Azercosmos, Viasat to cooperate on in-flight connectivity
AZERBAIJAN 10:18

Azercosmos, Viasat to cooperate on in-flight connectivity

Azerbaijan's state space agency Azercosmos has signed a cooperation agreement with Viasat, according to Report.az, citing a corporate statement from Azercosmos. The satellite companies plan to cooperate on in-flight connectivity services for airlines working in the country.

Starlink offers first month free in Slovakia, next two months at cut price
SLOVAKIA 10:09

Starlink offers first month free in Slovakia, next two months at cut price

Starlink is running a promotion aimed at new customers in Slovakia until 30 April, reports Zive. The operator has reduced its rates in the country recently. It is offering access to its satellite internet services free of charge for the first month and for a EUR 10 monthly subscription rate for the next three months. The standard monthly subscription price for the service at up to 100 Mbps is EUR 29.

Northwestel teams up with Telesat for satellite internet
CANADA 06:42

Northwestel teams up with Telesat for satellite internet

Telesat has won a new contract for its Lightspeed LEO services from Northwestel, the largest communications provider in Canada's North region. Under the multi-year agreement, Northwestel will leverage the satellite network to deliver low-latency broadband connectivity to communities across Northern Canada, offering plans with at least 50 Mbps download and 10 Mbps upload speeds and unlimited monthly usage.

NTT Docomo launches satellite data trial for biodiversity monitoring
JAPAN 05:36

NTT Docomo launches satellite data trial for biodiversity monitoring

NTT Docomo, Japan Nature Conservation Association and the city of Tokorozawa have begun a joint trial using satellite imagery and AI to estimate vegetation and biodiversity across wide areas. The trial builds on a partnership first established in May 2023 and renewed at the end of March. It forms part of efforts to support "nature positive" initiatives at a municipal level, aimed at halting biodiversity loss and supporting ecosystem recovery.

Japanese firms to develop multi-orbit satellite communications system for defence
JAPAN 05:35

Japanese firms to develop multi-orbit satellite communications system for defence

Japan Radio, Sky Perfect Jsat and Sharp have been selected to collaborate on a Japanese Ministry of Defense project to develop and demonstrate resilient multi-orbit satellite communications technology. The project, titled "Development and Demonstration of Resilience-Enhancing Technologies for Multi-Orbit Communications Systems", is intended to strengthen the reliability of communications infrastructure in response to rising demand in disaster prevention and defence scenarios. It focuses on maintaining stabl

Bureau-1440 and Sputniks awarded direct-to-cell spectrum in Russia
RUSSIAN FEDERATION 2 APR

Bureau-1440 and Sputniks awarded direct-to-cell spectrum in Russia

Russian state radio frequencies commission SRFC has allocated spectrum for direct-to-cell services to satellite operators Bureau-1440 and Sputniks, Interfax reports. The frequencies can be used for the satellite segment of a hybrid telecommunications system so customers can connect to satellite services using normal smartphones, tablets or IoT devices. The licences are valid until 31 March 2029. 

Paratus Group launches Essential Access based on Starlink for critical services in remote areas
AFRICA 2 APR

Paratus Group launches Essential Access based on Starlink for critical services in remote areas

Paratus Group has announced the launch of Paratus Essential Access, powered by Starlink, to deliver priority satellite connectivity to organisations operating in remote communities. It offers preferential pricing and support for approved essential service organisations such as law enforcement, hospitals and local clinics, schools, tertiary institutions, fire and emergency response, community centres, non-profit agriculture and food security initiatives. It aims to provide critical institutions operating in

Amazon in talks to buy Globalstar to strengthen satellite business - report
GLOBAL 2 APR

Amazon in talks to buy Globalstar to strengthen satellite business - report

Amazon.com is in talks to acquire satellite telecommunications group Globalstar, as part of efforts to strengthen its LEO satellite business. The two sides were still negotiating details of a deal after lengthy talks, people familiar with the matter told the Financial Times. Apple is part of the discussions, due to its 20 percent stake in Globalstar.

SpaceX makes confidential filing for IPO - report
GLOBAL 2 APR

SpaceX makes confidential filing for IPO - report

The rocket company and Starlink owner SpaceX has filed for an initial public offering of its shares in the US. The confidential filing was made with the US Securities and Exchange Commission in the past week, people familiar with the matter told the Financial Times, Bloomberg and other publications. The share sale is expected to be one of the largest on record and take place in June. 

NTT Docomo to launch direct-to-smartphone satellite service using Starlink
JAPAN 2 APR

NTT Docomo to launch direct-to-smartphone satellite service using Starlink

NTT Docomo will launch a satellite-to-smartphone communication service, branded 'docomo Starlink Direct', on 27 April, enabling connectivity in areas without terrestrial network coverage. The service uses SpaceX's Starlink satellite network to support text messaging and limited data communication via compatible applications. It is designed for use in locations like mountainous regions, remote islands and at sea, as well as during disasters where ground infrastructure is unavailable.

SoftBank to launch satellite-to-smartphone service, no date revealed
JAPAN 2 APR

SoftBank to launch satellite-to-smartphone service, no date revealed

SoftBank said it plans to introduce a direct-to-device communication service using SpaceX's Starlink satellite network, enabling smartphones to connect in areas without terrestrial coverage. The operator said the service will support text messaging and limited data communication through compatible applications in locations such as mountainous regions, remote islands and at sea, as well as in disaster scenarios where ground infrastructure is unavailable.

Spark launches satellite-to-mobile data services with Starlink
NEW ZEALAND 2 APR

Spark launches satellite-to-mobile data services with Starlink

Spark New Zealand has launched satellite-to-mobile data and text services in partnership with Starlink, extending connectivity to remote areas across New Zealand. The service enables customers to access data and messaging via satellite when outside the reach of terrestrial mobile networks, provided there is a clear line of sight to the sky. It is available to consumer, SME and enterprise customers on eligible plans, where it is included at no additional cost. Other customers can access the capability as an

FRANCE 1 APR

Arcep consults on draft decision to grant Amazon Leo expanded licence

French telecom authority Arcep has published a draft decision for public consultation, in which the regulator would grant a number of additional rights to Amazon Kuiper Services Europe by amending the ten-year licence secured by this Amazon subsidiary in mid-2025. Among the main changes, the draft decision would enlarge the authorised geographical footprint to include the French overseas territories for which Arcep is responsible (French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Mayotte, Martinique, St. Pierre and Miquelon, St.

EUROPE 1 APR

ETHER completes SNS-JU remit focused on unified space, aerial and land 6G architecture

A 6G research project funded by the EU's Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS-JU) has wrapped up its remit, having introduced a novel architecture for combining satellite, land-based and aerial transmitters into a fully unified 6G network.  The ETHER project was co-ordinated by University of Luxembourg's Interdisciplinary Centre for Security, Reliability and Trust with the participation of Sateliot, Collins Aerospace, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Avanti, Ubiwhere, i2Cat Research Centr

EGYPT 1 APR

Es'hailSat and EgyptSat sign satellite capacity pact for VSAT services

Qatar Satellite Company (Es'hailSat) and EgyptSat signed a multi-year satellite capacity agreement, enabling EgyptSat to provide VSAT services to its customer base in Egypt and across the Middle East and North Africa region. Es'hailSat said in a statement that this agreement builds upon the partnership established in 2025 between the two companies to leverage their shared satellite services and extensive ground infrastructure.

UNITED STATES 1 APR

Delta picks Amazon Leo for next-generation in-flight Wi-Fi

Amazon has won a contract with US-based Delta Air Lines for satellite internet services over its Leo fleet, one of its first major deals with an airline. This expands the companies' long-standing cloud services relationship with a multi-year deal for Delta to begin rolling out Amazon Leo in 2028. The plan is an initial installation on 500 aircraft, providing customers with Wi-Fi from gate-to-gate. The in-flight Wi-Fi will be free for all members of Delta's SkyMiles loyalty programme, the same as its current

JAPAN 1 APR

NTT Docomo deploys Ruckus Wi-Fi to support public network expansion

NTT Docomo has deployed Wi-Fi access points from Ruckus Networks as part of the network infrastructure for its public Wi-Fi service, d Wi-Fi, to improve connectivity in high-density environments and support rapid network deployment. The operator said the technology is being used to address challenges in stadiums and large-scale event venues, where congestion and radio interference can affect service stability. Ruckus's directional antenna technology is designed to dynamically focus signals towards connected

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES 31 MRT

Drone targets Thuraya building in Sharjah

The UAE's Sharjah Government announced that local authorities responded to an incident on 30 March involving the targeting of the Thuraya Communications administrative building in the central region by a drone launched from Iran. The media office said in its official account on X that no injuries were reported, noting that relevant authorities are actively managing the situation. The media office assured the public that updates will be provided as soon as available.

GLOBAL 31 MRT

SpaceLocker launches 'Out of the Box' cubesat carrying five client payloads

French start-up SpaceLocker announced the successful launch into orbit of its first satellite on a SpaceX mission. Named 'Out of the Box', this 16U cubesat of approximately 20 kg carries five client payloads. Among them, the 'Sterna' computer built by EDGX will start operating in space as an edge computing platform powered by Nvidia.

UNITED KINGDOM 31 MRT

AAC Clyde, Spire Global launch Glasgow-built satellites with UK, European agency support

Three satellites built in Scotland have launched on SpaceX's Transporter-16 launch vehicle, after receiving UK Space Agency (UKSA) funding via the European Space Agency's ARTES Pioneer Programme. Two of the satellites were developed by Glasgow-based AAC Clyde Space, while the other satellite was launched by space economy and data specialist Spire Global.

GLOBAL 31 MRT

Myriota completes SpaceX launch of four new UltraLite satellites

Myriota has dispatched and deployed four new satellites for its UltraLite low Earth orbit (LEO) constellation aboard SpaceX launch vehicle Transporter-16. UltraLite equips low-power IoT fleets including asset monitoring sensors with two-way connectivity to send data to the cloud, extending coverage in remote terrains with limited terrestrial infrastructure. It is powered by small data messages sized at about 20 bytes that are well suited to asset monitoring.

NAMIBIA 31 MRT

Starlink to appeal Namibia's license rejection

Starlink announced it will appeal the decision by the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) to reject its application for a license to operate in Namibia, The Namibian reported. Starlink described the industry regulator's decision as a "disappointing outcome", especially given the "thousands" of potential customers who placed deposits for the satellite internet service or participated in the public consultation on the license.

NIGERIA 31 MRT

NigComSat launches Accelerator 3.0 to support space startups

The Nigerian Communications Satellite (NigComSat) has launched Accelerator Cohort 3.0 as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria's space technology ecosystem and support the growth of local startups. The initiative will be showcased at the 2026 Nigerian Satellite Week scheduled for 30-31 March in Abuja, where key players in the satellite and digital infrastructure sectors are expected to converge.

GLOBAL 31 MRT

ST Engineering names new CEO of iDirect subsidiary

Singapore Technologies (ST) Engineering has appointed Sridhar Kuppanna to lead satellite communications subsidiary iDirect as the division's CEO. Kuppanna succeeds the outgoing iDirect lead Don Claussen. He previously served iDirect as chief technology officer, taking oversight of technical advances spanning 5G non-terrestrial networks, multi-orbit connectivity, AI-driven network automation, and cloud-native architectures. Kuppanna will be tasked with advancing iDirect's current strategic priorities, includ

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Background

29 MRT 22:46

The week in telecoms: Italy brings back PTT, US bans foreign routers and social media on trial

23 MRT 00:38

The week in telecoms: OFC and Nvidia events drive data centre networking talk, Orange debuts full French office stack

16 MRT 00:25

The week in telecoms: Pakistan ready for 5G, Google exits FTTH market and Canal Plus works on pay-TV turnaround

6 MRT 16:00

The week in telecom: MWC brings 5G advances, AI and satellite integration, plus first robot phone