Bob Roe, CEO of TrustComm. Photo: TrustComm

[Via Satellite 02-26-2014] TrustComm has announced its international expansion with the construction of the Starlight regional gateway in Cyprus. This private ground infrastructure will allow TrustComm to offer an enhanced version of the new Starlight mobile satellite service (MSS). Introduced in November 2013, Starlight is an end-to-end, U.S.-managed implementation of mobile satellite data and voice services delivered through Thuraya.

The gateway is being constructed at Cyta’s Makarios Teleport in Cyprus, with data switching equipment being provided by Hughes Network Systems and earth-station systems provided by Integral Systems Europe. This new gateway will allow Starlight data services to be managed and maintained in the U.S. instead of through Thuraya’s current gateway in Sharjah, UAE.

The architecture is sufficient for commercial and government users requiring satellite communications. Starlight will allow U.S.-based TrustComm to control the full service lifecycle while using Thuraya’s satellite network and terminal equipment.

“Our new Starlight gateway in Cyprus is the latest major step in our global infrastructure expansion that includes the hiring of additional operations engineers and teleport staff,” said Bob Roe, CEO of TrustComm.