Satellite Communication

Broadband

IMC 2024: BSNL & Viasat Demonstrates India’s First D2D Satellite Connectivity

Satellite communications company Viasat, in collaboration with Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), has successfully demonstrated India’s first direct-to-device (D2D) satellite connectivity. The demonstration, conducted at the India Mobile Congress 2024, featured satellite-powered two-way and SOS messaging on a commercial Android smartphone. #BSNL introduces Direct to Device (D2D) service, a pioneering solution that converges satellite […]

Broadband

Scindia’s Statement on Mukesh Ambani vs Elon Musk Satcom Spectrum Allocation Row

Elon Musk has expressed strong opposition to Jio’s push for an auction of satellite spectrum, arguing that it is traditionally shared based on International Telecommunication Union (ITU) guidelines. India’s telecom minister, Jyotiraditya Scindia, confirmed that satellite spectrum will be allocated administratively, countering Jio’s call for an auction. Mukesh Ambani, chairman of Reliance Industries, emphasized the […]

Broadband

Mukesh Ambani vs Elon Musk: Space Broadband Spectrum Decision Spiced Up

Billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance has challenged the telecom regulator’s decision to allocate home satellite broadband spectrum administratively rather than through an auction, escalating its conflict with Elon Musk’s Starlink. The debate over how India should distribute spectrum for satellite services has been ongoing since last year. Starlink, along with global competitors like Amazon’s Project Kuiper, […]

Regulatory

Starlink Receives FCC Approval for Direct-to-Cell Services

Starlink, the satellite communications company owned by SpaceX, has received approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to offer direct-to-cell services in specific parts of the United States. According to Reuters, the FCC granted Starlink and T-Mobile permission to provide direct-to-cell coverage in areas of North Carolina affected by Hurricane Helene. This special approval is […]

Broadband

OneWeb Ready to Launch Satellite Services

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is unlikely to grant provisional or interim spectrum to companies like Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio for the commercial rollout of satellite internet services in India, according to informed sources. The government intends to wait for the recommendations of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) before making any decisions on […]

Regulatory

TRAI to Launch Consultation on Satellite Telecom Spectrum Allocation

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is set to begin a consultation process next month to establish the terms, conditions, and procedures for the administrative allocation of spectrum for satellite-based telecom services. This initiative reflects the rapid growth of India’s satellite communications sector, which is poised to significantly enhance the country’s telecommunications infrastructure. TRAI […]

Worldwide Innovation

Thales and Airbus to Tie Up for Space Communication Opportunities

Airbus and Thales are reportedly exploring a merger of their space activities, according to French business paper La Tribune, which cited unnamed sources. The discussions between the two companies are said to be preliminary and conducted discreetly. Airbus looking at opportunities to create scale in space, satellites https://t.co/kYYMDBiBEJ pic.twitter.com/0ToBudfFwl — Reuters (@Reuters) July 21, 2024 […]

Broadband Telecom Industry

Jio Satcom Service Gets IN-SPACe Approval

Reliance Jio and SES’s joint venture, Orbit Connect, has received critical landing rights and market access authorization from the Indian National Space Promotion & Authorisation Center (IN-SPACe). Orbit Connect is majority-owned by Jio (51%) with SES holding the remaining 49%. IN-SPACe has granted the necessary approvals for Orbit Connect to offer commercial services in India. […]

Worldwide Innovation

Kinéis and Semtech Transform Satellite Connectivity with Integrated Terrestrial IoT Chip

Kinéis and Semtech have announced a strategic collaboration to integrate satellite and terrestrial IoT into a single electronic chip. Kinéis, a French satellite operator and global connectivity provider for the Internet of Things (IoT), offers near real-time data transmission with low bandwidth and very low power consumption. Semtech is a global provider of high-performance semiconductors, […]

Broadband

India Requires Rs 4.2 Lakh Crore Investment by 2030 for Nationwide Broadband Connectivity

According to industry expert Prashant Singhal, India will require an investment of Rs 4.2 lakh crore by 2030 to connect 24 crore households in the country with broadband services. Speaking at the Broadband India Forum conference, Singhal, who is the Telecom Sector Leader for Emerging Markets and a Partner in a member firm of EY […]