News 

The move is the country’s first ever authorisation for satellite broadband access 

Eutelsat OneWeb has been given approval from Indian authorities to launch its commercial satellite broadband services in India, being the first operator in the country to be granted such access. 

According to IN-SPACE, Indian governmental agency responsible for the regulation of space activities, the approval period is valid for five years. 

The approval means that once the spectrum has been allocated by the government, Eutelsat OneWeb can launch their commercial connectivity services. 

“This will be a critical step forward to meet India’s ambition of providing internet connectivity for all and will enable the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of Digital India. Eutelsat OneWeb is ready to deploy as soon as it receives the final spectrum authorization to launch commercial services,” said Bharti Group Chairman and Vice-President (Co-Chair) of the Board of Directors of Eutelsat Group, Sunil Bharti Mittal.  

“Bridging the connectivity gap around the world requires collaboration across business but also with governments and regulators. We are pleased to have received these approvals from the space regulator that bring the country a significant step closer to providing high speed connectivity to even the most remote locations. Having completed our LEO constellation last year, we are perfectly placed to deliver this vital connectivity service to businesses across India,” Cyril Dujardin, Co-General Manager of Connectivity at Eutelsat Group.  

OneWeb India had already had the necessary licences from the Department of Telecommunications to provide broadband services using satellite connectivity. 

The two firms Eutelsat and OneWeb confirmed the completion of their merger in September this year, which was worth $3.4 billion. The merger saw OneWeb’s constellation of low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites added to Eutelsat’s geostationary orbit (GEO) satellites, creating the “only GEO–LEO operator in satellite communications that can offer a ubiquitous connectivity service,” according to Eutelsat CEO Eva Berneke. 

The UK government also owns a minority stake in in OneWeb, after a rescue deal was completed in 2020 that prevented the collapse of the company. After the merger, the UK share was retained along with a number of exclusive rights. 

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Is Vietnam edging closer to mobile money adoption? That appears to be the case after the announcement of an extension to the existing mobile money service pilot.

The government has issued a resolution permitting the extension of the pilot use of telecom payment accounts for small-value goods and services until 31 December 2024. In 2021, the prime minister approved the pilot of mobile money service nationwide for two years, starting from 9 March 2021. In November of that year, as we reported at the time, MobiFone became the first Vietnamese operator to be permitted to provide mobile money services in the country.

The service allows customers to use their mobile communications accounts to carry out payment for small-value goods and services, money transfer, direct deposit and withdrawal at outlets and transaction points of telecom providers throughout the country, among other forms of money exchange. All of this can be done without a bank account, a smartphone or an internet connection.

English-language news service Vietnam News says that, according to the Ministry of Information and Communications, the number of customers using the mobile money service was above 3.9 million by early May 2023, tripling the figure for the same period last year.

The service points out that, the number of clients in rural, remote and mountainous areas reached over 2.7 million; that’s 69% of total users.

There are now more than 9,953 mobile money service points nationwide (up 12% from March), and 15,326 units accepting payment via mobile money (up 0.2%). The total number of withdrawals, transfers and payments through  the mobile money service was over 26.1 million, at a total value of about US$70.1 million.

News 

A recent milestone reached by a satellite communications provider has brought the icy expanses of the Arctic one step closer to high-speed broadband 

This article was originally published by our sister publication Broadband Communities.

Changing weather patterns have forced a new focus on the Arctic and American companies like satellite communications provider Viasat, based in California, have been answering the call. 

Viasat, which recently completed thermal vacuum testing on a satellite at Northrop Grumman’s facility in Virginia, said the Arctic has rapidly growing connectivity needs to serve governments, shipping companies, commercial airlines, and scientists. 

The company announced the milestone Nov. 21 on their website and said the satellite will be part of the Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission being led by Heosat, a subsidiary of Space Norway. 

“The investment we’ve made in our network is creating the flexibility, coverage, and interoperability to meaningfully connect the world wherever and whenever our customers need it – even if they happen to be standing on the North Pole,” said Viasac Head of Space Systems Mark Dickinson. 

In their announcement, Viasac said the mission would represent the first time satellites will be successfully deployed in highly elliptical orbits. The two satellites, named ASBM-1 and ASBM-2, will host Viasat’s GX-10a and GX-10b Ka-band payloads, extending Viasat’s high-speed network across the Arctic region, the company’s announcement stated. 

Kjell-Ove Skare, a program director for Space Norway, said the mission is closing in on making broadband in the Arctic a real capability. 

“We have seen an unprecedented collaborative effort with Viasat, the U.S. Space Force, our Norwegian Armed Forces and with Northrop Grumman, and are all looking forward to providing the first dedicated broadband services to users in the real Arctic,” he said. 

Along with commercial broadband payloads, the satellites will additionally host payloads for the Norwegian Armed Forces and the U.S. Space Force, Viasat’s announcement stated. 

With the thermal vacuum testing phase completed, Viasat’s announcement said ASBM-1 and ASBM-2 will now undergo their final phase of testing. 

Viasat’s announcement said the recent test is timely. In October 2023, the United Kingdom’s environmental audit committee called for a greater political focus on the Arctic and further research into the potential for environmental and economic impacts of changing weather patterns, Viasat’s announcement said. 

Once testing is complete, Viasat’s announcement said the satellites will be transferred to Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, where they’ll be launched together on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket in mid-2024. 

Reach Broadband Communities editor Brad Randall at brad.randall@totaltele.com. 

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News 

The move comes as Altice becomes increasingly laden by its debt pile of $60 billion, which Altice owner Patrick Drahi looks to cut

French telecoms company Altice has entered into an exclusivity agreement to partner with Morgan Stanley. As part of the deal, Altice France is set to sell a 70% share if its data centre business to Morgan Stanley for €535 million, which will create a new venture named UltraEdge, which will operate 257 data centre and office space across France.  

Altice describe UltraEdge as “first nationwide independent distributed colocation provider in France” 

The data centre business is valued at €764 million, which is 29 times greater than its pro-forma EBITDA of €26 million. Additionally, SFR will enter into a build-to-suit agreement with UltraEdge, which is expected to raise €175 million in the next 7 years. 

According to reports from Los Echos, the two companies are in “advanced discussions”. 

“The transaction will strengthen Altice France on its objectives to provide best in class telecommunication services to its clients as the datacenter infrastructure continues to be upgraded, expanded and densified,” said Altice in a statement. 

The deal is subject to usual regulatory approval, and the deal is expected to close in the first half of next year. 

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News 

Ten areas across the UK have won a share of a £36 million government funding injection as they become designated 5G regions 

The funding was announced in July by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), aimed at turning local and regional authorities into ‘5G Innovation Regions’, ensuring that broader areas of the UK take advantage of advanced wireless connectivity. Each of the ten regions face individual and unique challenges which will be aided by the funding. The original announcement stated a budget of £40 million, which now appears to have been reduced to £40 million. 

Regions that were able to successfully demonstrate how they would adopt and develop 5G technologies across a variety of sectors were eligible for the funding, then becoming designated 5G regions. 

The funding competition is a key component of the government’s ‘Wireless Infrastructure Strategy’, to commit to its pledge to extend 4G coverage to 95% of the UK population. 

“We’re channelling millions into local areas to unlock the potential of cutting-edge 5G wireless and digital technologies which will reshape our public services, drive economic growth and boost innovation. This new fund will give local areas from across the country the opportunity to be at the forefront of Britain’s world-leading 5G revolution,” said Minister of Data and Digital Infrastructure Sir John Whittingdale. 

“For instance, by using 5G for farming and creating science parks, we’re not just helping local communities, but also encouraging new ideas all over the UK. This is more than just linking smartphones. It’s about using powerful digital connections to transform various sectors in the economy and the public sector throughout the entire country,” he continued. 

The breakdown of the ten winners is as follows: 

1. Belfast City Council – £3.8 million
   Use 5G tech to digitise port operations; ‘5G-in-a-box’ technology for high-capacity uplinks for on-location filming and production studios; and exploiting advanced wireless connectivity on transport routes. 
2. Greater Manchester Combined Authority – £3 million
   5G-enabled heat pumps to accelerate the creation of Smart Energy Grids; and a digital road network to reduce congestion and carbon emissions .
3. West Midlands Combined Authority – £3.8 million
   Scale proven 5G applications in advanced manufacturing and smart communities through new adoption hubs. 
4. Oxfordshire County Council – £3.8 million
   Creation of 5G Science Parks at the Harwell campus in Oxfordshire supporting R&D in Quantum, Space, Health, and Energy Clusters.
5. North Ayrshire Council – £3.8 million
   New Regional Strategic Wireless Innovation Hubs will place Ayrshire as a UK leader in advanced manufacturing by accelerating the adoption of digital and wireless technologies. 
6. Sussex County Council – £3.8 million
   Develop and scale 5G applications to support future farming and growing practices that increase sustainable food and drink productivity. 
7. Cumberland Council – £3.8 million
   Use 5G and advanced wireless tech at key sites across the Borderlands Region to demonstrate how it can help build the tourist economy, protect the environment and local businesses. 
8. Shropshire Council – £3.7 million
   Embed advanced wireless connectivity technology at the heart of technological innovation across rural industries, water management and public services. 
9. Sunderland City Council – £3.8 million
   5G-enabled port operations to enhance port competitiveness and safety, and Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems that improve road transport efficiency.  
10. Glasgow City Council – £3.2 million
    Use Internet of Things and smart city applications for Asset Monitoring and Maintenance, Net Zero Social Housing, and Health and Social Care Monitoring.

Keep up to date with international telecoms news by subscribing to the Total Telecom daily newsletter – subscribe here.  

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Outgoing BT CEO asks UK government for tax break
Stratospheric Platforms prepares airborne 5G trial
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Payments fintech company Cellulant has obtained initial approval as a Payment Service Provider and Payment Facilitator in Egypt.

With its collections and disbursement payment solutions, Cellulant says it will enable global and regional merchants operating in Egypt to easily manage their B2B and B2C payments seamlessly in-country and internationally, whether through mobile money, wallets, cash, card, or direct bank transfers across multiple payment methods in various currencies.

Egypt’s payments sector has snowballed in recent years, with current regulations enabling instant payments and fintechs revolutionising how financial services are delivered, challenging traditional banking models and altering consumer payment preferences.

According to the 2022 Mastercard New Payment Index, 88% of Egyptians have used at least one emerging payment method, with usage expected to increase further. Customers are expanding their purchase methods, requiring businesses to expand their payment methods to alternative and locally relevant ones.

« With the prevalence of prepaid cards and mobile wallets already exceeding 40% of the adult population in Egypt, the timing of Cellulant’s acquisition of these licences could not be more opportune,” says Ahmed Marwan, Cellulant’s General Manager for Egypt and North Africa. “More importantly, we’re committed to intensifying our efforts to provide reliable payment options for businesses in the region. By simplifying their business payment process, they can focus on their growth.”

The company says that by acquiring licences to serve Egypt it strengthens its operations in Africa where it claims to have the most comprehensive payment infrastructure, integrating over 370 payment methods and operating in 35 markets, with licences and physical offices in 19 countries.

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