Company News in Brief
Amazon to launch first Kuiper satellites in challenge to StarlinkAmazon.com plans to launch the first 27 satellites for its Project Kuiper internet network next week, pinning down a long-awaited start to the company’s plan to deploy a massive constellation that will rival Elon Musk’s Starlink system. In a statement, Amazon said it will launch the “Kuiper Atlas 1” mission on 9 April from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. An Atlas 5 rocket from the Boeing and Lockheed Martin joint venture, United Launch Alliance, will send the satellites to space, as part of a giant multi-launch deal Amazon signed in 2022.
The mission will kick off Amazon’s full-scale deployment of Kuiper, a mesh-like network designed to top 3 000 satellites in low-Earth orbit that will provide high-speed internet globally and rival SpaceX’s Starlink. “We’ve done extensive testing on the ground to prepare for this first mission, but there are some things you can only learn in flight, and this will be the first time we’ve flown our final satellite design and the first time we’ve deployed so many satellites at once,” Rajeev Badyal, Amazon’s Kuiper vice president, said in a statement.
“No matter how the mission unfolds, this is just the start of our journey, and we have all the pieces in place to learn and adapt as we prepare to launch again and again over the coming years,” he added. Amazon announced Project Kuiper in 2019, with plans to invest US$10-billion into the network’s development, after hiring a team of engineers who had been leading Musk’s Starlink before he fired them the prior year. -TechCentral
MTN’s Ralph Mupita named as deputy chair of the GSMA
MTN Group CEO Ralph Mupita has been appointed to the board of one of the most important global bodies in telecommunications, the GSMA, and will serve as the organisation’s deputy chairman. MTN announced on Thursday that Mupita, who is also group president of MTN, will serve as deputy chair of the GSMA until the end of 2026.
He will support chairman Gopal Vittal, who was elected to the position last month after serving as deputy chair since 2023. “This appointment is a great honour as it comes at a time of rapid developments in technology and increasing digital adoption across Africa,” Mupita said in a statement. The GSMA is a global industry body representing mobile sector role players, including telecoms operators and organisations in adjacent industries. Mupita will oversee the completion of the transition to 5G Standalone, driving new revenue models for the sector, and harnessing artificial intelligence and the GSMA’s “Open Gateway APIs” to drive the sector’s growth. - TechCentral
Meta can be sued in Kenya over posts related to Ethiopia violence, court rules
A Kenyan court has ruled that Facebook's parent company Meta can be sued in the East African country over its alleged role in promoting content that led to ethnic violence in neighbouring Ethiopia, a plaintiff in the case said. The landmark case, which stems from alleged hate speech on the platform during the 2020-2022 civil war in northern Ethiopia's Tigray region, could have implications for how Meta works with content moderators globally. The company has argued that local courts do not have the power to hear cases against it where it is not registered as a company. Kenya's High Court rejected that argument in its ruling on Thursday, said the Katiba Institute, which is a plaintiff in the case alongside two Ethiopian researchers.
"The court here has refused to shy away from determining an important global matter, recognising that homegrown issues must be addressed directly in our courts," said Nora Mbagathi, the institute's executive director. A Meta spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The plaintiffs allege that Facebook's recommendation systems amplified violent posts in Ethiopia during the Tigray war. -Reuters
BP chair Lund to exit 'likely' in 2026 amid Elliott campaign
BP Chair Helge Lund intends to step down "likely during 2026", the energy group said on Friday amid a campaign by activist hedge fund Elliott for more change at the company.
Lund had backed BP's 2020 strategy under former CEO Bernard Looney to move away from oil and gas, including an ambition to cut its hydrocarbon output by 40% this decade.
The Reuters Power Up newsletter provides everything you need to know about the global energy industry. BP's shares have been under-performing rivals such as Shell and Exxon, with BP's market capitalisation of around $84 billion currently less than half of Shell's. -Reuters
Airlink achieves IATA environmental assessment certification
Airlink’s world-class environmental stewardship and sustainability practices have been recognised by the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Environmental Assessment (IEnvA) Organisation. Airlink’s IEnvA certification confirms its compliance with global standards for environmental practices and also with the Buckingham Palace Declaration for combatting illegal wildlife trade. Airlink’s IEnvA certification will also benefit its customers and partners. “Airlink’s business and leisure customers are increasingly focussed on limiting their environmental impact. Similarly, environmental preservation and wildlife are core to the livelihoods, enterprises and economies of many of the destinations we serve. As a vital link in that chain, Airlink has a duty to make a positive environmental impact. IATA’s endorsement and international certification will help Airlink strengthen trust with its customers, industry partners, regulators and other key players,” explained de Villiers Engelbrecht, Airlink Chief Executive Officer. The IATA Environmental Assessment (IEnvA) voluntary certification programme independently assesses the commitment of airlines, airports, cargo handling facilities, freight forwarders and other aviation roleplayers, to continuously improve their environmental and sustainability performance. It is based on globally recognised standards and industry best practices, including the ISO 14001 environmental management system standard and the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA). IEnvA also provides guidelines, procedures and other tools to help organisations improve their sustainability management.- MarketWatch