Astrocast, a Switzerland-based Internet of Things (IoT) nanosatellite network, has secured US$ 9.2 (€8.3M) Series A round of funding to accelerate production of IoT modules, to begin commercial phase and deployment of the its Low Earth Orbit (LEO) IoT network.
To date, Astrocast has raised CHF 16.6M in total funding. Founded in 2014 by the developers of SwissCube, one of the longest lasting, operational nanosatellites in space and led by Fabien Jordan, CEO, and José Achache, to develop an advanced nanosatellite network for the Internet of things (IoT).
It will come as no surprise to anyone in this industry who is paying attention to what has been happening over the last few years, to hear me say that the industry is in a state of flux. This is hardly news, but the pace appears to be accelerating and things that have been talked about for the last several years, are either reality or now very close to be becoming so.
The uncomfortable co-existence among science, technology and religion is a few centuries old. For a long while the three disciplines tried to stay in their own lane and tried to avoid swerving into the others’ lane. But a collision was inevitable. The crash has given us a toxic political and social climate at times, and made us mistrust each of the three disciplines.
Flat Panel Satellite Antennas (FPSAs) are one of the most anticipated technical innovations in the satellite industry for its potential to provide connectivity in mobility applications for aeronautical, terrestrial and maritime applications. However, we have yet to see FPSA take off.
SpacePath Communications, a dedicated, European-based, SATCOM amplifier manufacturer and equipment supplier, has announced the appointment of Malcolm Cathmoir as regional manager.
NSSLGlobal has announced the appointment of Staffan Iveberg as Group Chief Technology Officer (CTO). Staffan will work alongside the NSSLGlobal leadership team to roll out the company’s technology roadmap and bolster its R&D division as it continues to forge a reputation as an engineering powerhouse.
Digital TV Research estimates that pay TV subscribers increased by 26 million in 2018 across 138 countries. This took the number of pay TV subscribers beyond 1 billion.
NSR’s M2M and IoT via Satellite, 10th Edition (M2M/IoT10) report, published today, forecasts US$ 11.6 billion in revenues will be generated over the next 10 years. All M2M and IoT applications will grow, with total retail revenues to rise at 6.6% CAGR over the coming decade, with a 14% CAGR for in-service M2M/IoT units during this same period.
And, while significant attention is paid to emerging IoT smallsat constellations, NSR found MSS and VSAT offerings continue to play a solid role in the M2M/IoT growth story.
