The SpaceX formal presentation linked to its upcoming Initial Public Offering (IPO) says that the once-upon-a-time average rocket launch costs of some $18,500 (€16,006) per kilogram. That cost, says SpaceX, has fallen to a much more appealing $2,700 per kilo thanks to SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket fleet. SpaceX says that the Falcon 9 ‘Heavy’ system […]

There are numerous reports that enthusiasm for the SpaceX IPO means that the offer is more than 2-times oversubscribed and that applications have closed. Elon Musk, in a SpaceX interview on June 8th, has given guidance on what the newly funded business is planning over the next few years. A recent test flight of its […]

Satellite operators (and would-be operators) are obliged by FCC and ITU rules to launch their craft on strict timetables. Amazon Leo, for example, was required to launch 50 per cent of its 3,232 fleet by July 30th. The FCC has relaxed this obligation and has now granted Amazon Leo a ‘limited waiver’ which allows Amazon […]

Wizz Air, a European low-cost airline, has announced plans to roll out Starlink connectivity across its fleet in 2027. “Ultra-low-cost travel has always been about making opportunities accessible to more people,” commented Ian Malin, Chief Commercial Officer of Wizz Air. “In 2027, we’re taking that philosophy into the space era. Our customers shouldn’t have to […]

Luxembourg-based OQ Technology, which is focusing on the direct-to-device (D2D) market, and Telefónica Germany are joining forces to conduct the first live demonstration of two-way satellite communications by a European satellite operator directly to standard, unmodified smartphones (including iPhone, Samsung, and Google devices) using terrestrial mobile spectrum. The demonstration, planned in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Germany, will […]

AST SpaceMobile has announced that the launch of the BlueBird 8, 9, and 10 satellites is currently scheduled for June 17th from Cape Canaveral, Florida, aboard a Falcon 9 rocket. Liftoff is targeted for 2:39 am. EDT with additional opportunities available until 4:15 am. The orbital launch mission will carry the next-generation satellites BlueBirds 8, […]

French telcos Bouygues Telecom, the Free–iliad Group and Orange (the Consortium) have announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Altice France (the seller) with a view to acquiring SFR, one of the largest industrial transactions in Europe in the telecommunications sector. The proposed transaction aims to create long-term value for all stakeholders — […]

Wi-Fi is the last-mile workhorse that carries the vast majority of indoor internet traffic, supporting an increasingly dense network environment of smart home systems, enterprise IoT endpoints, and security infrastructure. While the demands of all these applications on Wi-Fi continue to diversify, the active end-user experience is ultimately governed by the device used most frequently […]

The Norwegian Competition Authority has approved Telenor’s acquisition of GlobalConnect’s Norwegian fibre business for residential customers. The transaction is valued at NOK 6 billion (€0.5bn) and is approved subject to remedies. “This transaction strengthens Telenor’s position in the Norwegian broadband market and is good for customers and for market development. Whilst we disagree that remedies […]

The European Commission’s (EC) spokesperson Thomas Regnier, speaking to Euronews, has said that the Commission recognises the importance of satellite-based connectivity for its citizens, and that satellites will play a key role in the region’s technological sovereignty, security and defence. But an upcoming auction of S-band frequencies over Europe might see problems for non-European players. […]