Startup Hello Space, described as Turkey’s first commercial ‘pocketqube’ satellite venture, has launched what it describes as the world’s tiniest satellite – with the help of SpaceX.

Hello Space aims to send a pocketqube constellation into space and offer uninterrupted end-to-end IoT data services from space to businesses in agriculture, logistics, energy industries, and many more.

Istanbul, the first Hello Space, test pocketqube, with dimensions of 5cm x 5cm x 5cm, was launched into space this week from California, with the SpaceX Falcon-9 Transporter-8 mission.

Established in May 2022, Hello Space completed software and hardware production followed by a space launch in under 13 months. Concurrent with the pocketqube satellite production process, the Hello Space Ground Station was built to serve as the management and control center for the pocketqube satellite constellation.

Through its advanced narrowband data communication technology, Hello Space will provide continuous and reliable data services globally by providing coverage from space. Hello Space will be able to offer IoT services, even in remote areas with low population density and uncovered regions such as oceans and remote but significant agricultural lands.

If everything goes to plan, the services offered will include the provision of location data from containers shipped in the ocean, humidity data from remote agricultural lands, and end-to-end temperature data in long-distance cold-chain food logistics. Consistent, accurate data from space will improve the efficiency of businesses, says Hello Space.

Hello Space says is now getting ready for the deployment of four new test pocketqube satellites, planned to be launched in October 2023.

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UPDATE: Would-be Trinidadian newcomer Star Networks has been backed by Digicel. Its attempted launch event last week was cancelled after regulator TATT confirmed that it did not hold an operating licence.

In a statement, Digicel said: “As a licensed provider, we welcome anyone who wants to use Digicel’s services to lawfully provide reliable connectivity, and we are in ongoing discussions with Star Network to support their needs in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.”

ORIGINAL STORY: A purported new Trinidadian operator has cancelled its launch after the Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT) issued a warning to the public that it had not received an operating licence.

Local news outlets reported that start-up firm Star Network (formerly Blue Mobile Network) had scheduled a launch event on Friday 9^th June at Invaders Bay Tower in Mucurapo, Port of Spain. TeleGeography reports that the event was cancelled at the last minute.

Hundreds of would-be customers were lured into attending by the seemingly false offer of smartphones and laptops for just TTD1 (US$0.14). Some members of the public appear to have confused Star Network with SpaceX unit Starlink, which last week did receive a 10-year operating licence in Trinidad and Tobago.

TATT issued a statement saying: “There is no new mobile network in the country. [Any] potential operator wishing to operate a public telecommunications network, must apply for, be approved, and be granted a concession to operate a network. No application has been made nor a concession granted to any potential ‘new’ operator that was scheduled to launch today [Friday].”

However, local outlet Newsday reported that hours after the cancelled launch event, Star Network issued a statement on social media accusing incumbent provider TSTT (Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago) of attempting to “misconstrue information to the public by indicating we are a mobile virtual network operator.”

In a letter to the regulator, TSTT argued that there was no proof that Star Network had been authorised to provide public telecommunications services, going as far as to claim that the newcomer was therefore either attempting to circumvent the Telecommunications Act or even flat-out committing fraud “in an attempt to extract money [from an] unsuspecting public.”

Star Network countered that it had been cleared to operate by TATT as Blue Network, removing the word “Mobile” from its original name. However, TATT said that it had received no application nor granted any concession to any new operator, adding that this process must be followed by any party wishing to operate a network in Trinidad and Tobago.

With us today for a chat is industry evangelist and entrepreneur Hunter Newby.  Hunter is always busy with something in the world of data centers, meet-me rooms, and network-neutral interconnectivity, and evidence of his unique touch is spread throughout today’s modern infrastructure.  Today he joins us to talk about his latest ambitious joint venture with Connected Nation, which is looking to bring internet ecosystems not just out of the core but beyond the edge and into range of hard-to-reach rural communities. … [visit site to read more]

Keep up-to-date with all the latest news, articles, event and product updates posted on Developing Telecoms.
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Keep up-to-date with all the latest news, articles, event and product updates posted on Developing Telecoms.
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