Multiple network expansion projects from around the world to catch up with: … [visit site to read more]

The Communications Regulatory Authority of Mozambique has completed a nationwide assessment of telecom operators’ quality of service, revealing significant disparities in performance and compliance. Movitel emerged as the worst-performing operator for data services, while Vodacom demonstrated the highest reliability.

Movitel recorded the highest rate of non-compliance with regulatory standards for data services at 74%, according to a statement from the regulator. Tmcel followed at 25%, and Vodacom had the lowest rate of non-compliance at just 6%.

The average 3G download speed in Mozambique was measured at 3 Mbps. Vodacom stood out with an average speed of 4.55 Mbps, followed by Tmcel at 3.79 Mbps and Movitel at 2.10 Mbps.

For 4G services, Vodacom again led the market with an impressive 26.57 Mbps average download speed. Tmcel achieved 11.47 Mbps, while Movitel trailed at 9.37 Mbps.

In voice services, Tmcel struggled the most with regulatory compliance, showing a 66% non-compliance rate. Movitel followed at 54%, and Vodacom was slightly better at 53%.

The success rates for completing 2G and 3G calls were: Movitel and Vodacom both achieved 95.93% and Tmcel lagged behind at 85.14%..

Coverage and network compliance

The study noted that 2G remains the dominant network technology in Mozambique, with 3G and 4G networks primarily available in urban areas.

For 2G network compliance across 31 tested areas Movitel achieved compliance in 20 locations (65%); Tmcel complied in 16 locations (52%); Vodacom met standards in 13 locations (42%).

On the 3G network; Vodacom complied in 25 locations (81%); Movitel followed with 22 locations (71%); Tmcel met targets in 13 locations (42%).

For 4G services; Vodacom complied in 24 locations (77%); Movitel followed with 22 locations (71%); Tmcel met compliance in 17 locations (55%).

The Communications Regulatory Authority emphasised the challenges of extending reliable network services across Mozambique. While Vodacom generally outperformed its rivals, particularly in 3G and 4G services, Movitel and Tmcel face ongoing issues in meeting regulatory standards.

The findings highlight the need for continuous investment and oversight to improve network quality, especially in rural areas where services remain inconsistent.

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Malaysia’s mobile data service company U Mobile has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation Berhad (SDEC), the implementing agency driving Sarawak digital economy initiatives for the East Malaysian state that is home to an estimated 2.5 million people.

The aim of the MoU is to establish a strategic partnership aimed at realising the ambitions of the Sarawak Digital Economy Blueprint 2030, which envisions a robust digital economy as well as an inclusive digital society for the state by 2030.

To achieve this, says U Mobile, it will work with SDEC on initiatives that accelerate digital transformation for SMEs in Sarawak, as well as initiatives that narrow the digital divide for those in underserved areas.

Through this partnership, U Mobile and SDEC will collaborate to drive the adoption of 5G technologies and solutions in Sarawak’s SMEs. This includes providing 5G network connectivity, educational programmes, devices and innovative use case solutions to empower local businesses and enhance their competitiveness in the digital economy.

Additionally, following the success of a small cell proof of concept (POC) in providing coverage to a longhouse (a large communal village house) in Long Lawen, Sarawak, U Mobile and SDEC will collaborate to further narrow the digital divide by exploring similar solutions to provide connectivity to rural and underserved areas.

Beyond this MoU, both parties say they are also currently collaborating on the Sarawak Multimedia Authority Rural Telecommunication 600 (SMART600) project, where U Mobile’s 4G coverage will be made available to serve rural communities in Sarawak through multi-operator core network (MOCN) technology.

We reported on Wednesday that U Mobile announced had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with CIMB Bank to extend financing support for its upcoming 5G network rollout.

This has been a big week for data center builders in the financial markets. Four data center development companies separately tapped into big money for expansion: … [visit site to read more]

UAE-based satellite firm Space42 said on Wednesday it has successfully deployed the second of its Foresight earth observation LEO satellites in partnership with synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite constellation operator ICEYE.

The Foresight-2 satellite, supplied by ICEYE, was launched on Tuesday aboard the Transporter-12 Rideshare mission with SpaceX. The satellite has established communication, and early routine operations are underway, Space42 said. The launch also included four satellites for ICEYE’s own constellation.

The Foresight-2 satellite joins Foresight-1, which was launched in August 2024 by Bayanat and Yahsat prior to the finalisation of their merger as Space42. With Foresight-2 now in orbit, Space42 said the second phase of the SAR constellation will boost its geospatial insights and capabilities with increased speed and precision.

The Foresight satellites use an SAR active sensing system to produce high-fidelity images of the Earth’s surface around the clock, regardless of weather conditions or solar illumination, at the highest resolution in the industry for small satellites. According to Space42, this allows smaller objects and minute surface changes to be tracked from space, which can address critical challenges such as disaster mitigation, maritime surveillance, and urban mobility.

Space42 MD Karim Michel Sabbagh added that Foresight constellation will support the UAE’s Earth Observation (EO) Space Program, which was created in 2023 to build up the country’s satellite remote sensing and EO capabilities.

“With cutting-edge technology, this spacecraft enhances our capacity to deliver precise, real-time geospatial insights, advancing the UAE’s earth observation capabilities,” he said in a statement.

The launch of Foresight-2 comes a month after ICEYE and Space42 announced a JV to manufacture SAR satellites in the UAE.

Space42 plans to complete the Foresight SAR constellation by 2027.

Three items of subsea infrastructure going on this week, two within EMEA and one on the other side of the globe. … [visit site to read more]

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Interesting items from the data center, interconnection, and quantum realms. … [visit site to read more]

Indian space data company Pixxel says it is about to launch three of its six hyperspectral imaging satellites in a first for the private satellite market.

The satellites, part of the first network of its type in India’s private space sector, will take off aboard a SpaceX rocket from California today. The other three satellites are due to be deployed in the second quarter of 2025.

Reuters says that Pixxel’s founder and chief executive Awais Ahmed told the news service that it plans to add 18 more spacecraft to the six it has already developed.

Pixxel is a space data company, backed by Google, building a constellation of hyperspectral earth imaging satellites and the analytical tools to mine insights from that data. The constellation is designed to provide global coverage every 24 hours, with the aim of detecting, monitoring and predicting global phenomena. 

Pixxel aims to use hyperspectral imaging – a technology that captures highly detailed data across hundreds of light bands – to serve a number of industries.

Its satellites can apparently deliver insights to improve crop yields, track resources, and monitor oil spills and country borders in much better detail than current technology allows.

The satellite imaging market is projected to reach US$19 billion by 2029. Pixxel hopes hyperspectral imaging could claim US$500 million to US$1 billion of this, plus additional revenue from analysis.

The company can already boast about 65 clients, some of which are paying for data from its demonstration satellites. Contracts are also in place for future data from the Firefly constellation, as it is known.

The global commercial space market is a very competitive market already, and one in which India holds only a 2% share. The hope, however, is that private players can increase this share.

As Reuters points out, Pixxel hopes to overcome these challenges with its Firefly constellation, which boasts a five-metre resolution and a 40-kilometre swathe, more, apparently, than many competitors.