Agreement with ST Engineering iDirect supports the planned launch of services in 2027, while enhancing space resource management efficiency and expanding connectivity capabilities
In a move reflecting the growing prospects for Omani-British cooperation in advanced technology and satellite communications, Mohammed Al Barwani Satellites Company (MBSAT), part of Mohammed Al Barwani Group, has signed a strategic agreement with ST Engineering iDirect to advance sovereign satellite communications services in the Sultanate of Oman and the wider region.
The agreement was signed in the presence of Dr. Mohammed Al Barwani, Chairman of Mohammed Al Barwani Group, coinciding with the State Visit of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, may God protect and preserve him, to the United Kingdom. The agreement aligns with the objectives of the visit to strengthen bilateral relations and expand strategic cooperation between the two countries, particularly in the fields of advanced technology and communications.
The agreement forms part of MBSAT’s strategy to build an advanced satellite communications ecosystem that supports Oman’s digital infrastructure, sovereign satellite network that will strengthens the Sultanate’s capabilities in the space sector, and expands the availability of services to meet the requirements of key sectors in Oman and across the region.
MBSAT will deploy Intuition to operate its satellite network and manage its resources in preparation for the planned launch of services in 2027, targeting government entities, telecommunications companies, enterprises and critical infrastructure sectors.
The network will utilise the communications capacity of MBSAT-1, a sovereign MicroGEO geostationary satellite built and delivered by Astranis. The project combines advanced space infrastructure with a software-defined ground system, enabling MBSAT to provide flexible and scalable connectivity services while responding to evolving customer requirements and changing market needs.
Under the agreement, ST Engineering iDirect will provide an integrated ground infrastructure solution, including Ka-band gateway infrastructure, the Intuition baseband system, the Foresight network management platform, as well as service provisioning and management tools, open APIs for integration with other systems, and training and technical support throughout the lifecycle of the platform.
These solutions will support the efficient launch and operation of MBSAT’s services while providing the flexibility required to enhance and scale the network in the future.
Ammar Al Rawahi, General Manager of MBSAT, said:
“This partnership represents an important milestone in our efforts to build an advanced satellite communications platform in Oman and the region. Through our collaboration with ST Engineering iDirect, we are establishing the technical infrastructure required to launch services efficiently, respond to evolving customer needs and expand into new markets, supporting the sustainable long-term growth of our business.”
The Intuition platform is built on a cloud-based architecture that enables satellite resources to be dynamically allocated and redistributed according to demand, helping optimise capacity utilisation and simplify the introduction of new services.
The Foresight platform also provides advanced network management and operational automation capabilities, supporting greater efficiency and enabling the network to scale as demand for services grows.
Sridhar Kuppanna, Chief Executive Officer, ST Engineering iDirect, said:
“We are providing MBSAT with a flexible, software-defined ground platform that integrates with its existing operational environment,” said Sridhar Kuppanna, Chief Executive Officer, ST Engineering iDirect. “This enables more efficient service deployment and operations today, with the flexibility to scale, introduce new capabilities and evolve as requirements change.”
The agreement comes amid growing interest in developing sovereign communications infrastructure across the Middle East, as network operators and service providers seek to strengthen their ability to manage services, expand networks and keep pace with technological developments.
Software-defined systems, combined with intelligent management tools, provide greater flexibility in building scalable communications networks capable of supporting increasing demand for connectivity across government, economic and critical sectors.
About MBSAT
MBSAT is the space arm of MB Group and its newest platform. MBSAT is a regional satellite communications operator delivering dedicated, sovereign, and the largest Ka-band GEO capacity across Oman, the GCC region, and parts of Western Asia. It represents one of the largest private space investments in the region.
Starting as a well-services company in 1982, MB Group has grown into an international conglomerate with platforms in Oil and Gas, Engineering Solutions, Mining, Aviation, Superyacht manufacture, Real Estate Development, and Investment sectors.
