Page 51 - SAMENA Trends - September 2023

SATELLITE UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

“Infrastructure Ontario is proud to embark economically and technically viable market is identified, but the province says using
on a new, first-of-its-kind procurement for solutions for this ambitious government a satellite Internet service provider would
satellite service in Canada," adds Michael goal has made Ontario a leader in the field help in the plan to bring connectivity to
Lindsay, President and Chief Executive of making high-speed internet accessible every community by the end of 2025.
Officer of Infrastructure Ontario. "Finding to everyone." No date for implementation

KDDI Partners with SpaceX to Bring Satellite-to-Cellular Service to Japan

The Japanese telecom provider KDDI
announced that it has signed an agreement
with SpaceX to introduce satellite-to-
cellular service in Japan. Leveraging
SpaceX's Starlink low earth orbit (LEO)
satellites and KDDI's extensive national
wireless spectrum, this partnership aims
to enhance cellular connectivity in areas,
including remote islands and mountains
that have been traditionally hard to reach
using conventional 4G and 5G networks. As
per the statement, the joint initiative builds
on the common vision of "connecting
the unconnected," to empower users in
remote regions with seamless cellular
connectivity. KDDI and SpaceX plan to
roll out SMS text services as early as
2024, with plans to extend to voice and
data services subsequently. "Almost all Network Operators (MNO), bringing connect to satellites. SpaceX's Starlink
existing smartphones on the KDDI network the next-generation satellite-enabled delivers high-speed, low-latency internet to
will be compatible with this new service connectivity to their customers. KDDI's au users all over the world. As the world's first
as it employs the device's existing radio network is said to provide 99.9 percent and largest satellite constellation using a
services," said the statement. Both the "population coverage" to the people of low Earth orbit, Starlink says it will deliver
partners, KDDI and SpaceX also extend Japan. Further to its efforts, KDDI says it broadband internet capable of supporting
an invitation to mobile network operators will provide "connecting the unconnected" streaming, online gaming, video calls and
globally to join the ecosystem of Mobile experience, by enabling smartphones to more.

Potraz Warns Illegal Satellite Service Providers

The Postal and Telecommunications regulating authority. “Potraz regulates the internet services if their VNO agreements
Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) provision of postal and telecommunications have been approved by the Authority,” he
has warned that those operating unlicensed services in Zimbabwe. The mandate of said. The Citizens Coalition for Change
postal and telecommunications services Potraz includes licensing of postal and is accusing the Zimbabwe Electoral
will be punished by the country’s laws. telecommunications service providers and Commission of election fraud through
The warning follows revelations by United enforcement of compliance with license releasing “fake results” in favor of Zanu
States-based political activist Freeman conditions and applicable laws for the PF. A Team Pachedu sympathizer and
Chari that he has set up communications sector. The licenses are issued in terms technology entrepreneur Chari revealed
devices in 72 mountains across the country. of the Postal and Telecommunications that they have installed devices across the
In a statement, Potraz Director General, Act [Chapter 12:05] (The Act), as read country to collate results from the recent
Gift Machengete, said only local licensed with the Postal and Telecommunications election. Machengete added that operating
operators are permitted by the authority to (Licensing. Registration and Certification) a telecommunication device without a valid
distribute satellite- based internet services Regulations, 2021,” “The public is further license certificate or authorization from
if their virtual network operator (VNO) reminded that local licensed operators are Potraz was “a statutory offence punishable
agreements have been approved by the only allowed to distribute satellite-based at law”.

51 SEPTEMBER 2023