LONDON : Mohammed Al Barwani’s satellite company has signed an agreement with ST Engineering iDirect to develop sovereign satellite communications services in Oman and the wider region, with services scheduled to launch in 2027.

The company will use iDirect’s Intuition platform to operate its satellite network and manage capacity, targeting government agencies, telecommunications operators, businesses and critical infrastructure sectors.

The network will draw on capacity from MB SAT-1, a sovereign satellite in the small geostationary class built and delivered by Astranis.

The project combines space infrastructure with a software-based ground system designed to provide flexible, scalable connectivity and respond to changing customer requirements.

Under the agreement, ST Engineering iDirect will supply an integrated ground system comprising Ka-band gateway infrastructure, Intuition baseband processing technology, the Foresight network management platform, and tools for service provisioning and management.

The package also includes open software interfaces for integration with other systems, training and technical support throughout the system’s operating life. Financial terms were not disclosed in the announcement.

Ammar bin Salim Al Rawahi, the satellite company’s general manager, said the agreement marked a significant step towards building a satellite communications platform serving Oman and regional markets.

The technology would help the company launch services efficiently, respond to changing customer needs and expand into new markets, he said.

Intuition’s cloud-based architecture allows satellite resources to be allocated and redistributed dynamically according to demand, improving capacity use and making it easier to introduce services, Al Rawahi said.

Foresight would provide network management and operational automation capabilities, allowing the network to expand as demand grows, he added.

Bryan Jackins, senior vice president of global sales at ST Engineering iDirect, said the Omani company was developing a sovereign communications platform intended to support future growth, innovation and digital transformation in the region.

He said iDirect’s software-based infrastructure would support the launch and expansion of services while allowing the operator to develop its capabilities as market opportunities emerged.

The agreement comes amid growing regional interest in sovereign communications infrastructure, as network operators and service providers seek greater control over service delivery and the ability to expand their networks.

The project is intended to strengthen Oman’s digital infrastructure and space-sector capabilities while meeting connectivity needs across government, business and other essential sectors.

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