Agile telcos are targeting new service offerings to aid transformation of their revenue profiles. Antony Savvas assesses the prospects for satellite connectivity and quantum safe security.
BICS, a Proximus Global company, and Starlink have entered into a strategic partnership, with BICS appointed as the preferred IPX provider in Europe for Starlink’s direct-to-cell satellite connectivity services. The collaboration enables Starlink to use the IPX network to connect mobile network operators (MNOs) today, while also paving the way for Starlink’s next-generation network that will be capable of providing a broadband service to smartphones. Proximus Global’s IPX network, which functions as a roaming exchange, acts as a bridge to connect Starlink to MNOs, enabling standard smartphones to connect directly to satellites in remote areas without terrestrial coverage.
“This partnership is a critical step in preparation to not only advance seamless connectivity, but also interconnect European operators with enhanced data security,” says Mike Nicolls, Starlink VP of engineering.
The first European operator to benefit from the partnership is Kyivstar, Ukraine’s largest digital and mobile operator. For Ukrainians in the war-torn country, when network infrastructure is harmed, and even where base stations and fibre lines are destroyed, users can remain connected.
“While satellites are a game-changer for global connectivity, it’s not inherently disruptive to existing players in the industry, there’s room for everyone,” says Ben Vandermeulen, chief revenue officer at Proximus Global. “Our IPX acts as bridge to unlock new opportunities: satellite providers gain access to broader consumer bases, mobile operators can seamlessly plug coverage gaps, and end-users benefit from more reliable and consistent connectivity.”
Marry satellite to 6G
As operators push towards 6G, they need networks that can move seamlessly between space and ground, yet multi-orbit mobility has always been one of the toughest engineering hurdles, thanks to long delays, Doppler effects and unstable satellite links.
Telco testing firm Keysight and KT SAT in Korea have now completed what they say is the first successful handover from a live GEO satellite connection to an emulated LEO link, creating a “dependable way” to study real non-terrestrial network (NTN) behaviour before large satellite constellations are deployed.
“It marks a practical step toward continuous, resilient coverage for remote regions, disaster response and future 6G services,” the partners say.
The handover involved the KOREASAT-6A satellite at KT SAT’s Kumsan Satellite Network Operation Centre. It could prove useful for operators planning NTN rollouts, as well as for device, chipset and standards teams that need lab-ready methods to test mobility, timing and propagation, without relying on costly field trials. The work also gives regulators and spectrum planners early insight into how Rel-19 Ku-band NTN systems will behave in real-world conditions.
Seo Young-soo, the CEO of KT SAT, says: “As the only satellite communications service provider in Korea, we are progressively validating the applicability of NTN gNB and UE using our five operational GEO satellites. Building on the results of this trial, we will actively explore strengthening the competitiveness of our next-generation GEO satellite for the global market and delivering integrated multi-orbit communication services based on NTN systems, including traffic handover across our own GEO and future LEO/MEO constellations.”
Peng Cao, the vice president and general manager of Keysight’s Wireless Test Group, adds: “By combining a live GEO connection with emulated LEO conditions using NR-NTN parameters in Ku-band, we are giving operators and vendors a practical way to study NTN handover behaviour, optimise mobility strategies, and reduce the cost and risk of early deployments.”
Quantum-resistant encryption at the speed of light
Arqit Quantum and Sparkle, the Tier 1 global telecoms operator, have successfully demonstrated quantum-resilient data transmission across Sparkle’s optical network in Greece.
The proof of concept (POC), implemented over Sparkle’s metropolitan optical ring in Athens, shows how Arqit’s encryption technology can be embedded directly into the optical transport layer, protecting high-capacity networks against future quantum cybersecurity threats without impacting performance. Sparkle says it validated that sensitive data can be secured at the physical network layer without compromising performance. Arqit’s end-to-end encryption was successfully applied to multi-100G optical links.
Sparkle’s Quantum-Safe over Internet (QSI) solution operated directly on optical transponders, integrating the Arqit SKA-Platform encryption into the physical layer (Layer 1). No expensive physical changes to the optical hardware were required. The quantum-safe symmetric encryption key was injected from VM and universal CPE appliances, connected to the ETSI14 Interface and managed via the orchestration platform.
“This lays the groundwork for more resilient data networks worldwide,” say the partners.
Andy Leaver, CEO of Arqit, adds: “Securing the world’s data networks against emerging threats requires solutions that are both effective and practical. Telecoms operators are looking for proven, low-disruption paths to quantum-safe security, and this POC demonstrates a ready-now path. It shows that quantum-safe encryption can be embedded directly into existing optical infrastructure, protecting high-capacity data links without disrupting performance or operations.”
Antony Savvas