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Satnews Daily
January 9th, 2019

Intelsat Joins as a Full Member of the GSMA


Intelsat S.A. (NYSE: I) has joined GSMA as a full member of this organization that represents mobile operators worldwide, to further strengthen the integration of satellite and terrestrial technologies and advance 5G deployment — the association unites more than 750 operators with over 350 handset and device makers, software companies, equipment providers, and internet companies as well as organizations in adjacent industry sectors.

Satellites have a long-established record of complementing terrestrial mobile networks to ubiquitously, seamlessly, and cost-effectively deliver connectivity in and around cities as well as to more remote and rural regions. With demand for broadband growing exponentially, driven by consumers as well as by Machine-to-Machine (M2M) and Internet-of-Things (IoT) applications, the development of fully integrated, hybrid satellite and terrestrial networks will be essential to meeting that demand and in an efficient and cost-effective manner. Incorporating the strengths of different technologies under one seamless network will accelerate the development of the 5G network architecture. This will deliver enhanced connectivity to a world in constant motion and expand opportunities for the entire MNO ecosystem, a shared goal of Intelsat and the GSMA.

Executive Comment

Jean-Philippe Gillet, Intelsat’s VP and GM of Networks, said that as 5G comes to market, Intelsat must capitalize on the strengths of multiple delivery technologies to satiate the connectivity demands of businesses and communities around the world. By joining the GSMA, the company will continue to forge new working relationships and develop business models that accelerate the expansion of more powerful mobile networks. Intelsat will collaborate even more closely with companies across the mobile ecosystem and build innovative partnerships that incorporate the complementary strengths of satellite and terrestrial technologies and create the hybrid networks that advance the cost-effective deployment of mobile connectivity around the world.