14 Acquisition International - Research & Development Awards 2022 Jul22432 Most Innovative Satellite Research & Development Company - Malaysia Angkasa-X is a technological social inclusion company striving to provide internet connectivity as a necessity for the betterment of mankind. It consists of a group of companies investing in R&D, IP creation, components sourcing, assembly, integration and testing, and launching and maintaining state-of-the-art Low Earth Orbit (“LEO”) satellites. ngkasa-X was founded from inspiration amidst the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the sudden rise of internet use in households due to lockdowns. This huge demand for internet connectivity, especially for people living in rural areas, came to the attention of the team behind Angkasa-X. With the current available technology, it is still unlikely that internet connectivity can be rolled out to rural areas affordably and stably in the near future. This is because of the many challenges to face, such as establishing the network infrastructure (fibre network cable) at geographically challenging solutions, and high cost of laying cables and manpower, among others. Therefore, Angkasa-X believes that satellite internet and communication via LEO satellites is the correct path, as it is the quickest, most innovative problem-solving solution to current market demands. Moreover, this is a niche industry which will spur up economic growth, especially in the Electronic and Electrical (“E&E”) community. By offering an innovative Satellite as a Service (“SaaS”) to countries in ASEAN, Angkasa-X’s mission is to provide internet connectivity to rural areas in Southeast Asia where traditional terrestrial fibre network is limited, and therefore improve the standard of living and eradicating poverty for people living in the rural areas. Angkasa-X is an official member of the ITU and is one of the few companies in Malaysia that has obtained an ITU-R membership with the International Communication Union (“ITU”), a specialised agency of the United Nations responsible for many matters related to information and communication technologies. Unlike other companies, Angkasa-X creates its own intellectual property and develops satellites locally. In doing so, local communities in the related field of industry, particularly E&E community, will see doors of opportunity open in this business sector. Through the sourcing, assembling, integrating, and testing of the satellites, the A timeline of Angkasa-X is said to indirectly contribute to the growth of industries and the economy, including the education sector. Angkasa-X also plans to raise funds from the global capital market to invest and operate its A-SEANLINK LEO Satellite Constellation and aspires to be the number one go-to company for LEO satellite-based Internet services in ASEAN. Group Executive Director and COO of Angkasa-X , Dr William Lim tells us, “To our knowledge, as of today, there are only a handful of companies that are engaged in the business of LEO satellites in the satellite industry. “In the Southeast Asia region, we believe Angkasa-X is the first emerging company to lead in this industry. As our business coverage is the Southeast Asia and ASEAN region, we foresee that it is unlikely there are any potential competitors in ASEAN region. “And if there are any potential competitors, we believe Angkasa-X will still stand out because local industry development, economic growth, and talent/skill development are part of Angkasa-X’s to-do list which we believe are added values contributing to the company’s journey in the space tech economy.” Angkasa-X has been focused on several major events lately, with the most recent being on 19th May 2022, whereby it had its groundbreaking ceremony at the Engineering Campus of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) officiated by Penang State Governor, Tuan Yang Terutama Tun Dato’ Seri Utama Ahmad Fuzi bin Hj Abdul Razak and attended by the Penang Chief Minister, Chow Kon Yeow. Shortly thereafter, Angkasa-X announced the construction of its Earth Station Farm and leading-edge Space Technology Centre in Malaysia, which have commenced and are expected to be completed by the end of this year. Believed to be the first in Malaysia, the Earth Station Farm and Space Technology Centre is the epitome in establishing the space tech ecosystem for the country.
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