Telecom Roundup: Subex Lands $5M Deal, Avantel Gets Satellite Order, SoftBank Tests Laser Tracking
Subex won a five-year $5 million contract from an APAC operator. Avantel received a ₹177.35 crore order for satellite communication equipment. SoftBank and Sceye completed a laser tracking test for HAPS connectivity.
Subex's five-year agreement with the unnamed Asia-Pacific carrier builds on a strong fiscal first quarter, during which the company reported a nearly 20 percent revenue increase to ₹79.45 crore. The recurring revenue structure of the deal is intended to smooth earnings volatility as telecom operators accelerate spending on network automation and modernization initiatives.
Avantel's satellite equipment order from Zetwerk follows a separate ₹117.88 crore defense contract received in August for a DRDO ground-segment hub. The company's product range spans satellite and HF communications, electronic warfare, and radar systems. Meanwhile, SoftBank's stratospheric laser test with Sceye, conducted during a month-long flight, involved academic partners and could inform future free-space optical backhaul designs for 5G-Advanced and 6G networks.
These developments signal a broader industry shift toward diversified revenue streams and non-terrestrial infrastructure. Subex's software contract and Avantel's defense-linked satellite orders could strengthen India's telecom supply chain and reduce dependence on imported equipment. SoftBank's laser tracking work may eventually enable higher-capacity backhaul for remote and underserved regions, potentially improving connectivity equity. However, the commercial viability of HAPS-based optical links remains unproven, and smaller operators may struggle to justify such investments without clear regulatory support or demonstrated cost advantages.