Omnispace, MTN team to develop, deploy satellite IoT, 5G NTN
Date of creation: March 13, 2024, 12:09 p.m. From SITE: https://www.computerweekly.com Original page link
Original page content Space-based communications company Omnispace has announced a collaboration with MTN, the largest mobile network operator in Africa, to integrate the service provider’s terrestrial mobile networks with the Omnispace non-terrestrial network (NTN), based on the 3GPP mobile industry standard, to serve consumer mobile and enterprise internet of things (IoT) services. Launched in 1994, MTN provides voice, data, fintech, digital, enterprise, wholesale and application programming interface services to over 290 million customers in 19 countries. The company said its strategy is anchored in building the largest and most valuable platform business, with a clear focus on Africa. This, it said, rests on a scale connectivity and infrastructure business encompassing mobile and fixed access networks in the consumer, enterprise and wholesale segments. Headquartered in the Washington DC area, Omnispace uses 5G technologies to combine the global footprint of a non-geostationary satellite constellation with global leading telecom companies to bring interoperable “one network” connectivity to users and IoT devices anywhere. The company started its journey into delivering robust space-based services in May 2022, with the launch and delivery of the Omnispace Spark-2 satellite. The new-generation NGSO satellite constellation, in low-earth orbit (LEO), operates in 3GPP band n256, which has been standardised for NTN operation, making direct-to-enterprise, government internet of things and consumer device connectivity possible worldwide. At launch, Omnispace stressed that 5G mobile connectivity from a single global network would help transform industries and serve as the communications infrastructure to support the digital economies of the 21st century. The partnership will see MTN and Omnispace explore the use of S-band spectrum for satellite services to expand MTN’s portfolio of wireless service in their markets. It will also explore how they may collaborate on the development and growth of an ecosystem of devices and software. As part of the agreement, Omnispace will develop a next-generation standards-based mobile and IoT network designed to serve MTN markets. In the interim, the companies will partner to test existing technology and prove capabilities using Omnispace’s on-orbit satellites. Read more about space-based mobile communications Starlink launches constellation, improves comms latency: After launch of 23 craft for growing satellite constellation, Elon Musk-led US spacecraft manufacturer reveals steps taken to improve quality of experience and service. NanoAvionics jumps on SpaceX to expand 5G, IoT space comms: Smallsat bus manufacturer and mission integrator’s craft expand two constellations with upcoming SpaceX Transporter-10 mission. Speedcast on board with connectivity for P&O maritime logistics: Comms and IT services provider sets sail to deliver multi-orbit, multi-path SD-WAN service across 59 vessels in fleet of provider of critical logistics support and marine offerings for offshore energy, port services and cargo transportation. Meteoric growth in VSAT, BGAN, SatPhones and 5G mobile devices: Research finds rapid deployment of non-geostationary orbit networks such as Starlink, Eutelsat OneWeb, and soon Amazon’s Kuiper, quickly advancing innovation in the satellite ground segment. Omnispace CEO Ram Viswanathan said: “This collaborative effort would offer access to secure, cost-effective, ubiquitous 5G mobile connectivity by seamlessly integrating our respective satellite and terrestrial networks. Omnispace is pleased to work together with MTN to deliver this first-of-its-kind, 3GPP standards-based solution to add non-terrestrial network connectivity to a large ecosystem of compatible devices, products and applications.” Mazen Mroué, MTN’s chief technology and information officer, added: “Through this collaboration, we aim to methodically extend the reach of our services, understanding the profound role connectivity plays in shaping societies and supporting growth. “Our partnership with Omnispace is a strategic step towards ensuring consistent, reliable access to our network, contributing to the foundational infrastructure that supports a digitally inclusive future, enabling the benefits of a modern connected life for all.” | African space-based mobile communications industry gains higher orbit as continent’s largest mobile operator enters partnership with non-geostationary satellite constellation firm
Date of avatar: March 31, 2024, 6:46 p.m.
Tags: global connectivity, mtn, iot services, mobile networks, satellite constellation, collaboration, 5g technologies, non-terrestrial network, s-band spectrum, omnispace, wireless services
Content: # Part 1: Omnispace and MTN Partner to Expand Mobile and IoT Services in Africa Space-based communications company Omnispace has announced a collaboration with MTN, the largest mobile network operator in Africa. This partnership aims to integrate MTN's terrestrial mobile networks with Omnispace's non-terrestrial network (NTN) based on the 3GPP mobile industry standard. The goal is to provide consumer mobile and enterprise internet of things (IoT) services. With over 290 million customers in 19 countries, MTN is known for its voice, data, fintech, digital, enterprise, wholesale, and application programming interface services. Omnispace, headquartered in the Washington DC area, utilizes 5G technologies to combine its non-geostationary satellite constellation with global leading telecom companies. This collaboration will bring interoperable "one network" connectivity to users and IoT devices anywhere. # Part 2: Omnispace's Vision for Global Connectivity Omnispace, which launched in 2022 with the delivery of the Omnispace Spark-2 satellite, aims to deliver robust space-based services using 5G technologies. Its new-generation NGSO satellite constellation operates in low-earth orbit (LEO) and supports direct-to-enterprise, government IoT, and consumer device connectivity worldwide. The company envisions that a single global network offering 5G mobile connectivity will transform industries and serve as the communications infrastructure for the digital economies of the 21st century. Through its partnership with MTN, Omnispace plans to explore the use of S-band spectrum for satellite services and expand MTN's portfolio of wireless services. Additionally, the collaboration will focus on the development and growth of an ecosystem of devices and software. # Part 3: The Benefits of the Omnispace and MTN Partnership As part of the agreement, Omnispace will develop a next-generation standards-based mobile and IoT network designed specifically for MTN markets. In the meantime, the companies will work together to test existing technology and prove capabilities using Omnispace's on-orbit satellites. Omnispace CEO Ram Viswanathan expressed excitement about the collaboration, highlighting the secure, cost-effective, and ubiquitous 5G mobile connectivity that will be made possible by seamlessly integrating the satellite and terrestrial networks. Mazen Mroué, MTN's chief technology and information officer, emphasized the importance of connectivity in shaping societies and supporting growth. He sees the partnership with Omnispace as a strategic step towards ensuring consistent, reliable access to their network and contributing to a digitally inclusive future for all.
Date of avatar: March 13, 2024, 1:56 p.m.
Tags: space-based communications, integration, africa, networks, mobile services, satellite services, omnispace, iot services, mobile network operator, mtn
Content: Omnispace, a space-based communications company, has teamed up with MTN, the largest mobile network operator in Africa, to integrate their networks and provide mobile and IoT services. MTN, with over 290 million customers in 19 countries, aims to build the largest and most valuable platform business in Africa, focusing on connectivity and infrastructure. Omnispace, headquartered in Washington DC, combines the global reach of a non-geostationary satellite constellation with leading telecom companies to offer seamless connectivity. The partnership will explore the use of satellite services and develop a next-generation mobile and IoT network for MTN markets.
Date of avatar: March 13, 2024, 1:55 p.m.
Tags: space-based communications, next-generation mobile network, platform business, consumer mobile services, terrestrial networks, washington dc, enterprise iot services, s-band spectrum, 3gpp mobile industry standard, africa, 5g technologies, omnispace, mobile network operator, iot network., 19 countries, non-terrestrial networks, mtn, 290 million customers, global connectivity, non-geostationary satellite constellation
Content: Omnispace, a space-based communications company, is partnering with MTN, the largest mobile network operator in Africa, to integrate their terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks. The collaboration will provide consumer mobile and enterprise IoT services using the 3GPP mobile industry standard. MTN, serving over 290 million customers in 19 countries, aims to build the largest and most valuable platform business in Africa. Omnispace, headquartered in Washington DC, uses 5G technologies and a non-geostationary satellite constellation to deliver global connectivity. The partnership will explore the use of S-band spectrum and develop a next-generation mobile and IoT network.