Page 73 - SAMENA Trends - July-August 2023

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WHOLESALE NEWS

Northleaf Capital Invests USD200m in FTTP Wholesaler Tillman FiberCo

New York-based fiber-to-the-premises FiberCo is part of the Tillman Global founded by Sanjiv Ahuja.
(FTTP) wholesaler Tillman FiberCo has Holdings portfolio, a holding company
secured investment worth USD200 million
from funds managed by Northleaf Capital
Partners. The funding will accelerate
the expansion of fiber in underserved
neighborhoods across the US. As per
the terms of the deal, Northleaf has the
potential to invest a further USD300 million
as Tillman FiberCo scales its operations.
Founded in 2021 and based in New York,
Tillman FiberCo designs, builds and owns
gigabit-capable fiber infrastructure which
is accessible to enterprises and wholesale
customers across all industries. Tillman

Telefónica Wants to Launch the First 5G Roaming Connection for Space

Sateliot has teamed up with Telefónica an Internet of Things (IoT) device. That station, and then releases it when it is.
to extend the reach of 5G networks device managed to “seamlessly” switch to “Sateliot has achieved an important
into space. In a press release, the two Sateliot’s network of low-Earth orbit (LEO) milestone by successfully demonstrating
companies stated this is a “first” in satellites, making the trial a success. The the integration of Low-Earth orbit and NTN
telecommunications history. Detailing the conclusion of the test is that a standard (Non-Terrestrial Network) with roaming
achievement, the two companies said they roaming connection can be authenticated capabilities in Store&Forward mode, along
recently ran a test in which they extended using Telefónica’s core network even when with two-step authentication into a 5G
the coverage of Telefónica’s terrestrial 5G it’s going through a non-terrestrial network. cellular network,” said Antonio Franchi,
network through standard GSMA roaming, An important cog in this machine comes Head of Space for 5G and 6G Strategic
using Sateliot’s satellite network. The test in the form of “Store & Forward”, Sateliot’s Program at the ESA. Telefónica announced
was overseen by the European Space proprietary two-step authentication the solution will be offered commercially
Agency (ESA). During the test, the team process that stores data when the satellite next year, providing ‘everywhere-in-the-
used a regular SIM card, plugged into is not in position to connect with a ground planet connectivity’ for IoT devices. The
telecommunications firm wants to be the
first mobile network operator offering
narrowband IoT connectivity around the
globe. “This is the culmination of years of
studies and developments of our Store &
Forward two-step authentication procedure
that gives Sateliot a unique position to
establish roaming extension for NB-IoT
NTN delay tolerant applications. We are
in front of a game changer in future 3GPP
networks that will reduce costs based on
low density constellations and reduced
ground segment infrastructure, minimizing
the impact in space and reducing time to
market,” said Sateliot’s chief technology
officer Marco Guadalupi.

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