By Alexis Martin, CEO of River Advisers.
The demand for satellite infrastructure is continuing to grow across the globe, but nowhere quite like the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The region is at a critical moment in its digital and space transformation, expanding connectivity from bustling smart cities and remote desert communities to offshore energy hubs, maritime trade routes, and aerospace operations.
D2D connectivity
One emerging service is Direct-to-Device (D2D) connectivity, enabling smartphones and other standard consumer devices to connect directly to satellites, bypassing the need for specialised equipment like cellular towers. D2D applications hold great promise, from enabling emergency communications in remote areas to providing reliable connectivity in rural or hard-to-reach locations.
In the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia for example, D2D could make a difference in key mining applications, or at offshore oil platforms, both of which are high-risk, remote regions crucial to the economic stability of the Kingdom. D2D can help make key connections in areas where traditional means of connectivity cannot reach, helping businesses establish platforms in new, potentially lucrative areas.
The role of flexible licensing
Non-terrestrial networks, encompassing communication systems in low, medium, and geostationary orbits, as well as high-altitude platforms (HAPS), are essential for enabling D2D services and ensuring global access to key services, regardless of location. These networks play a critical role in extending coverage by bridging gaps left by terrestrial telecommunications infrastructure. However, to fully realise their potential, they require regulatory frameworks that support their deployment and scalability; streamlined, adaptive licensing regimes are crucial to fostering growth and maximising impact.
Recognising the rapid pace of innovation, regulators and operators have increasingly adopted more flexible approaches to satellite licensing. One development has been the introduction of sandbox initiatives, which create controlled environments for testing new services and regulatory models. These allow operators to trial innovative satellite applications without immediately being subject to the full extent of traditional licensing requirements.
In the Middle East, where governments are prioritising digital transformation, regulatory sandboxes are expediting the deployment of next-generation satellite services, including low Earth orbit (LEO) constellations and D2D solutions. By embracing dynamic licensing mechanisms, regulators can foster competition, attract investment, and ensure policies remain aligned with technological advancements, ultimately positioning the region as a leader in satellite innovation while enhancing connectivity for businesses and communities.
Beyond Earth
Previously an area that received little attention, cislunar communication is growing in popularity in response to advances in technology and capabilities. Today’s ‘space race’ is being led by commercial entities like Intuitive Machines, while plans to place a data center or an LTE network on the Moon are becoming reality. As this new frontier emerges, ensuring long-term spectrum availability and regulatory certainty is more crucial than ever.
Between 2018 and 2023, the Middle East saw a 175% increase in satellite launches as it transitions from being end users of satellite solutions to leaders within the sector. Saudi Arabia plans to build on this success through its ‘Vision 2030’ plan, which includes extensive investment into developing domestic expertise in satellite solutions and potential future space tourism operations. As regulators around the world work to understand these novel services and their implications, the Middle East has a unique opportunity to assert its position and emerge as a market leader in this field. Investment and openness to embrace new applications will help the region grow at scale and benefit from reliable connectivity no matter the geography or where it’s required. Only then will it have the tools to enable the extraordinary when it comes to the satellite sector.
Add Comment