Space Communication Technologies (SCT), the Sultanate of Oman’s national satellite operator and a London Economics client since 2020, has signed an agreement with Airbus Defence and Space for the country’s first communications satellite (OmanSat-1). The satellite will enhance national efforts to boost connectivity, achieve digital sovereignty, and support the development of a space-based ecosystem aligned to the National Space Strategy and Oman’s Vision 2040.
OmanSat-1 will be based on Airbus’ state-of-the-art OneSat product line. The fully digital and in-orbit reconfigurability of the satellite will allow SCT to flexibly meet customer needs for high throughput services for government, enterprise, mobility, and consumer services over Oman, its economics waters, the Middle East, East Africa, and Asia.
Airbus will deliver an end-to-end fully integrated solution, including design and manufacturer of the satellite, delivery of the ground segment and associated software, and provision of launch services. Airbus will also provide intensive programmes to train and qualify Omani personnel across all stages of the project’s delivery, testing, and operation.
SCT will oversee delivery of the programme during its design and manufacturing phases and will serve as the national operator of the project after launch which is expected in 2028.
This agreement marks the successful conclusion of London Economics’ end-to-end procurement advisory role for SCT since 2020. As project prime and commercial lead, LE led a multi-disciplinary team including COMSYS (technical / regulatory) and Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer (legal) to provide due diligence of orbital slot offers, business case and financial analysis for the entire procurement programme, pre-market engagement with industry, specification development, tender support and management, bidder evaluation, and final contract negotiations.
The LE Consultant Team possess a deep and comprehensive understanding of the satellite communications market and product landscape, including the competitiveness of flexible geostationary solutions and their role within the broader telecommunications ecosystem. The team also brings extensive experience in end-to-end contract negotiation for satellite solutions, as well as insight into the key market opportunities and risks across both fixed and mobile verticals in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. This expertise has been further strengthened through participation in this procurement.
Salim Al Alwai, Chief Executive Officer of SCT acknowledges LE’s role in the programme:
“We are extremely proud of our partnership with the London Economics team. Their expertise, commitment, and integrity have been invaluable as we have built the internal business case and engaged with industry. They have always been focused on our best interests since we started this process in 2020 and for that we are grateful.”
Moritz Godel, Partner at London Economics and Project Director said:
“This is a major achievement for SCT and Oman’s space sector that lays the foundation for strategic expansion of commercial opportunities at the global technology frontier. London Economics is proud to have supported the SCT team throughout the process and we are looking forward to continuing our successful partnership.”
Farooq Sabri, Divisional Director of London Economics’ Space Practice and overall client and commercial lead for the project said:
“I am delighted that we have reached this milestone. The SCT team have shown clear vision, determination, and leadership to contract with Airbus. Their OneSat product represents the best solution for Oman’s needs, with the flexibility to relocate bandwidth to manage market risk and an impressive training programme that will anchor Oman’s vision for a space-based ecosystem. We are proud of our partnership with SCT on this project and the expert contribution of our colleagues at COMSYS and HSF Kramer over the last five years.”
Stuart Taylor, COMSYS Technical Consultant and technical lead for the project said:
“It has been a pleasure working with the SCT technical team to define, optimize and specify the OmanSat-1 flexible communications satellite, associated ground segment, launch, and in-country services. The SCT team has demonstrated a wealth of maturity, technical knowledge, and commercial know-how to procure a best-in-class satellite from Airbus Space & Defence.”
Dominic Rowe, Of Counsel at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer and legal lead for the project said:
“A fantastic project to be a part of, and a first-class team to work with – we are extremely proud to have assisted in achieving this historic milestone with SCT”
For details of LE’s contribution to the project and enquiries about similar support, please contact Farooq Sabri, [email protected]
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Notes for editors
About SCT
Space Communications Technologies is a government company owned by ITHCA group, under the umbrella of Oman Investment Authority (OIA). The company has been mandated to proceed with the necessary procedures for the implementation of the Omani satellite project (OmanSat-1), including all technical, operational, and contractual works of this project to meet the Sultanate’s requirements for satellite telecommunications services. The company vision is to become one of the leading Regional Satellite Operators, providing solutions that are robust, integrated and secure.
About London Economics
London Economics (LE) is one of Europe’s leading specialist economics and policy consultancies, with a dedicated team of consultants specialised in the space sector. The Space Practice have been pioneering innovative analytical techniques and advising decision-makers in the space sector, including start-ups, operators, investors, space agencies, and international governments for over 15 years. Drawing on our solid technical capabilities and industry knowledge, we use our expertise to reduce uncertainty and guide decision-makers. Our expertise includes market sizing & demand forecasting, business case development, competitor benchmarking, strategic advice, commercial due diligence, satellite procurement, and complex project management across all areas of space (spectrum; launch; satellite communications; Position, Navigation & Timing; Earth Observation; the in-orbit economy).
www.londoneconomics.co.uk/space
About COMSYS
COMSYS is a global consultancy firm specialising in satellite procurement, technical design services, market assessment, and space advisory services over almost four decades, with a particular focus on modern satellite technologies and an enviable track record of satellite procurement projects. Our client list includes essentially all commercial communication satellite operators. COMSYS has also acted for investors, lenders and export credit agencies that finance and support both nascent and expanding satellite companies.
About Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer is a world-leading global law firm. The Technology, Media, and Telecommunications (TMT) team has a depth of expertise across the space and satellite industry, including advising on frequency and orbital rights, regulatory compliance and export controls, public-private-partnership (PPP) projects, space joint ventures, satellite procurement and launch contracts, and related disputes, insurance, up-link and downlink services for communications, ground segment, supply and built, telemetry, tracking and control, capacity commercialisation, satellite-related disposals and transfers, and space tourism. HSF Kramer’s approach is sector-led, with specialist space industry knowledge blended with the extensive transactional expertise of our multidisciplinary team.