Sky and Space Global set to deliver nanosatellite connectivity across Indonesia, Suriname

UK-based Sky and Space Global, which aims to provide affordable communications to the world’s equatorial regions, is set to expand its reach into Indonesia and Suriname.

The company has signed a binding memorandum of understanding agreement with Cendrawasih Teknologi Nusantara (CTN) to provide the Indonesian company with nanosatellite connectivity services. The agreement will enable CTN to offer the services to its individual and small business customers throughout the island nation.

“A successful collaboration with CTN will provide SAS with initial access to the fast-growing Indonesian market,” said SAS MD and CEO Meir Moalem

CTN is an Indonesia-based provider of data connectivity services via satellite for the cellular, banking, plantation, farming, oil and gas and government sectors of the country’s economy. it also provides data connectivity to institutions and retail customers throughout Indonesia.

SAS said that with a population of some 260 million spread out over thousands of islands, Indonesia would be an ideal market for the firm’s nanosatellite technology.

The deal with CTN will enable SAS to leverage and expand its existing connectivity services across the entire Asia-Pacific region,” said Moalem.

In addition, SAS has also signed a binding MoU agreement with Foundation Busie Suriname, which was granted an ISP licensee in 2016 by the Telecoms Authority Suriname.

FBS provides internet services to individuals and businesses in rural Suriname, South America, where due to the geographic location and number of inhabitants outside of large cities, internet and online connectivity services are unreliable and expensive.

The binding MoU formalizes the commercial and technical cooperation between SAS and FBS and marks the start of discussions for the provision of SAS’ affordable and reliable connectivity services to the country.

“The agreement is also the first of its kind to be signed with a connectivity provider in the region,” said SAS.

“After a successful demonstration in Guyana last month I am pleased to announce we have secured an agreement with a Surinamese local internet provider,” said Moalem.  “We continue to explore and build our relationships within the South American region and I am confident we will be able to secure many more agreements of this kind in the coming years.”

In 2017, SAS successfully launched its ‘3 Diamonds’ nanosatellites as a proof of concept. The launch of the first batch of nanosatellites remains on track for 2019. The timetable calls for launching a constellation of 200 nanosatellites beginning next year when partial service is due to begin. Full scale deployment is scheduled for 2020.

 

 

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