Page 121 - SAMENA Trends - September-October 2022

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Vodafone Satellite Tech Precisely Locates IoT Devices, Supports V2X

Vodafone and Topcon Positioning Group are developing a mass- mass adoption of vehicle to anything (V2X) technology whereby
market, precise positioning system to locate Internet of Things driverless vehicles communicate with other vehicles, road users,
(IoT) devices, machinery and vehicles with a greater degree of and infrastructure and for autonomous machinery and robots.
accuracy than using individual global navigation satellites systems Vodafone’s new precise positioning will complement to its Safer
(GNSS). Vodafone claims that vehicles, scooters and even robot Transport for Europe Platform (STEP), which was announced in
lawn mowers can be securely monitored in real-time to within a few March and allows entities to communicate without line of sight.
centimeters when connected to Vodafone’s global IoT network and Apparently STEP has been successfully tested in Germany and
using technology from Topcon – instead of within a few meters with the UK and will be made available via Vodafone Automotive and
navigation satellite signals. They can offer this GNSS correction third-party apps later this year. A Precise Positioning Service also
service because of their respective terrestrial footprints across complements the existing asset tracking and fleet telematics
Europe. Vodafone intends to offer a singular module configuration solutions already provided by Vodafone Business for enterprise
that can extend across national borders. The companies are customers across 54 countries.
to embark on trials with customers trials in Germany, Spain
and the UK, starting this month. The companies aim to test the
service, called Vodafone GNSS Corrections, using various devices
connected to Vodafone’s global IoT network, which has more than
150 million connections. Its pan-European network covers 12
countries. The Topcon Positioning System provides cloud-based
corrections which are sent to vehicles and devices. In turn, they
derive accurate locations in open sky conditions, that is, when
receivers on the ground are not close to obstructions such as trees
or reflections from a GNSS signal. To provide pinpoint locations,
a GNSS module needs to compensate for inaccuracies caused
by satellite constellations, receiver hardware and atmospheric
conditions. Topcon’s dense network of fixed reference stations run
the calculations to overcome these distortion based on the constant
flow of GNSS data. Vodafone says great accuracy is critical to the

SpaceTech Start-Up OQ Raises US$13 million and Seeks to Position Saudi

Arabia as a Satellite Hub

OQ Technology, a Luxembourg-based operator of 5G Internet Omar Qaise, founder and chief executive of OQ. Saudi Arabia is
of Things satellites, raised €13 million ($13.02m) in a Series A stepping up its efforts in the space race. Riyadh set up the Saudi
funding round co-led by Saudi Aramco's entrepreneurial arm Wa'ed Space Commission which, along with the Ministry of Investment
Ventures and Greece-based Phaistos Investment Fund. The funds and the Public Investment Fund, has been mandated to develop
will be used to grow OQ's 5G IoT satellite constellation, further strategies and pour investments into space technology. In 2020,
develop its proprietary technology and acquire more licenses. OQ’s the kingdom earmarked $2.1 billion for its space program, as part
technology enables applications requiring fast and real-time data of its Vision 2030 initiative that seeks to tap emerging technology
processing in remote and rural areas through small satellites in and diversify its economy's reliance on oil. In July, Saudi Arabia
low Earth orbit (LEO). OQ is currently expanding operations and became the fourth country in the Middle East and 21st globally
is establishing two global subsidiaries, including one in Saudi to sign the US-led Artemis Accords, an agreement that outlines
Arabia, with the aim of positioning the kingdom as a leader in peaceful exploration of the Moon and beyond. Other Middle East
satellite and space technology, Wa'ed said in a statement. The nations that have joined the pact include the UAE, Bahrain and
unit being planned in Saudi Arabia will be located in the city of Al Israel. 5G satellites, meanwhile, are more reliable than standard
Khobar and is set to be one of the Middle East's biggest data and 5G connections: to gain access to the internet using 5G — or any
network operations center for 5G satellite services, as well as the broadband connection — a user must be within range of a cell
first in the kingdom and wider Mena region, it added. “Against a tower. With satellites, internet access is possible even in the most
challenging economic backdrop, our decision to seek funding remote areas. Currently, the most aggressive 5G satellite company
was rewarded with a raise that will help us achieve our immediate is Starlink, which is under Elon Musk's SpaceX. It has already
goals in terms of growth, expansion into Middle East, Africa, Asia, launched more than 3,000 satellites into orbit, with 46 deployed
South America and Oceania, increasing our spectrum licenses this week. OQ's third satellite mission earlier this year was aboard
and patents portfolio, and further our product development,” said a SpaceX Falcon 9 rideshare mission. The global 5G satellite

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