Connectivity

European hybrid network managed services provider Marlink unveiled new, customizable Starlink internet plans for its maritime, enterprise, energy and leisure customers. The new plans, announced Monday, range from 10GB to unlimited data, based on customer needs. Marlink combines SpaceX’s Starlink Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) service with other bandwidth in its larger hybrid VSAT, LTE, 4G, and...

Es’hailSat is looking to deepen its presence into Algeria. It has held discussions with Algérie Télécom Satellite (ATS) to discuss areas for potential collaboration for supporting telecoms networks in the country with Es’hailSat’s satellite services. Algeria has a population of around 45 million people. Es’hailSat revealed details of the discussions on Aug. 15. Established almost...

Google is adding satellite capabilities to its new Pixel 9 phone to provide emergency messaging outside of cellular networks.  According to Google’s Pixel 9 announcement on Aug. 13, Pixel 9 will be the first Android phone to include Satellite SOS. The service will allow users to contact emergency responders and share location via satellite, without...

Starlink will be able to offer satellite broadband services in Sri Lanka, a country in South Asia with a population of around 22 million people. The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) has issued a service provider license to Starlink, which means Starlink can now offers its broadband services to customers in this market....

Hughes Network Systems hit the milestone of shipping more than 5,000 electronically steerable antennas (ESA) for service with the Eutelsat OneWeb Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) constellation.  The HL1120W terminal is a fixed terminal for outdoor installation with a phased array antenna and no moving parts. The terminal has been tested to support service via the OneWeb...

The Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission (ASBM) launched on Aug. 11 will expand connectivity and boost international collaboration in the increasingly strategic Arctic region.  The two satellites built by Northrop Grumman and launched by SpaceX, are the result of a unique partnership both domestic and international, and commercial and government in nature. ASBM is led by...

Azercosmos has signed a new partnership deal with the Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana (CAAB) deepening its reach into Africa. Under this long-term agreement, the Botswana government agency will utilize data services provided via the Azerspace-1 telecommunication satellite. The two organizations announced the deal, August 8. This marks the inaugural provision of satellite data services...

The FCC granted AST SpaceMobile an initial license to launch and operate its first five satellites. AST SpaceMobile is now authorized to launch and operate V-band, S-band, and ultra high frequency (UHF) frequencies to support gateway, feeder link and telemetry, tracking, and control operations for the first five commercial satellites, called BlueBirds.  However, the FCC deferred...

Viasat has started service on the first ViaSat-3 satellite, which suffered an anomaly after it was launched last year. ViaSat-3 F1 is now available for aviation customers operating over North America, including routes servicing Hawaii.  Viasat announced the entry into service on Aug. 5, along with a new constellation management software.  The satellite antenna had...

The 3GPP mobile standards organization has approved an Intelsat-led Ku-band project for standardization. Intelsat led the effort with support from 35 companies and 3GPP community members, including other satellite operators, terrestrial vendors, and mobile network operators (MNOs). The approval of the “Ku-band Work Package” means that Intelsat and other satellite providers will now begin the...