Astrum Mobile, an emerging player in the direct-to-device (D2D) satellite space, has announced a significant partnership with SWISSto12 for the construction of its NEASTAR-1 satellite. This satellite is set to deliver 5G non-terrestrial network (NTN) broadcast services across the Asia-Pacific region.
NEASTAR-1 will be built on SWISSto12’s compact geostationary HummingSat platform, marking it as the fifth satellite in this product line.
The satellite is slated for placement in the 105° East orbital slot, which is currently occupied by the AsiaStar satellite, originally launched by Worldspace in 2000. Astrum confirmed its ownership of AsiaStar in November 2024.
Equipped with on-board reconfigurable L-band beams, NEASTAR-1 will be capable of adapting to market dynamics and changes over time. Additionally, the satellite is designed to mitigate rain-fade issues, which can impact signal quality during heavy rain. Astrum is committed to providing enhanced service level assurances (SLA) to ensure reliable connectivity.
Astrum Mobile’s D2D platform, branded as satellite-to-device (S2D), will leverage 3GPP NTN standards to offer 5G broadcast services throughout Asia-Pacific. These services will include rich media, datacasting, the Internet of Things (IoT), mass notification, and emergency alert services, all accessible via standard 5G smartphones and smart devices.
The company also plans to collaborate with local partners in each country to develop and deliver tailored services, enhancing local accessibility and ensuring relevance to regional markets.
“Leveraging the always-available smartphone or smart device is the most compelling value proposition, and the time is right with the recent industry shift to 3GPP 5G NTN features on smartphones and devices,” said Michael Do, COO of Astrum Mobile.
Astrum Mobile’s website indicates a target for the full launch of commercial 5G NTN services in Asia-Pacific by 2028.
