Special report: Strong communications technology is a priority for any country, but with connectivity still a major barrier in developing regions around the world, ASX companies are taking to the skies to help.

Around 3 billion citizens living along the equator have limited or no access to communications infrastructure.

As the Internet of Things (IoT) grows and super-fast broadband becomes the only way to do business, the need to connect these regions has never been more important.

That’s where companies like Sky and Space Global (ASX:SAS) come in.

Over the past two years, the ASX-listed satellite business has shown how nano-satellites and proprietary software can bring huge benefits to global citizens while also delivering long-term growth for shareholders.

Sky and Space has already hit key milestones showing the potential of its technology.

It launched its 3 Diamonds nano-satellites for the first time in June last year, proving the product capability as a low-cost communications solution for some of the most remote places on earth.

More recently, it announced two deals in China, including plans to work with a rocket company that exclusively operates China’s space program and to incorporate its IoT and communication services into Chinese satellite communications provider Commsat’s network.

Momentum in the satellite communications space is also building, with other companies like Kleos Space looking at an ASX launch for its intelligence satellites.

But Sky and Space has secured a first-mover advantage – as says it’s on a clear path to significant revenues in 2019.

“It’s great to see more companies interested in this space. It proves there is a developing economic ecosystem to support such ventures,” said CEO Meir Moalem.

“Being a pioneer and a success story so far, Sky and Space Global will continue to benefit from and lead this developing ecosystem.”

Here are two key projects where the company has already taken to the skies.

Micro-constellations are already floating

The company’s 3 Diamonds nano-satellites were launched in June 2017. By September, tests of the micro-constellation showed it was capable of facilitating phone calls, instant messaging and sending and receiving images.

In the time since then, the 3 Diamonds have demonstrated the services to commercial customers, while performing a series of “world firsts” for the space industry, de-risking the technology and the software involved.

This month, Sky and Space also started conversations about service delivery in key regions such as the Caribbean.

Game plan in action for the Pearls

Sky and Space is also executing a long-term game plan with its roadmap for its Pearls technology, due to launch in 2019.

The company is planning to launch an astounding 20 to 25 satellites per quarter between 2019 and 2020, for a total of 200.

The Pearls are fully-developed satellites, twice the size of the Diamonds tech, and will deliver communication services to a range of regions.

This means that from next year, the business will be able to work with partners in Africa, China, Central and South America to get communication deals in place – and be on track to generate revenue from these.

 

This special report is brought to you by Sky and Space Global.

This advice has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should, therefore, consider the appropriateness of the advice, in light of your own objectives, financial situation or needs, before acting on the advice.

If this advice relates to the acquisition, or possible acquisition, of a particular financial product, the recipient should obtain a disclosure document, a Product Disclosure Statement or an offer document (PDS) relating to the product and consider the PDS before making any decision about whether to acquire the product.