Page 65 - SAMENA Trends - July-August 2022

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access to universal broadband services in early to mid-September from Cape Officer at AST SpaceMobile. “Nokia is
that will ensure that no one is left behind,” Canaveral, Florida. BlueWalker 3 is a low supporting us with dozens of engineers
said Tommi Uitto, President of Mobile Earth orbiting satellite and has an aperture and development professionals, including
Networks at Nokia. “Nokia has a long history of approximately 64 square meters leading architecture research experts at
of delivering connectivity solutions that (693 square feet), which is designed to Bell Labs, the world-renowned industrial
have had a major and positive impact on communicate directly with cellular devices research arm of Nokia. In the coming
society. We have worked closely with AST via 3GPP standard frequencies. Ultimately, months, we are scheduled to launch
SpaceMobile on this important initiative for AST SpaceMobile is aiming to deploy our BlueWalker 3 test satellite into low
two years which seeks to provide crucial approximately 100 satellites to achieve Earth orbit, which has a 64-square meter
connectivity from space to underserved substantial global mobile coverage. phased array antenna designed for direct-
communities around the world. We are of “With the integration of Nokia’s AirScale to-cell connectivity. With this satellite, we
course proud our technology is playing system, AST SpaceMobile and Nokia are plan to conduct testing all over the world
an important role in underpinning the taking an important step toward closing with leading mobile network operators,
networks.” AST SpaceMobile plans to connectivity gaps all over the world," leveraging Nokia's technology solutions
launch its BlueWalker 3 satellite for testing said Scott Wisniewski, Chief Strategy on the ground.” Nokia is committed to
equitable opportunity for all and access to
education, healthcare, jobs, and community
digital services. Nokia supports the 2025
targets set by The Broadband Commission
for Sustainable Development that aims
to ‘connect the other half’ in the next five
years. They are involved in several projects
underway around the world including in El
Salvador and Kenya. These public/private
initiatives are designed to bring public
services such as schools and hospitals
online. They are intended to vastly improve
internet access and create the foundations
that will enable everyone to participate in
the digital economy.

SES to Power Innovative, Immersive Experiences
Onboard Leading Family Cruise Lines Fleet with
O3b mPOWER

SES, the world’s leading content unparalleled reliability throughout the while parents recline at the pool. Simon
connectivity satellite service provider, will voyage. The new agreement will help Maher, Vice President of Global Sales,
be providing ground-breaking high-speed enable a seamless and hassle-free internet Cruise Maritime Services at SES, said, “SES
satellite-based connectivity services to connectivity experience for guests who is privileged to be selected as the most
the newest landmark ship of a leading can unwind in complete luxury without innovative technology connectivity partner
family cruise line, the company announced worrying about their family’s consuming for both the transition of the current fleet
today. The cruise line existing fleet will also large amounts of data at considerable of Cruise Ships from the legacy provider
transition its connectivity to SES’s second- expense. Passengers can purchase to SES but also supporting the cruise line’s
generation medium earth orbit (MEO) new Unlimited Internet access plans by fleet expansion plans. We are passionate
system O3b mPOWER, alongside installing leveraging SES’s O3b mPOWER network about amazing, innovative experiences that
the service onto its newbuild program. The and enjoy unmatched connectivity whilst push the boundaries of what people think
high-performance connectivity service cruising. The low-latency connectivity is possible. As the only company to operate
onboard will first be available via SES’s O3b network which will be delivered by SES’s a commercially successful medium
Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) constellation O3b mPOWER system is also set to earth orbit constellations at unmatched
and will subsequently migrate and expand enable innovative connected technologies, scale, SES is uniquely positioned to offer
to SES’s O3b mPOWER communication including a first-of-its-kind immersive the most reliable, best-performing high-
system. This connectivity will be augmented reality experience for guests. speed connectivity at sea that helps make
augmented by SES’s geostationary satellite It will also power wearable technology for incredible and innovative experiences a
fleet and ground-based infrastructure to families, which provides children secure reality.”
provide high-bandwidth redundancy and and safe access to amazing experiences

65 JULY-AUGUST 2022