Satellite

Quantum key distribution (QKD) is headed for the stars thanks to a new consortium launched by the European Space Agency (ESA) and Spanish satellite operator Hispasat.

The group, called Q-Design, has set its sights on enabling QKD via geostationary and low Earth orbit satellites (GEO/LEO) as well as terrestrial infrastructure.

Orange has announced a new deal with Eutelsat that will enable it to add LEO connectivity into its portfolio of satellite-based communications services.

Nokia, Colt, and Honeywell are researching how to protect encrypted data from quantum risks using Low Earth Orbit satellites.

The FCC has voted to look at the possibility of opening up more than 20,000 MHz of underused spectrum for satellite, a move that could prove something of a boon for companies operating from space.

Satellite operator AST SpaceMobile has provided a launch update as it inches towards offering consumer services.

In a UK-first for onboard passenger Wi-Fi; ScotRail has introduced new, Starlink-enabled satellite technology across a rural route in the North of Scotland.

A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket has delivered into orbit the first 27 low-Earth orbit (LEO) broadband satellites for Amazon’s Project Kuiper constellation.

EU Commissioner visits London as UK researchers and businesses get access to more Horizon Europe funding calls for quantum and space research

Chip firm Intel and Arqit Quantum, which specialises in quantum-safe encryption, have launched a security solution in which even they “are outside the trust boundary.”

Rakuten Mobile and AST SpaceMobile have announced the completion of what they say is the first-ever broadband video call between unmodified smartphones in Japan using a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite.

NEC Corporation has successfully achieved Japan’s longest terrestrial wireless optical communication (*), or free-space optical (FSO) communication, over a distance of more than 10 km.

According to a new report from global technology intelligence firm ABI Research, the total number of active LEO (including VLEO) satellites in operational orbit will increase from 7,473 in 2023 to approximately 42,600 by 2032.

Vodafone’s pioneering ‘Network as a Sensor’ technology is being used to forecast rainfall and other weather conditions at a micro-climate level to alert people and first responders of flooding, and other natural and man-made dangers.

Commercial space infrastructure firm Axiom Space will launch its first two Orbital Data Centre (ODC) nodes to low-Earth orbit (LEO) by the end of this year.

• The low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite sector is hot right now
• Elon Musk’s Starlink in particular has made great strides over the past year
• Now Amazon’s $10bn Project Kuiper is ready to put its first broadband communications satellites into orbit   

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Nokia has delivered the first cellular network to the Moon and validated ‘key aspects’ of the network’s operation, though making the first lunar cellular call remains an elusive milestone.

Newbury, UK and Midland, TX. US - Vodafone Group Plc (Vodafone) (LSE: VOD), a leading European and African telecommunications company, and AST SpaceMobile Inc.

• Breakthrough deployable via software upgrade to existing GEO satellites using available S-band spectrum to allow operators to monetize NTN services immediately

Mavenir, the cloud-native network infrastructure provider building the future of networks, and Terrestar Solutions Inc.), Canada’s premier mobile satelli

Vodafone, AST SpaceMobile and University of Málaga are teaming up to launch a new space and land mobile broadband research and validation hub for Europe.

UK firm AccelerComm has launched a new 5G Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) physical layer solution for LEO satellites, which promises to deliver up to 6Gbps and support128 beams and 4,096 users per chipset.

• T‑Mobile Starlink is solving wireless’ biggest pain point — mobile dead zones
• T‑Mobile Starlink is the first and only space‑based mobile network in the U.S.

The Federal Communications Commission has given the go-ahead for AST SpaceMobile to test direct-to-cell mobile broadband services, including voice and data, with AT&T and Verizon.

• Rowan Chesmer, Vodafone engineer, makes historic first space mobile video call from a remote area of Wales to Margherita Della Valle, Vodafone Group Chief Executive, using satellites built to offer a full mobile broadband experience.
• Astronaut Tim Peake joined Margherita in Newbury, UK, for unveiling of first space to land gateway i

Spotlight on 5G is back! From 3-6 March, we’ll bring you comprehensive, multimedia coverage of the hottest industry news, game-changing announcements, cutting-edge solutions, and groundbreaking product launches that take place at MWC25.