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Cubic Telecom, a leading global provider of software-defined vehicle (SDV) solutions, and Skylo Technologies, the pioneer in non-terrestrial network (NTN) communications, have unveiled a commercial partnership that will see Cubic’s connectivity solution extended to include access to Skylo’s global network. As part of this partnership, Skylo’s NTN solutions will be offered as a network connectivity option on Cubic’s industry leading solutions.
With Cubic connecting more than 21 million vehicles in over 190 countries, this new partnership enables global network coverage using standards-based NB-NTN chipsets and an efficient messaging protocol that maximizes the benefits of satellite connectivity. Skylo’s satellite network allows seamless switching between cellular and satellite, ensuring reliable communication for critical vehicle use cases, including location tracking, remote diagnostics, vehicle unlock, and emergency communications.
The new partnership aims to enhance NTN use cases, particularly in emergency communications. Satellite communication offers superior reliability and coverage, ensuring real-time communication in critical situations. This capability is essential for supporting emergency response teams, making a significant impact during disaster missions and helping to save lives.
“By integrating Skylo’s NTN capabilities with our software-defined vehicle solutions, we are elevating critical vehicle communications to new heights of energy efficiency, smart technology integration and robust security. This collaboration allows us to optimise energy usage through intelligent network management, harness cutting-edge smart technologies for seamless connectivity and reinforce security measures to protect data and communications. This will underscore our commitment to innovation, safety and sustainability, ensuring our customers can rely on secure connectivity whether on the road or in remote areas—especially during emergency situations,” said Barry Napier, CEO of Cubic Telecom.
“Skylo’s partnership with Cubic is a key enabler for OEMs to seamlessly bridge satellite and cellular networks for remote vehicle monitoring and control, emergency messaging, and roadside assistance in a cost-efficient way, with service that’s live and available today,” said Parthsarathi Trivedi, Co-Founder and CEO of Skylo. “Operating with a standards-based solution provides automotive OEMs the predictability and reliability they need as they integrate satellite connectivity in their multi-year product roadmap.”
To bring satellite connectivity to new markets around the world, Skylo utilises dedicated, licensed mobile satellite service (MSS) spectrum in existing, globally allocated satellite frequency bands. This allows ubiquitous and continuous coverage in rural and remote areas without requiring mobile network operators to share their valuable spectrum assets. It also avoids potential network interference that can occur when satellite and cellular networks attempt to share the same frequency bands. The overlay of MSS spectrum does not require exclusion zones and allows for the infill of those micro-holes that often exist in cellular coverage.
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Also in the news:
Vodafone to sell off last remnant of Indus Towers stake
China Mobile makes $1bn offer for HKBN
EE airdrops mobile tower into Isle of Skye
This Industry Viewpoint was authored by Daria Batrakova, Director Business Line Telecom Solutions at FNT Software
In today’s dynamic telecommunications landscape, operators face increasing demands for better connectivity, faster service delivery, and higher network reliability. Managing telecom infrastructure effectively is critical to meeting these requirements while also ensuring scalability for future growth. Let’s explore … [visit site to read more]
ST Telemedia said on Thursday that it will sell the majority of its stake in Malaysian telco U Mobile to local firm Mawar Setiam, which is majority-owned by U Mobile chairman Vincent Tan, in a deal that could see the country’s royal family hold a combined controlling stake in the telco.
ST Telemedia currently owns 48.3% of U Mobile via its wholly-owned subsidiary Straits Mobile Investments. No details were given on the value of the transaction or how many shares were sold, but ST Telemedia said in a statement that the deal with Mawar Setiam will reduce its stake to 20%.
ST Telemedia also said U Mobile would cease to be a subsidiary of the company once the deal is completed, which the company expects to happen by the third quarter of 2025, pending all necessary regulatory approvals.
According to news site Soya Cincau, citing data from the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM), Mawar Setiam was incorporated in April 2024 by Vincent Tan, who owns 70% of the company. The other 30% is held by Johor princess Tunku Tun Aminah Sultan Ibrahim, who also chairs numerous subsidiaries of Tan’s Berjaya Corporation.
SSM data also shows that Ibrahim ibni Iskandar, the fifth Sultan of Johor and the current King of Malaysia, owns 22.31% of U Mobile. According to a report Friday from news site Malaysiakini, assuming ST Telemedia sold 28.26% of its shares to Mawar Setiam, that would give the royal family a cumulative 30.8% stake in the telco, technically making it the largest shareholder.
U Mobile had previously said it would arrange for ST Telemedia to reduce its stake to 20% after winning the rights to become Malaysia’s second 5G operator last month. U Mobile had also said the stake would be sold to a Malaysian company in an apparent bid to allay concerns over the fact that it was the only mobile operator in the running for the second 5G licence that’s majority-owned by a foreign company.
Four strategic partnerships and collaborations from four corners of the globe to keep up with: … [visit site to read more]
Ethio Telecom, Djibouti Telecom, and Sudatel Telecom Group have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to create a multi-terabit, redundant terrestrial fibre optic link interconnecting Ethiopia, Djibouti and Sudan.
The plan – billed as the Horizon Fiber Initiative – will leverage the combined infrastructure of Ethio Telecom, Djibouti Telecom and Sudatel to create “an efficient and fluid data transmission network”, according to a Facebook post from Ethio Telecom on Tuesday.
The Horizon Fiber Initiative has been in the works since June 2024, when representatives from all three telcos formed a technical team to carry out a detailed feasibility study and problem analysis.
With that phase now completed, the three telcos said they will finalize contracts by next month, while the interconnected fibre network is scheduled to be ready for commercial services by April 2025.
The resulting interconnected fibre network “will allow companies and individuals to benefit from better communication capabilities, reduced latency and increased access to broadband services, » Ethio Telecom said.
Ethio Telecom, Djibouti Telecom and Sudatel are also pitching the Horizon Fiber Initiative as a terrestrial alternative to reliance on subsea cables after a year of frequent disruptions due to subsea cable cuts, particularly along the Red Sea route. The telcos said the new terrestrial route would be cheaper and easier to deploy and maintain compared to subsea cables, and provide extra resilience while reducing dependence on subsea links.
The initiative is also aimed at attracting hyperscalers, content providers, and wholesalers by providing low latency, more reliable connectivity and expanded access to international markets.
Ethio Telecom CEO Frehiwot Tamru said in a statement that the Horizon Fiber Initiative is “aligned with Africa’s Digital Transformation Strategy 2030.”
Transport for London (TFL) and neutral host provider Boldyn Networks have completed the rollout of high-speed mobile coverage across the entire Elizabeth Line. This marks another step in TfL’s ongoing efforts to improve connectivity across London’s transport system.
All UK mobile network operators — Three UK, EE, Vodafone, and Virgin Media O2 — are participating in the project, allowing all UK mobile customers access to connectivity on the Tube
Back in May, TfL and Boldyn announced that 4G coverage had been deployed at all stations on the Elizabeth Line; today’s announcement means that the coverage is now delivered inside the tunnels too.
The work extends coverage to tunnels serving central London stations such as Whitechapel, Stratford, Canary Wharf, Custom House, and Woolwich.
“This is yet another step towards ensuring Londoners and visitors can stay connected on our transport network. It means customers can access the latest travel information and keep in touch with colleagues, friends, and family throughout their journey on the Elizabeth line,” said Mayor of London Sadiq Khan in a press release.
For commuters, this means the ability to stay online throughout their journey. The expanded network also benefits TfL staff, improving communications and bolstering safety by supporting the Emergency Services Network (ESN). Once fully operational, the ESN will provide frontline responders with access to real-time data and critical information during emergencies.
The Elizabeth Line milestone is part of a broader effort from TFL and Boldyn Networks to bring mobile coverage to the entire London Underground, Docklands Light Railway (DLR), and London Overground Windrush line.
Progression includes:
– Northern Line: Coverage expansion towards Morden and between King’s Cross St Pancras and Moorgate, expected by early next year.
– Bakerloo Line: Tunnel sections between Piccadilly Circus and Embankment will go live in the coming weeks, with additional stations to follow.
– Piccadilly and Victoria Lines: Further connectivity is planned for these lines in the coming months.
Keep up to date with the latest international telecoms news by subscribing to the Total Telecom daily newsletter
Also in the news:
Vodafone to sell off last remnant of Indus Towers stake
China Mobile makes $1bn offer for HKBN
EE airdrops mobile tower into Isle of Skye
A set of interesting infrastructure items from around the world: … [visit site to read more]
Kenyan telco Safaricom has reportedly revamped its “5G for Businesses” offering with new packages aimed specifically at small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that promise to support their digital transformation plans with faster and more reliable connectivity.
According to various media reports, the upgraded service offers speeds five times higher than previous offerings, which Safaricom says will provide not only better connectivity, bus also a better customer experience, and an improvement in overall business operations.
Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa said on Friday that the new 5G for Business offering will give SMEs more affordable access to enterprise-grade internet performance.
“This will empower them to enhance productivity, improve customer interactions, and scale operations efficiently in today’s increasingly connected marketplace,” Ndegwa said in a statement.
To sweeten the deal in terms of cost, Safaricom is also offering a 25% discount for all 5G plans for SMEs that sign up between now and the end of this month.
According to a June 2024 report from Safaricom and Financial Sector Deepening Kenya (FSD Kenya), there are around 7.4 million micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Kenya, although only 21% are licenced. Most of the unlicenced MSMEs are micro-sized businesses operating at the household level.
MSMEs also account for around 98% of all business, create 30% of jobs annually and contribute 40% to the country’s GDP, the Safaricom/FSD Kenya report said.
In October, Safaricom established a partnership with Cloudflare to reduce the costs of integrated cybersecurity services for MSMEs.
Safaricom launched 5G services in Kenya in October 2022. In August 2024, the telco revealed its 5G network was available in all 47 counties in the country, although it only covered 14% of the population.
This week has seen the US Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) ramp up controls on its tech exports to China, particularly those related to the manufacture of semiconductors.
The additional restrictions cover 24 types of semiconductor manufacturing equipment and three types of software tools for developing or producing semiconductors. It also includes High-Bandwidth Memory (HBM), a computer memory interface at the heart of AI chip technology.
In addition to these restrictions, the update added 140 companies to the US’s infamous Entity List, 136 of which were Chinese. US companies looking to sell restricted items to entities designated on this list are required to acquire a specialised export licence from BIS, which is seldom granted. Companies to the list in this most recent batch include semiconductor fabs, tool companies, and investment companies that the US claims have links to the Chinese government.
These new measures, BIS says, are designed to slow China’s ability to “indigenise the production of advanced technologies” that may pose a threat to US national security. In particular, this includes the creation of advanced-node integrated circuits, which are used for advanced AI and military applications.
“They’re the strongest controls ever enacted by the US to degrade the PRC’s ability to make the most advanced chips that they’re using in their military modernization,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo.
China has responded quickly to the new sanctions, banning shipments to the US of several ‘dual-use’ metals used to make semiconductors and military applications. This includes export bans on gallium, germanium, antimony and superhard materials, with stricter rules also to be put in place for graphite products.
“The US preaches one thing while practicing another, excessively broadening the concept of national security, abusing export control measures, and engaging in unilateral bullying actions. China firmly opposes such actions,” said China’s Commerce Ministry in a statement.
These retaliatory sanctions are effective immediately.
This trade dispute represents the latest sparks in the ever-increasing geopolitical clash for technology dominance between the US and China. Both nations are currently supporting multibillion-dollar state subsidy programmes to bolster domestic semiconductor production, aiming to reduce their reliance on the global supply chain.
In other chip-related news, this week saw the shock retirement of Intel CEO Patrick Gelsinger.
Intel has been struggling to remain competitive in recent years against the likes of TSMC and AMD, despite substantial internal restructuring and the laying off of 15,000 staff. In its most recent quarterly report, the company reported losses of $1.6 billion.
The US telecoms industry is changing rapidly. Join the heart of the discussion at Connected America 2025 live in Dallas, Texas!
Also in the news:
Deutsche Telekom replaces Huawei kit in new Nokia deal
BT secures £1.29bn contract for UK emergency services network
UK govt looks to satellite to solve rural connectivity woes
