In a groundbreaking move, Viasat, Inc., alongside Terrestar Solutions, Ligado Networks, Omnispace, and Al Yah Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat), have come together to announce the formation of the Mobile Satellite Services Association (MSSA). This new consortium is set to enhance and promote the burgeoning Direct-to-Device (D2D) communication landscape, promising to deliver unprecedented scale and diversity in mobile satellite services.
On July 30, 2021, Ariane 5, a European heavy-lift space launch vehicle developed and operated by Arianespace for the European Space Agency, successfully launched its first flight in nearly a year. The aim of the mission is to deploy a pair of geostationary communications satellites for commercial operators in Brazil and France. One of the satellites, called the Star One D2, will be operated by Embratel, a Brazilian telecommunications company. The Star One D2 will give Embratel the ability to expand its broadband coverage to new regions in Central and South America, supply Internet access to those in under-serviced areas, and increase X-band payload for government use in the Atlantic region. The second satellite, named Eutelsat Quantum, which was developed as part of an ESA partnership with satellite operator Eutelsat and major manufacturer Airbus, has an active antenna, a first for the European commercial telecommunications industry. This revolutionary…
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.
In a significant development, Hong Kong residents now have access to China Telecom’s satellite direct-to-phone service, marking a pivotal step in the operator’s expansion strategy. China Telecom has long provided satellite options to mobile customers through a range of devices, including dongles, dedicated satphones, and smartphones equipped with built-in satellite antennas from manufacturers like Huawei.
In a groundbreaking revelation, Telus, Canada’s foremost operator, announced the successful two-way communication between smartphones and IoT devices, using Echostar T1, a geostationary Earth orbit satellite. Partnering with TerreStar and Skylo, Telus accomplished this feat using a specially-designed connectivity platform, highlighting the potential for remarkable connectivity throughout Canada, even in remote areas. As this technology differs significantly from regular D2D communication, Telus’s breakthrough is set to redefine the future of connectivity in previously unreachable corners of the country.
The European Commission clears Inmarsat’s acquisition by Viasat, assuring competition in the in-flight broadband landscape. While the market anticipates increased opportunities for current players and new entrants, upcoming deals like SES/Intelsat and Eutelsat/OneWeb may pose complex challenges for regulators.
Luxembourg-based satellite operator SES has revealed plans to purchase rival Intelsat in a landmark deal worth €2.8 billion. The move, unanimously approved by the boards of both companies, is set to create a formidable multi-orbit operator poised for expanded global coverage and innovation.
Bridging the digital divide in vast and harsh terrains like the Scottish Highlands, VMO2 embarks on a novel approach, utilizing a constellation of Low Earth Orbit satellites from Starlink for critical backhaul services. Bypassing conventional, costly terrestrial infrastructure, VMO2’s tests have proven the potency of satellite technology in improving coverage across the UK.
In an ambitious move to enhance mobile connectivity across Japan, Rakuten Mobile has announced its plan to offer satellite-to-mobile services by 2026, partnering with AST SpaceMobile. This initiative aims to leverage AST SpaceMobile’s space-based cellular broadband network, enabling direct access to smartphones for text messaging, voice, and data services.
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.
