UK-based Sky and Space Global, which works to provide affordable communications to the world’s equatorial regions, is stepping up its efforts to bring nano-satellite based communications to the Caribbean.

In order to target the Caribbean, SAS is holding discussions with the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) about the use of its novel nano-satellite technology, following a successful demonstration of the company’s 3 Diamonds telecommunications network. The demonstration of the narrowband network’s capabilities on July 12 took place at the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) conference held in Georgetown, Guyana. The presentation team also attended a tour of rural Guyana where the SAS technology is most needed to ensure a prosperous economy.

iuypo“SAS is the first company to successfully use narrowband connectivity provided by nano-satellites to deliver a voice call, text messaging and financial transactions capabilities, among other world firsts,” said SAS CEO Meir Moalem.

“The discussions with the CTU constitute a significant step for securing additional strategic partnerships for the company’s constellation of nano-satellites.”

Nano-satellite narrowband services to the Caribbean region will be provided by SAS’ Pearls constellation once deployment kicks off in 2019.

In 2017 SAS successfully launched its ‘3 Diamonds’ nano-satellites as a proof of concept. The timetable calls for launching a constellation of 200 nano-satellites beginning next year with full scale deployment by 2020.

SAS is also working with officials in various other countries in South East Asia, Africa and Latin America, to provide affordable communications.

Guyana, where the demonstration took place, reflects the overall market SAS is focusing on; the 2 billion people residing in the equatorial belt in Latin America, Africa and Asia. “Mobile penetration is growing rapidly in these regions, but a lack of infrastructure severely limits services available to the local population,” the firm said.