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🌎 What’s Happening on Earth

🪐 What’s Happening in Space

🤖 Enabling AI

🍳 This and That!

💡 Lean About..

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What’s Happening On Earth?

Interim rates for aggregated wholesale high-speed access services over fibre-to-the-premises facilities - The Commission has acted quickly to set rates on an interim basis to provide certainty to the market before new fibre access begins. This order sets the interim rates outside of Ontario and Quebec, and updates certain elements of the November 2023 interim rates for Ontario and Quebec.

My Take: Call me crazy, but I think I’ve seen incumbent rates that are less than the wholesale rates… Read the next article..

TekSavvy Fires Back at CRTC Over Internet Rates: This Isn’t Competition - The company emphasized that the new rates remain “considerably higher” than what major telecom providers are already offering customers at retail. TekSavvy argued that these higher rates hinder competition and prevent independent providers from offering more affordable services to Canadians, who currently face some of the highest internet prices in the world.

My Take: One day, everyone will be happy. Until then, all the TPIA providers will struggle with competing in the market

Telus fibre to serve as platform for quantum computing trials - The telco will provide a 30-kilometre stretch of fibre network in B.C., “configured to test increasingly complex quantum networking that leverage quantum encryption for ultra-secure, tamper-evident transfer of information over long distances,” a press release says.

My Take: Now all someone has to do is explain to people what “Quantum” is ;)

US agency to launch review of undersea cables, national security risks - The senators said ensuring internet traffic security must be a national priority and raised a number of questions including what is the "administration’s overall strategy to guarantee the security of America’s undersea infrastructure and to promote the security of that of our allies and partners?"

My Take: Great applications for satellite-based services. The United States for years expressed concerns about China’s role in handling network traffic and potential for espionage. More than 400 subsea cables form the backbone of the internet, carrying more than 99% of the world’s data traffic.

Tackling the ‘wicked’ rural broadband gap - The trendy term for Canada’s intractable rural connectivity issue is that it’s a “wicked problem”: a seemingly insurmountable obstacle. And while there may be no simple solution, policymakers must resist the temptation to throw up their arms in frustration, or—worse—leave the entire problem to the whims of Elon Musk.

My Take: Look, Elon can help with the truly unconnectable. For everyone else, it takes time and money, and investments in long-term, generational infrastructure, not temporary solutions.

Province calls for detailed internet coverage information - The BC Ministry of Citizens’ Services’ Part 1 application calls on the CRTC to change the way it shares data about broadband internet and mobile wireless connectivity

My Take: It seems they’re mad as hell and they’re not going to take it anymore. They’re looking for more granular data, as they should, to properly inform decisions to move forward. “It also enables the public, local governments, and First Nations to better understand the state of connectivity within their location via the ISED Internet Availability Map”

WISPs want more fiber, getting to it is a challenge - Fiber isn't just useful for mobile backhaul. With the abundance of BEAD and other government funding going around to expand high-speed connectivity (which usually translates to fiber broadband), WISPs want a piece of the pie. According to Wave7 Research principal Jeff Moore, the available state and federal funding is the top reason WISPs are now deploying more fiber, "no other reason was close."

My Take: Funny how wireless is the best thing for communities, until it isn’t/

Broadband builders say next version of ACP should have no sunset - “Anytime you roll out a program, it can’t have a sunset,” Worthen said. “If it has a big runway, people will build networks around it.”

My Take: But would they?

The fiber race gets a billion-dollar boost with Corning-AT&T deal - AT&T has sent a strong message that it's all-in on fiber networks via an expanded, multi-year purchase agreement with Corning to support the acceleration of its fiber network. The deal certainly backs up the Fiber Broadband Association's assertion that the industry has turned a corner — for the better.

My Take: I found a typo in the article. Anyway. That’s a lot of fiber, and under the Build America, Buy America provisions. Will there be anything left for any of the BEAD participants?

What’s Happening In Space?

What’s in Space This Week?

NASA Conditionally Backs SpaceX’s Use of Very Low Earth Orbit Satellites - NASA highlighted risks including potential collision, known as “conjunction events,” as a key concern in its ongoing discussions with SpaceX. The agency expressed caution, noting that SpaceX’s proposal, first submitted in 2017, “conceptually poses risks to visiting vehicle traffic to/from the ISS.” 

My Take: Starlink Blimps coming to the skies near you soon? Maybe piloted by one of the 10 Billion robots Elon wants to build.

Telesat pitches Taiwan on low-Earth-orbit satellite internet - Taiwan is brokering deals for access to satellite internet systems so it can maintain contact with the outside world if war disrupts the 15 undersea telecommunications cables that connect it with other countries. These cables transmit everything from phone calls to videoconferencing to e-mails.

My Take: This is exactly what the LEO constellations are for, and a great opportunity for Telesat.

Why Canada’s telecom sector sees opportunity in satellite internet - As the future of connectivity via satellite continues to take shape, industry watchers say its growth could have significant implications for solving resiliency challenges, improving connectivity in rural and remote communities, and increasing competition in Canada’s telecom sector.

My Take: Yes! Solving resiliency challenges, improving connectivity in rural and remote communities. It’s about cooperation, not replacement. There is a convergence of terrestrial and non-terrestrial underway. Get with the plan.

Pentagon’s commercial satellite internet services program soars to $13 billion - The military’s Proliferated Low Earth Orbit (PLEO) Satellite-Based Services program, launched just last year with a $900 million ceiling, has been expanded to $13 billion by the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) and the Space Systems Command, a spokesperson confirmed. 

My Take: More money for Elon. It’ll help him fund the 10 Billion robots he wants to build. That’s quite the jump in spending.

Petition calls for halt of megaconstellation launches for environmental review -A nonprofit organization has called on the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to pause satellite megaconstellation launches until it can assess the environmental impact of placing thousands of spacecraft in orbit.  

My Take: Ya, I’m sure the FCC will halt everything for the star-huggers. Look! I invented a new word! Star-hugger. Anyway, with the Pentagon upping their investment in satellite Internet to $13B, they will have to focus more on terrestrial causes, like raising money to keep Greta out of jail.

Telesat and Airbus begin collaboration to integrate Telesat Lightspeed services into HBCplus portfolio - Airbus launched its HBCplus satellite connectivity solution as a supplier-furnished line-fit catalogue option and also for retrofit on all Airbus programs. Airbus and Telesat will work together to address user terminal integration for HBCplus installations that are capable of providing Telesat Lightspeed services.

My Take: So Starlink doesn’t control everything…. ;)

The Secret Billion Dollar Space Race That Could Change Everything - As the race intensifies, one critical question looms large: What regulatory hurdles and legal frameworks are these space ventures navigating to claim their stake in the cosmos? The answer lies in the intricate web of international space laws, spectrum allocation regulations, and governmental approvals that form the backbone of these ambitious projects. Securing the necessary licenses and permissions amidst a complex legal terrain presents a formidable challenge for both SpaceX’s Starlink and Amazon’s Kuiper.

My Take: This article screams “AI generated” to me… Anyway, Amazon is spending billions to compete with Starlink. Billions. Y’know, they same amount of robots that Elon wants to build?

Startup Constellation proposes a 5G mmWave solution – from space - This will allow the company to create a new revenue stream for operators struggling to justify expensive mmWave network deployments on the ground, Delfieux said.

My Take: “400MHz in the 26GHz band that's available to 5G operators in locations all over the world. Most regulatory structures intend for that spectrum to be used in terrestrial networks, but regulators are increasingly open to the idea of satellite operations in cellular spectrum.”

The Story Behind the Chipsets Powering D2D Connectivity - Currently, there are two primary types of 5G non-terrestrial network (NTN) chips that industry is turning to for D2D capabilities: the IoT-NTN chip and the NR-NTN chip.

According to a recent news article published by semiconductor manufacturer, Qualcomm, “5G NR-NTN is designed to complement terrestrial networks with non-terrestrial coverage in under-served areas…5G IoT-NTN is designed to expand the addressable market for massive IoT with non-terrestrial coverage.”

My Take: Follow the standards…

On Orbit Transport – Opening a New Space Economy - on orbit transport is not just about avoiding debris. It’s also about getting satellites launched into orbit aboard commercial space launch platforms to their final destination in a more expedient and cost-effective manner.

My Take: I just want lots of webcams in space so I can watch all the cool stuff that no one will ever see.

Enabling AI

Musk predicts 'more robots than people' by 2040 in latest interview. Here's what else he said, from AI to Zed. - Musk’s outlook was slightly improved, stating there was an 80-90% chance AI’s future impact will be “most likely great, and a 10-20% it goes bad.”… “In 25 years, there will be at least 10 billion humanoid robots,” Musk predicted. “The biggest product of any kind ever,” he said, to be produced by Tesla, of course.”

My Take: 10 Billion robots with a 20% chance of it going all wrong.. Wow.. The future looks just like Battlestar Galactica! (see this week’s streaming suggestion). Maybe that’s why Edward Olmos isn’t a fan of Elon’s.

AI Now Writes Over 25% of Code at Google - Google is "using AI internally to improve our coding processes, which is boosting productivity and efficiency," Pichai said. "Today, more than a quarter of all new code at Google is generated by AI, then reviewed and accepted by engineers. This helps our engineers do more and move faster."

My Take: This it how it starts.. until it spirals out of control and Elon’s 10 billion robots take over the world 😉 … Sounds like Google needs 25% fewer engineers.

AI 'can stunt the skills necessary for independent self-creation': Relying on algorithms could reshape your entire identity without you realizing - "If you constantly use an AI to find the music, career or political candidate you like, you might eventually forget how to do this yourself." Ethicist Muriel Leuenberger considers the personal impact of relying on AI.

My Take: It all started with GPS. No one knows where they’re actually going anymore; they just follow a screen that tells them to drive off of a cliff or into an ocean. Look at what ChatGPT has done to people. Can any high school student even write an essay on their own anymore? Elon. Robots. 20% chance of badness.

Learn About

Quantum communications and quantum computing are at the forefront of technological innovation, promising to revolutionize how we process information and secure our data. These fields harness the principles of quantum mechanics to achieve feats that were once thought impossible with classical systems.

Quantum refers to the smallest discrete unit of a physical property, such as energy or matter, that can exist independently. In physics, quantum mechanics is the fundamental theory that describes nature at the smallest scales of energy levels of atoms and subatomic particles

In the context of quantum computing and communications, the term "quantum" is used because these technologies exploit specific quantum mechanical phenomena, such as Superposition, Entanglement and Quantum tunnelling.

These quantum properties allow quantum computers to perform certain calculations exponentially faster than classical computers for specific problems. For instance, quantum computers excel at simulating quantum systems (like complex molecules), which has applications in drug discovery and materials science

Quantum communications, in particular, offers a tantalizing solution to the ever-growing threat of cybersecurity breaches. At its core is a technique called Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), which uses the principles of quantum mechanics to create unbreakable encryption keys. Unlike traditional encryption methods that rely on mathematical complexity, QKD leverages the fundamental laws of physics to ensure security.

One of the most exciting developments in quantum communications is China's ambitious project to create a quantum-secured network spanning from Beijing to Shanghai. This 2,000-kilometer network comprises 32 trusted nodes and represents the world's largest quantum communication network to date. The project demonstrates the potential for quantum communications to secure vast amounts of sensitive data over long distances.

In space, quantum communications are taking a giant leap forward. In November 2024, SpaceX is set to launch the SEAQUE (Space Entanglement and Annealing QUantum Experiment) to the International Space Station. This experiment, led by Dr. Paul Kwiat from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, aims to test quantum communication technology using entanglement while exposed to the harsh space environment. The success of this mission could pave the way for global quantum networks that span not just continents, but potentially the entire solar system.

Quantum computing, on the other hand, promises to solve complex problems that are currently intractable for classical computers. Unlike classical bits that can only be in a state of 0 or 1, quantum bits or qubits can exist in multiple states simultaneously, a phenomenon known as superposition. This property, along with quantum entanglement, allows quantum computers to perform certain calculations exponentially faster than their classical counterparts.

IBM has been at the forefront of quantum computing development. In 2023, they unveiled the IBM Quantum System Two, the world's first modular utility-scale quantum computer system. This system is designed to be a building block for quantum supercomputing and represents a significant step towards practical quantum computing. IBM's ambitious goal is to produce a 100,000 qubit quantum system by 2033, which could potentially solve problems that are currently beyond our reach.

Google is another major player in the quantum computing race. In 2019, they claimed to have achieved "quantum supremacy" with their Sycamore processor, completing a specific task in 200 seconds that would take the fastest classical supercomputer approximately 10,000 years. While this claim was contested by IBM, it nonetheless highlighted the rapid progress being made in the field.

Microsoft is taking a different approach with its focus on topological qubits. These are designed to be more stable and less prone to errors than traditional qubits. Their cloud-based quantum computing platform, Azure Quantum, provides access to quantum hardware from various providers and offers tools like the Quantum Development Kit for developers to build and test quantum algorithms.

In the realm of quantum communications, Boeing is making significant strides. They recently announced the scheduled 2026 launch of a satellite named Q4S, designed to demonstrate quantum entanglement swapping capabilities in orbit. This mission aims to bring us closer to building a secure, global quantum internet that connects quantum sensors and computers. The success of this mission could unlock new potential in Earth and space observation, where current instrument sensitivity and resolution limit progress.

As these technologies continue to evolve, we're likely to see profound impacts across various sectors. From revolutionizing drug discovery and financial modelling to enhancing cybersecurity and optimizing supply chains, quantum technologies hold the promise of transforming our world in ways we're only beginning to imagine.

While significant challenges remain, particularly in maintaining qubit coherence and scaling up systems, the rapid progress being made by companies and research institutions worldwide suggests that the quantum revolution is not just a distant dream but an approaching reality.

Live long and prosper. Nanoo, Nanoo.

This and That!

TikTok teens are choosing colleges based on which campus offers the best video background - According to Teen Vogue, high school TikTok influencers are increasingly choosing schools based on how they’ll present on social media content. “Part of Morgan McGuire’s calculation as she’s deciding where to go to college is what will look good on TikTok,” writes journalist Fortesa Latifi. “She wants to make sure the campus is pretty and that there are fun events like football games to document in bite-size videos.”

My Take: Oh, man. Are we in trouble. Good thing Elon is building 10 Billions robots

Huawei has now fully transitioned from Android! - With its new in-house operating system, users can enjoy enhanced functionality—like managing car and home controls directly from their phone via the Internet of Things.

My Take: But I’ll bet it has the same bugs as Android….

As Schools Ban Phones, More Kids Are Using Smartwatches - And the product category is booming. A decade ago, only a few tech companies made smartwatches for kids. Today, the market is bloated with players, new and veteran, vying for kids’ and parents’ loyalty—and advertising smartwatches to children as young as 5.

My Take: It’s the parents, not the kids, enabling them to work the system. Where there’s a will, there’s a way!

Infographic Of The Week

My Take: Huge innovation ecosystem in the Toronto area, although I think there has been some “leakage” to the West, specifically Calgary.

Podcast Recommendation

What a Trump or Harris Election Win Means for the Space and Satellite Industry

WThis week’s On Orbit podcast is a topical look at space policy in the U.S. election. Host Rachel Jewett is joined by fellow Via editor Jeff Hill for a conversation with Svetla Ben-Itzhak, assistant professor of Space and International Relations and Deputy Director with the West Space Scholars Program at Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies.

Ben-Itzhak recently wrote a piece for The Conversation about the implications of Musk’s endorsement of Donald Trump for U.S. space exploration and defense. This is an increasingly pertinent issue as reports from national news outlets like the Associated Press show that Elon Musk donated $75 million to his own political action committee America PAC that is working to elect Trump. Musk has also been floated to lead a government efficiency commission in a Trump White House.

Ben-Itzhak gives her main takeaways of space policy during President Biden’s presidency and what space policy could look like in a Kamala Harris administration or a second Trump term. The podcast also digs into the idea of Musk working or advising in a second Trump administration and the conflict of interest issues that would bring up.

Read Ben-Itzhak's piece in The Conversation: theconversation.com/spacexs-elon-mu…e-policy-235747

Listen Here!

Movie/Streaming Recommendation

Battlestar Galactica (2004-2009)

IMDb: 8.7/10

JMDb: 9.5/10 (It’s frakkin’ great!)

Battlestar Galactica (2004-2009) is a groundbreaking science fiction series that transcends its genre to deliver a profound and thought-provoking exploration of the human condition. This reimagining of the 1978 series takes viewers on an epic journey through space, following the last remnants of humanity as they flee from their cybernetic creations, the Cylons, in search of a new home

At its core, Battlestar Galactica is a story of survival, morality, and the cyclical nature of history. The show's premise is both simple and compelling: after a devastating attack by the Cylons, approximately 50,000 human survivors, protected by the titular warship Galactica, embark on a perilous journey to find the mythical planet Earth

This setup provides a rich canvas for the writers to explore complex themes such as leadership, faith, identity, and the blurred lines between man and machine.The series excels in its character development, presenting a diverse cast of flawed and multifaceted individuals. Commander William Adama (Edward James Olmos) and President Laura Roslin (Mary McDonnell) form the heart of the show, their evolving relationship and leadership struggles serving as a compelling throughline. Supporting characters like the morally ambiguous Dr. Gaius Baltar, the fierce Kara "Starbuck" Thrace, and the conflicted Cylon models add depth and nuance to the narrative

Visually, Battlestar Galactica is a triumph. The show's gritty, documentary-style cinematography lends a sense of immediacy and realism to the space-bound setting. Space battles are rendered with stunning clarity, while the lived-in feel of the ships and costumes grounds the futuristic elements in a tangible reality

What sets Battlestar Galactica apart from other science fiction series is its unflinching examination of contemporary issues. The show tackles topics such as military ethics, political maneuvering, religious extremism, and the nature of humanity with a depth and complexity rarely seen in television. By setting these discussions in a distant galaxy, the writers create a safe space for viewers to engage with challenging ideas

Battlestar Galactica is more than just a science fiction show; it's a masterclass in storytelling that uses its fantastical setting to hold a mirror up to our own society. Its influence can be seen in the wave of complex, morally ambiguous dramas that followed in its wake.

For anyone who appreciates thoughtful, challenging television, Battlestar Galactica is essential viewing

Until Next Time

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