EchoStar has partnered with Astro Digital, a designer, manufacturer and operator of small satellite systems, for the construction of a global S-band mobile satellite service network.
Under the agreement, Astro Digital will manufacture the satellites for the constellation, which will deliver global IoT, machine-to-machine, and other data services beginning in 2024. EchoStar will operate the constellation from its Australian subsidiary, EchoStar Global.
“This agreement represents another step forward towards our goal of a global non-terrestrial 5G network,” said Hamid Akhavan, CEO, EchoStar.
The 28 satellites in this constellation design will feature an advanced software-defined radio with onboard storage and processing to power smart two-way device connectivity.
With support for 5G non-terrestrial network services, EchoStar says the constellation will serve as a foundation for 5G New Radio (NR) based capabilities.
Josh Williams, managing director, EchoStar Global Australia, said these new capabilities will fill a gap in the connected ecosystem, greatly expanding worldwide IoT interoperability.
“Our team, together with Astro Digital, has already begun integration of our Australian-based operations to bring to market a truly global solution with consistent and reliable network performance,” he said.
Through its subsidiary EchoStar Mobile Limited, EchoStar also operates an MSS network in Europe using the geostationary EchoStar XXI satellite, which will interoperate in conjunction with the new constellation.
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