Mohammed Al Barwani Satellites Company signed a strategic agreement with ST Engineering iDirect to develop sovereign MBSAT satellite communications across Oman and the wider region. The signing ceremony took place in the presence of Dr Mohammed Al Barwani, Group Chairman, coinciding with the official visit of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to the United Kingdom.
The partnership establishes the technical foundation for services scheduled to launch commercially in 2027. Under the agreement, ST Engineering iDirect will deliver gateway infrastructure operating on the Ka-band frequency to support regional connectivity initiatives.
Expansion of MBSAT Satellite Communications
The network will use capacity from MBSAT-1, a sovereign MicroGEO geostationary satellite built and delivered by Astranis. Furthermore, this infrastructure will support Oman’s digital framework and national space initiatives by providing high-throughput access to various economic sectors.
“This partnership represents an important milestone in our efforts to build an advanced satellite communications platform in Oman and the region. Through our collaboration with ST Engineering iDirect, we are establishing the technical infrastructure required to launch services efficiently, respond to evolving customer needs and expand into new markets, supporting the sustainable long-term growth of our business.”
Ammar Al Rawahi, General Manager of MBSAT
Consequently, the organization plans to deliver reliable MBSAT satellite communications to government entities, mobile network operators, large enterprises, and critical infrastructure facilities across the Sultanate.
Technical Architecture and Ground Infrastructure
ST Engineering iDirect will supply its Intuition baseband system alongside the Foresight network management platform. Intuition uses a cloud-based architecture designed for dynamic resource allocation, which optimizes capacity utilization across operational channels.
In addition, the vendor will provide open APIs for external system integration, operational provisioning tools, and ongoing lifecycle technical support. The Foresight platform introduces operational automation features, allowing network services to scale rapidly according to real-time market demand.
“We are providing MBSAT with a flexible, software-defined ground platform that integrates with its existing operational environment. This enables more efficient service deployment and operations today, with the flexibility to scale, introduce new capabilities and evolve as requirements change.”
Sridhar Kuppanna, Chief Executive Officer of ST Engineering iDirect
Satellite Capacity and Coverage Reach
MBSAT operates as the dedicated space division of Mohammed Al Barwani Group, offering sovereign connectivity across Oman, the GCC, and parts of Western Asia. The venture represents one of the largest private space investments in the Middle East.
Founded in 1982 as a well-services enterprise, the parent MB Group now maintains commercial operations across oil and gas, engineering solutions, mining, aviation, maritime manufacturing, and real estate development. The group’s entry into the telecom sector introduces substantial GEO satellite capacity to regional business communities.
Operational Targets and Roadmap
The scheduled deployment of MBSAT satellite communications in 2027 will address expanding bandwidth requirements in regional markets. Meanwhile, the deployment of software-defined ground networks ensures compatibility with emerging standards across the economy.
Through these systems, the operator aims to supply secure data transmission channels for maritime, energy, and government operations. As a result, commercial clients will gain access to sovereign network assets managed directly within the region.
