Page 83 - SAMENA Trends - January-February 2023

SATELLITE UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

SATELLITE NEWS

Space Agency Prepares 5G, 6G Hub Expansion for Lift-Off

The European Space Agency (ESA) moved with specialist IT system provider CGI this technology can be integrated into
on a project to expand its UK hub dedicated to deliver new facilities for its enlarged mobile operator offerings. Industry players
to aiding development of 5G applications hub, while noting support from the UK involved in the project include satellite
and 6G, with the international organization Space Agency. The site opened in 2022 communications companies Eutelsat and
setting its sights on further collaborations and provides facilities for third parties OneWeb, and Vodafone UK. The expansion
with industry. In a statement, the ESA to experiment with connectivity services is set to increase the physical footprint
highlighted the signing of a contract provided from satellites, including how of the hub’s dedicated networks and aid
the development of enhanced satellite
services; edge computing, multi-network
and multi-orbit orchestration; and ease
use of the connectivity systems. Moving
forward the team behind the project also
intend to conduct environmental impact
analysis of architecture used. Head of
ESA’s 5G-6G program Antonio Franchi said
collaboration “is key to telecommunications
innovation and this project will consolidate
the hub’s position as a focal point for the
establishment of new partnerships, both
within Europe and globally”. Vodafone
UK business director Nick Gliddon added
validating “the interoperability between 5G
networks on Earth and satellite networks in
space” will enable the operator to “open up
exciting new possibilities for connectivity
across the world”.

Starlink to Launch in Kenya in Q2

Starlink, the satellite internet service
of SpaceX, has announced plans to
launch in Kenya in the second quarter
of this year, pending regulatory
approval. Business Insider Africa
reports that Kenyans can pre-order
and deposit a refundable amount
of KES12,260 (USD) to reserve the
service. The company is initially
targeting areas such as Nairobi,
Kisumu, Mombasa and Nakuru,
among other towns in the country.
Starlink’s Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
satellites are designed to offer
high speed, low latency broadband
internet in remote and rural locations
across the globe. Starlink reached
the one million active subscriptions
milestone last month.

83 JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2023