Satellite Networks

Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT), which owns and operates Nigeria’s communications satellite systems, has begun the process of replacing its NIGCOMSAT-1R communications satellite. It is reportedly seeking support from investors and collaborators worldwide to do this.

Starlink has officially launched services in South Sudan with the approval of the National Communications Authority (NCA), which hopes the LEO satellite operator will bring affordable internet services to the country.

A fascinating coming together of satellite networks, artifical intelligence (AI) and 3D mapping is benefiting gold and copper producer Barrick Gold’s copper exploration at its Reko Diq project in Pakistan.

Turkey launched its first domestically produced communications satellite, Turksat 6A, into orbit early this week, widening the country's satellite coverage and meeting its television broadcasting needs.

Satellite networking technology, solutions and services company Gilat Satellite Networks says it has received a follow-on six-year order worth over US$10 million from Internet Para Todos (IPT) to deliver cellular backhaul services across rural areas in Peru.

The Sri Lankan government will vote this week to change a law that will pave the way for SpaceX’s Starlink satellite connectivity service to deploy on the island, reported ET Telecom.

The Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) and aerospace manufacturer EnduroSat have announced that they are together building the country’s first satellite, BOTSAT-1. The satellite will launch on the SpaceX Transporter-13 mission during or after February 2025.

UAE-based Al Yah Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat) says it has contracted SpaceX as the launch provider for its upcoming new geostationary satellites, Al Yah 4 (AY4) and Al Yah 5 (AY5).

Indian full-stack space engineering solutions provider Dhruva Space and France-based satellite operator and global IoT connectivity provider Kinéis say they plan to introduce Kinéis IoT connectivity in India, and to launch a Kinéis IoT payload on the Dhruva Space P-30 satellite.

Amazon has again delayed the launch of its first production satellites for Project Kuiper, the company’s rival to the Starlink satellite internet constellation.

Globe Telecom partnered with satellite phone company Lynk Global to launch a pilot programme to examine the use of satellite-direct-to-phone communication services to plug coverage gaps in the Philippines.

Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT), which owns and operates the Nigerian communications satellite systems. has announced a strategic partnership with infrastructure and technology company Infratel Africa, to provide connectivity for a major rural infrastructure project in Nigeria.

More space-related announcements have recently been made, this time by Zimbabwe and Namibia, underlining the continuing growth of satellite communications initiatives in sub-Saharan Africa.

Chinese LEO satellite operator Geespace said on Tuesday it has successfully tested its ‘Geely Future Mobility Constellation’ network outside of China for the first time with Oman-based satellite services provider Azyan Telecom.

Hughes Network Systems, a provider of broadband satellite services, products and managed network solutions, has announced a major sale involving Saudi Arabia.

Infostellar, a Japan-based ground-segment-as-a-service (GSaaS) provider, is planning to deploy a network of Infostellar-owned antennas focused on serving its global clients’ interests in the Asia-Pacific region.

Recent satellite internet news coming out of Latin America and India is a reminder that Starlink isn’t having things entirely its own way when it comes to satellite internet.

Communications and IT services provider Speedcast says it recently hosted an inaugural event to celebrate the new purpose-built teleport facility in Cali, Colombia that now serves as the ground infrastructure gateway in Latin America for Eutelsat OneWeb.

The proliferation of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites has caused a sea change in a sector which has long been dominated by geostationary orbit (GSO) providers.

UAE-headquartered satellite solutions provider Al Yah Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat) says it has contracted satellite manufacturer Airbus Defence and Space for its new geostationary (GEO) telecommunications satellites, Al Yah 4 (AY4) and Al Yah 5 (AY5).

Satellite operator SES and UZ-SAT, the Republic of Uzbekistan’s national broadband satellite service provider, have announced plans to sign an agreement to deliver what are described as unparalleled connectivity services throughout Uzbekistan via the SES GEO satellite NSS-12.

NTT Data Middle East and Africa announced on Tuesday it has launched LEO satellite-based connectivity solutions across the African continent, and has already signed on nine customers from sectors such as retail, banking, mining, and logistics.

The Indonesian Competition Commission (KPPU) has reportedly ruled that Starlink’s aggressive discounts on its VSAT terminal kits and subscriptions do not amount to predatory pricing.

UAE-based Al Yah Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat) announced on Wednesday that it has struck a partnership with Indian satellite ground equipment firm SATCOM Technologies to explore opportunities to provide satellite services in Zimbabwe.

Intelsat said on Wednesday it has deployed a dual-satellite connectivity solution for the Palau National Communications Corporation (PNCC) that gives the archipelago extra backup international capacity if its only subsea cable link fails.

Aspiring LEO satellite operator Rivada Space Networks announced on Tuesday that it has signed on new partners in five markets across Asia-Pacific, including the Philippines and Brunei, for its "Outernet" satellite broadband network.

Intelsat, operator of one of the world’s largest integrated satellite and terrestrial networks, has announced that it has become the first foreign GEO satellite operator licensed to sell products in the Philippines.

LEO satellite operator Starlink has been cleared for a licence to offer services in Zimbabwe by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who said he has given the country’s telecoms regulator approval to do so.

Satellite operator Arabsat has signed a deal with satellite services and technology provider neXat to be able to manage various hubs in a single application for its new multicontinental managed services offering.

Accelerit, a telecommunications company dedicated to providing innovative connectivity solutions across South Africa, has announced what it calls a groundbreaking partnership with a local VSAT provider.

Satellite communications company Eutelsat Group says it has extended its partnership with InterSAT, one of Africa's leading satellite service providers, to support InterSAT’s growth in the pan-African enterprise and retail segments.

Viasat and Azercosmos are partnering to bring L-band satellite services to Azerbaijan.

Saudi Arabia-headquartered satellite operator Arabsat announced on Wednesday it is working with ST Engineering iDirect to deploy cloud technologies into its gateway infrastructure as part of a plan to reach new markets in the Middle East, Africa and West/Central Asia.