Homes in the Cathedral City of Chester in Cheshire may be pleased to learn that Cityfibre has resumed their build of a new Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) based broadband ISP network. Work came to a halt in the summer (here) after the operator ended their relationship with local civil engineering partner Telent. Back in August 2022 we […]

A few months ago Starlink (SpaceX) announced (here) that it had teamed-up with T-Mobile to launch a new global space-based 4G and 5G mobile network, which would be supported by the former company’s mega-constellation of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) based broadband satellites. More details on the network have now been revealed. The Starlink network currently […]

A recent report from banking giant Credit Suisse has warned that the availability of “cheap financing” for UK broadband infrastructure, which is helping to deploy a new generation of gigabit-capable Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) networks, might be facing a growing squeeze that could impact future builds. For some time now we’ve been highlighting the growing expectation of […]

PRESS RELEASE

Wyld’s game-changing new satellite IoT service launches today, enabling IoT applications to be deployed across remote locations without the need for terrestrial connectivity.

Only 15% of the world’s surface has access to the internet. According to McKinsey, it is this lack of global connectivity that is holding back the growth of the Internet of Things from adding US$2-3 trillion to the global GDP over the next ten years. Wyld Connect solves this problem by allowing business and governments to connect their IoT devices anywhere in the world using Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites.

Wyld Connect heralds a new era in remote connectivity. For example, utility and energy companies can monitor systems and equipment without costly site visits, data can be collected for vital agriculture and environmental management, and goods and assets can be tracked on sea or land across global supply chains.

CEO of Wyld Networks, Alastair Williamson, says: “We are delighted to announce the launch of Wyld’s satellite IoT network. This has been the culmination of over three years of continuous development activity. We look forward to delivering connectivity to meet the fast-growing demand in the 85% of the Earth’s surface with little or no current service.”

With applications and positive upsides for agriculture, the environment, supply chain, and the energy and utilities sectors, satellite connected IoT is on a significant upward trajectory. Low earth orbiting satellite constellations have been launched by Wyld Networks’ satellite partners with further satellite launches throughout 2023, enabling Wyld to satisfy more use cases with its customers. Data from anywhere is becoming a reality – from condition monitoring on remote pipelines to forestry management, soil monitoring for agriculture and container tracking across oceans.

“The Launch of the Wyld satellite IoT network service, will enable us to connect data at low power to LEO satellites and delivering that data to the customers that need it,” adds Williamson.

Improving sustainability and operational efficiency is essential for companies in the business sectors Wyld is targeting. Wyld strongly believes the launch of its satellite IoT network service will enable customers to meet these crucial goals more easily.

Furthermore, developments in big data analytics are driving the need for more data from sensors on the ground. Big data platforms are hungry for the type of information Wyld’s satellite IoT can deliver.

With the launch of the satellite IoT network Wyld can address in part the satellite IoT market demand, which according to a forecast by Rethink IoT (RIoT), will be worth US$5.9bn by 2025.

 

NEWS

OneWeb, the satellite operator, which was rescued from bankruptcy by the UK Government, who remain a part-owner has successfully launched satellites via new partner SpaceX.

Previously OneWeb used Russia’s Soyuz rockets for launches, but their programme was thrown into jeopardy by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, forcing them to seek new partners.

On Thursday, at 5:27 p.m. ET, SpaceX launched the OneWeb 1 mission with a Falcon9 rocket from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida (USA) with 40 of OneWeb’s compact Low Earth Orbit (LEO) based ultrafast broadband satellites aboard

The mission represents the next step in OneWeb’s plan to provide global broadband coverage via a constellation of 648 small LEO satellites. Prior to the launch 462 of the 150kg satellites had been launched, each orbiting at an altitude of 1,200km above the Earth. The aim is to complete the constellation by late 2023.

OneWeb CEO, Neil Masterson said “We are thankful for the support of other leaders in the space industry allowing us to quickly restart our launch campaign and we are delighted to work with SpaceX today for our first-ever launch from Florida, the home where our satellites are manufactured.

As we look to our final ‘Three to Global Reality’ launches in the first half of 2023, we are thrilled to see our connectivity footprint dramatically expand from today, and to soon activate our network globally to reach remote and under-served areas of the world.”

OneWeb chief commercial officer Stephen Beynon explained that it will take about 100 days for the satellites to reach their intended destinations and begin services, expanding the operator’s constellation into the southern hemisphere while improving the density of coverage to the north. This will enable coverage across “a substantial part” of North America, according to Beynon, where OneWeb has a distribution agreement with AT&T.

As well as SpaceX who also operates rival LEO network, Starlink, OneWeb also agreed a launch partnership with NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) – the commercial arm of India’s space agency – who may be utilised for 2023 launches.

Related content:
OneWeb’s space race: from bankrupt to billions
OneWeb to launch satellites from India in new deal

 

NEWS

American Rescue Plan Funds to Increase access to affordable, high-speed internet have been awarded to Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri and Utah, taking the total number of states benefiting to 22, with 700,000 locations reached and nearly $3 billion awarded by the Capital Projects Fund (CPF)

The latest announcement by the U.S. Department of the Treasury approves broadband projects in the six states to connect around 180,000 homes and businesses to affordable, high-speed internet.

The Capital Projects Fund provides $10 billion to states, territories, freely associated states, and Tribal governments to fund critical capital projects that enable work, education, and health monitoring in response to the public health emergency. Many states supplement this investment with money from the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds to further assist in achieving the Biden-Harris Administration’s mission of connecting every American household to affordable, reliable high-speed internet.

In each case the awards fund projects to provide an internet service with speeds of 100/100 Mbps symmetrical to households and businesses.

The latest investments include:

$248 million in Florida, funding the Florida’s Broadband Infrastructure Program (BIP) for infrastructure to connect 48,400 households and expand last mile broadband access to homes and businesses in rural areas of the state. This represents around 10% of locations still lacking high-speed internet access.

Georgia will get $250 million for broadband infrastructure, funding the Georgia Capital Projects Fund, connecting an estimated 70,000 households and businesses.

The Empower Rural Iowa Broadband Program will benefit from $152.2 million for broadband infrastructure, which the state estimates will connect 16% of locations still lacking high-speed internet access – around 18,972 households and businesses.

In Minnesota, two separate programmes will benefit from $44 million in funding.

Minnesota’s Line Extension Program for individuals where the cost of the last mile connection is a barrier, despite being close to infrastructure for a high-quality broadband service.
Low-Density Pilot Program, that provides investment for new and existing providers to build broadband infrastructure in low-density areas of the state that currently lack high-speed internet.

An estimated 37,979 households and businesses will be connected in Missouri, via a $196.7 million investment to fund the Missouri Broadband Infrastructure Grant Program, and about 5% of locations still lacking high-speed internet access in Utah will be connected via a $10 million award for the Broadband Infrastructure Gap Networks Grant Program (Gap Networks Grant Program).

With funding coming thick and fast there has never been a better time to explore how you can play your part in building a better Connected America. Join us on the 28-29 March 2023 at the Irving Convention Center, Dallas. Find out more at www.totaltele.com/connectedamerica

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British satellite operator OneWeb, which is partly owned by the UK Government, has – for the first time – successfully launched 40 of their compact Low Earth Orbit (LEO) based ultrafast broadband satellites aboard a Falcon9 rocket from SpaceX at the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida (USA). The company had, until today, launched 462 of […]

UK ISP Zen Internet has confirmed to ISPreview.co.uk that their work to make their gigabit-capable Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) broadband packages available – nationwide – across Cityfibre’s entire network will take longer than originally announced, with completion now expected by the “end of 2023“. Just to recap. Cityfibre currently aims to cover up to 8 million premises […]

Broadband ISP Lightning Fibre, which is currently deploying a Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) network across parts of Sussex and Kent in England, has today reduced the price of its entry-level 100Mbps residential package to £18 (until 31st Dec), launched a new 50Mbps (symmetric) social tariff and begun testing a 3Gbps package. The operator, which is being backed […]

Good news. One man has been charged, and three others arrested (currently released on bail), in connection with several thefts of Openreach’s copper broadband and phone cables across Kent (England) during the late spring and early summer this year. The incidents caused significant service outages across several villages. The perpetrators of such crimes never have […]