Companies from the UAE and US are teaming up to harness advanced satellite technology and provide crucial support for people in communication blackspots, such as disaster zones, remote villages and at sea.
Space42, a leading UAE space technology company, joined forces with US satellite giant Viasat in March to build a multi-orbit 5G Non-Terrestrial Network which will broaden phone coverage and reduce reliance on traditional infrastructure such as mobile phone masts. The extensive satellite network will beam signals directly to mobile phones using a service known as Direct-to-Device (D2D).
Space42 hopes the technology will also improve everyday phone and internet access in underserved communities and industries, as well as delivering a lifeline in emergency situations. “Everyone will benefit from increased and more reliable connectivity, but communities that lack reliable terrestrial coverage will feel the greatest benefit,” Ali Al Hashemi, chief executive of Yahsat Space Services at Space42, told The National.
While people globally could benefit from this technology, the partnership reflects growing momentum in the space industry to expand mobile access to underserved regions, especially for use in crisis response and health care.
A global race for satellite-powered phone service
In recent years, companies such as SpaceX, AST SpaceMobile, and Lynk Global have also been racing to offer satellite-to-phone services.
In 2022, Elon Musk’s SpaceX announced a partnership with T-Mobile in the US to provide basic messaging coverage via Starlink satellites. AST SpaceMobile launched a test satellite in 2023 that successfully made a 4G call using an ordinary smartphone. Space42’s plans to use artificial intelligence with spectrum-sharing to make its system smarter and more adaptable.
“Leveraging multi-orbit spacecraft and an open, standards-based architecture to connect devices, we provide seamless connectivity for users ‘off-the-grid’,” said Mr Al Hashemi. “Beyond everyday connectivity, industries including maritime, aviation, and emergency response also benefit from D2D connectivity.”
Putting AI and satellite power to work
Space42 was formed after the merger of Bayanat, an AI-powered geospatial solutions company, and Yahsat, the UAE’s flagship satellite operator.
The company is contributing its expertise in artificial intelligence, while Viasat is offering its satellite frequency capabilities, specifically its L-band and S-band technologies. These two frequency bands, when combined, enable more reliable and faster signal coverage.
“L-band is well known for its reliable connectivity, even in harsh weather conditions and remote locations, while S-band offers additional capacity and faster speed,” said Mr Al Hashemi. “When combined with our AI capabilities, we provide a robust foundation for consistent and efficient connectivity across land, sea and air.”
The first phase of the project involves studies on system design, operations and how to scale up the network to provide global coverage.
Real-world impact in emergencies and remote work
D2D technology is critical during disasters, such as earthquakes or floods, when cell towers are often damaged or destroyed. Satellite-based D2D systems would allow first responders and humanitarian teams to communicate and co-ordinate.
“For example, in the wake of a disaster, terrestrial coverage may be impacted, which means first responders relying on terrestrial coverage alone will not be able to communicate,” said Mr Al Hashemi. “By leveraging D2D, response teams can connect, deliver or interact with devices directly and quickly.”
Industries that operate in isolated areas, such as shipping, offshore oil, mining and aviation, could also benefit from this technology. Mr Al Hashemi also confirmed that Space42 is planning to expand D2D coverage over the UAE.
“The partnership also demonstrates global interest in working with UAE-based businesses to strengthen technological capabilities and forge new alliances,” he said. “The UAE’s National Space Strategy envisions how space-based capabilities can extend beyond their traditional applications to support economic interests in other industries, including transportation, emergency response, sustainability and other critical sectors.”
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The design
The protective shell is covered in solar panels to make use of light and produce energy. This will drastically reduce energy loss.
More than 80 per cent of the energy consumed by the French pavilion will be produced by the sun.
The architecture will control light sources to provide a highly insulated and airtight building.
The forecourt is protected from the sun and the plants will refresh the inner spaces.
A micro water treatment plant will recycle used water to supply the irrigation for the plants and to flush the toilets. This will reduce the pavilion’s need for fresh water by 30 per cent.
Energy-saving equipment will be used for all lighting and projections.
Beyond its use for the expo, the pavilion will be easy to dismantle and reuse the material.
Some elements of the metal frame can be prefabricated in a factory.
From architects to sound technicians and construction companies, a group of experts from 10 companies have created the pavilion.
Work will begin in May; the first stone will be laid in Dubai in the second quarter of 2019.
Construction of the pavilion will take 17 months from May 2019 to September 2020.
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Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
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Match info
Liverpool 3
Hoedt (10' og), Matip (21'), Salah (45 3')
Southampton 0
Teams
Punjabi Legends Owners: Inzamam-ul-Haq and Intizar-ul-Haq; Key player: Misbah-ul-Haq
Pakhtoons Owners: Habib Khan and Tajuddin Khan; Key player: Shahid Afridi
Maratha Arabians Owners: Sohail Khan, Ali Tumbi, Parvez Khan; Key player: Virender Sehwag
Bangla Tigers Owners: Shirajuddin Alam, Yasin Choudhary, Neelesh Bhatnager, Anis and Rizwan Sajan; Key player: TBC
Colombo Lions Owners: Sri Lanka Cricket; Key player: TBC
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Venue Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Format 10 overs per side, matches last for 90 minutes
Timeline October 25: Around 120 players to be entered into a draft, to be held in Dubai; December 21: Matches start; December 24: Finals
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Who is Mohammed Al Halbousi?
The new speaker of Iraq’s parliament Mohammed Al Halbousi is the youngest person ever to serve in the role.
The 37-year-old was born in Al Garmah in Anbar and studied civil engineering in Baghdad before going into business. His development company Al Hadeed undertook reconstruction contracts rebuilding parts of Fallujah’s infrastructure.
He entered parliament in 2014 and served as a member of the human rights and finance committees until 2017. In August last year he was appointed governor of Anbar, a role in which he has struggled to secure funding to provide services in the war-damaged province and to secure the withdrawal of Shia militias. He relinquished the post when he was sworn in as a member of parliament on September 3.
He is a member of the Al Hal Sunni-based political party and the Sunni-led Coalition of Iraqi Forces, which is Iraq’s largest Sunni alliance with 37 seats from the May 12 election.
He maintains good relations with former Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki’s State of Law Coaliton, Hadi Al Amiri’s Badr Organisation and Iranian officials.
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1. Japan - Played 3, Won 3, Points 14
2. Ireland - Played 3, Won 2, Lost 1, Points 11
3. Scotland - Played 2, Won 1, Lost 1, Points 5
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