Four projects from local to global to catch up with: … [visit site to read more]

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One financial move and three bits of data center ecosystem development: … [visit site to read more]

Abu Dhabi-based Marlan Space, a new space company affiliated with International Holding Company (IHC), a global diversified conglomerate, also based in Abu Dhabi, has established a joint venture with US-headquartered space infrastructure company Loft Orbital to form Orbitworks, the Middle East’s first private space infrastructure company.

Orbitworks will be the first company in the UAE’s space sector to produce commercial low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellations. With an initial investment of over US$100 million, Orbitworks aims to produce up to fifty 500 kilogram satellites annually.

Loft Orbital, established in 2017, brings extensive expertise, technology, and a strong reputation to the venture, supporting a wide range of missions across telecommunications, earth observation, and scientific research. It says it has developed a standardised satellite platform that can be configured to fly any customer mission.

Orbitworks is set to begin construction of a state-of-the-art facility that will employ advanced hardware, software and industrial technologies for integration and test of satellites.

Orbitworks has secured components for ten satellites, the first of which could be launched as early as the first quarter of 2026. Orbitworks aims to partner with local component manufacturers and technology providers in the UAE, leveraging Loft’s solutions for seamless technology integration.

The first satellite platform is expected to be assembled, integrated, and tested by early 2025. Loft and Marlan have begun recruiting talent both internationally and within the UAE, focusing on hardware, software, test engineering and other aerospace engineering disciplines.

Four developments in last mile fiber across four different geographies: … [visit site to read more]

News from three data center projects plus a new PoP: … [visit site to read more]

PLDT’s wireless arm Smart Communications says it is banking on affordable 5G devices as a key part of its strategy to drive growth in its 5G business in the Philippines as it plans on stronger rollout of its 4G and 5G networks for the rest of 2024.

In a statement Friday, Smart said that data traffic growth is being driven in part by the number of unique 5G devices in the market, which Smart expects to continue as the price of 5G devices drops.

Meanwhile, PLDT has cited 5G adoption as one of the emerging growth streams of their Individual Business, which posted revenues of PHP41.9 billion (around US$745.8 million) in the first half of 2024. Mobile data revenues now account for 89% of PLDT’s total Individual Wireless revenues.

Alex O. Caeg, head of Smart’s consumer wireless business, said that data users, particularly gamers, are beginning to appreciate the power of 5G.

“Moving forward, 5G will definitely play an important role as compatible smartphones become more affordable,” he said in a statement.

Last Thursday, the operator launched what it says its “most affordable 5G device”: the Smart ZTE Blade A75 5G, which retails at PHP5,450 (a little under US$100). Under the current offer, subscribers can buy the smartphone in six monthly instalments at 0% interest.

Smart is also selling the ZTE Blade A75 5G with package bundles for its prepaid and postpaid 5G services.

Smart added it has also been offering device financing for 5G phones through various bank partners.

Apart from device affordability, Caeg said that for Smart to accelerate 5G growth momentum, we must leverage on our site rollouts and capacity enhancements, continue to offer the best value-for-money packages, and deliver excellent customer service to delight our subscribers.”

“We [also] see the potential of premium subscriber benefits for those using the 5G network, » said Kristine A. Go, SVP for Smart’s consumer wireless business.

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.
Subscribe to our FREE weekly email newsletters for the latest telecom info in developing and emerging markets globally.

Keep up-to-date with all the latest news, articles, event and product updates posted on Developing Telecoms.
Subscribe to our FREE weekly email newsletters for the latest telecom info in developing and emerging markets globally.