Eutelsat orders 340 more satellites from Airbus for OneWeb LEO constellation
GLOBAL 12 JAN

Eutelsat orders 340 more satellites from Airbus for OneWeb LEO constellation

Eutelsat Group, which combines Eutelsat and OneWeb, announced further progress in the expansion of its OneWeb constellation, with an order of 340 more LEO (Low Earth Orbit) satellites from long-standing partner Airbus Defence and Space. The order brings to 440 the number of satellites procured from Airbus as part of this planned expansion, following the contract for a 100-strong batch agreed at the end of 2024 and expected to go into production later this year. 

Sama X obtains licence to provide Starlink services in Bahrain
BAHRAIN 12 JAN

Sama X obtains licence to provide Starlink services in Bahrain

Starlink global reseller Sama X has been licensed by Bahrain's Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) to the satellite internet services in Bahrain. Sama X offers turnkey services ranging from customer consultation to rapid installation and activation as well as local support, including a round-the-clock call centre serving in both English and Arabic. Sama X is backed by privately owned company Alghanim Industries. It will provide the high-speed internet service to every corner of Bahrain using Starl

Space42 signs MoU with Abu Dhabi Police to advance autonomous mobility
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES 12 JAN

Space42 signs MoU with Abu Dhabi Police to advance autonomous mobility

Space42 and Abu Dhabi Police have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to develop smart security and autonomous vehicle systems. Under the MoU, Abu Dhabi Police will support road safety initiatives and minimise traffic incidents by applying AI and autonomous mobility capabilities in police vehicles. The two parties will also provide joint training and field programmes and establish the foundations to expand the scheme to a broader range of applications in Abu Dhabi's transport network, in line with the lead

Starlink gets FCC approval to double satellite constellation
UNITED STATES 12 JAN

Starlink gets FCC approval to double satellite constellation

Starlink has received approval from the US Federal Communications Commission to double its satellite fleet. Under this grant, its owner SpaceX is authorized to construct, deploy and operate an additional 7,500 Starlink satellites as the second phase of its constellation, bringing the total to 15,000 satellites worldwide. The wider constellation is expected to support improved coverage, speed and latency from the satellite internet service, as well as the wider roll-out of direct-to-device mobile satellite s

Kepler launches first optical relay satellites
GLOBAL 12 JAN

Kepler launches first optical relay satellites

Satellite company Kepler Communications announced the successful launch of the first tranche of its optical relay satellites aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California. The satellites will now begin commissioning as Kepler transitions its optical data relay network into operational service. The tranche consists of 10 satellites, each approximately 300 kilograms, equipped with high-capacity SDA-compatible optical terminals and multi-GPU on-orbit compute modules with terabyte

Keysight tests NR-NTN link in band n252 using Samsung modem chipset
GLOBAL 9 JAN

Keysight tests NR-NTN link in band n252 using Samsung modem chipset

Keysight Technologies said it has achieved a new radio non-terrestrial networks (NR-NTN) connection in band n252 using Samsung Electronics' next-generation modem chipset. The demonstration took place at CES 2026 in Las Vegas and included live satellite-to-satellite (SAT-to-SAT) mobility using commercial-grade modem silicon and cross-vendor interoperability. The n252 band is expected to be adopted by next-generation low Earth orbit (LEO) constellations and this validation follows those for n255 and n256.

UCC denies reports of immediate Starlink launch in partnership with Airtel
UGANDA 9 JAN

UCC denies reports of immediate Starlink launch in partnership with Airtel

The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has dismissed reports that Starlink will launch direct-to-consumer services this week, saying that the satellite provider still lacks the legal authority to operate in the country. UCC executive director Nyombi Thembo said recent speculation about an immediate roll-out in partnership with Airtel Uganda is inaccurate. While Airtel Africa and SpaceX have signed a regional agreement to explore satellite integration, Thembo said the deal is subject to regulatory approv

Telit Cinterion and Nokia to launch industrial connectivity bundle with NTN, 5G and Wi-Fi deployment options
GLOBAL 8 JAN

Telit Cinterion and Nokia to launch industrial connectivity bundle with NTN, 5G and Wi-Fi deployment options

Telit Cinterion and Nokia have announced an industrial AIoT product partnership, coupling multi-access 5G, NTN and Wi-Fi connectivity modules with Nokia's Cognitive Digital Mine Platform. The collaboration aims to provide mining, oil and gas, logistics, railways and other industrial clients with AI and digital twins-driven connectivity and compute orchestration, driving more powerful, SLA-grade IoT use cases such as autonomous vehicles, as well as resource planning, asset usage, operational safety and sched

Saudi CST seeks comments on space sector regulations and guidelines by 24 March
SAUDI ARABIA 8 JAN

Saudi CST seeks comments on space sector regulations and guidelines by 24 March

Saudi Arabia's Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) has invited the public to give feedback on the Space Sector Regulations and Guidelines Document by 24 March. It aims to stimulate activities in the sector and ensure their efficient implementation, promote transparency in procedures for granting licences and permits to conduct them, foster an attractive investment environment in the country, and encourage research and innovation.

Trains to Crimea lose mobile access after networks disrupted
RUSSIAN FEDERATION 7 JAN

Trains to Crimea lose mobile access after networks disrupted

Russian railway carrier Grand Service Express said that it isn't able to provide mobile voice and data services on its trains to Crimea, reports Vedomosti. Passengers aren't able to access mobile service for more than a day after mobile internet services in Crimea were disrupted by the threat of Ukrainian drones. The problem is also related to the fact that a significant part of the route from Moscow to Sebastopol crosses sparsely populated areas with few base stations. Satellite services are also impossibl

Net Insight wins GNSS contract from Japanese system integrator Itochu Cable Systems
JAPAN 7 JAN

Net Insight wins GNSS contract from Japanese system integrator Itochu Cable Systems

Swedish company Net Insight said that after a year of successful customer proof-of-concepts, its long-standing system integration partner Itochu Cable Systems has placed an initial order to continue and broaden network-based, GNSS-resilient time synchronisation trials in Japan. Delivery will be made in the first quarter of 2026. Net Insight said Japan standing out as one of the most advanced and strategically significant markets for next-generation mobile and critical infrastructure and that the order is a

Qatar consults on revised radio spectrum fees
QATAR 7 JAN

Qatar consults on revised radio spectrum fees

Qatar's Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) launched a public consultation on the proposed update of fees for the use of radio spectrum. This review reflects ongoing advancements in wireless services, the release of new bands following recent World Radiocommunication Conferences (WRC-19 and WRC-23), and the increasing demand for radio frequencies. The proposed framework maintains CRA's existing formula-based methodology, which ties fees to key parameters such as bandwidth, frequency band, coverage are

GLOBAL 7 JAN

GCT marks commercial deliveries of 5G RF chipset

GCT Semiconductor announced it has completed the inaugural batch of commercial 5G chipset shipments to its customers. This milestone follows sample 5G deployments with multiple clients in late 2025, including a contract with Airspan and Gogo targeting 5G air-to-ground connectivity in North American air flights.

ARMENIA 6 JAN

Starlink to help connect remote schools in Armenia

Armenia will receive over 100 terminals from Starlink to improve internet access in schools in remote communities, reports Arka.am citing the minister of high-tech industry Mkhitar Hayrapetyan. Starlink satellite internet services are available in Armenia since March 2025. 

UNITED STATES 6 JAN

AT&T sponsors free Wi-Fi on American Airlines flights

AT&T announced a deal to sponsor free Wi-Fi for premium customers at American Airlines. Beginning this month, AAdvantage members will receive free satellite-based Wi-Fi across more than 2 million American Airlines flights a year, sponsored by AT&T.

UNITED STATES 5 JAN

DirecTV Business rolls out streaming TV option

DirecTV for Business announced the US nationwide launch of streaming-based TV subscriptions for small enterprises. The platform provides access to the DirecTV line-up of live and on-demand entertainment content in addition to over 140 FAST (free ad-supported television) channels. This is expected to appeal to urban businesses facing landlord restraints barring satellite dishes or line-of-sight issues encountered in high-rise buildings. Content includes local broadcast station groups, major movie studios, ne

ZIMBABWE 5 JAN

Zimbabwean government plans to launch ZimSat-3

The Zimbabwean government has announced plans to deploy a third national satellite to strengthen the country's capacity to use space-based technology for environmental management and national development, The Herald reported. Under the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), it has prioritised the development and deployment of ZimSat-3, building on the foundations laid by the successful launches of ZimSat-1 and ZimSat-2. It enhance Zimbabwe's satellite-based data capabilities in critical sectors including a

SPAIN 5 JAN

Indra completes EUR 725 mln Hispasat takeover, restructures Indra Space

Spanish ICT and defence group Indra said it has finalised the acquisition of satellite operator Hispasat after receiving regulatory clearance and shareholder approval. The company agreed to pay EUR 725 million to national grid operator Redeia for 89.68 percent of Hispasat, which will be integrated into the Indra Space subsidiary that also includes the company's majority stakes in government satellite services operator Hisdesat (36%) and satellite specialist Deimos (100%).

UGANDA 5 JAN

Starlink blocks services in Uganda

Starlink has blocked its satellite internet service in Uganda as of 01 January following a complaint from the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) regarding unauthorised service provision without a licence. In a letter dated 02 January addressed to UCC executive director George William Thembo, Starlink said that it had implemented what it described as a "new service restriction tool" for Uganda, resulting in a complete shutdown of Starlink services there. Ben MacWilliams, Starlink's director of market acc

NEW ZEALAND 2 JAN

One NZ network returns to normal service after bad weather

One New Zealand announced it has restored power to mobile sites and returned to normal services after bad weather impacted over 50 cell sites on its network. During the network disruption started 29 December the operator opened up its satellite text service free to customers to help them stay connected. 

BRAZIL 31 DEC 2025

Brazil extends tax breaks for IoT and satellite communications to 2030

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has signed Law No. 15,320, extending crucial tax incentives for the telecommunications sector until 31 December 2030. These benefits, which were due to expire at the end of 2025, apply to telecommunications stations used for M2M communication systems and small satellite stations (VSATs).

NIGERIA 31 DEC 2025

NCC publishes 2025-2030 spectrum roadmap including plans for D2D

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has released its draft National Spectrum Roadmap for 2025-2030 and Draft Guidelines for the Use of the 60 GHz License-Exempt Band for Multi-Gigabit Wireless Systems. Industry stakeholders, operators, equipment manufacturers, consumer groups and members of the public are invited to submit their comments by 16 January.

GABON 31 DEC 2025

Eutelsat and Airtel bring rail connectivity to Gabon

Eutelsat announced that its OneWeb low Earth orbit (LEO) connectivity services are being deployed to connect passenger trains in Gabon, delivered in partnership with Airtel Gabon. The deployment builds on successful testing and is being implemented as part of a national initiative led by the Gabonese ICT ministry of merchant marine and logistics, in collaboration with the Transgabon Railway Operating Company (SETRAG). By extending LEO connectivity to rail transport, the project will support Gabon's efforts

EUROPE 30 DEC 2025

Space42 conducts Europe's first licensed HAPS flight for Telespazio wildfire response joint venture

Mira Aerospace, the High-Altitude Platform Systems (HAPS) subsidiary of UAE-based company Space42, has conducted the first HAPS flight in Europe after obtaining civilian operational approval. The flight was executed by Mira Aerospace's ApusNeo18 HAPS model for Telespazio Iberica, part of the Leonardo group. The mission is part of the ISSEC programme, a joint venture by Telespazio Iberica and Pegasus Aero Group, which focuses on developing Spain's wildfire response infrastructure. 

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