Omnispace and Smart team up to explore space-based 5G technologies. Photo: Omnispace

Omnispace inked a partnership with Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), a wireless subsidiary of Philippine telco PLDT. The partnership announced Wednesday will see the companies demonstrate the capabilities of space-based 5G using Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites.

Omnispace launched two satellites — Spark-1 and Spark-2 in April and May — and recently deployed its Omnispace Spark program, the initial phase in the company’s development of a 5G-capable satellite network. The company plans for a 5G non-terrestrial network (NTN) combined with terrestrial mobile networks.

Arvin Siena, head of PLDT’s Technology Strategy and Transformation Office said the companies will work together to define use cases for the Philippine market. Possible use cases include 5G connectivity in remote areas, IoT monitoring for weather, disaster relief communications, and maritime and telematics for vessels and equipment. 

“This is also part of PLDT’s broader initiatives to future-proof our services, including Smart 5G. This includes exploring opportunities to team up with companies like Omnispace, to test the interoperability of our network with their 3GPP-compliant 5G non-terrestrial network (NTN), which will support the 5G ecosystem of the future,” Siena added.

Earlier this summer, Omnispace signed a similar agreement with South Asia/Pacific telco Ncinga PTE LTD for markets in the Fiji Islands, Maldives, and Sri Lanka.