Inmarsat collaborates with Hyundai-owned Supernal to connect electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft to its Velaris comms service, addressing beyond visual line of sight challenges, spurring competition with terrestrial network operators like Nokia.
AST SpaceMobile has made history by successfully connecting a direct voice call between the United States and Japan via its Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellation, using standard smartphones. The use of standard smartphones makes this a world first, as no one has previously achieved a direct voice connection from space to unmodified cellular devices. AST SpaceMobile partnered with some of its mobile operator partners, including AT&T, Rakuten, and Vodafone, to make the connection. The test call was made using AT&T spectrum and a Samsung Galaxy S22 smartphone in the Midland, Texas area, connecting to Rakuten in Japan. The successful test call validated AST SpaceMobile’s network architecture and systems, including its BW3 satellite, which it describes as the largest commercial communications array in low-earth orbit. The call also paves the way for space-based cellular broadband. AST SpaceMobile’s goal is to provide coverage to close to 50% of the world’s population…
We’ve come a long way since mankind first used smoke signals to communicate, and even farther since cavemen drew pictures on walls. Today, we’re living in a world where we can communicate with anyone, anywhere in the world. Telecommunications has changed dramatically throughout the years. Let’s look at how it grew from its humble origins to what it is now. Rock carvings Petroglyphs are more commonly found than pictographs, and these images were created by carving, engraving or scratching the rock’s surface. Often, these images were important forms of pre-symbol writing and were used in the earliest forms of communication and signage. The oldest art in this particular category is the Bhimbetka Petroglyphs Cupules, in the Auditorium cave situated at Bhimbetka in India, that date back to the Acheulean period, which began between 1.7 million and 1.5 million years ago. Cave paintings Some of the earliest forms of communication are…
Starlink, SpaceX’s satellite internet service, is developing a service offering named Global Roaming Service. This service would allow customers to access the Internet from practically anyplace on Earth. The service will cost $200 each month in addition to the $599 Starlink Kit, according to a statement addressed to Starlink subscribers. Starlink employs inter-satellite connections, or space lasers, to enable global connectivity. As such, users can expect the service to be interrupted with brief periods of weak or no connectivity. Despite the promise of access to the internet almost everywhere, Starlink is still awaiting regulatory clearance in numerous countries, including India, Pakistan, and Cambodia. The current $135 a month Starlink RV plan allows users to equip their RVs with Starlink’s hardware for internet connection while traveling. However, it is only available in specific regions of the world, and internet connectivity is not prioritized as it is for residential customers.…
Telinta and Skyetel to hold a webinar for ITSPs Cloud-based VoIP switching and billing solutions provider, Telinta, has partnered with VoIP services provider, Skyetel, to offer a webinar to Internet Telephony Service Providers (ITSPs). The webinar will address topics such as delivering popular VoIP services without establishing infrastructure and providing mobile VoIP services to both Android and Apple iOS consumers via brandable mobile softphones and other solutions. The webinar will also showcase unique deals available from both companies for new consumers. The event will take place on March 14, 2023, at 11 a.m. Eastern Time (GMT-5). Interested parties can register on Telinta’s website. Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/3a25kmv7 DT to lead development of European Quantum Communication Infrastructure The European Commission has chosen Deutsche Telekom (DT) to oversee the creation of a new high-security communications network, the European Quantum Communication Infrastructure (Euro QCI). The project intends to establish Europe as a leader…
Orange has announced a partnership with Reservoir Sun, a pioneer in self-supply solar energy systems. The aim of this arrangement is to build a photovoltaic power plant at the major satellite communications station Bercenay-en-Othe (Aube), in order to provide environmentally favorable outcomes for France and Europe. The communications corporation is shifting its usage toward renewable energy sources and speeding up the process by utilizing solar energy in its tertiary and technical facilities. The solar energy farm is scheduled to be completed in 2025. A surface area of 50,000 square meters will be occupied by the farm. The power plant, which has a 5 MW capacity, 1 MW for self-consumption and 4 MW for reinjection, will provide 20% of the site’s energy requirements. Additionally, using low-carbon energy from the sun will reduce CO2 emissions by nearly 100 tons per year. An environmental impact analysis study will be conducted…
The telecommunications industry is one of the most dynamic industries in the world, driving innovation and having a significant impact both on society and business. In fact, regardless what industry you’re in, telecoms will most likely have an impact on your business. If you want to stay ahead of the competition, you must keep an eye on emerging trends and advancements in the telecom industry. So, what major telecom developments should we be on the lookout for in 2023? 5G satellites Looking ahead, we anticipate a surge in satellite access for both devices that directly access satellite connections as well as Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs) that employ spaceborne and airborne vehicles for transmission. It is an intriguing capability enabled by Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, which are smaller, lighter, and far less expensive to manufacture, launch, and maintain than traditional geostationary and mid-orbit satellites. Many opportunities are made possible by 5G…
Viasat, a leading global communications company, has announced that it has been awarded a contract extension worth up to $325 million over a five-year period by the US Special Operations Command (SOCOM). This indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract is an extension of a previous IDIQ contract worth $350 million that was awarded to Viasat in 2017. Under the terms of the contract, Viasat will continue to provide advanced mission equipment and services, and support to SOCOM forces in order to improve their situational awareness, integration, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), tactical satellite communications, information assurance and network management capabilities. This IDIQ contract is intended to be flexible in order to respond to rapid technological advances and the changing mission needs of SOCOM forces. This latest deal allows for the implementation of new concepts of operation (CONOPS) and the achievement of desired mission outcomes through the rapid deployment…
Peraton, a provider of satellite and terrestrial communications, network optimization and managed security services, has been promoted to become a Premier Tier Services Partner in the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Partner Network. This designation honors Peraton’s level of quality and dedication to its customers as the world’s premier mission capability integrator and revolutionary enterprise IT supplier. Peraton is an AWS Managed Service Provider (MSP) Partner, AWS Solution Provider and AWS Partner Network (APN) Member with over 700 AWS certifications. Peraton currently focuses on two service categories and three AWS competencies. With the help of Peraton’s AWS application services, its customers may accelerate their journeys toward digital transformation with the most cutting-edge technology available. The focus of Peraton’s AWS managed services is on the management of a cloud environment that supports the ability to perform work. The three capabilities in which the organization excels are AWS Cloud Migration, AWS DevSecOps…
Inmarsat, a major supplier of international mobile satellite communications services, and Viasat, a worldwide communications company, have announced that the Australian Government’s Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) has stated that it has no concerns about the intended merger of the two companies. The proposed deal has already received numerous important regulatory approvals, most notably from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States and from the UK Government under the National Security and Investment Act. The most recent permission for the deal is the FIRB’s clearance of Viasat’s proposed acquisition of Inmarsat under the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act of 1975. Australia is a large market where the two businesses have substantial consumer and commercial ties. Inmarsat and Viasat announced that they will merge their two businesses to become a new global communications powerhouse in November 2021. The transaction is expected to be completed in the second…
