Page 103 - SAMENA Trends - July-August 2022

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Smart and Omnispace Team Up for Satcom-Supported 5G in the Philippines

Philippines mobile operator Smart is
collaborating with satellite operator
Omnispace to explore and demonstrate
the capabilities of space-based 5G
communications using low earth orbit
(LEO) satellites. It’s a collaboration that the
partners believe will be able to define use
cases for the Philippine market. These use
cases could include enabling 5G connectivity
in remote areas, incorporating IoT and
sensors for use in monitoring weather
disturbances and natural calamities, and
augmenting network coverage for disaster
relief, as well as enabling maritime and
telematics applications for vessels and
equipment. Arvin L Siena, Head of Smart
owner PLDT’s Technology Strategy and
Transformation Office, says, “This is also
part of PLDT’s broader initiatives to future- launched Omnispace Spark-1 and Spark-2 The Omnispace 5G NTN global network –
proof our services, including Smart 5G. in April and May, respectively, the company the world’s first 3GPP-compliant 5G NTN
This includes exploring opportunities to recently completed the deployment phase system – will interconnect with terrestrial
team up with companies like Omnispace to of Omnispace Spark. This program is the or land-based mobile networks to serve
test the interoperability of our network with initial phase in the company’s development mobile subscribers utilizing the company’s
their 3GPP-compliant 5G non-terrestrial and delivery of what it calls the world’s 2GHz mobile satellite spectrum allocation
network (NTN), which will support the first global 5G-capable satellite network. and operating in 3GPP band n256.
5G ecosystem of the future.” Having

Oneweb and Intelsat to Give Airlines Broadband

Satellite operators OneWeb and Intelsat low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite services they expect the multi-orbit solution to be
have signed a global distribution to every airline in the world, coupled with in service by 2024. Jeff Sare, president
partnership agreement to offer airlines Intelsat’s inflight connectivity experience of Intelsat’s Commercial Aviation, said
inflight broadband. The partnership could and existing geo-stationary (GEO) satellite it will ‘maximize brand affiliation’ with
potentially let Intelsat distribute OneWeb’s service. In a release, the collaborators say passengers through ‘next-generation
onboard services’ in a ‘connected airline
digitalization strategy.’ It could also mean
that airline passengers can make phone
calls. “This is a watershed moment for
the inflight connectivity market, and we’re
excited to work together with Intelsat to
bring our multi-orbit solution to commercial
aviation. We’re committed to delivering the
most differentiated and innovative solution
for airlines,” said Ben Griffin, OneWeb’s
vice president for Mobility Services. “We
are proving that, through the power of
partnership, a superior suite of multi-orbit
capabilities can be offered to better serve
the growing connectivity needs of the
commercial aviation industry, delivering the
highest value coupled with the lowest risk.”

103 JULY-AUGUST 2022