to a number of press reports, Senegal is now preparing for the launch of its first satellite, initially scheduled for 2021 and postponed to 2023 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

A preliminary agreement with Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation & Aerospace will see Starlink provide high speed internet access to around 2000 rural schools across the country.

Paraguay is the latest market in which Starlink has procured a licence for satellite broadband.

African e-commerce platform Jumia has announced an agreement with satellite internet service Starlink to retail the Starlink Residential Kit in Africa.

Two stories involving enhanced coverage and connectivity have emerged from Brazil this week – one involving satellite networks for enterprises, operators and aviation, and the other involving terrestrial internet access for schools.

The Costa Rican government reportedly gave permission for Elon Musk’s broadband provider Starlink to operate in the country in Q4 this year. 

In what could be a significant development for space-based 5G, operator China Telecom, technology giant ZTE and Beijing-based company SpaceIoT say they have completed the industry’s first 5G non-terrestrial network (NTN) deployment in a marine scenario.

Malaysia’s rural broadband service provider MEASAT says it is now connecting close to 600 school sites in remote locations throughout the country through its CONNECTme NOW high-speed wireless satellite broadband services.