SpaceX has confirmed it is working with T-Mobile in the US to launch its Starlink direct-to-cell (DTC) service commercially “this autumn”. This suggests that Starlink will be available – albeit in limited applications – while its rival AST SpaceMobile will only have just started to launch its satellites into orbit. Starlink has a global broadband […]

Eutelsat Group has announced that its first generation of more than 600 satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) has achieved a platinum rating in the Space Sustainability Rating (SSR). First imagined at the World Economic Forum (WEF), the rating’s aim is to reduce the creation of space debris, limit the risk of satellite collisions, and […]

Recently it was asked if AST SpaceMobile, the would-be Direct-to-Cellular satellite business, could beat off competition from Space X’s Starlink and other rivals. It now seems that Verizon, along with AT&T, believes AST can make a very major impact on North American cellular connectivity. Verizon put $100 million into AST’s business and in the process […]

Industry leaders from the Asia-Pacific region and around the world gathered at the Asia Video Industry Association’s (AVIA) recent Satellite Industry Forum, held in Singapore, to discuss the state of the industry, addressing critical questions and sharing insights on the path forward. The emergence of NGSO systems presents both opportunities and threats to traditional GSO […]

Ottawa-based Telesat’s planned Lightspeed low Earth orbiting mega-constellation is moving ahead. MDA, which is the prime contractor on the project, has selected Germany-based Tesat-Spacecom to manufacture 792 laser terminals for the 198-satellite system. Tesat is an independent operating subsidiary of Airbus Defense & Space. Earlier this year Tesat announced that it was expanding its factory […]

AST SpaceMobile and Verizon have announced a strategic partnership with a commitment of $100 million from Verizon, to provide direct-to-cellular AST SpaceMobile service when needed for Verizon customers in the US. “This new partnership with Verizon will enable AST SpaceMobile to target 100 per cent coverage of the continental United States on premium 850 MHz […]

SES  has reached agreements-in-principle with several regional satellite network operators to launch the SES Open Orbits Inflight Connectivity (IFC) Network to enable seamless connectivity services to airlines around the world. This fully interoperable Ka-band platform will combine the geostationary earth orbit (GEO) and medium earth orbit (MEO) satellite networks of SES; NEO Space Group (NSG), […]

Rivada Space Networks, which is looking to launch a 600 craft ultra-secure mega-constellation called OuterNet, has signed a number of partners for its service which is scheduled to have global coverage by 2026. The partners, announced in Singapore at AsiaTechX and a Satellite Industry Forum at the show, include: · KT Sat – Korea · […]

The EU is reportedly looking to “haggle down” the cost of its planned IRIS² mega-constellation of broadband satellites. Reports suggest that the EU Commission looking after the already delayed project wants the end costs to be around €8 billion instead of the current rumoured €12 billion. But tough as this decision is, there are also […]

Intelsat has launched high-speed inflight connectivity service on the first of more than 40 new Condor Airlines’ Airbus narrowbody aircraft following an agreement that includes factory installation by Airbus. “Intelsat’s 2Ku service will deliver streaming-quality connectivity for passengers even in busy European airspace,” said Dave Bijur, Senior Vice President of Commercial Aviation. “The factory installation […]