Muscat– Mohammed Al Barwani Satellite Company has signed a strategic agreement with ST Engineering iDirect to develop sovereign satellite communications services in Oman and the region, with the launch of services planned for 2027.
The agreement aims to establish an advanced satellite communications platform to strengthen Oman’s digital infrastructure, enhance its capabilities in the space sector and expand connectivity services for government entities, telecommunications companies, businesses and critical infrastructure operators.
The company plans to deploy ST Engineering iDirect’s Intuition system to operate its satellite network and manage resources. The network will use the communications capacity of MBSAT-1, a sovereign satellite in geostationary orbit built and delivered by AstraZenes.
The project combines advanced space infrastructure with a software-based ground operating system, enabling flexible, scalable connectivity services that can adapt to changing customer requirements and market needs.
Under the agreement, ST Engineering iDirect will provide an integrated ground infrastructure solution, including Ka-band gateway stations, the Intuition platform for core signal processing, the Foresight system for network management, and tools for service delivery and administration. The package will also include open software interfaces for integration with other systems, along with training and technical support throughout the system’s lifecycle.
Ammar bin Salem Al-Rawahi, General Manager of Mohammed Al Barwani Satellite Company, said the agreement marked a significant milestone in the company’s efforts to build an advanced satellite communications platform for Oman and the region.
He said the partnership would provide the technological foundation needed to launch services efficiently, respond to evolving customer requirements and expand into new markets, supporting the company’s long-term sustainable growth.
Al-Rawahi added that the cloud-based Intuition system would enable the dynamic allocation and redistribution of satellite resources according to demand, improving capacity utilisation and facilitating the introduction of new services.
The Foresight system would provide advanced network management and operational automation capabilities, enhancing efficiency and allowing the network to expand as demand grows, he said.
Brian Jakens, Senior Vice President of Global Sales at ST Engineering iDirect, said Mohammed Al Barwani Satellite Company was developing a sovereign communications platform designed to support future growth, innovation and digital transformation in the region.
He said the partnership would provide the software-based infrastructure required to launch services, scale operations efficiently and strengthen capabilities to capitalise on emerging market opportunities.
The agreement comes amid growing regional interest in sovereign telecommunications infrastructure, as network operators and service providers seek to improve network management, expand coverage and adopt advanced technologies.
Software-driven platforms and intelligent management systems are increasingly enabling resilient and scalable communications networks to meet rising connectivity demands across government, business and critical infrastructure sectors.