Satellite Networks

Algeria’s telecoms regulator ARPCE last week launched a call for bids for two satellite licenses, a significant move in a sector so far only open to public companies.

Thaicom, a leading Asian satellite operator and spacetech company, has announced that its subsidiary, TC 142 Company, has entered into an agreement with Amazon Leo, Amazon’s low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite network.

Elon Musk’s SpaceX has reportedly submitted applications for its long-rumoured IPO in the US, a public offering expected to rank among the largest in market history.

Pan-African telco, Paratus Group, has launched Paratus Essential Access, a solution designed by Paratus and powered by LEO satellite operator Starlink to deliver priority satellite connectivity to communities and emergency services organisations at the heart of Africa’s remote communities.

Satellite services and solutions providers Qatar-based Es’hailSat and EgyptSat have signed a multi-year satellite capacity agreement, enabling EgyptSat to provide VSAT services to its customer base in Egypt and across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

Avantel, an Indian designer and developer of digital solutions, has won a INR4.6 billion (about US$49 million) order to supply real-time train information system (RTIS) devices for Indian Railways.

This week has seen the reported launch of 16 broadband internet satellites into low Earth orbit by Russian aerospace company Bureau 1440. News reports are calling this the country’s first operational step towards building a domestic satellite network.

Late last week saw the opening of what is described as the largest commercial space component and sub-systems manufacturing site on the African continent.

Globalsat Group, a provider of satellite connectivity and communications solutions, has announced a reseller agreement with Amazon Leo, Amazon's low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite network.

Kuwaiti conglomerate Alghanim Industries announced on Tuesday that its tech venture Sama X is officially reselling Starlink’s LEO satellite broadband services in Kuwait, a day after the country’s regulator granted Starlink an operating licence.

Orange Tunisie announced on Friday it has launched satellite broadband services in Tunisia via an earlier deal with Eutelsat, offering connection speeds of up to 100 Mbps.

Satcoms company ST Engineering iDirect, has announced a strategic partnership with Q-KON, a premier African satellite engineering and service provider, to launch an initiative called Intuition Unbound across Africa.

LOT Polish Airlines, the flag carrier of Poland, says it has begun rolling out internet access on its long-haul fleet – with help from global communications company Viasat.

MTN Zambia announced on Friday it has formed a strategic partnership with LEO satellite operator Starlink to offer its Direct to Cell (D2C) service in the country after a successful field test of the technology.

Axian Telecom, the parent company of pan-African telecom group Yas, says it is partnering with AST SpaceMobile to deliver direct-to-device (D2D) satellite services across Yas’ markets in sub-Saharan Africa.

Global satellite operator SES announced on Tuesday it is partnering with IoT technology provider Advannotech and other service providers to enable data-driven farming in South Africa.

Telecommunications operator Orange has announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with AST SpaceMobile and Satellite Connect Europe, related to collaboration on direct-to-device (D2D) technology in relevant Orange markets.

Automotive technology company HARMAN has announced at MWC26 a collaboration with satellite communications company Viasat to introduce in-cabin voice calling over satellite connectivity.

PLDT's mobile unit Smart Communications said on Monday it has completed another round of field tests with LEO satellite operator Lynk Global for its direct-to-Device (D2D) satellite communication service in northern Ilocos Norte towns facing the West Philippine Sea.

Vodafone and Amazon Leo, Amazon’s low Earth orbit satellite broadband network, have signed an agreement to connect many more 4G and 5G mobile sites in remote areas to improve coverage for customers with limited connectivity across Africa and Europe.

Timor Leste IT firm Vorakai Lda said on Friday it has partnered with LEO satellite operator Starlink to deploy satellite broadband connectivity to schools, health services and communities in remote parts of the country.

A demonstration of satellite-enabled voice calls over a 3GPP-compliant non-terrestrial satellite network for connected vehicles, is take place at Mobile World Congress 2026 – with the help of a very impressive partnership.

Satellite solutions provider Skynopy has secured financing for its SkyConnect Kenya project.

Satellite operator SES and network builder Africa Mobile Networks (AMN) have announced a milestone in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, expanding mobile connectivity to 27% of the country’s population and bringing coverage to an additional 1.3 million people.

SpaceX has secured approval to launch its Starlink satellite broadband service in Vietnam, after receiving licences from the government to provide both fixed and mobile satellite services.

Amazon’s satellite connectivity arm Leo has launched its largest payload to date, expanding its low-Earth orbit (LEO) constellation to 200 satellites as it ramps up competition with SpaceX’s Starlink.

The growing focus on satellite communications in Africa has been underlined by a recent launch announcement from Algeria and satellite purchase news from Nigeria.

Chad’s Electronic Communications and Postal Regulatory Authority (ARCEP) announced on Thursday it has signed an MoU with Azerbaijan's state space agency Azercosmos to strengthen bilateral cooperation in satellite services.

Saudi Arabia-based Arabsat says it has selected French firm ACTIA Aerospace to design, supply and deploy a new generation ofQ/V-Band RF gateway systems that will form a critical part of the ground segment for its upcoming ARABSAT-7A software-defined satellite.

Oman has launched a national programme to develop and assemble a CubeSat satellite, marking what is described as a step towards building domestic capabilities in satellite manufacturing and space technologies.