Page 38 - SAMENA Trends - May-June 2024

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remarkable, capable of blocking millions of threat intelligence, not only to protect our customer-centric solutions. As Dynamic
threat events in a single day. For Omnicom, infrastructure, but to protect our customers. Defense rolls out nationwide, we are not just
Dynamic Defense turned a potentially The Dynamic Defense customer portal helps offering a product, we are providing peace
damaging situation into a testament to the customers analyze and intercept malicious of mind. Our journey with Omnicom is just
strength of their defenses. To understand traffic, ensuring businesses are protected. the beginning. Whether it is helping a major
the impact of Dynamic Defense, consider Omnicom’s experience with Dynamic sports franchise protect their operations, a
the scale of AT&T’s network. We manage Defense goes beyond mitigating a cyber hospital keep sensitive patient data secure,
an astounding 680 petabytes of data on threat. It was more about how seamlessly or a marketing firm safeguard its creative
average day on AT&T’s global network – the solution integrated into their existing assets, Dynamic Defense is proving to be
this is equivalent to roughly 2.5 million communications solution, enhancing an indispensable ally in the fight against
mobile phones with 256 GB of storage their security without complicating their cyber threats.
each. With this unprecedented visibility, operations. This collaboration underscores
AT&T is able to generate industry leading our commitment to innovation and

AT&T, AST SpaceMobile Draw Closer to Sat-to-Phone Launch

US operator AT&T struck a deal with AST
SpaceMobile to provide what they claim
will be the first full space-based broadband
service direct to common mobile phones,
although a launch date was not specified.
The six-year agreement replaces the pair’s
previous memorandum of understanding
(MoU) signed in 2020. AT&T is also a
strategic investor in the direct-to-device
satellite player (a “$20 million revenue
commitment”, according to an AST
SpaceMobile investor presentation last
month) alongside Google and Vodafone
Group. The trio have invested a total of
$110 million of ten-year subordinated
convertible notes. In addition to AT&T,
AST SpaceMobile is collaborating with
Rakuten Mobile, Rogers Communications,
Orange, Vodafone and American Tower
to address internet connectivity gaps, but
the US operator is the only commercial
agreement to date. A representative for
AT&T told Mobile World Live (MWL) it is targeted Q1 2024 for the launch of five of on the broadband service across a range
too early to give a specific date for when its low-earth orbit BlueWalker 3 satellites, of tariffs. “We believe there is a significant
the service will be available, but now there but AST SpaceMobile CEO Abel Avellan part of the population that will be willing
is a formal agreement in place “we’ll be stated on the earnings call it will move to pay for the service,” he explained. “They
working towards commercial launch”. The those birds to the launch site between move in and out of connectivity in the US,
representative told MWL the service is July and August, with launches to occur so we have a multitude of packages”. Chris
designed to integrate with the operator’s shortly thereafter. It will take several Sambar, head of network for AT&T, will be
wireless network and “when needed, fill months for the birds to reach the correct appointed to the satellite provider’s board
coverage gaps in remote and otherwise orbit. AST SpaceMobile expects to spend of directors in the coming months. In 2023,
off-grid locations by connecting with our $150 million on the first five birds, with AT&T agreed to lease spectrum to the non-
customers’ existing devices”. In its Q1 more than 95 per cent expended to date. terrestrial network specialist to further
earnings report, released yesterday (15 For the next two quarters, it will spend its plan to enable communication with
May), AST SpaceMobile stated its first five approximately $25 million to $40 million on standard mobile phones. AST SpaceMobile
satellites will enable a nationwide, non- capex. While some of AST SpaceMobile’s faces stiff competition from other direct-
continuous service across the US with rivals have launched SMS or emergency to-device service providers including Lynk
more than 5,600 cells in premium low- messaging, Avellan stated the work with Global, Starlink and Amazon’s Project
band spectrum. The company previously AT&T will enable text, voice and streaming Kuiper.

38 MAY-JUNE 2024