Satellite Networks

Smart Communications, a leading mobile services provider in the Philippines, and AST SpaceMobile, which is building a space-based cellular broadband network accessible directly by mobile phones, have signed a memorandum of understanding.

According to a recent announcement from the country’s telecoms regulator, Subtel, Chile will be the first country in Latin America to be served by Starlink, a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite internet constellation described (on its website) as ideally suited for areas of the globe where connectivity has typically been a challenge.

Bharti Global, the overseas arm of Bharti Enterprises, will invest an additional INR 3,714 crore($500 million) in OneWeb, a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite communications company.

Al Yah Satellite Communications (AlYahsat), a satellite communications company in Abu Dhabi, has set an indicative price range for its initial public offering which shows it could raise up to 2.976 billion dirhams ($810 million) in the IPO.

Omani Space Communication Technologies (SCT) has launched a tender for the design, manufacture, and launch of its first satellite called "Omansat-1". 

A multi-year distribution agreement to extend high-speed network connectivity to South Africa has been confirmed  after satellite operator Eutelsat Communications and infrastructure provider and telecommunications company Vox signed a distribution agreement for Eutelsat Konnect capacity over South Africa.

Mexico’s rural communities are about to get a connectivity boost thanks to two satcoms-related businesses – ST Engineering iDirect and AXESS Networks – working alongside Altan, a major local operator.

As part of what is described as an ambitious plan to strengthen Ghana as a maritime forerunner in West Africa, the Ghana Maritime Authority and Danish commercial satellite operator Sternula have announced a new partnership involving e-navigation connectivity.

Mauritius is the latest African country to be able to boast a presence in space. The first Mauritian satellite (a CubeSat – MIR-SAT1) was successfully launched yesterday on board the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida.

Peru’s Programa Nacional de Telecomunicaciones (Pronatel), has awarded Gilat Satellite Networks, a leader in satellite networking technology, solutions and services, a $13 million contract for the delivery of internet services to hundreds of sites in Peru.

Brazil's statutory bodies have approved the Provisional Measure (MP) to cut fees for satellite services to make access to broadband internet cheap.

The global satellite operator Telesat and TIM Brasil, the Brazilian subsidiary of Telecom Italia, completed in-orbit 4G mobile data backhaul testing using Telesat's Phase 1 low earth orbit (LEO) satellite.

Gilat Satellite Networks announced its contract with Telefonica Global Solutions (TGS), a facilitator in global connections, to equip the strategic teleport in Arica, Chile.

Eutelsat Communications is expanding its use of the Express Wi-Fi platform in partnership with Facebook to provide broadband services via satellite across several regions in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Chinese technology giant Huawei is planning to launch two satellites with two Chinese partners in July this year, which will focus on verifying 6G network technologies that are currently under research and development.

Vanuatu’s Ministry of Health has partnered with Kacific and its local service provider 3 Link Communications to deploy the Health Project, a programme to bring fast broadband to health clinics and communities across Vanuatu.

The SatCom industry body SIA-India said the existing licensing framework should include low bitrate satellite services, and terminal-by-terminal fees should be relaxed, especially in the case of Internet of Things (IoT) to ensure success in India.

Kazakhstan’s Republican Center for Space Communications (RCSC) and the global content connectivity solutions provider SES have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore satellite service agreements.

The arrival of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) system will benefit underserved users in remote areas by supporting high-speed, low latency broadband service.

The formation of a new Indian telecommunications industry body has just been announced. It’s called the Satcom Industry Association (SiA-India).

Tunisia has launched its first home-made satellite. Challenge ONE was launched on 22 March with the help of a Russian launching rocket from a base in Kazakhstan.

Given the difficulties faced by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) lately, the Indian state-owned telecommunications provider must be delighted that it has some encouraging news to promote – in the form of an offshore satcoms partnership with Novelsat.

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), the country’s main regulatory body for telecommunications, has invited companies to take part in a satellite broadband scheme that aims to serve a number of hard-to-reach areas of the country.

A recently signed partnership agreement between connectivity provider Dwi Tunggal Putra (DTP) and SES Networks is likely to boost access to telecommunications for residents of 158 villages in remote parts of Indonesia’s West Java Province.

Tuvalu Telecommunications Corporation’s (TTC) is upgrading its network with satellite services provider ABS to expand Pacific Islands connectivity.

Spacecom, a satellite service provider and the owner and operator of the AMOS satellite fleet, together with its local partner in Nigeria, Intertel, and in partnership with Zinox, a leading Nigerian internet and e-learning service provider, has signed a multi-year contract to enable internet connectivity and e-learning solutions for schools in Nigeria.

The South African technology press has been reporting that the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) is talking to aerospace manufacturer and space transportation services company SpaceX regarding its satellite-based Starlink internet service.

Global communications company Viasat, Russian satellite operator Gazprom Space Systems (GSS) and Russian telecom operator TMC have signed an MOU that, the partners say, aims to advance in-flight connectivity (IFC) for airlines flying into and over Russia.

The Peruvian Corporation of Commercial Airports and Aviation (CORPAC) has awarded satellite networking technology, solutions and services company Gilat a multi-million-dollar contract to provide mission-critical telecom systems for 29 of Peru's airports.

Indian state-owned provider BSNL is deploying solutions from ST Engineering iDirect to augment satellite bandwidth to the offshore Indian islands of Andaman, Nicobar and Lakshadweep.

Peru’s Ministry of Transport and Communications (MTC) has announced plans to bring internet access to 3.2 million Peruvians in remote areas.

Among the growing number of recent satellite communications deals of relevance to Africa are two announcements from the southern part of the continent, where both Zimbabwe and South Africa are using satcoms to improve services.