Satellite Networks

Iridium Communications Inc calls it the first and only satellite cloud-based solution offering truly global coverage for Internet of Things (IoT) applications. This week the satellite communications giant announced that Iridium CloudConnect is up and running.

OneWeb has partnered with Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) to boost broadband connectivity in Kazakhstan.

An interesting new satellite-based take on the Internet of Things (IoT), with a strong focus on emerging markets, is attracting a healthy funding response.

Further good news for connectivity across the African continent comes with the announcement of a successful new launch from satellite operator Eutelsat Communications.

In a move that make innovative use of satellite technology, digital agriculture company Farmers Edge and insurance group Fairfax Brasil have partnered to bring customized, data-driven crop insurance to growers in Brazil.

Thales Alenia Space, which designs satellite-based systems, is to build a satellite for Spanish satellite telecommunications operator Hispasat. Its coverage area will include Latin America.

The Agency for Aerial Navigation Safety in Africa and Madagascar (ASECNA) and satellite systems company Aireon have come to an agreement regarding the use of space-based ADS-B for surveillance services.

Agricultural analytics company CropX has announced a partnership with Costa Rican agroforestry equipment vendor FarmAgro to provide satellite-powered precision agriculture tools to farmers in Central America.

Al Yah Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat), a global satellite operator based in the United Arab Emirates, and broadband satellite networks and services company Hughes Network Systems have announced the commencement of a joint venture to provide satellite broadband services in Brazil.

The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) has reported plans to build a new engineering design facility that, it suggests, will bring immense benefits to the space industry in South Africa.

Satellite communications operators the Russian Satellite Communications Company (RSCC) and Azerbaijan’s  Azercosmos have signed a cooperation agreement relating to satellite communications and broadcasting services.

Satellite-based systems designer Thales Alenia Space has signed a contract with the Egyptian operator Nilesat to build the Nilesat-301 geostationary communications satellite.

The African space industry is enjoying enormous growth, according to the recently published African Space Industry Annual Report.

ZASpace is the name of a new South African organisation that will, it is hoped, galvanize the country’s geospatial industry and bridge the skills deficit in this sector.

Recent local press reports, along with news from satellite launch company Arianespace, indicate that Egypt has successfully launched the telecommunications satellite TIBA- 1.

If you needed further proof of the diversification of what was once a dedicated e-commerce company, the fact that the Amazon subsidiary Amazon Web Services recently announced the expansion of AWS Ground Station in the Middle East should give some indication.

Malaysian satellite operator MEASAT and satellite services provider Arianespace have announced the signing of a launch services contract for MEASAT-3d that could boost 4G and 5G growth in Malaysia.

The International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) is coming to South Africa for the first IAA Symposium on Small Satellites in Africa.

Described by international operator Eutelsat as a major contribution to reducing the digital divide in Africa and Europe, Eutelsat’s KONNECT satellite is now ready to ship to its launch site with a launch planned for mid-January 2020.

Better communications for remote areas of Sudan are the hoped-for result of a new agreement between a number of satcoms companies.

Satellite networking technology, solutions and services provider Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd has been awarded a $10m five-year project for 3G/4G backhaul services in Peru.

Spacecom, operator of the AMOS satellite fleet, and an exhibitor and sponsor at AfricaCom 2019, has announced that a leading Angolan satellite services company has signed a contract for C-Band HTS capacity on the newly launched AMOS-17 communication satellite.

A new agreement between two leading names in satellite communications aims to enhance internet connectivity in sub-Saharan Africa.

Qualcomm has announced a collaboration with the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) to support India’s Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC), in select chipset platforms across the company’s upcoming portfolio.

Ka-band satellite communications will drive an inflight connectivity agreement coming to the Chinese market.

Satellite operator SES has announced the launch of Ethiosat – the first-ever dedicated Ethiopian TV platform to host Ethiopia’s most popular local channels.

Hughes Network Systems recently announced a high-speed satellite internet service for Mexico. Now it’s the turn of Viasat.

Spanish satellite telecommunications operator Hispasat and Colombian satellite services provider Bansat have teamed up to offer satellite connectivity for a humanitarian mission in Colombia.

Two major names in the satellite business have announced a joint service agreement for maritime satellite broadband connectivity.

Media content distributor ViewMedia is planning to launch a new digital broadcast platform for francophone West Africa on the AMOS-17 satellite.

BTC (Botswana Telecommunications Corporation) is doubling its capacity on Spacecom’s AMOS-7 communication satellite KU-beams.

Hughes Communications India Ltd, (HCIL), a subsidiary of Hughes Network Systems, LLC, a provider of broadband satellite networks and services, has announced the launch of commercial maritime mobility services in India.