Telesat

July 2026's roundup: Hughes Network Systems nears bankruptcy as SpaceX files to launch 100,000 satellites, Nokia's AI-RAN commercial deployments trail Ericsson's 15+ by a full order of magnitude, the FCC finalizes a $6.3B C-band incentive package and closes AT&T's $23B EchoStar spectrum deal, and fiber capital and industrial 5G both keep expanding globally.
The merger creates a $1.25 trillion private giant that fuses launch, satellites, and AI, but the strategic logic goes beyond orbiting data centers. SpaceX brings rockets, Starship scale, and the world’s largest NGSO broadband network via Starlink. xAI brings models, AI R&D, and a brand in the hottest capital market category. Together, they present a single story to investors: own the stack from compute to constellation to connectivity, on and off Earth. Consolidation gives Musk freedom to reallocate cash flows and simplifies the roadshow pitch.
TeraWave combines 5,280 low Earth orbit satellites with 128 medium Earth orbit satellites—5,408 spacecraft in total—tied together via optical inter-satellite links. The design targets global coverage with two distinct performance tiers: up to 144 Gbps symmetrical RF links per enterprise customer using Q/V-band in LEO, and optical links in MEO delivering up to 6 Tbps for high-throughput trunking between hubs. Blue Origin positions the service for point-to-point private links and enterprise-grade internet access, with an initial target of up to 100,000 customers. The company intends to launch on its own New Glenn vehicles and leverage reusable engines to scale deployment.
Amazon has moved its low Earth orbit broadband effort out of code-name mode and into a market-facing brand with strategic implications for telecom and enterprise buyers. Project Kuiper is now Amazon Leo, a direct reference to the low Earth orbit constellation underpinning the service. The rebrand signals a transition from R&D to commercial execution. Amazon reports more than 150 satellites in orbit today—roughly 153 by recent counts—following a string of successful launches and a completed prototype mission. The company says it will light up service as it adds coverage and capacity.
ESA, Telesat, and Amarisoft have successfully demonstrated the world’s first 5G Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) link over a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite. Using 3GPP Release 17 standards, the collaboration marks a major step in integrating terrestrial and satellite systems for seamless global connectivity. This milestone paves the way for direct-to-device communication, bridging digital divides and enabling innovative applications across industries.
Telesat, a leading satellite operator, has partnered with SatixFy to develop and deliver Landing Station Baseband Units for its upcoming Lightspeed Network. These units will enable high-speed communication between Telesat's Low Earth Orbit satellites and ground stations. The Lightspeed Network aims to provide global, high-speed, and low-latency broadband internet. The total agreement is valued at $39 million, with deliveries expected over 28 months. This partnership strengthens both companies' positions in the satellite communication industry.
This edition dives into the evolving world of satellite technology and its synergy with modern communication networks, highlighting key developments and challenges. Seraphim opens the discussion with a detailed look at the global race in satellite connectivity, emphasizing its impact on the mobile phone industry. Astrocast then explores the economic aspects of Satellite IoT, underlining its growing importance in global connectivity.

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