Spacecom & ST Engineering iDirect demonstrate VSAT return
07 August 2020
Spacecom and ST Engineering iDirect have demonstrated VSAT return capabilities on the AMOS-17 satellite, according to the partner companies.
They said the demonstration result- ed in an “exceptionally” wide return link for a small VSAT of 40 Mbps using the iDirect iQ 200 modem’s Adaptive TDMA return over AMOS-17’s high power C-band HTS beams.
Conducted from the UK based SMS Teleport, the modem and antenna were installed in a com- munications truck located between Johannesburg and Pretoria, South Africa. The return data rate enabled simultaneous transmission of multiple high data streams from South Africa to Europe with a small antenna, resulting in the low-pow- er communications-on-the-pause (COTP) solution. Both firms said this opens up operational and business opportunities such as emergency deployments, govern- ment applications, coverage of events and backhaul services.
Find out more Liberia regulator suspends head
05 August 2020
Liberia Telecommunication Authority (LTA) boss Ivan Brown has been suspended following accusations of wrongdoing.
The decision was announced on June 5 by president George Weah and Edwina Zarka was immediately appointed to act as managing director in the meantime.
Brown’s suspension comes at a time when the tel- ecoms regulator is engaged in an intense battle with mobile phone operator Orange over the payment of the surcharge imposed on voice calls and data.
In November 2019, LTA introduced a minimum price of US$0.0156 per minute for voice calls and 0.00218 per megabyte for data services. The regulator has also set a surcharge of US$0.008 on voice calls and US$0.0065 per megabyte for data.
Orange opposed this surcharge before the court, claiming that such a decision does not fall within the regulator’s remit. The French operated cited a law passed by the legislature and published on 29 August 2017, despite the regulator’s authority to issue regulations in the exercise of its power. Orange Liberia said it was the prerogative of the (LRA).
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Leigh Smith, MD, WTL, dies
04 August 2020
The following is a statement from World Telecom Labs following the death of MD, Leigh Smith.
“We are sad to report the passing of Leigh Smith, MD of World Telecoms Labs, who died in Lagos in May.
Leigh was known throughout the industry for his generous and kind nature supporting numerous charities in Nigeria - as well as his work helping to develop the country’s telecoms infrastructure.
He built World Telecom Labs into a multi-award-winning vendor of VoIP and rural telephony systems which are deployed across Africa.
He had been unwell for some time and his death has been greeted with dismay by friends, colleagues, partners and customers.
Yahsat names Cole new CFO
03 August 2020
Al Yah Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat), the UAE-based global satellite operator, has appointed Andrew Cole as chief financial officer (CFO). He will assume the position July 1.
Cole joins Yahsat soon after the company made four Emirati executive appointments to lead its government, commercial, operational and technical business units.
The new CFO has 25 years of cross-sector experience in senior finance, operational and advisory roles. He succeeds Balakrishnan Dorais- amy, who will be retiring, having served Yahsat for almost 12 years. Balakrishnan will continue to be part of the company as strategic advisor.