Intelsat has announced the expansion of its partnership with Eutelsat through a significant $500 million agreement over seven years, aiming to capitalize on the burgeoning opportunities in the multi-orbit space sector. This collaboration will integrate Eutelsat’s OneWeb Low Earth Orbit (LEO) network, which it has owned for six months, with Intelsat’s existing geostationary orbit (GEO) and terrestrial networks. The goal is to enhance the range of services Intelsat can offer by leveraging these combined space assets.
Voice of Eutelsat’s CEO Eva Berneke for satellite connectivity competition crystalizes among customers’ cry for variety. Merging with UK’s low-Earth orbit firm, OneWeb, has catalyzed Eutelsat’s evolution as a fusion of GEO and LEO capabilities. This major leap signifies a stride in service offerings, blending Eutelsat’s superior GEO satellites with OneWeb’s timely LEO constellation, aiming for a global reach by year-end.
SoftBank and Intelsat have launched an innovative hybrid network for seamless 5G connectivity, integrating mobile and satellite technologies. This groundbreaking initiative aims for uninterrupted global communication, supporting applications like connected vehicles and disaster response.
Starlink has expanded its satellite backhaul services to over 100 rural base stations of Africa Mobile Networks in Nigeria, enhancing connectivity in remote areas. Since their 2023 agreement, traffic surged 45% across connected sites. Leveraging Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, AMN effectively boosts base station capacity, transforming local communities with improved mobile access.
SoftBank and Eutelsat’s OneWeb have partnered to enhance communication services in Japan by integrating OneWeb’s LEO satellite connectivity. The multi-year deal will improve secure, reliable communications, particularly in remote areas. SoftBank’s SmartVPN service will benefit, and there’s potential for expansion abroad.
Amazon’s Project Kuiper has entered into an agreement to offer low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite services across seven Latin American countries. This distribution deal with Vrio, the parent company of DirecTV Latin America and Sky Brasil, will see high-speed Internet services provided to Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia.
In a significant development for remote connectivity, Telstra, the Australian telecom giant, has initiated the transition of its remote mobile sites to the low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite network provided by Eutelsat OneWeb. This move marks a departure from the traditional geostationary (GEO) satellites, aimed at reducing latency issues and meeting the growing demand for real-time services among customers.
ITU announced a 6G framework, advancing global standards with a focus on spectrum bands, capabilities, and use cases. Eutelsat OneWeb and Imperial College are teaming up to transform space weather monitoring. Google launched Gemini AI model with flexibility to process diverse data types. SoftBank acquires 51% of Cubic Telecom, forming a strategic partnership for software-defined connected vehicles.
OneWeb, a Eutelsat entity, gained India’s coveted regulatory endorsement to usher in its satellite broadband service, evoking enthusiastic response from Eutelsat’s co-chair, Sunil Bharti Mittal. This development signifies a new era for India’s internet coverage in line with the Prime Minister’s digital vision. However, a crucial spectrum allocation by the government awaits, making OneWeb’s journey not entirely smooth sailing. An array of procedural and regulatory hurdles demands navigation, alongside competing market perspectives delaying the process.
Italian telecom provider Wind Tre faces hurdles in selling infrastructure due to complex 5G network sharing negotiations with rivals Iliad and Fastweb. CK Hutchison delays the deal closure by three months to February 12, citing challenges with Iliad and Fastweb. Meanwhile, Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison’s $6 billion merger in Indonesia with Huawei’s support achieves significant growth. France’s Orange introduces satellite broadband, while Norway’s Telenor sells its satellite operations. FCC’s new broadband rules target discrimination, raising concerns of unintended consequences. Mavenir and Nokia achieve remarkable Open RAN interoperability, overcoming past criticisms and showcasing commitment to multi-supplier systems.