Through the acquisition of QBX, which has a portfolio of satellite radio frequency spectrum and intellectual property, GapSat is expected to offer critical spectrum solutions for satellite connectivity
Isle of Man-based satellite solutions firm QBX acquired by GapSat. (Credit: GAPSAT/PR Newswire)
GapSat Development, a geostationary communications satellites provider, has acquired QBX, a satellite solutions and consulting services company based in the Isle of Man.
The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
QBX has a portfolio of satellite radio frequency spectrum and intellectual property. The portfolio is expected to help GapSat offer critical spectrum solutions for satellite connectivity.
The assets acquired by the geostationary satellites provider include a patent for new techniques to enhance in-flight safety and communications for geostationary aero-mobility services.
Furthermore, the assets comprise a suite of three International Telecommunication Union (ITU) geostationary satellite slot filings with strategically placed orbital locations to deliver full global coverage from the resulting geostationary constellation.
The constellation will use the Ka, E/W, and Q/V bands for long-term spectrum future-proofing.
According to GapSat Development, satellite spectrum and associated geostationary orbit slots are a limited resource and are increasingly seen as crucial assets for the telecom and data communications sector.
GapSat Development CEO Gregg Daffner said: “Given the rapid expansion of satellite communications in recent years, especially for HTS and UHTS, scarcity of spectrum has become a critical issue and satellite operators have been steadily moving up the spectrum ladder to higher frequencies.
“We have seen the move from C-band to Ku-band and to Ka-band and more recently, an interest in developing Q and V-bands.
“With the acquisition of QBX providing us with high priority orbital slot filings and patents to develop a global geostationary satellite constellation, GapSat is now ideally placed to meet the growing demands of the communications infrastructure sector.”
GapSat Development said that it is looking for potential partners to develop the assets for data services in the maritime and aero mobility segments. The partners can include existing satellite fleet operators, aero systems integrators, aero instrumentation manufacturers, or financial investors.
Established in 2011, GapSat Development offers complete in-orbit geostationary communications satellites to satellite operators on an interim basis.