Orange has partnered with Telesat to provide satellite-based connectivity via the Lightspeed LEO network. As part of the deal, Orange will host a Telesat landing station in France, enhancing global connectivity. With 14 planned SpaceX launches, the network will deliver high-speed services, expanding Orange’s satellite capabilities across Europe, Africa, and beyond.
SatCo, a collaboration between Vodafone and AST SpaceMobile, is set to revolutionize telecommunications by delivering space-based cellular broadband across Europe. This initiative ensures continuous connectivity, even in remote areas, enhancing digital sovereignty.
Eutelsat Group, MediaTek, and Airbus Defence and Space have successfully trialed 5G Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) using low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. This milestone paves the way for seamless satellite and terrestrial network integration, expanding global 5G accessibility.
Air France has teamed up with Starlink, a subsidiary of SpaceX, to offer high-speed VoIP-enabled WiFi onboard its fleet by 2025. This new technology aims to provide passengers with seamless connectivity, allowing multiple devices to connect simultaneously.
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.
Filtronic, a UK-based manufacturer of RF, microwave, and mmWave components, projects substantial growth in both revenue and earnings for its recently concluded financial year, driven by its involvement in the low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite market and sales to Elon Musk’s SpaceX. The company forecasts an EBITDA of £4.8 million for the year ending May, marking a notable increase from the £1.3 million recorded in fiscal 2023.
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.
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.
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.
BT’s recent talks with SpaceX to leverage Starlink’s LEO satellite fleet for remote connectivity in the UK has sparked curiosity, especially given BT’s current partnership with OneWeb, Starlink’s competition. It’s speculated that Starlink’s innovative direct-to-device capabilities, which promise unblemished global coverage without a need for a terminal, could be the allure.
