Page 102 - SAMENA Trends - September-October 2022

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

BNET Launches Final Migration Phase for Batelco Fiber Circuits

Bahrain’s National Broadband Network
(BNET) has announced the launch of
the final phase of the remaining Batelco
fiber circuits to BNET, as part of the asset
ownership transfer from Batelco. The
project is a key part of the implementation
of the Fifth National Telecommunications
Plan to make BNET the operator of a national
fiber-optic broadband network, providing
wholesale broadband network services to
all licensed operators. A joint project team
has been formed by Batelco and BNET
with a mandate to manage, implement,
and supervise the migration process of the
remaining Batelco fibre circuits to BNET,
supervised by the Telecommunications
Regulatory Authority (TRA). The project is
expected to be concluded in the second
half of 2023.

Oman’s First Satellite Set for Orbit

The first Omani satellite, Aman, has suc- ing to witness this first-of-its-kind project building confidence in all economic, so-
cessfully prepared for its launch into the in the country’s history unfolding and we cial and developmental relations. Oman’s
Low Earth Orbit, at Newquay, Cornwall, in are looking forward to see it through to a space program will enable groundbreaking
the UK. Integrated into a launch vehicle, final stage that will occur later this year scientific research and capture high-resolu-
the LauncherOne rocket, the satellite will when it will be launched into the low Earth tion satellite images, which will be further
be taken on its journey into space later this orbit.“, explained Abdulaziz Jaafar, ETCO analyzed digitally using Computer Vision,
year. Satellite integration is a major step Chief Executive Officer. “Integration went Machine Learning, and AI solutions devel-
in meeting the objectives of Oman’s first as planned and it was a complete success. oped by TUATARA in strategic partnership
space mission. The Sultanate of Oman All risks have already been minimized due with ETCO. The Omani space project in-
represented by ETCO, an Oman-based to the Fit-Check event that occurred during tends to provide long-lasting benefits and
emerging technology innovator; Virgin Or- the previous month, where the same Virgin unlock new horizons for the next generation
bit, a leading US-based satellite launch Orbit integration team was on-site at Sa- of world space explorers and innovators in
company; SatRev, Polish nanosatellite tRev headquarters in Poland to perform a the space sector, while investing in national
manufacturer and operator and TUATARA, detailed walkthrough of all planned integra- talent that will build a promising future for
specialists in advanced AI, data analytics tion steps.” – said Grzegorz Zwoliński, CEO Oman. Looking forward to delivering added
and cognitive technology solutions, con- SatRev. The project is fulfilling the Oman value up and down the country, the project
tinue to work on Oman’s mission to space. Vision 2040, a national program aimed at will encourage and support companies in
The work undertaken, led to the first Oma- fostering economic competitiveness and Oman to accelerate its transformation into
ni CubeSat satellite, Aman, being integrat- social well-being, stimulating growth and a space-related economy.
ed with the spacecraft during a procedure
conducted at Newquay Airport, in Cornwall.
The Virgin Orbit integration team led the
event, beginning with a final cleaning and
checkout of the Omani satellite, ensur-
ing that the Remove Before Flight (RBF)
items on the CubeSat were taken away.
Once the satellite was prepared, it was
placed in the launch dispenser, followed
by a series of rigorous checks. “Satellite
integration marks an important milestone
in the plan to send the first Omani space-
craft into space this year. It is encourag-
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