Kazakhstan, Belgium sign agreements on AI, science and space technologies
BELGIUM 23 JUN

Kazakhstan, Belgium sign agreements on AI, science and space technologies

Kazakhstan and Belgium have signed a number of strategic agreements aimed at advancing artificial intelligence, science, digital infrastructure, and space technologies. As reported by Kazakhstan's Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development, the documents were signed during the visit of Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to Belgium.

Bigleaf launches new Circuit Data Metering service
UNITED STATES 23 JUN

Bigleaf launches new Circuit Data Metering service

Bigleaf Networks has expanded the Bigleaf Cloud Connect portfolio with the launch of Circuit Data Metering. This helps business customers manage and control data usage across metered WAN circuits to connect remote locations, provide failover support or connect new sites - including LEO satellite, Starlink, metered 5G/LTE cellular and other usage-based circuits. 

Namibia's Cran rejects Starlink, public appeals over licence denial
NAMIBIA 23 JUN

Namibia's Cran rejects Starlink, public appeals over licence denial

The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) has dismissed all 624 public petitions and Starlink's own appeal to reconsider its March decision rejecting the company's telecommunications licence application. Cran received 624 public reconsideration requests. However, 622 of these applications failed to meet basic procedural and jurisdictional requirements, it said in a statement. The requests lacked essential details, such as clearly identifying the challenged decision, stating specific grounds

Korea launches KRW 200 bln New Space Fund as AI satellite programme begins
KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 23 JUN

Korea launches KRW 200 bln New Space Fund as AI satellite programme begins

The Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA) has outlined new measures to support the country's space industry and launched an initiative to deploy AI-enabled satellite information services in partnership with local governments and private companies. At the second meeting of its public-private aerospace industry council in Seoul, KASA met with 28 companies spanning aircraft manufacturing, satellites, launch vehicles and emerging space technologies to discuss industry development priorities. The agency said it

China's Spacesail demos direct-to-cell satellite calls on standard smartphones
CHINA 23 JUN

China's Spacesail demos direct-to-cell satellite calls on standard smartphones

Chinese satellite internet company Spacesail has announced it successfully routed voice calls directly through a satellite using standard smartphones, Xinhua news agency reports. During the field test, users had access to full signal strength and voice quality that matched standard terrestrial 5G networks, Spacesail said. Also, its compatibility with existing mobile networks paves the way for integrated space-ground communications, the company added.

ESA's Galileo strengthens IoT connectivity with quasi-pilot signal technology
EUROPE 22 JUN

ESA's Galileo strengthens IoT connectivity with quasi-pilot signal technology

Europe's GNSS platform Galileo has been updated to enhance its performance in low-powered IoT and smart city devices. Pre-launch testing conducted by the European Space Agency (ESA) indicates signal acquisition times will be enhanced by a factor of three, with the number of operations required to establish a data call reduced by a factor of eight.

Oman amends regulations for radio frequency and device registration
OMAN 22 JUN

Oman amends regulations for radio frequency and device registration

Oman's Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) plans to amend the regulation organizing the registration, use and pricing of radio frequencies and devices, Muscat Daily reported. The draft amendment to the regulation aims to ensure the optimal utilisation of the frequency spectrum, encourage investment, and promote the deployment of telecommunications services. It also seeks to establish the necessary regulatory framework to enable the provision of new services and simplify the procedures for obtainin

Eutelsat, AST Networks expand LEO maritime connectivity partnership
GLOBAL 22 JUN

Eutelsat, AST Networks expand LEO maritime connectivity partnership

Eutelsat has signed a multi-year, multi-million-dollar agreement with AST Networks to provide low Earth orbit (LEO) connectivity services, extending a longstanding partnership between the two companies. The deal follows the deployment of Eutelsat's OneWeb LEO services within AST Networks' maritime offering and is designed to meet soaring demand for high-performance satellite connectivity at sea.

NTT Docomo Ventures invests in space logistics startup ElevationSpace
JAPAN 22 JUN

NTT Docomo Ventures invests in space logistics startup ElevationSpace

NTT Docomo Ventures (NDV) has invested in ElevationSpace, a company developing services for transporting materials from space to Earth and supporting the use of space-based research and manufacturing environments. The investment was made through a fund managed by NTT Docomo Ventures, although financial terms were not disclosed. ElevationSpace is developing re-entry and recovery technologies for small spacecraft designed to return cargo from orbit. The company is also working on free-flyer satellites capable

SpaceX's investments in Romania top EUR 100 million
ROMANIA 19 JUN

SpaceX's investments in Romania top EUR 100 million

SpaceX has invested nearly EUR 100 million in Romania, turning it into a relevant regional center for the company in Europe, Agerpres reports, citing Pavel Popescu, VP of the country's telecoms regulator Ancom. The statement was made at the Digital Romania Forum.

Japanese partners cut NTN antenna weight by 47% in satellite terminal trial
JAPAN 19 JUN

Japanese partners cut NTN antenna weight by 47% in satellite terminal trial

The National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT), Sharp Corporation, Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation and Techlab have developed a new heat dissipation design that reduces the weight of a non-terrestrial network (NTN) planar antenna by 47 percent, from 5.5 kg to 2.9 kg. The partners achieved the reduction by replacing a conventional aluminium heat dissipation device with a composite structure combining carbon fibre prepreg and graphite sheet materials.

Iraq approves Starlink operating license
IRAQ 18 JUN

Iraq approves Starlink operating license

Iraq has approved Starlink's operating license to launch satellite internet service in the country, Iraqi News reported. This agreement, cleared in coordination between Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and US Special Presidential Envoy Tom Barrack, permits SpaceX's low-Earth orbit satellite network to formally enter the country. 

GLOBAL 18 JUN

EQT agrees to acquire Exolaunch

Investment company EQT said its EQT X fund has agreed to acquire Germany's Exolaunch, a satellite deployment technology and launch mission management company. Exolaunch has deployed more than 790 satellites on 47 missions and has flown on every SpaceX Transporter and Bandwagon rideshare mission aboard Falcon 9. The purchase from founder Dmitriy Sternharz is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2026 and EQT X is projected to be invested at 80 to 85 percent.

GHANA 18 JUN

Ghana's NCA hosts Tanzania's TCRA for satellite services benchmarking

Ghana's National Communications Authority (NCA) said it has hosted a delegation from the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) for a benchmarking visit to expand regulatory knowledge and foster bilateral collaboration in satellite communication services. NCA deputy director general for technical operations Suleman Salifu highlighted the rapid evolution of satellite technologies. He said that robust regulatory frameworks must support innovation while safeguarding national interests.

UNITED KINGDOM 18 JUN

O2 Satellite service support extended to Google Pixel smartphones

Virgin Media O2 is expanding support for the O2 Satellite service to Google Pixel smartphones. Launched earlier in 2026, the direct-to-device satellite service is included with Ultimate Plan subscriptions at no extra cost. Other pay-monthly customers can add O2 Satellite as a Bolt On for GBP 3 extra per month. The support for Google Pixel devices follows the launch of Apple compatibility in May. 

ZAMBIA 18 JUN

Zambian government launches national spatial data infrastructure policy

The government has launched the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) Policy to coordinate the management and sharing of geospatial information, The Times of Zambia reported. Secretary to the cabinet Patrick Kangwa said this milestone in Zambia's digital transformation marks a shift towards "smarter" governance based on citizens' needs. He said fragmented and inaccessible geospatial data in government institutions had undermined effective planning, delayed decision-making and led to duplication of eff

GLOBAL 18 JUN

Amazon launches 36 more satellites in third Ariane 6 mission

Amazon.com has launched another 36 satellites in its low-Earth orbit network, aboard an Ariane 6 rocket. This was its third launch with Arianespace from the European spaceport in French Guiana, and the largest Leo payload to date. The mission brings Amazon to 367 spacecraft deployed, and marks 100 Leo satellites launched by Arianespace, with three missions completed in less than five months.

HUNGARY 17 JUN

4iG Group becomes largest European investor in Axiom Space

Hungary's 4iG Group has become the largest European investor in US commercial space company Axiom Space, after a funding round of over USD 525 million. 4iG Space and Defence Technologies (4iG S&D), a subsidiary of 4iG Group, invested USD 100 million in Axiom Space, joining other strategic investors like MUFG.

GLOBAL 17 JUN

AST SpaceMobile announces successful launch of more Bluebird D2D satellites

AST SpaceMobile has announced the successful orbital launch of its BlueBird 8, 9 and 10 satellites. They lifted off on 17 June from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station aboard a Falcon 9 rocket. They are the largest commercial communications arrays ever deployed in low Earth orbit (LEO), measuring approximately 223 m2, and will be used to support direct-to-device mobile satellite services with its operator partners.  

RUSSIAN FEDERATION 17 JUN

Russian satellite TV subscribers approach 26 mln

Russian satellite TV user base totaled 25.7 million households in the end of 2025, according from a study from the agency TelecomDaily. The indicator includes both users of paid subscriptions and free services. More than 60 percent customers use satellite TV in villages, the indicator totals more than 27 percent in cities having more than 1 million residents.

GLOBAL 17 JUN

Clarus Networks becomes authorised Amazon LEO reseller

Clarus Networks, UK-based global managed connectivity services provider, has signed an agreement to become an authorised reseller for Amazon Leo. This will allow Clarus to deliver high-speed satellite internet connectivity to enterprise and maritime customers on the Amazon Leo network, adding to existing agreements with OneWeb and Starlink. Customers will connect to the Amazon Leo network using the Leo Nano, Leo Pro or Leo Ultra antennas. The Leo Ultra supports download speeds of up to 1 Gbps and upload spe

UNITED KINGDOM 16 JUN

Ofcom consults on plans to support satellite networks, services

UK regulator Ofcom is consulting on plans to update spectrum rules to support satellite networks and services. Firstly, it is consulting on plans for the 2 GHz Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) band - 1980-2010 MHz and 2170-2200 MHz. It is proposing to allow existing licence holders Viasat and EchoStar to continue using the spectrum for a 3-5 year transitional term, once the current licences expire in May 2027. This will allow them to continue providing their services, including the European Aviation Network.

UKRAINE 16 JUN

Kyivstar enables data apps over Starlink mobile during power outages

Ukrainian operator Kyivstar, a subsidiary of Veon Group, has enabled customers to access satellite-ready mobile apps where there is no terrestrial coverage or during prolonged power outages. Starting with Viber, WhatsApp and Google Maps, Kyivstar customers with a compatible smartphone can now message and find their way with data connectivity from Starlink Mobile. 

GLOBAL 16 JUN

SpaceX agrees to acquire AI coding company Cursor in stock deal worth USD 60 bln

SpaceX said it has agreed to take over Anysphere, an AI coding company that trades as Cursor, in a stock deal worth USD 60 billion. Cursor will operate trade as a wholly owned subsidiary of SpaceX. The merger is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026 and is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions as well as regulatory approvals.

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