HiSky partners with Spacecom to launch services via AMOS-17 satellite

HiSky, a provider of satellite-connected IoT services, has partnered with Spacecom to launch services via the AMOS-17 satellite. The partnership aims to explore the potential for streamlining hiSky’s system and increasing data rates of very small mobile terminals by enabling connectivity via the AMOS-17 steerable beams.

A series of successful field trials, which typically shown speeds of less than 30 Kbps, has been increased to 125 Kbps on the advanced AMOS-17 satellite. Thus, it opened the door to additional IoT services being facilitated by hiSky, in a variety of new applications and at higher speeds.

As an affordable network operator, hiSky Smartellite Ka and Ku-Band terminals provide global coverage of its services, both onshore and offshore, meeting a growing demand for low and medium data rates for IoT applications across a range of industries, including fisheries, fleet management, agriculture, oil & gas and more.

The AMOS-17 is an advanced digital tri-band satellite. Its digital payload capabilities offer extensive C-Band HTS coverage, regional Ku-Band and steerable Ka-band HTS beams that can be combined to maximise throughput and efficiency.

Located optimally at 17°East, it covers all of EMEA, with the Ka-Band steerable beams able to provide services from Asia in the east to Brazil in the west. Its tri-band digital payload offers Satcom solutions over major areas of interest.

Commenting on the partnership, Shahar Kravitz, co-founder and CEO of hiSky, said: “Combining the new high-throughput AMOS-17 satellite with the advanced capabilities and flexibility of our small form factor terminal has enabled us to reach record speeds in data connectivity for on-the-move operations. For our consumers, this means that we can reduce the price of our services while offering higher-level capabilities, including video streaming and other demanding IoT applications. It also opens up the very real possibility of deploying national IoT communication systems and infrastructure at the state level, which would be a real game-changer for communities across Africa.”

Eran Shapiro, Director of Business and Technology Ventures at Spacecom, added: “The trial’s excellent results demonstrate how AMOS-17’s payload performance, advanced flexible digital platform and the optimal location at 17°E open new opportunities for mobile users and mobile-based big data networks. HiSky’s terminals are changing the mobile communications landscape for IoT, narrowband and broadband solutions. When coupled with AMOS-17, we bring together new possibilities to commercial applications while opening new markets, and strengthen our unique offerings for governmental services.”