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ICASA is set to transform South Africa’s satellite landscape with a new licensing framework that could pave the way for major players like Starlink to enter the market. Stay tuned as the regulatory shake-up promises to simplify approvals and address high spectrum costs, potentially reshaping satellite communications in the region.

The satellite industry is experiencing a dynamic transformation with the rapid development of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellations like Starlink and OneWeb, alongside traditional Geostationary Orbit (GEO) satellites. Led by advancements in launch technology and propelled by innovative applications, this sector is poised for substantial growth and strategic evolution in global communications.

In the context of Satellite technology innovations, industry alignments and constellation developments, what does multi-orbit services mean for Africa? How could these services impact the connectivity landscape in Africa, and will multi-orbit satellite services deliver significant value in Africa? We consider these dynamics and provide an on-the-ground perspective.

In a visionary move that will propel Namibia into the limelight of African space technology, Eos Capital, managers of the Namibia Infrastructure Development and Investment Fund (NIDIF) have given the green light for the Namibia Space Port project. This project will be spearheaded by Q-KON Namibia and will mark a...

Avanti has partnered with Q-KON to provide LEO satellite connectivity to customers across the country.  JOHANNESBURG, 9TH MAY 2024: Avanti Communications (“Avanti”), the global multi-orbit satellite technology provider, today announces the launch of Low-Earth-Orbit (LEO) satellite connectivity services in South Africa. Avanti has partnered with Q-KON, a leading satellite engineering enterprise for southern...

When a rocket explodes, the technical term in the industry is that the vehicle experienced a “rapid unscheduled disassembly”. The term has all of the hallmarks of what might be called euphemism by technical overstatement. It’s in the same category as a used car being called a “certified previously-loved vehicle”,...

Introduction Nestled in the heart of Dikgonnye, Botswana, approximately 55 kilometers from the vibrant capital city of Gaborone, stands a distinguished Boer Goat Stud Farm belonging to the Chandima Farm Group. Mr. Thabani Machacha, a devoted breeder, channels his passion into advancing standards and nurturing innovation within the local farming...

Navigating Latency in Satellite Networks and Exploring its Impact on User Experience Does Latency actually matter? A good question to ask in a time when LEO is all the rage and people and businesses are educating themselves on the opportunities that satellite broadband can afford them. In this article on...

Introduction Atlantic is a leading South African provider of robust enterprise communication platforms designed for security, scalability, reliability, and user-friendliness. Among its innovative offerings is Doc-2U, a virtual healthcare platform that seamlessly connects top-tier clinicians with remote rural clinics. Doc-2U facilitates comprehensive consultations through state-of-the-art video conferencing technology, granting doctors...

The Future of GEO Satellite Services: A Service Provider Perspective The large-scale deployment of Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite services, exemplified by projects like Starlink and OneWeb entering the African market, raises questions about the future of Geostationary Orbit (GEO) satellite services. With 36 LEO projects in the pipeline and a...

Q-KON is delighted to announced that further to their 2023 incorporation of Eutelsat OneWeb LEO satellite connectivity into their Twoobii Smart Satellite Services, the first bank branch of a leading digital bank has now gone live on the service, and both bank staff and customers are already reaping the benefits...

Introduction Agri-Logic, is a prominent player in the agricultural sector, providing agricultural integrated solutions as well as offering connectivity services as a reseller for Twoobii Smart Satellite Services engineered by Q-KON. They have an in-depth understanding of on-farm realities and commodity trading, coupled with scientific research expertise and a proven...

Will Satellite Constellations bridge the Digital Divide in Africa? Satellite constellations have the potential to significantly contribute to bridging the digital divide in Africa by providing improved internet connectivity to underserved and remote areas. Projects like SpaceX’s Starlink, OneWeb, and Amazon’s Project Kuiper aim to deploy constellations of small satellites...

Introduction Mascom, a telecommunications leader in Gaborone, Botswana, has selected the Twoobii Smart Satellite Service from Q-KON to service the Botswana market. MASCOM is already servicing the Botswana market using fixed LTE, fibre and wireless networks. The Twoobii satellite service will be integrated into the MASCOM portfolio to ensure service...

Considering the possible impact of LEO satellites on stargazing in Africa Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) communication constellations are rapidly becoming a reality over Africa. Given that the initial launches of the Starlink service were clearly visible in the night sky, this led to valid concerns around the possible impact of LEO...

The recently announced merger between the French satellite company Eutelsat (the world’s third-largest satellite operator by revenue) and the United Kingdom’s OneWeb (a fully operational Low Earth Orbit satellite operator) has created the Eutelsat Group, which is now the world’s first GEO-LEO operator. Eutelsat Group is bringing together the best...

Introduction Hambisa Supermarket found an easy solution to a frustrating and business crippling problem. They installed the Twoobii Smart Satellite Service for a trusted internet connection, providing very reliable Point-of-Sale Trading, Voice-over-Internet calls and business services.     The Challenge Given that the Hambisa store is based in the mountainous...

Introduction Farming is a challenging industry and it is often spread over vast areas in different regions across the country. André Kock and Sons, is a livestock auction firm specialising in providing an all-inclusive service to buyers and sellers in the agricultural industry in South Africa. They have operations in...

Introduction African Horseback Safaris, found in the Okavango Delta of Botswana, have been offering one of the most unique and exciting horseback adventures in the world, for over two decades. Led by talented guides, guests have 450,000 acres of pristine wilderness of the Delta to explore on horseback, allowing them...

Introduction The SCIONA project, funded by the EU and implemented in Namibia by NUST (Namibia University of Science and Technology), was aimed at strengthening cross-border ecosystem management and wildlife protection in the Iona – Skeleton Coast Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA) from Angola to Namibia. This was done through the co-designing...