New technologies and spectrum sharing possibilities are promising to open up connectivity markets in developing regions across the world. With one of the most striking coverage gaps, Africa is widely seen as the last frontier for connectivity. 

While there has been a lot of progress in parts of the region’s network ecosystem, less than...

Connectivity investors are busy assessing future battle lines for spectrum as dust settles from the recent 2019 World Radiocommunications Conference. Despite the trend towards convergence between orbital and terrestrial connectivity, the conference has become a fierce battleground between these two ecosystems for access to increasingly scarce and valuable frequencies.

Representatives from both camps found causes to...

A reshuffle is looming in launch amid the expectation of multiple introductions in 2020 as trends that include speedy adaptability and the advent of new pricing strategies emerge.

The market is in flux amid developments that include the entrance of Germany’s OHB as at least the second company seeking integrated…

The FCC is seeking to launch a US$9bn fund in 2020 to provide 5G connectivity in rural America that will replace a previous effort amid questions about the process.

The investment in these projects are considerable, and the time to recoup the outlay is likely to be…

A growing number of IoT use cases is encouraging technology companies focused on private enterprise networks to forge more satellite partnerships.

Satellite IoT is expected to play a significant role in areas such as...

Fast, affordable and secure connectivity is emerging as a focus in satellite as industry players optimise networks against the background of increasing IoT and 5G operations.

Most researchers believe small satellites are the most vulnerable to the threats of…

The regulatory burden for new non-geostationary constellations, and how it influences investors, is often overlooked in industry discourse focused on technical prowess and the promise of emerging satellite connectivity markets. 

After licence entanglements helped bring down a startup with US$2bn in customer commitments, new constellation deployment rules are adding further complexity for emerging NGSO...

The market for satellite connectivity is bustling amid the emergence of new networks due in part to the availability of more orbit choices and the march of technology.

Satellite operators are expected to weigh several factors in their orbit decisions, including…

Satellite broadband operator Ovzon has vowed to revolutionise the connectivity market by building out a business based on GEO smallsats.

Seen as a middle-ground between large traditional GEO comsats and LEO constellations, GEO smallsats can be tailored to serve specific markets for less capex. Connectivity Business speaks with CEO Magnus René to find out more...

High 5G buildup costs are driving more European telecoms operators to partner with private funds to buy key infrastructure assets such as fibre.

Fibre deployment is accelerating especially across developed markets such as Europe, where regulators are...

Satellite operators are increasingly joining up with cloud services amid the growth of IoT and edge computing against the backdrop of other Big Data trends.

Connectivity from satellite to the cloud is expanding as some players shift their strategies toward…

Financing success is concentrating among certain players and sectors of satellite, as only a handful of companies dominate investment amid increasing alliances involving some of these ventures.

Only 11 companies account for about…

Telecoms vendors worldwide are gearing up for the connectivity industry’s transition to 5G with accelerated standalone (SA) core development.

SA core is seen as essential for network slicing, a key 5G capability that enables...

A slew of tower deals driven by European telcos carving out assets to save capex and reduce debt are in the making, but there is a thin chance for independent towercos to become ultimate buyers.

Connectivity analysts believe telecom operators including Germany’s Deutsche Telekom and France’s Orange, which are currently...

LeoSat is in asset sale discussions with companies including technology giant Amazon, as other plans are evaluated for its LEO broadband constellation amid a halt in funding, founder Cliff Anders said.

These include keeping the US- and Europe-based startup…

Satellite operators are regrouping after the FCC dashed hopes for a market-based plan to release C-band in the US for terrestrial 5G, favouring instead a public auction alongside draft legislation that would give the spectrum’s current owners a smaller proportion of proceeds. Litigation and years of delays could follow without the support of the incumbent licence holders, also threatening auction appetite and prices.

Although the FCC’s move has given the long-running saga some clarity after months of speculation, the question now for investors is what a middle-ground might look like...

A pledge from the UK’s Labour Party to nationalise much of incumbent operator BT’s fibre network is expected to reduce infrastructure investments by local telcos, though it is unlikely to materialise.

The Labour government said it would pay an undisclosed sum to purchase BT’s fibre unit Openreach and incorporate it...

Europe is encouraging increased flexibility in financing like the fusion of public grants with private financial instruments and co-investment with corporate venture to boost investment in the commercial space sector.

An independent report highlighted the benefits that the UK enjoys from the European Space Agency’s Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems programme, which has generated…

Connectivity enablers promising lower latency and better security amid enterprise cloud migration are increasingly favoured by hyperscalers over mobile service providers.

Unlike major telcos that serve enterprise customers by selling their networks, these players enable businesses to... 

Consumer, IoT and governmental connectivity accentuated the mostly buoyant results of US-based satellite operators as some of them await next-generation spacecraft to put new networks into action.

Savvy connectivity strategies are driving growth, including the consumer market, where…

Cablecos hampered by a continued decline in pay-TV subscriptions are increasingly betting on the wireless sector to get their businesses back on track.

Dutch cable operator The United Group, owned by private equity firm BC Partners, has agreed to acquire...

Uncertainty and concerns about the speed of 5G rollout in the US are permeating home stretch discussion of the reallocation of C-band spectrum against the backdrop of increasing attacks.

Some observers, however, are confident that the FCC will issue an order that is partly…

Years of record low satellite insurance rates could be coming to an end amid signs the pressured market is hardening after a string of sizeable losses.

The potential for a €173m (US$190.5m) claim for the malfunctioning Eutelsat 5 West B communications satellite could be the final straw for the industry, worn down by diminishing income from a lack of...

MNOs are expected to look for more innovative ways to cement relationships with their existing MVNO customers amid significant industry departures.

Connectivity analysts believe many operators are taking Virgin Media’s recent exit of a long-term MVNO partnership with British telco BT as a warning sign, fearing that...

Consolidation will likely be a factor for inflight connectivity (IFC) in 2020 as other trends such as the growing influence of NGSO satellite constellations are expected to play a role in the sector.

LEO/MEO constellations will offer a couple benefits over GEO connectivity for IFC, including…

Connectivity providers are the enablers of data commercialisation projects looking to tap into the gold-rush of the digital era. However, as research from law firm Simmons & Simmons underlines how the vast majority of companies are struggling to monetise their data assets, TMT businesses are also at risk of losing revenue and market share if they fall behind in the Big Data race.

Harnessing data correctly guides...

US towercos are pushing to increase mid-band spectrum adoption amid hopes that the T-Mobile/Sprint merger will succeed in December’s federal trial after recently winning FCC approval.

The US$26bn telco tie-up’s court delays have been blamed for...

A block of spectrum in L-band could become available for 5G terrestrial wireless connectivity as a call is made for spectrum strategy amid the spiralling influence of politics.

US satellite broadband venture Ligado Networks is pressing the FCC for action on a…