Page 66 - SAMENA Trends - February 2022

SATELLITE UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Marlink Gains SES Satellite Access

Network solutions firm Marlink signed a mPOWER is an upgrade over the previous enterprise, mining, government, maritime
multi-million-euro agreement that will first-generation iteration O3b MEO, sectors as well as superyacht customers.
give its customers access to SES’ next- through its use of software to deliver Customers in these segments require
generation system of satellites. Under coverage and speeds of megabits to high download speeds and low latency to
the agreement, Marlink customers will multiple gigabits per second. It will be remain operational in remote locations.
gain access to SES’ medium earth orbit augmented by Marlink’s Smart Network Marlink Group chief executive Erik
constellation (MEO) of satellites known solutions, and in turn, Marlink will be able Ceuppens said, “At Marlink we are driven
as O3b mPOWER, enabling dedicated to enhance its hybrid network solutions by technology progress and committed
connectivity services to customers with and offer customers differentiated and to bring the full power of a connected and
data-intensive needs. The system is secure connectivity products. Customers digital world to our customers’ remote
scheduled to launch soon and become earmarked to benefit from this deal workplaces. This is why we are so excited
operational by the end of the year. O3b are those in the humanitarian, energy, to extend our long-term partnership with
SES and to bring the game changing high-
throughput low-latency capabilities of
O3b mPOWER as part of Marlink’s Smart
Network solutions to our most demanding
customers in all our market verticals.” SES
CEO Steve Collar added: “Fast, flexible
connectivity represents an opportunity
for all businesses – especially those
operating in remote locations. Marlink’s
customers understand the strategic need
for excellent connectivity, and the value
of digitalization. SES’s high-throughput,
low-latency data connectivity represents a
future-proof solution for these operators.”

Anatel Approves Satellite Applications from LEO Firms Starlink, Swarm

Brazil’s National Telecommunications (LEO) satellite system comprising 4,408 was awarded to Swarm Brazil Satelites,
Agency (Agencia Nacional de satellites operating in the Ku- and Ka- expires on 7 September 2035. Swarm’s
Telecomunicacoes, Anatel) has issued bands for the provision of a fixed-satellite constellation will comprise 150 satellites
Starlink Brazil Holding a license granting service constellation. The company’s in non-geostationary orbit. The company
it ‘satellite exploration rights. Starlink, license runs until 28 March 2027. A seeks to provide bidirectional data
which is backed by Elon Musk’s SpaceX second application – by California-based transmission services for telemetry and
venture, intends to deploy and operate Swarm Technologies – was also approved telecommand oriented to IoT applications.
a non-geostationary Low Earth Orbit by the watchdog. The concession, which

SpaceX Lands in Tonga to Reconnect Island

Elon Musk’s satellite company SpaceX is launching satellites and delivering high- last month by sending Starlink terminals
aiding the effort to restore telecommuni- speed broadband. The Hunga Tonga-Hun- to the island. International calling returned
cations to the island nation of Tonga after ga Ha’apai volcano eruption destroyed to the nation last month, confirmed by
the country was struck by the after-effects Tonga’s only fibre optic cable connecting Digicel, but only 400 calls could be made
of a volcanic eruption. Fiji's Attorney-Gen- to the internet and the rest of the world at one time. SpaceX joined a host of com-
eral Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum posted on so- was greatly damaged by the eruption on panies offering assistance to Tonga. Intel-
cial media that the SpaceX team is in Fiji Jan 15. It also caused a tsunami that de- sat joined with Australian operator Telstra
to set up a Starlink gateway station to re- stroyed villages and coated the capital city and New Zealand operator Spark to deploy
connect Tonga, reported Reuters. Starlink Nuku'alofa in ash. Tesla founder and CEO emergency communications to support
is a division of SpaceX and is tasked with Elon Musk offered assistance on Twitter aid workers.

66 FEBRUARY 2022