NEC Corporation (NEC; TSE: 6701) today announced a strategic investment in “Seraphim Space Venture Fund II,” a pioneering venture capital fund specializing in the space industry and operated by Seraphim Space, the most prolific investor globally in this domain.
Seraphim Space boasts a distinguished portfolio comprising over 100 space-related startup companies, covering a spectrum of stages from seed to later stages. Their investments span the entire space ecosystem including upstream (satellite manufacturing, launch, space stations, return to earth logistics and in-orbit services such as debris removal) to downstream (utilization of satellite data in areas such as climate and sustainability, telecommunications, IoT, positioning and navigation).
Seraphim Space Venture Fund II, in which NEC is investing, was created to support the next generation of early-stage space companies worldwide seeking funding.
“NEC has long been involved in space-related business, including the development and manufacture of satellites,” said Etsuko Hirose, General Manager, Aerospace and National Security Business Planning Department, NEC. “To further expand its business, NEC aims to foster collaboration with Seraphim Space portfolio companies across both upstream and downstream sectors, thereby advancing our global space-related business. This investment in Seraphim Space Venture Fund II underscores NEC’s unwavering dedication to advancing innovation and harnessing its potential for the betterment of society.”
Mark Boggett, Chief Executive for Seraphim Space Manager LLP, said: “We are delighted to have NEC, a leading global information technology and electronics corporation, as a key investor in the fund.”
Boggett elaborated on the growth potential of the space sector, highlighting the myriad technological advancements driving innovations across industries. “The space sector’s rapid expansion presents unprecedented opportunities for disruptive growth and consolidation. The Seraphim Space Venture Fund II is uniquely positioned to support the next generation of space startups, including those emerging in fast-growing Asian markets.”
About NEC Corporation
NEC Corporation has established itself as a leader in the integration of IT and network technologies while promoting the brand statement of “Orchestrating a brighter world.” NEC enables businesses and communities to adapt to rapid changes taking place in both society and the market as it provides for the social values of safety, security, fairness and efficiency to promote a more sustainable world where everyone has the chance to reach their full potential. For more information, visit NEC at https://www.nec.com.
The recently opened Sham Shui Po Community Living Room provides additional living space to grassroots families and enhances their interpersonal networks, helping to improve their living standards.
News.gov.hk spoke with Ms Liang, a user of the Community Living Room, to learn more about how the facilities and services offered there are able to alleviate pressures and bring positive benefits to her household.
Meanwhile, Assistant Director of Social Welfare (Youth & Corrections) Chan Lai-chu explained the policy objectives behind the Government’s Pilot Programme on Community Living Room.
The story is available at www.news.gov.hk/eng/feature today (January 14) in text and video format.
Japan’s only international payment brand JCB Co., Ltd. (“JCB”) has launched the “JCBDC” (JCB Digital Currency) Phase 2 pilot project with IDEMIA, a global leader in identity technologies, and the world’s leading fintech company Soft Space Sdn Bhd. (“Soft Space”).
In Phase 1 of the JCBDC project, JCB, IDEMIA, and Soft Space developed a CBDC (Central Bank Digital Currency) payment solution, enabling merchants to accept CBDC without the need to modify their POS (point of sale) terminals and payment cards. This solution was successfully piloted in Tokyo in 2023, which has enabled JCB, IDEMIA, and Soft Space to proceed to the next phase of the project.
In Phase 2 of the JCBCD project, customers will be able to transfer CBDC funds from one person to another person using their cards and mobile phones even without Internet connectivity. These offline P2P (peer-to-peer) fund transfers can either be done from one card to another with a mobile NFC device as an intermediary, or from one mobile NFC device to another mobile NFC device directly. This project is compliant with the open WLA (White Label Alliance at https://wla-payment.org/) payment standard and using secure elements to ensure optimal security.
In one option, consumers can send CBDC funds offline by tapping one person’s card to another person’s mobile NFC device. Then another person can tap their card to their mobile NFC phone to receive CBDC funds. Such a stored-value card (SVC) is used to securely store and transfer offline CBDC funds, thus acting as a digital version of cash in lieu of paper banknotes.
Another option for consumers is to transfer CBDC funds offline by tapping their mobile NFC device to another person’s mobile NFC device. Both payer’s and payee’s mobile NFC devices operate off the network when CBDC funds are sent and received.
For this project, IDEMIA and Soft Space provided the tokenization back-end server, mobile wallet application, card application and SoftPOS solution, as well as all necessary APIs and SDKs for system and application integration purposes. The project uses IDEMIA’s protocol, the industry standard for Offline CBDC Payments, and leverages on Soft Space’s expertise in contactless payments.
This JCBDC project is aimed at ensuring that CBDC fund transfers can be done securely and conveniently, by anyone, at any time, with or without Internet connectivity, with an immediate guarantee of fund availability. JCB, IDEMIA and Soft Space will implement the second phase of the project and conduct a pilot in early 2024.
IDEMIA Quote:
“Our teams are proud to be taking part in this project, alongside JCB and Soft Space, which highlights IDEMIA’s expertise and capacity for innovation in terms of CBDCs. We are convinced that allowing the public to transfer funds offline either with their contactless card or with their mobile phone will give them a great flexibility of choice. With this new phase, we continue to build on the expertise gained from previous successes with central banks across the world.” Romain Zanolo, IDEMIA Managing Director APAC Payment Services.
Soft Space Quote:
“We are delighted that phase one of the project has been successful, leveraging on existing technologies that JCB already utilises, such as its contactless EMV technologies and Tap on Mobile SoftPOS. In phase two, we will also evaluate host card emulation (HCE) and various other offline scenarios we are developing with JCB to further develop more real-life use cases aimed at ensuring that the eventual CBDC solution we implement will be of practical use in society.” Joel Tay, Chief Executive Officer of Soft Space.
JCB Quote:
“It gives me great honor to announce our collaboration with IDEMIA and Soft Space on this Phase 2 project continuing from Phase1. This project proves that we can use offline P2P funds transfer for new CBDC payment systems, which is a huge benefit for consumers in wide range of generations.” Koremitsu Sannomiya, Board Member, Senior Executive Officer of JCB.
About JCB
JCB is a major global payment brand and a leading credit card issuer and acquirer in Japan. JCB launched its card business in Japan in 1961 and began expanding worldwide in 1981. Its acceptance network includes about 43 million merchants around the world. JCB Cards are issued mainly in Asian countries and territories, with more than 154 million cardmembers. As part of its international growth strategy, JCB has formed alliances with hundreds of leading banks and financial institutions globally to increase its merchant coverage and cardmember base. As a comprehensive payment solution provider, JCB commits to providing responsive and high-quality service and products to all customers worldwide. For more information, please visit: www.global.jcb/en/
As the leader in identity technologies, IDEMIA’s mission is to unlock the world, make it safer – backed by cutting-edge R&D and a long-standing expertise in biometrics and cryptography. IDEMIA develops technologies of excellence that are unique in the world, with an impactful, ethical, and socially responsible approach.
IDEMIA unlocks simpler and safer ways to pay, connect, access, identify, travel, and protect public places. Every day IDEMIA secures billions of interactions across the physical and digital worlds.
With nearly 15,000 employees, IDEMIA is trusted by over 600 governmental organizations and more than 2,300 enterprises spread over 180 countries.
For more information, visit www.idemia.com and follow @IDEMIAGroup on X, formerly known as Twitter.
IDEMIA Contact Email: contact.press@idemia.com
About Soft Space
Founded in 2012, Soft Space is a leading fintech player headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Serving over 80 financial institutions and partners across 30 global markets, Soft Space offers both merchants and consumers a range of solutions, such as contactless payment through mobile devices as well as comprehensive white-label e-wallet services. These technologies enable the easy adoption of digital payments while helping financial institutions better understand and address their customers’ needs. Soft Space’s goal is to leverage its mobile contactless payments expertise and patented technology to reshape finance, domestically and globally. For more information, please visit: https://www.softspace.com.my
Soft Space Contact Connsynn Chye Head of Corporate Communications Tel: +603 7494 1222 Email: communications@softspace.com.my
Space Compass, NTT DOCOMO, INC., Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT) and SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation (SKY Perfect JSAT) jointly announced today that they have been selected by the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) to develop direct-to-device (D2D) mobile services, which will be deployed via a space-based non-terrestrial network (NTN) using high-altitude platform stations (HAPS).
The project is part of the NICT’s Innovative ICT Fund Projects for Beyond 5G/6G, known as Beyond 5G, which envisions a society where connectivity is assured over the air, sea, and space regardless of user location.
The project comprises two phases:
Early commercialization (Phase 1)The four participating companies aim to solve various technical issues and demonstrate a communication service using HAPS positioned in the stratosphere over Japan, with the goal of accelerating the commercialization of HAPS D2D communication services.
System evolution (Phase 2)Research and development (R&D) will be conducted on high-speed, high-capacity technology and time-division duplex (TDD) communication (downlink and uplink use same frequency band but in different time slots), aiming to expand the business scope and applicability of HAPS services in the coming 6G era. Phase 2 will also focus on upgrading the feeder link, including increasing its capacity, and installing a satellite backhaul system for flexible operation in areas where it is not possible to install terrestrial gateway stations connecting HAPS and terrestrial networks.
Space Compass, which plans to launch HAPS services in Japanese fiscal year 2025, will lead the project, define network service requirements and evaluate demonstrations conducted under the project. DOCOMO, which plans to develop a HAPS-based mobile communications business spanning air, sea and space for 5G evolution and 6G, will mainly develop ground base stations and HAPS-equipped base stations for mobile communications, focusing on maximizing service-link efficiency and capacity. NTT will mainly develop the control technology of the HAPS feeder link, such as site diversity and control of the transmit power, for robust service quality. SKY Perfect JSAT, which plans to offer the NTN business by connecting satellites and HAPS networks to multi-terrestrial networks, will mainly focus on developing alternative feeder link methods, such as satellite-backhaul and improvement of connection rates through the multi-connection of ground gateway stations.
Through this R&D project and beyond, the four participating companies are committed to improving the quality, efficiency and flexibility of HAPS services, extending mobile coverage to extreme levels, and ensuring seamless connectivity.
Previously, the four companies began jointly researching and developing a space-based radio access network (RAN) as an NTN, with HAPS serving as key components to support ultra-wide mobile communication services in air, sea and space. In the coming future, HAPS-based networks are expected to facilitate the broad expansion of communication services, such as support for disaster communications, ship and drone connectivity, and communications in mountainous and remote areas such as islands.
Space Compass is a joint venture company between NTT, Japanese Information and Communications Technology (ICT) leader, and SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation, Asia’s largest satellite operator. We will launch a Space Integrated Computing Network to aid the realization of a sustainable society. For more information, visit our corporate website, https://space-compass.com/en/
About NTT DOCOMO
NTT DOCOMO, Japan’s leading mobile operator with over 88 million subscriptions, is one of the world’s foremost contributors to 3G, 4G and 5G mobile network technologies. Beyond core communications services, DOCOMO is challenging new frontiers in collaboration with a growing number of entities (“+d” partners), creating exciting and convenient value-added services that change the way people live and work. Under a medium-term plan toward 2020 and beyond, DOCOMO is pioneering a leading-edge 5G network to facilitate innovative services that will amaze and inspire customers beyond their expectations.https://www.docomo.ne.jp/english/
About NTT
NTT contributes to a sustainable society through the power of innovation. We are a leading global technology company providing services to consumers and business as a mobile operator, infrastructure, networks, applications, and consulting provider. Our offerings include digital business consulting, managed application services, workplace and cloud solutions, data center and edge computing, all supported by our deep global industry expertise. We are over $95B in revenue and 330,000 employees, with $3.6B in annual R&D investments. Our operations span across 80+ countries and regions, allowing us to serve clients in over 190 of them. We serve over 75% of Fortune Global 100 companies, thousands of other enterprise and government clients and millions of consumers.https://group.ntt/en/
About SKY Perfect JSAT
SKY Perfect JSAT is Asia’s largest satellite operator with a fleet of 17 satellites, and Japan’s only provider of both Multi-channel Pay TV broadcasting and satellite communications services. SKY Perfect JSAT delivers a broad range of entertainment through the “SKY PerfecTV!” platform, the most extensive in Japan with over 2 million subscribers. SKY Perfect JSAT’s satellite communications services, which cover Asia, Indian Ocean, Middle East, Pacific Ocean and North America, play a vital role in supporting communications infrastructures for mobile backhaul, government, aviation, maritime, oil & gas and disaster recovery. For more information, visit our corporate website (https://www.skyperfectjsat.space/en) and Space Business website (https://www.skyperfectjsat.space/jsat/en/).
The 10th Annual Space Resiliency Summit will convene in a few short weeks. Senior leaders across military, government, academia and industry are gathering December 6-7, 2023, in National Harbor, MD for two days of discussions around US efforts to ensure the resiliency of critical assets against both traditional and non-kinetic attacks.
This year’s event will convene a series of panels to bring together experts on the most important issues currently facing the space enterprise. Panelists will discuss the challenges, opportunities, and solutions for bolstering the cybersecurity of space architecture, as well as how to best increase Space Situational Awareness.
Day One Panel: “Leveraging Advanced Technologies for Enhanced Space Situational Awareness Capabilities”
Moderator: Robert Zitz – Independent Consultant, Robert Zitz & Associates; Former Deputy Director, Mission Support, NRO
Panelists: Jason Kim – Chief Executive Officer, Millennium Space Systems Greg Marlow – Director, Office of Satellite and Product Operations, NOAA
Day Two Panel: “Achieving Space Domain Dominance through Advanced Cybersecurity Capabilities”
Moderator: Chris DeMay – Founder & COO, TrustPoint
Panelists: Austin C. Baker – Deputy Director, Space Portfolio, DIU Matthew Erickson – Vice President of Solutions, SpiderOak Lauryn Williams – Senior Advisor for Strategy & Research, Office of the National Cyber Director
Those interested in participating in the Space Resiliency Summit can visit Defense Strategies Institute’s website at https://space.dsigroup.org/. Anyone interested in learning more or sending questions contact Emma Watters at ewatters@dsigroup.org.
Defense Strategies Institute Emma Watters 201-987-0183 https://space.dsigroup.org/
https://space-compass.com/en/
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