On 24th June 2016, SES inked an agreement with the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), marking its inaugural cooperation with EDB’s Office for Space Technology and Industry (OSTIn) to explore greater development and innovation in satellite technologies, hardware and software tools for satellite networks of the future.

SES and EDB will work with Singapore research institutes and industry partners in the design, prototyping and production of technologies for mobility applications in the aeronautical, automotive and maritime sectors.

Other potential areas of collaboration with EDB include the development of software to manage next generation satellite networks, as well as producing innovative, compact components for Internet of Things (IoT) applications, which will continue to advance Singapore in realising its vision of a Smart Nation.

The partnership will also pave the way for collaboration between Singapore and Luxembourg universities and research institutions to develop state-of-the-art satellite and radio communications technologies.

Beh Kian Teik, Executive Director at EDB’s OSTIn, said, “We are pleased to be working with SES to explore innovation opportunities in space technology and communications. SES is a leading operator in the satellite communications market and will further boost the maturity of R&D in Singapore’s space sector. This partnership also validates the growing capabilities of our space industry and the growing strength of our research institutions.”

“Singapore has been home to SES in Asia for the past 15 years and is an important centre for our business. The country has rapidly risen into a world-class R&D and innovation hub, and in partnering with EDB and collaborating with local industry and research partners, we are excited to play a role in further developing the emerging local space and satellite sector and realising Singapore’s space aspirations,” said Deepak Mathur, Senior Vice President Commercial, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East at SES.