Announcement
Space 42 and Cobham Satcom, renowned in the satellite communication sector for defense, government, and commercial services, have revealed the development of a comprehensive suite of advanced devices designed for data transmission via the next-generation satellite, Thuraya 4 (T4-NGS).
Sulaiman Al Ali, Chief Executive of Commercial Affairs at Space 42, emphasized the company’s initiative to expand Thuraya 4 services through collaboration with trusted technological partners. This aligns with the company’s strategy to solidify its leadership in non-terrestrial communication networks. He noted that Cobham Satcom’s expertise in providing secure mobile satellite communication services enables customers to benefit from the high-speed and flexible capabilities of Thuraya 4, aiming to enhance their operational capabilities and expand coverage through this partnership.
Christophe Durette, CEO of Cobham Satcom, added that the newly developed devices operating in the L-band provide the secure and flexible communication needed for users in military operations, disaster zones, or at sea. He reaffirmed the importance of enabling users in defense, humanitarian, commercial, and critical infrastructure sectors to successfully complete their missions with reliable communications as the Thuraya 4 satellite is set to go live.
Cobham Satcom’s suite of devices offers high-quality data transmission services in the L-band, achieving speeds over 1 Mbps even in harsh environments or remote areas. This development follows the commercial launch of the next-generation Thuraya 4 satellite by Space 42, scheduled for November 2025. This satellite is among the largest and most advanced geostationary satellites, providing flexible coverage across more than 100 countries in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe.
The Cobham Satcom devices tailored for the Thuraya 4 satellite address the diverse needs of users across government, defense, maritime, and commercial sectors. The offerings come in two models: military-grade compliant devices (MIL-810H) and (MIL-461), and advanced commercial-grade devices meeting (IP-68) standards. The product line includes equipment for both “fixed” and “mobile” communication systems, available in military and commercial versions.
One noteworthy device is the IP NEO satellite data transmission unit, which operates under the “fixed communication” system and is portable due to its compact size. The military model (IP NEO M) ensures high-speed, secure data transfer for critical missions, while the commercial version (IP NEO C) is designed for durability in commercial, humanitarian, and civilian tasks.
The remaining devices operate under the “mobile communication” system. The Orion NEO supports maritime operations and offshore activities, including tasks for naval forces, coast guards, and commercial vessels in remote or hazardous locations. The Voyager NEO is a commercial device designed for vehicles, ensuring constant connectivity for teams on the move. The Commander device is tailored for military communications, designed for vehicles, and built to withstand dust, rain, and harsh conditions, guaranteeing secure communication and real-time situational awareness for military teams while on the go.
Thuraya 4 sets a new standard for L-band broadband communications through advanced management and operational flexibility in extreme conditions, following the specifications of the 3GPP Partnership Program. Users benefit from reliable services even in the event of interference or infrastructure failure, supporting video and real-time data as well as IoT applications that enhance field capabilities. Furthermore, the end-to-end virtual encryption (AES-256) provides the highest levels of communication security while expanding coverage to include sub-Saharan Africa, European coasts, and the Middle East, facilitating missions beyond the capabilities of ground-based networks.