Newest SIA Member Plans to Use “Cell Towers in Space” to Provide Global Mobile Connectivity

Washington, D.C., Sept 20, 2019 – The Satellite Industry Association today announced that Lynk, a technology startup company focused on providing global mobile connectivity, has joined SIA as its newest Associate Member.  Lynk (formerly UbiquitiLink) plans to launch a constellation of low earth orbit nanosatellites to provide data connectivity to cellphone users virtually anywhere.

“By using highly innovative satellite technology to provide cellphone users with ubiquitous global data services, Lynk is looking to deliver a unique technology solution to help bridge the digital divide both here in the U.S. and around the world,” said Tom Stroup, President of SIA.  “We look forward to working with Lynk and their leadership and are pleased to welcome the Company as the latest member of SIA.”

Northern Virginia-based Lynk has already successfully conducted two initial “cell tower in space” tests using prototype satellites from the International Space Station. The company plans to launch 24-36 satellites that will orbit the Earth at an altitude of 500 km in 2021.  With several thousand additional satellites planned for launch by 2023, Lynk aims to provide customers with ubiquitous global connectivity using their own mobile cellular handsets and data devices, without requiring any change in software or hardware to the phone when they travel beyond the range of terrestrial cellular coverage.

“Never again should anybody die because they have a phone in their pocket that is not connected. In the near future, everybody with a standard cell phone will be able to stay ‘Lynked’ everywhere,” said Charles Miller, CEO of Lynk. “By building ‘cell towers in space’ that connect directly to standard cell phones, Lynk can provide affordable coverage for the 90% of the planet where it is uneconomical to build terrestrial cell towers. We look forward to working closely with SIA and our industry colleagues to bringing the benefits of our satellite technology to the world.”

Lynk intends to help end the divide between satellites and terrestrial systems. For mobile network operators, Lynk will fill their coverage gaps and give them an opportunity to add new customers and better serve existing ones. For traditional satellite operators, it expects to increase the demand for cellular backhaul and Wi-Fi backhaul in remote locations that are not well served by fiber or microwave.

About Lynk

Lynk’s patented technology allows standard cell phones, without any changes in hardware or software, to be connected virtually anywhere on the globe using low-earth-orbit nanosatellites. The Lynk network will provide connectivity in the most isolated areas, providing a safety net to people in remote locations and instant emergency backup when a natural disaster takes down the existing mobile networks. For more information, visit http://www.lynk.world/ or follow us on Twitter @LynktheWorld

About The Satellite Industry Association

SIA is a U.S.-based trade association providing representation of the leading satellite operators, service providers, manufacturers, launch services providers, and ground equipment suppliers. For more than two decades, SIA has advocated on behalf of the U.S. satellite industry on policy, regulatory, and legislative issues affecting the satellite business. For more information, visit www.sia.org.

SIA Executive Members include: AT&T Services, Inc.; The Boeing Company; EchoStar Corporation; Intelsat S.A.; Iridium Communications Inc.; Kratos Defense & Security Solutions; Kuiper Systems LLC; Ligado Networks; Lockheed Martin Corporation; ; SES Americom, Inc.; Space Exploration Technologies Corp.; Spire Global Inc.; and Viasat, Inc.

SIA Associate Members include: ABS US Corp.;  Airbus Defense and Space, Inc.; Analytical Graphics, Inc.; Artel, LLC; Blue Origin; Eutelsat America Corp.; ExoAnalytic Solutions; Globalstar, Inc.; Glowlink Communications Technology, Inc.; HawkEye 360; Hughes; Inmarsat, Inc.; Kymeta Corporation; Leonardo DRS; Lynk; Omnispace; Panasonic Avionics Corporation; Peraton; Planet; Speedcast Government; SSL; Telesat Canada; and XTAR, LLC.

SIA Affiliate Members include: The Aerospace Corporation; AQYR Technologies; COMSAT; Comtech EF Data; Envistacom, LLC; Integrasys LLC, Kencast; NB+C; Newtec; ; Radeus Labs, Inc.; RUAG Space; Sheppard Mullin; and Wiley Rein LLP