SES and Lynk Global have announced a strategic partnership to address the high-growth direct-to-device (D2D) segment. As part of the agreement, SES will provide Series B funding for Lynk Global’s D2D constellation and provide a suite of integrated services that will enhance Lynk Global’s capabilities which includes:
- MEO-Relay allowing D2D providers to route traffic between low Earth orbit (LEO) and SES’s medium Earth orbit (MEO) network to access gateways, enabling delivery of secure real-time data, reducing investment requirements in ground infrastructure, and enhancing the reach and resilience of D2D constellations.
- Network-as-a-Service leveraging SES’s global ground network to provide gateway access and SES’s geostationary satellites to provide Telemetry, Tracking and Command and Monitoring (TTC & M) services.
SES will also become a strategic channel partner for Lynk Global, enabling key government, MNO and automotive customers to access Lynk Global’s D2D network. This will allow SES’s customers to benefit from a broader range of applications including remote access, mission-critical first responder and secure government communications, offshore and automotive connectivity.
SES and Lynk Global will collaborate in the development of Lynk’s network architecture, as well as satellite manufacturing in the U.S. and Europe.
Ramu Potarazu, CEO of Lynk Global, commented, “This long-term strategic collaboration with SES will deeply integrate our networks to enhance our capabilities, and validates our LEO D2D network. With access to the right satellite infrastructure and dedicated ground infrastructure through SES, we are strengthening our ability to address government, MNO, and automotive D2D use-cases.”
Adel Al-Saleh, CEO of SES, said, “We recognize D2D as an exciting growth opportunity that complements our multi-orbit network to address a broader set of use cases. This partnership gives SES’s exposure into the D2D segment and is a key part of our strategy to diversify into this nascent, high-growth segment. SES’s multi-orbit network, particularly our MEO and ground infrastructure, will enhance the resilience, global reach, and innovation of Lynk’s D2D network. Lynk Global will be the first D2D provider to benefit from our MEO-Relay service working in orchestration with our global ground-based infrastructure network. SES and Lynk will collaborate to expand Lynk’s manufacturing into Europe, creating opportunities to incorporate Lynk’s D2D capabilities into European programs.”
