Mobile Connectivity

Iridium Communications revealed that Thales is the newest Iridium Certus aviation service provider. While already developing the Iridium Certus-based FlytLINK terminal and antenna, Thales will now be able to offer both Iridium Certus terminals and Iridium Certus connectivity services to business jets, commercial aircraft, rotorcraft, general aviation, and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). Iridium Certus joins...

Orbit Communications Systems revealed that that systems integrator THESTA ordered additional dual-band OceanTRx 4 systems for the PGZ Group — a contractor of naval navigation, communications, and combat systems in Poland — for deployment aboard the Polish Navy’s Cormorant-Class Minehunter. OceanTRx 4 is a rugged and innovative stabilized dual-band maritime satcom platform. It further expands...

Connecting the world’s disconnected is a mission we take to heart at On Orbit. After all, our debut episode focused on bridging the digital divide. We like to think of this endeavor as satellites enabling global economic equality. In this episode, Hughes Network Systems’ Dave Rehbehn and Peter Gulla join On Orbit host Jeffrey Hill...

Tom Choi, Executive Chairman at Airspace Internet Exchange has announced the signing of an MOU with PT Telekomunikasi, one of the largest telecommunications operator in Southeast Asia, that will put one of Choi’s latest inventions to the test. PT Telekomunikasi will evaluate and test Curvalux — an advanced multi-beam phased array wireless access and backbone...

Astranis, the San Francisco-based remote satellite connectivity startup, has concluded its first major launch deal as it looks to make its business plan a commercial reality and success. The company announced Aug. 26 that it had signed a deal with SpaceX to put the first of its satellites into orbit next year, as it look...

Rohde and Schwarz (R&S), in collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies, successfully verified an A-GPS control-plane LPP test session over 5G NR using a device powered by the Snapdragon X55 5G modem and Qualcomm RF Front-end solutions. The device was able to successfully establish a 5G non-standalone (NSA) connection and then perform GPS fixes according to 3GPP...

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket that launched to the International Space Station last week carried a tiny package that could eventually lead to the smartphone you have in your pocket getting cell service from space. If it works, the instrument could be a precursor to a giant constellation of thousands of mini-satellites that function as...

Iridium Communications approved the first 10 beta partners developing new products based on the Iridium Certus 9770 transceiver. Each partner has received operational beta units, which have been undergoing extensive testing designed to fine-tune both the new transceiver and the first new solutions they will enable in preparation for service activation.The Iridium Certus 9770 transfers...

With the proliferation of satellites in Non-Geostationary Orbits (NGSO), and the growing capacity and coverage of Geostationary Orbit (GEO) satellites, antenna manufacturers must continuously adapt. New specifications demand new technologies, in an exciting age where network coverage is reaching new possibilities. In order to support the upcoming wave of multi-satellite constellations that demand different coverage,...

During the summer travel season, I won’t lie that In-Flight Connectivity (IFC) is at least one of the criteria my family uses to decide which airline we travel. And, while I’m the first one to pull out my devices and do a speed test, speed alone is not enough to have “incredible passenger Wi-Fi.” Last...