There’s a new combo forming in the direct-to-device sector—and it’ll have key access to a high-priority band of spectrum to help it compete in the growing field.
Lynk Global, a satellite operator with a constellation of D2D and IoT-enabled satellites, plans to merge with telecom firm Omnispace to expand their business across both commercial and government lines.
- SES is wrapped up here too. The satcom operator already invests in both Lynk Global and Omnispace, and it’s staying involved as a major stakeholder following the merger’s close.
- On that note, the transaction is expected to close by early next year, but it could be as soon as this year.
“The planned combination of Lynk and Omnispace will offer SES access to new LEO capabilities that align with our strategy to diversify into this high-growth segment,” SES CEO Adel Al-Saleh said in a release. “This merger pairs an industry-leading global spectrum portfolio with a disruptive cost-effective satellite technology platform – accelerating deployment and delivering significant value to our commercial and government customers.”
Current Lynk Global CEO Ramu Potarazu will be CEO of the new entity, and Omnispace chief exec Ram Viswanathan will shift to chief strategy officer post-merger.
Secure a spot: Spectrum is a valuable thing in the satellite world, particularly in the direct-to-device business. There’s only so much of it to go around, and high-priority bands of spectrum that give operators first dibs on transmitting data—resulting in lower latency—are doled out in chunks by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).
- SpaceX and AST SpaceMobile, competitors for Lynk and Omnispace in the D2D world, have also been securing key spectrum rights to compete in the space.
Omnispace has an ITU filing for a high-priority band of S-band spectrum, which will carry over into the company’s new life.
“By combining Omnispace’s spectrum portfolio with Lynk’s innovative technology, we’re creating a powerful platform for scalable, cost-effective global D2D that will serve the immediate connectivity needs of customers and has the spectrum to enhance capacity over time,” Viswanathan said.
Correction: An earlier version of this story mischaracterized the status of Omnispace’s spectrum rights. The company has a high-priority S-band filing with the ITU.
