Space42 advances direct-to-device satellite messaging through collaboration with Gatehouse Satcom
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)Space42 announced on Wednesday a successful collaboration between its mobile satellite services subsidiary Thuraya and Gatehouse Satcom, a Danish-based software company specialising in mission-critical satellite communications, to advance direct-to-device (D2D) connectivity.The project demonstrated NB-IoT applications over Space42's L-band geostationary satellites using 3GPP-compliant release 17 technology, ensuring alignment with global standards and future scalability. This will set the foundation for the launch of Thuraya Direct, a new messaging and IoT service slated for commercial deployment in Q4 2025.This initiative demonstrates Space42's operating model: align early with transformative open-standard technologies, scale them through targeted, mission-driven programs, and deliver outcomes through trusted partnerships. It addresses critical sectors such as energy, agriculture, and transportation; domains where reliable, wide-area connectivity cannot depend solely on terrestrial infrastructure.'This collaboration reflects our strategy in action,' said Ali Al Hashemi, CEO of Yahsat Space Services at Space42. 'It is about extending the boundaries of mobile connectivity by enabling standard smartphones and IoT devices to connect via satellite in areas where terrestrial networks fall short. Through close engagement with telecom providers, we are addressing immediate market requirements and proving the viability of this technology while setting the stage for enhanced global commercialisation of D2D through our future global constellation. We welcome partners across the ecosystem to join us in scaling this new frontier.'"It's been a privilege to support Space42 in moving direct-to-device from promise to proof," said Jesper Noer, VP Commercial at Gatehouse Satcom. "Running 5G NB-IoT over GEO is no small feat, but our software is built for this – adaptable across constellations, compliant with global standards, and ready to support the next wave of NTN innovation."Thuraya has played a pioneering innovative role in satellite mobility for over two decades, delivering resilient connectivity in some of the world's most demanding environments.As Space42's mobile satellite arm, it continues to lead in redefining what satellite-enabled services can achieve. Gatehouse Satcom contributed essential 3GPP NTN expertise and software capabilities, enabling the successful validation of messaging protocols over geostationary satellite links – a foundational step in delivering Thuraya Direct.The collaboration has successfully demonstrated that 3GPP-compliant devices, including smartphones and IoT modules, can connect seamlessly to Space42's satellite network.This validation confirms that Thuraya Direct can be delivered through globally standardised infrastructure, open to any telecom or OEM partner able to interoperate with the system.
With commercial readiness targeted for the end of this year, Space42 is now engaging with mobile operators and industry players to bring this service to the market.
Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Etihad
2 hours ago
- Al Etihad
UAE dominates Forbes list with 49 of Middle East's top 100 travel and tourism leaders
12 Aug 2025 00:08 A. SREENIVASA REDDY (ABU DHABI)A total of 49 UAE-based leaders have secured places on the 2025 list of the Middle East's Top 100 Travel & Tourism Leaders compiled by Forbes Middle East. The ranking spotlights figures driving the most ambitious destinations, hotels, airlines, airports, and tourism initiatives, and reflects the sector's rapid momentum fuelled by government strategy, record investment, and bold Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline & Group, topped the list for the fourth consecutive year. Other prominent UAE-based leaders in the ranking include Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General of Tourism at DCT – Abu Dhabi, Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Managing Director and Group CEO of ADNEC Group; Mohamed Abdallah Al Zaabi, Group CEO of Miral; Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports; Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais, Secretary-General Elect of the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Antonoaldo Neves, Group Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Aviation Group, Elena Sorlini, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Airports, and Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO of UAE's dominance was followed by Saudi Arabia with 24 leaders on the list, Egypt with seven, Oman with five, and Jordan and Morocco with four each. Qatar and Bahrain each contributed three leaders, while Kuwait and Tunisia had one representative apiece—from Kuwait Airways and the Tunisian National Tourist Office, Middle East said it assessed candidates from both the public and private sectors based on organisational scale—measured by revenues, asset values, hotel keys, and passenger numbers—alongside professional achievements, experience, and overall impact on the year's list also spotlighted regional milestones, including Miral's announcement of the Middle East's first Disney theme park and resort on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, developed in partnership with The Walt Disney Company. The park will be the seventh Disney resort worldwide. Other entries reflected a focus on heritage preservation and eco-tourism, such as projects led by Saudi Arabia's Diriyah Company, Boutique Group, the Royal Commission for AlUla, and newcomer ENVI Lodges. Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
Broadcast Pro
5 hours ago
- Broadcast Pro
BeIN renews exclusive MENA advertising partnership with SMC Group
The partnership covers exclusive Media rights of the region's most extensive sports portfolio in the Middle East and North Africa. BeIN Media Group has renewed its strategic partnership with Riyadh-based SMC Group, extending the latter's role as the exclusive advertising media sales representative sales representative for beIN across 23 Middle East and North Africa (MENA) markets until 2027. The agreement covers more than 20 premium sports and entertainment channels, including the flagship beIN Sports network. The renewal was formalised during a signing ceremony at beIN's MENA headquarters in Doha, attended by senior executives from both companies. The extended partnership builds on a successful collaboration since 2022, delivering advanced advertising opportunities for regional and global brands. It also reflects SMC's long-term vision of forging strategic, results-driven relationships while cementing its leadership in the sports advertising sector. Under the agreement, SMC will continue to integrate media, sports and technology through AI-powered advertising solutions and innovative platforms that deliver impactful, targeted campaigns. The partnership also supports Saudi Arabia's wider economic goals, fostering innovation, investment and growth in the sports, media and entertainment industries both regionally and internationally. Commenting on the renewed partnership, Mohammad Al-Subaie, CEO of beIN MENA, said: 'We are pleased to extend our valued partnership with SMC Group, a collaboration that has become a cornerstone of our commercial success since the historic FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. Together, we have delivered innovative and engaging brand experiences that have reached millions across the region—providing brands with a powerful and differentiated platform for growth. This renewed agreement not only strengthens our shared commitment to excellence but also reinforces beIN's strategic vision to lead in premium sports and entertainment media, both across the MENA region and on the global stage. We look forward to building on this momentum and continuing to set new benchmarks in the industry.' Mohamed Al-Khereiji, Chairman of SMC Group, added: 'We are pleased to renew our strategic partnership with beIN Media Group, reinforcing SMC's position as the leading media and advertising powerhouse with the largest advertising inventory in the region. We greatly value the continued trust that beIN places in us, as this renewal marks the start of a new chapter focused on greater innovation and impact across the regional media and sports landscape. This agreement comes at a time when the region is witnessing rapid and positive growth driven by landmark investments and transformative projects. At SMC, we remain committed to our vision of delivering solutions powered by the latest digital technologies—boosting sales performance through tailored value propositions that meet the evolving needs of our clients and partners, including beIN, the exclusive holder of premier sports content in the Middle East. 'We are also dedicated to building a comprehensive ecosystem that seamlessly integrates premium content with cutting-edge technology, underpinned by our continued investment in artificial intelligence. Our goal is clear: to deliver measurable, sustainable results across both regional and international markets.'
Dubai Eye
6 hours ago
- Dubai Eye
In India, Trump's tariffs spark calls to boycott American goods
File photo From McDonald's and Coca-Cola to Amazon and Apple, US-based multinationals are facing calls for a boycott in India as Prime Minister Narendra Modi's supporters stoke anti-American sentiment to protest against US tariffs. India, the world's most populous nation, is a key market for American brands that have rapidly expanded to target a growing base of affluent consumers. India, for example, is the biggest market by users for Meta's WhatsApp and Domino's has more restaurants than any other brand in the country. Beverages like Pepsi and Coca-Cola often dominate store shelves, and people still queue up when a new Apple store opens or a Starbucks cafe doles out discounts. Although there was no immediate indication of sales being hit, there's a growing chorus both on social media and offline to buy local and ditch American products after Trump imposed a 50 per cent tariff on goods from India, rattling exporters and damaging ties between New Delhi and Washington. McDonald's, Coca-Cola, Amazon and Apple did not immediately respond to Reuters queries. Manish Chowdhary, co-founder of India's Wow Skin Science, took to LinkedIn with a video message urging support for farmers and startups to make "Made in India" a "global obsession," and to learn from South Korea whose food and beauty products are famous worldwide. "We have lined up for products from thousands of miles away. We have proudly spent on brands that we don't own, while our own makers fight for attention in their own country," he said. Rahm Shastry, CEO of India's DriveU, which provides a car driver on call service, wrote on LinkedIn: "India should have its own home-grown Twitter/Google/YouTube/WhatsApp/FB -- like China has." To be fair, Indian retail companies give foreign brands like Starbucks stiff competition in the domestic market, but going global has been a challenge. Indian IT services firms, however, have become deeply entrenched in the global economy, with the likes of TCS and Infosys providing software solutions to clients world over. On Sunday, Modi made a "special appeal" for becoming self-reliant, telling a gathering in Bengaluru that Indian technology companies made products for the world but "now is the time for us to give more priority to India's needs". He did not name any company. Even as anti-American protests simmer, Tesla launched its second showroom in India in New Delhi, with Monday's opening attended by Indian commerce ministry officials and US embassy officials. The Swadeshi Jagran Manch group, which is linked to Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party, took out small public rallies across India on Sunday, urging people to boycott American brands. "People are now looking at Indian products. It will take some time to fructify," Ashwani Mahajan, the group's co-convenor, told Reuters. "This is a call for nationalism, patriotism." On social media, one of the group's campaigns is a graphic titled "Boycott foreign food chains", with logos of McDonald's and many other restaurant brands. In Uttar Pradesh, Rajat Gupta, 37, who was dining at a McDonald's in Lucknow on Monday, said he wasn't concerned about the tariff protests and simply enjoyed the 49-rupee ($0.55) coffee he considered good value for money. "Tariffs are a matter of diplomacy and my McPuff, coffee should not be dragged into it," he said.
