Asia Pacific Mobile Operators Form Region’s Largest M2M Alliance

Eleven Asia Pacific mobile operators under Bridge Alliance, including Airtel, Optus, and CSL, have formed the region’s largest Machine-to-Machine (M2M) alliance, offering a “one-stop-shop” experience for M2M deployment in the region.

By connecting communication hardware to a physical asset, M2M technology provides industries with faster operations, accurate data gathering and improved efficiency in manpower, time and costs. The Bridge M2M Alliance eliminates the complication of dealing with multiple operators, and instead offers delivery of regional M2M services across geographical borders.

“Being part of this initiative gives us a strategic advantage in our local market, and our customers can look forward to comprehensive regional geographical coverage and superior service,” said Gil Genio, Globe Telecom EVP and COO for business and international markets.

Thales Alenia Space to Build Russian Yamal 601 Satellite

Rendering of the Yamal 601. Credit: Thales Alenia Space

Russian operator Gazprom Space Systems (GSS) has selected Thales Alenia Space to build its Yamal 601 telecommunications satellite that will provide fixed communications, broadcast and Internet access services to Russian customers. Thales Alenia Space will be in charge of the satellite design, production and turnkey delivery and will also assist in training GSS staff as a part of their skills transfer plan.

Yamal 601, set to replace the existing Yamal 202 satellite, will be based on the Spacebus 4000C4 platform, carrying 18 C-band transponders, 19 Ku-band transponders and 26 Ka-band transponders focusing on Russia.

Telered and Measat Provide TV Services in Philippines

Telered Technology and Services Corporation and Measat Satellite Systems have signed an agreement for capacity on the Measat 3a satellite. Telered will now use the satellite to distribute Viva TV and Pinoy Box Office (PBO) channels in the Philippines.

“With this capacity, we will be able to serve local and regional programmers for their local distribution requirements,” said Redentor Laset, president of Telered.

Thuraya Selected by Indonesian Search and Rescue Agency
Badan SAR Nasional, the national search and rescue agency for the Republic of Indonesia, has selected Thuraya to improve its search and rescue efforts in the country.

The government agency will install Thuraya IP Terminals, the Thuraya Integrated Communications Solution, and Thuraya NettedComms to provide its headquarters’ capabilities with all branch offices, ships, portable units and mobile land units, enhancing voice, data and video surveillance systems.

Spacebel Signs Commercial Contract with Vietnam

Dignitaries signing VNREDSat 1b agreement. Credit: Spacebel

Belgium-based Spacebel has agreed to supply Vietnam with VNREDSat 1b, an Earth observation system made in Belgium set to launch in 2017.

The satellite will be based on the European Space Agency’s (ESA) PROBA satellite platform, placing the VNREDSat 1b in a Sun-synchronous orbit for five years. This observation mission will allow Vietnam to strengthen its monitoring of natural occurrences such as deforestation, river and maritime pollution, flooding, and the effects of climate change.