China launches first batch of ‘Starlink rival’ satellites

China is a step closer to establishing its own version of Starlink with the successful launch of 18 “Qianfan” satellites aboard a Long March-6 carrier rocket. The launch took place on Tuesday from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in Shanxi Province.

These satellites represent the first instalment of the ambitious Qianfan megaconstellation project, also known as G60. Unveiled in 2023, the project aims to provide comprehensive and high-quality communication services to users...

8 August 2024 | Hot Topics

Amazon’s Starlink rival Project Kuiper delayed again

Amazon has once again delayed the launch of its first production satellites for Project Kuiper, the company's ambitious rival to SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet constellation.

In a blog post, Amazon revealed that it is preparing to ship the first completed production satellites to launch sites "this summer." However, the actual launch is not expected to occur until October at the earliest.

"We're targeting our first full-scale Kuiper mission for Q4 aboard an Atlas V...

28 June 2024 | Broadband

Nordic satellites targeted by Russia after Sweden’s NATO accession

Swedish authorities have accused Russia of deliberately targeting the country's satellite networks with "harmful interference" shortly after Sweden's accession to NATO earlier this year.

This information comes from a previously unreported letter dated June 4, sent by the Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (PTS) to the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), a United Nations agency based in Geneva.

The PTS has requested that the ITU's radio regulations board address...

21 June 2024 | Hot Topics

BT highlights the role of satellites in future-proofing networks

BT recently hosted an event at their Madley Communications Centre, drawing a mix of public and private sector guests to explore the influence of satellite technologies in today’s communication networks.

The Madley site, nestled in the Herefordshire countryside and spanning 63 acres, is regarded as BT’s main satellite earth station. As the demand for diverse and resilient communication solutions climbs, the centre’s role in the company’s network strategy has never been more...

13 May 2024 | Hot Topics

Satellite heavyweights SES and Intelsat to combine in $3.1B merger

Two of the commercial satellite industry's biggest players are joining forces to fortify their position against the onslaught of emerging low-Earth orbit broadband constellations led by SpaceX's Starlink network.

In a $3.1 billion deal announced Tuesday, Luxembourg-based SES will acquire rival operator Intelsat—creating a combined fleet of around 100 satellites in geostationary orbit (GEO).

The new behemoth born from the merger will boast more than twice the number of...

1 May 2024 | Broadband

FCC denies spectrum request for Starlink’s mobile service

SpaceX's plans to expand Starlink to provide mobile services have encountered a roadblock as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) dismissed the company's application to use several spectrum bands.

Starlink – the satellite internet division of SpaceX – is seeking approval to use up to 7,500 second-generation satellites with spectrum in the 1.6 GHz, 2 GHz, and 2.4 GHz bands to provide mobile services.

However, the FCC's Space Bureau ruled this week that SpaceX's...

28 March 2024 | 5G

SpaceX probed over Russia’s alleged Starlink use

Democratic lawmakers are investigating SpaceX over reports that Russia is using the company's Starlink satellite internet service in occupied areas of Ukraine, raising concerns about potential violations of US sanctions and export controls.

In a letter sent Wednesday to SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell, Reps. Jamie Raskin of Maryland and Robert Garcia of California cited intelligence from Ukraine indicating Russian forces have illegally deployed and activated Starlink terminals in...

8 March 2024 | Networks

EchoStar completes $26B acquisition of DISH Network

EchoStar has announced the completion of its $26 billion acquisition of DISH Network. The deal combines two of the nation's largest providers of satellite and wireless services into one telecoms giant.

Under the terms of the agreement, DISH Network has become a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar. All outstanding shares of DISH Network's common stock have been converted into shares of EchoStar stock, valuing the transaction at approximately $26 billion. The conversion rate for...

3 January 2024 | 5G

NTT taps Amazon’s Project Kuiper for satellite connectivity in Japan

Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT) will use Amazon’s Project Kuiper to improve satellite connectivity options in Japan.

NTT plans to distribute Project Kuiper connectivity services to enterprises and government organisations across the country. NTT Group companies will also become customers of Project Kuiper, facilitating a seamless integration of innovative LEO satellite connectivity into their communication networks.

Katsuhiko Kawazoe, Senior Executive...

29 November 2023 | Networks

Qualcomm cuts satellite-to-phone partnership with Iridium

Qualcomm has cut its partnership with satellite communications firm Iridium to provide satellite-to-phone services.

The partnership was initially announced in January 2023 and was broadly seen to be Android’s alternative to Apple’s partnership with Globalstar last year to launch its own satellite-powered emergency SOS feature for iPhone and Apple Watch.

Despite the successful development and demonstration of the technology by both companies, the primary reason cited...

10 November 2023 | Hot Topics