There are reports out of India that giant telecommunications business Reliance Jio is preparing one of its most ambitious telecommunications projects yet. The reports say the company is planning to build and deploy a low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation comprising around 1,600 to 1,650 satellites to offer broadband internet and direct-to-device connectivity services across India […]

Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs & Communications is allocating $1 billion (described as 1,600 billion Yen) for its planned J-LEO constellation of low Earth orbiting satellites. The plan is to build a satellite infrastructure that allows direct communication with regular smartphones its citizens already own—no dead zones, even in remote mountains, at sea, or during […]

Virgin Media O2 has expanded O2 Satellite to compatible Google Pixel devices. The expansion means more customers can access satellite-powered connectivity in areas beyond the reach of the traditional mobile network. Launched earlier this year, O2 Satellite allows customers to connect directly to satellites using everyday smartphones, without the need for specialist equipment. The service […]

The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) is always suspicious of what it calls “paper satellites”, where an operator files for certain orbital spectrum in order to secure transmission rights to the frequencies. The ITU sets strict term limits on such filings and where the applicant has very tight deadlines to meet. However, a filing by China […]

A textbook launch aboard a Falcon 9 rocket (owned by arch-rival SpaceX) took three AST SpaceMobile satellites into transfer orbit on June 17th from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The three craft – BlueBird 8, 9 and 10 – are the largest commercial communications arrays ever deployed in low Earth orbit, measuring approximately 2,400 square […]

SpaceX is working with Ukraine telco Kvivstar to partner Starlink’s adoption in the nation for Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) cellular telephony. The move suggests that Ukraine is thus the first country in Europe to launch Starlink D2C technology and availability. Reports from Ukraine say that Kyivstar is rolling out Starlink-powered mobile satellite services across Ukraine. Almost 5 […]

One of SpaceX’s key targets for growth and profitability is its AI division. Last week’s IPO delivered the cash needed for SpaceX to make further investments. Analyst Brett Winton from ARK Invest (ARK) has examined the likely future process for SpaceX and its prospective return on capital. In ARK’s view, SpaceXAI’s listing launched one of […]

The Spaceport Company is a new venture which looks to start launching rockets from sea. The plan is to extend its current sub-orbital missile launch successes with heavier orbits and specialising in equatorial launch access and in an attempt to tap into the growing demand for launch capacity. The company has now signed new contracts […]

The enthusiasm for Starlink-based connectivity on board the world’s major airlines seems to be unstoppable. Starlink has now partnered with 41 airlines worldwide, covering more than 7,000 aircraft under installation or contract. The latest to be signed up is Israel’s El Al. The airline will start installs in 2027. The Israeli airline will offer the […]

Ariane 6, an Arianespace rocket, is due to place 36 satellites into orbit today (June 17th) from the Kourou Spaceport in French Guiana. There had been concerns that a local strike, where the launch site entrances were barricaded by the Union of Guyanese Workers, might impact the launch, but the strike ended on June 16th. […]