BICS Partners With Lynk Global to Close Digital Divide With Satellite

A rendering of Lynk’s satellite-to-cell concept. Photo: Lynk Global

Lynk Global has teamed up with telecommunications company BICS in a partnership that it hopes will enable mobile network operators (MNOs) to expand mobile coverage to people in remote areas around the world. The two companies announced the collaboration, Sept. 6.

Lynk Global is a satellite-direct-to-phone company and BICS is a communications platform company with solutions ranging from voice services, roaming, and IoT enablement. It is based in Brussels, with a strong presence in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

BICS will leverage its network to pair Lynk’s satellite constellation and the world’s mobile operators. Lynk’s technology allows standard roaming partner integration without any hardware or software changes to the mobile operators’ networks. Lynk’s ‘cell tower in space’ technology aims to fix a digital divide where over 450 million people are locked out of digital communications, by providing a satellite-direct-to-mobile-phone service. By partnering with MNOs, BICS and Lynk aim to connect people who are off the grid.

“With Lynk, we recognized the chance to create something very meaningful and special for our mobile network operators’ partners and their subscribers. This partnership is about building bridges so that more people can connect to and benefit from a connected society than ever before,” commented Mikael Schachne, vice president of Telco Market at BICS.

Lynk has demonstrated satellite-direct-to-cell connectivity in pre-commercial tests earlier this year. The company has  signed contracts with several MNOs, including Aliv in the Bahamas and Telecel Centrafrique in the Central African Republic.

“Being left out of the digital world creates barriers to economic growth and social improvement — trapping hundreds of millions in the deepest poverty. It also eliminates access to basic emergency services, making life more dangerous. Our partnership with BICS will allow MNOs to affordably expand their coverage and connect more people, saving lives and accelerating economic development for those living in the remotest parts of the world,” Charles Miller, Lynk CEO and co-founder, said in a statement.