Sharp and SES Sign Basic Agreement to Build Partnership in Satellite Communication Services

Sharp has reached a basic agreement with SES (Note 1), a leading satellite operator providing space solutions, to build a partnership in the satellite communication services field. The two companies will begin discussions aimed at deploying SES's medium Earth orbit (MEO) satellite communication service "O3b mPOWER" (Note 2) within Japan.

SES provides communication services globally utilizing multiple satellite orbits. Its satellite network is used in a wide range of fields, including media distribution, and high-performance communication services for aviation, maritime, government agencies, and enterprises. The "O3b mPOWER" satellite communication service achieves high capacity, low latency, and secure, stable performance. A key feature is its ability to selectively allocate communication capacity to areas with high demand.

Leveraging its communication technologies cultivated through smartphone development and its expertise in miniaturization and weight reduction, Sharp is developing satellite communication user terminals (Note 3) equipped with flat-panel antennas.

Under this partnership, Sharp will combine SES's satellite network with its own communication technologies and satellite communication user terminals to advance considerations for providing satellite communication services in Japan. The aim is to offer services that include not only equipment sales but also system construction and operation. The companies envision applications such as connecting remote facilities and heavy machinery, and managing the operation of unmanned vehicles, targeting industrial use in areas where stable communication is difficult with terrestrial networks, including cellular communication, such as at sea or in mountainous regions.

Comment from Jean-Philippe Gillet, President, Fixed Vertical, SES S.A.

Japan is a key innovation market with growing demand for high-performance communications that go beyond terrestrial networks. Through our collaboration with Sharp, we aim to achieve scalable communications for key mobility and industrial applications by combining MEO capabilities with advanced terminal technology. Both companies will work to develop services and technologies that support these use cases, contributing to the sustained expansion of the MEO market in Japan. (Translated by our company)

Comment from Shigeru Kobayashi, Executive Officer, Co-COO, and General Manager of Smart Workplace Business Group, Sharp Corporation

This basic agreement with SES is a significant step forward in accelerating our efforts to build next-generation communication environments. Our goal is to "open up new futures for people by applying AI to all aspects of their lives and work." To achieve this, a stable communication environment that can be used anywhere is essential. By integrating SES's high-performance and reliable satellite communication infrastructure with Sharp's cutting-edge satellite communication user terminals and other communication technologies and know-how, we will steadily advance our initiatives to build next-generation communication environments.

Note 1: A company that owns and operates satellites and provides communication services globally. Headquarters: Bettembourg, Luxembourg, CEO: Adel Al-Saleh

Note 2: SES's MEO satellites orbit at an altitude of approximately 8,000 km. Compared to geostationary orbit (GEO) at an altitude of approximately 36,000 km, they offer lower latency, and compared to low Earth orbit (LEO) below 2,000 km, they provide stable coverage over a wide area. They enable communication that is less prone to interruption even in remote or harsh environments.

Note 3: Unlike conventional parabolic antennas, these terminals integrate a flat-panel antenna with a thin and lightweight design, along with modem functions. They offer excellent installation and portability.

● Terminal development is supported by a grant from the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) (JPJ012368G50501).

About Sharp Corporation

For over 110 years, Sharp has developed many world-first and industry-first innovative products and technologies, primarily in electronics. Based on its management philosophy of "Sincerity and Creativity," and with its corporate slogan "Imagine the next," the company aims to create "new culture" through unique products and services that support all aspects of people's lives and work.

* The information contained in this press release is current as of the date of the announcement.

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