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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?

BCE: We Don’t Like the Ziply Fiber Acquisition - Additionally, we think the deal comes at a costly time for BCE, which has targeted balance sheet reduction after its MLSE sale, and as dividend growth—a key pillar of its capital allocation strategy—will take a back seat through 2025.

My Take: As long as I get my dividend.. Maybe I should increase my position in non-terrestrial stocks like MDA Space Ltd. (MDA.TO) ;)

Where the data centres go, the subsea cables follow. Iceland is emerging as a data centre hub for computation and disaster recovery - Total design subsea capacity is 182 Tbps for an island with 400,000 inhabitants up from 300,000 in 2010. Probably the highest per capita transmission rate in the world. The government has deployed an island wide fibre optic ring for redundancy and spaced the cable landings for physical diversity.

My Take: I guess cooling isn’t an issue, and there’s an abundance of geothermal power. Check out the LI post for a graphic of the subsea network. That’s a lot of transport per capita! Volcanoes be dammed.

Claire Anderson to Canada’s Rural and Remote Broadband Community conference - Today, I want to share the progress we have made in the past year, as well as the work that is still to come. The CRTC recognizes that the digital divide still exists, but we are committed to a future where rural, remote and Indigenous peoples have all the tools they need to fully participate in today’s digital economy.

My Take: I had the opportunity to speak with Claire, and others from the CRTC, about some infrastructure development projects. They are sincere in their desire to help.

Don’t fear the Yanks: Five reasons Canadians should not worry about a U.S. telco firm entering our market - “When we think of foreign ownership, we think of United States ownership,” Menzies said in a podcast conversation with The Hub this month. “Canada has this long history—particularly…in the corridors of power—of being afraid of the United States.”

My Take: “Do ordinary Canadians even care who owns their communications service providers? “.. NO.. Didn’t Rogers just “lease” its backhaul assets to Stonebridge? Anyone heard of F3 Networks or Redwood Infrastructure?

Order Referring Telecom Decision CRTC 2023-358 Back to the CRTC - Therefore, Her Excellency the Governor General in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister of Industry, under subsection 12(1) of the Telecommunications Act, refers Telecom Decision CRTC 2023-358 back to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission to reconsider, no later than 90 days after the day on which this Order is made, whether Bell Canada, Rogers Communications Canada Inc. and TELUS Communications Inc. and their affiliates should be prohibited from using aggregated FTTP services in Ontario and Quebec further to tariffs approved by the Commission.

My Take: A lot of words to say that Cabinet wants the CRTC to reconsider the decision around the ability for the incumbents to resell on FTTP. Something about competition ;)

Trade Group: Users Reject FCC Speed Test App over Privacy - User hesitation to share personal information in a speed test app is hindering participation in the Federal Communications Commission's efforts to improve national broadband data. 

My Take: See the letter to the FCC. If the device is on the network and GPS data from the device is available, why do they need PII to validate the test?

Altice USA Wants FCC to Address Utility Delays in Pole Attachments - The Federal Communications Commission needs to crack down on pole owners who are creating obstacles and delays to broadband deployment, according to a major cable broadband provider. 

My Take: Problems without borders. There are agreements to be had and processes to be put in place. Yet another BEAD hindrance because some utility wants new poles at someone else’s expense ;)

Nokia and Elisa become first in Europe to trial 100G PON over live fiber broadband network - Leveraging Nokia’s fiber solution, Elisa will be the first service provider in Europe to demonstrate 25G, 50G, and 100G PON services, highlighting the superior broadband speeds it can deliver across its existing fiber network.

My Take: Speed will increase. Data shows consumption is slowing. Will we need 100G PON?

Rosenworcel: Shooting Tragedy Shows Need for Rural Broadband - The April 2023 shooting death of the 20-year-old Gillis, a passenger whose vehicle entered into the wrong driveway in a rural area of upstate New York with three others, has become a painful example of how the lack of cell coverage led to someone's death. 

My Take: Cell coverage and rural broadband are perhaps mutually exclusive to a point. Another great example of where the D2C satellite market will help fill the gaps.

FCC Defends Bus Wi-Fi Before 5th Circuit - A Federal Communications Commission attorney defended the agency's 2023 decision to fund Wi-Fi on school buses before a federal appeals court Monday, arguing the FCC’s actions were supported by federal law established decades ago.

My Take: Do we need WiFi on school buses when educators are trying to remove devices from classrooms?

A New Complaint About BEAD Maps - NRECA points out that the fatal flaw in the new maps is that ISPs self-report broadband speeds and are free to report marketing speeds instead of something closer to what is actually delivered to customers

My Take: No country is immune from lousy maps, suspect speed test methodologies and funded areas impacted by speed test outliers.

The impact of UK Connectivity Changes on Your Digital Services - The UK’s telecommunications are undergoing multiple transformations as landlines go digital, 3G networks are phased out, and 4G/5G coverage expands. In this blog, Richard Parkinson and Emma Philpott explore how these changes reshape digital services and highlight the crucial role of reliable connectivity.

My Take: I don’t think they’re alone. Digital transformation affects every provider.

The Two Telco Infrastructure Paradigms We’ll Have to Choose Between - Most telcos and even telco vendors agree that there’s a need, an urgent need, for telcos to transform their infrastructure. The “legacy” way of building networks was built on paradigms that have long been challenged, but in order to displace it, telcos and vendors have to embrace some different model, and recognize different (and new) paradigms.

My Take: I always enjoy Tom’s insights, although I often have to read the articles a few times to assimilate the proper context.

What’s Happening In Space?

What’s in Space This Week?

China’s New Heavy Lift Rocket Looks a Whole Lot Like SpaceX’s Starship - Based on its latest specifications, the Long March 9 rocket will have a fully reusable first stage powered by 30 YF-215 engines, which are full-flow staged combustion engines fueled by methane and liquid oxygen, each with a thrust of approximately 200 tons. By way of comparison, Starship's first stage is powered by 33 Raptor engines, also fueled with methane and liquid oxygen, each with a thrust of about 280 tons.

My Take: I bought one on TEMU for $5.99. Free shipping. It should be here by December 12th. Hope it doesn’t get caught at the border for duty and taxes.

Viasat seeking Telesat LEO capacity as Starlink competition mounts - Geostationary operator Viasat is in advanced talks to buy broadband capacity from Telesat’s future low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites as competition from Starlink is set to intensify in the incoming Trump Administration.

My Take: What happens is one day Elon just decides to flip the switch? The other major constellation operators will need to work together more closely to possibly combat the beast. Is the new USA the United SpaceX of America?

Apple Invests $1.5B in Globalstar to Fund a New Constellation - This new investment will support the development and launch of a new mobile satellite services (MSS) constellation as well as the expansion of ground infrastructure, which will be owned and operated by Globalstar. The satellite operator has agreed to allocate 85% of its network capacity for Apple services. 

My Take: 85% of its capacity for Apple.. It’s good to be iKing.

Kymeta Debuts Goshawk u8 GEO/LEO Hybrid Terminal - Goshawk u8 is a hybrid terminal that supports Geostationary (GEO), Low-Earth Orbit (LEO), and cellular connectivity. It is the second multi-orbit, multi-network, modem-agnostic terminal in Kymeta’s product suite after the Osprey u8 HGL military terminal announced in 2023. Kymeta partners with OneWeb for LEO connectivity. 

My Take: Kymeta has cool technology in their ESA. Metamaterials, and all that. Anyway, muti-orbit, cellular, modem-agnostic.. It seems a little software-defined, which is good. Terminals are important, especially when you’re looking at resiliency.

Architecture Firm Looks to Satellite Data for More Resilient Urban Planning - Paulinyi believes HeatScape Resolve can have an impact by comparing the current satellite imagery with simulation results of the current condition. The company will use it to create more precise simulations for the planned condition of the urban development.

My Take: Climate-resistant designs. “Space data in a more general sense can link the physical urban environment more precisely to digital models and enable verifiable real-time data sharing on buildings, allowing for better energy management, construction monitoring, and sustainable design practices”

IRIS² - the European Commission awards the concession contract to SpaceRISE consortium - Following the completion of the evaluation of the optimised best-and-final offer (OBAFO) received on 3 September, the Commission awarded today to the SpaceRISE consortium the concession contract to develop, deploy and operate the Union’s secure connectivity satellite system: IRIS² (Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite). The procurement is now entering its final phase towards the signature of the concession agreement scheduled by December 2024, upon which the legal and financial commitment from both parties will be taken.

My Take: See “Learn About” for more information on IRIS² .  Is space already overbuilding itself? How many constellations will we need?

Satellite survives impact with object in space, takes selfie to prove it (photos) - Lithuania-based satellite manufacturer NanoAvionics discovered the 0.24-inch-wide (6-millimeter) hole in footage captured by an on-board camera of its MP42 satellite, which has been orbiting the planet since April 2022. The satellite captured the image on Oct 24, and NanoAvionics released it on X on Wednesday, Oct 30.

My Take: WebCams in space.. That’s the next big thing ;)

'What's Starlink?' Trump talks Elon Musk, Starship and SpaceX in election night victory speech (video) -"And I called Elon. I said, 'Elon, was that you?' He said, 'Yes, it was.' I said, 'Who else can do that? Can Russia do it? 'No.' Can China do it?' 'No," Trump said in the speech, recalling watching Starship's most recent test in which the massive rocket was caught by the "chopstick" arms on SpaceX's launch tower. "'Can the United States do it, other than, you?' 'No, nobody can do that.' I said, 'That's why I love you, Elon, that's great.'"

My Take: It’s great. It’s so great. Nothing is more great. It’s the greatest great thing that makes things great.

OPTAC-X + Mayo Clinic LTE-global SATCOM telehealth tech enables physician guidance in EMS environments - The technology, which operates on LTE and accesses both LEO and GEO satellite systems, can enable physicians to connect to pre-hospital patients within the ambulance, outside the ambulance or anywhere at any time regardless of local wi-fi availability.

My Take: Interesting application where LTE just isn’t enough and SD-WAN solutions maybe don’t make sense. Actually, I guess a multi-orbit+LTE solution negates the need for a traditional SD-WAN type of solution.

“Using OPTAC-X’s technology, emergency physicians can see and hear in real time what EMS personnel see and hear, including vital signs, as they treat patients before they arrive at the hospital. OPTAC-X has licensed its LTE-global SATCOM architecture and hands-free headsets to Mayo Clinic to enable its remote patient monitoring.”

Enabling AI

AI tops the list of 2025 tech trends in IEEE survey - Respondents in the IEEE survey on tech trends, which was conducted in September of this year among more than 350 CIOs, CTOs, IT directors, and other technology leaders in Brazil, China, India, the U.K. and U.S., were asked to choose the top three technologies that they expected to be the most important in 2025.

My Take: Robots.. everyone wants robots. Cat-litter robot. That’s what I’m waiting for.

This Robotics AI ‘Brain’ Startup Just Raised $400 Million From Jeff Bezos, OpenAI, and Others - The artificial intelligence start-up Physical Intelligence, which aims to build general-purpose AI models and algorithms for real-world robots, is set to announce a new $400 million funding round today with backing from Jeff Bezos and other big-name investors.

My Take: AI Brains.. they will help robots fold laundry and clean cat litter… And change the locks in your house, and order things from Amazon. And cat litter.

Trump 2.0 will have a massive impact on Big Tech, AI, chips and more—in Silicon Valley and beyond - But Trump has expressed views on a variety of important tech topics, and it is also reasonable to take into account the views and motivations of key advisors including Elon Musk, who has emerged in the last few months of the presidential campaign as one of Trump’s most important and trusted allies. So here is a quick rundown of what Trump 2.0 probably means for issues such as AI, antitrust, and semiconductors.

My Take: Does it mean massive innovation without guardrails? All of our huge nightmares will come true.

Learn About - IRIS²

IRIS² (Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite) is the European Union's ambitious new satellite constellation project aimed at ensuring secure and autonomous communications for the bloc. This multi-orbital satellite network, set to be the EU's third major space constellation after Galileo and Copernicus, represents a significant step towards enhancing Europe's strategic autonomy and digital sovereignty.

The IRIS² constellation is designed to comprise over 290 satellites operating in multiple orbits, including Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and Medium Earth Orbit (MEO). This multi-orbital approach is intended to provide comprehensive coverage and low-latency connectivity across the European Union and beyond. The system aims to offer secure governmental services by 2030, with plans to enable commercial services at a later stage.

A key objective of IRIS² is to provide highly secure and reliable communication support for governments responsible for protecting critical infrastructures, conducting surveillance, undertaking external actions, and managing crises. The constellation is expected to play a crucial role in eliminating communication "dead zones" across Europe, Africa, and the Arctic regions, offering high-speed broadband and continuous connectivity.

The European Commission has recently selected the SpaceRISE consortium to design, deliver, and operate the IRIS² system. This consortium brings together major European satellite operators and aerospace companies, including Eutelsat, Hispasat, and SES, along with core subcontractors such as Thales Alenia Space, Airbus Defence and Space, and Telespazio. The selection of SpaceRISE marks a significant milestone in the project's development, with the final contract signature expected by December 2024.

IRIS² is being developed as a public-private partnership, with funding coming from both EU institutions and private investments. The European Union has allocated €2.4 billion from its 2021-2027 budget for the project, with additional funding expected in the following years. The European Space Agency has also committed €600 million to the initiative. However, recent reports suggest that the total cost of the constellation could reach up to €10 billion, significantly higher than initial estimates.

The constellation is designed to address a wide range of applications beyond governmental use. It aims to provide broadband connectivity for private companies and European citizens, support smart connected networks in sectors such as energy and healthcare, and enable the management of various infrastructures, including air, rail, and road traffic. IRIS² is also expected to improve connectivity in areas of strategic interest for foreign security and defence policy, including Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Arctic.

One of the unique aspects of IRIS² is its focus on integrating innovative technologies from both established space industry players and emerging "New Space" companies. The project aims to foster a dynamic commercial space sector and boost European competitiveness in satellite communications. The European Commission has set requirements for subcontracting to smaller businesses, with at least 30% of IRIS² contracts over €10 million to be allocated to SMEs, promoting a more robust and diverse space economy across the region.

The development of IRIS² faces several challenges, including potential delays and budget concerns. The European Commission has recently postponed the release of a new EU space law and finalizing the IRIS² contract, citing the need for further evaluation and the upcoming European Parliament elections. There are also ongoing discussions about the project's cost-effectiveness and its ability to deliver additional benefits compared to existing commercial satellite constellations.

Despite these challenges, IRIS² represents a significant endeavour for the European Union to establish its own secure and sovereign satellite communication system. The project is seen as crucial for enhancing Europe's digital resilience, security, and technological independence in an increasingly interconnected world.

This and That!

Amazon’s Bid for Nuclear Energy Rejected by Regulators - Federal regulators have denied an effort by an Amazon data center to tap nuclear energy from a nearby power plant amid a push by more companies to use nuclear energy to address the high energy demands of artificial intelligence.

My Take: Wireless nuclear energy. That’s what we need..

Amazon gets FAA approval for new delivery drone as it begins tests in Arizona - The company unveiled the new drone, called the MK30, in November 2022. It said then that the MK30, in addition to the other changes, would fly through light rain and have twice the range of earlier models.

My Take: I wonder if the drones can throw packages at the front door? I’d miss that.

Will we ever have quantum laptops? - So, as we sit on the threshold of genuinely useful quantum computing, could we ever see quantum laptops? "I think it's possible," Mario Gely, a quantum computing researcher at the University of Oxford, told Live Science. "It's highly speculative, but I can't think of a fundamental reason why a quantum laptop would not be possible."

My Take: Quantum laptops with a quantum price tag

Trudeau government bans TikTok from operating in Canada — but Canadians can still use it - "I'm not at liberty to go into much detail, but I know Canadians would understand when you're saying the government of Canada is taking measures to protect national security, that's serious."

My Take: They’re mad as hell, and they’re not going to take it anymore. Apparently, they can get my user data. My user data. They would end up in therapy. They can have it. I hope they like roadkill, golden retrievers and black cats. This solves nothing, under the guise of national security,

Australia plans a social media ban for children under 16 - The Australian government announced on Thursday what it described as world-leading legislation that would institute an age limit of 16 years for children to start using social media, and hold platforms responsible for ensuring compliance.

My Take: Again, remove the responsibility from the parents. Imagine how well it would work f the parents were actually charged for their children’s actions? What a concept. And yes, of course, this type of legislation will drive social media underground, which will ultimately be even more dangerous.

Infographic Of The Week

My Take: Ozempic. Big surprise there for sure 🙄 .. Quick bandaid, but not a fix for those trying to lose weight. As for the others, I always love the side effects they discuss in the commercial. “May cause cancer, loss of vision, seizures, anal bleeding, or death.. Let your doctor know if you’re allergic to the ingredients in {insert drug name}” How are you supposed to know that?

Podcast Recommendation

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

This 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.

Listen Here!

Movie/Streaming Recommendation

The Green Mile (1999)

IMDb: 7.5/10

JMDb: 7/10 (t was good, until it as absurd..)

The Substance: A Visceral Exploration of Beauty, Aging, and Identity

Coralie Fargeat's "The Substance" is a provocative and unsettling journey into the depths of society's obsession with youth and beauty. This body horror film, starring Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley, serves as a stark commentary on the entertainment industry's ruthless treatment of aging women and the lengths people will go to maintain their relevance and desirability.

At its core, "The Substance" is a cautionary tale about the dangers of internalizing societal pressures to constantly improve or reinvent oneself. It's not glorifying the pursuit of youth, but rather holding up a mirror to our culture's toxic fixation on physical perfection.

Demi Moore delivers a career-defining performance as Elisabeth Sparkle, an aging actress desperate to reclaim her fading stardom. Her portrayal is raw and vulnerable, particularly in a heartbreaking scene where she prepares for a date, revealing the deep-seated insecurities that plague even the most beautiful among us[10]. Margaret Qualley complements Moore's performance as Sue, Elisabeth's younger alter ego, embodying the allure and vapidity of youth-obsessed culture.

Fargeat's direction is bold and uncompromising, using grotesque body horror elements to literalize the violence we inflict upon ourselves in the name of beauty. The film's visual style, with its neon-drenched palette and disorienting camera work, creates a surreal, nightmarish atmosphere that mirrors Elisabeth's psychological descent.

However, "The Substance" is not without its flaws. The film's final act takes a sharp turn into absurdist territory, potentially undermining its more nuanced commentary. Some critics argue that the excessive gore and shock value detract from the film's message, veering dangerously close to exploitation.

Despite these criticisms, "The Substance" remains a thought-provoking and timely film. It forces us to confront uncomfortable truths about aging, self-worth, and the commodification of women's bodies in the entertainment industry. The movie's themes resonate beyond Hollywood, touching on broader issues like the rise of cosmetic procedures and weight loss drugs in our society.

This film is not for the faint of heart but for those willing to endure its visceral imagery. It offers a unique and unforgettable cinematic experience that lingers long after the credits roll.

Until Next Time

Comments here are my own and do not represent the opinions, views or thoughts of any person, company or organization that I may be associated with.

Feedback, comments and ideas are welcomed. Message me on LinkedIn or contact me at [email protected]