A Look At How Satellite Technology Promises To Plug Connectivity Gaps

Scott Williams is President of the Americas for Orange Business, a global network and digital integrator.

The world is rapidly shrinking as we demand to be connected wherever we are. To that end, satellites have become a compelling and affordable technology that can provide this global reach, open up new business opportunities and help to close the digital divide.

Satellite connectivity already plays a vital part in many industries, particularly those operating in remote areas where terrestrial communication infrastructure is lacking. In mining, for example, satellite supports real-time monitoring and control of autonomous vehicles and other advanced technologies, reducing the need for humans in hazardous areas.

It is also indispensable in the maritime industry, providing essential communication services for tracking, monitoring and integrating ships into corporate networks. This supports various applications, from controlling refrigerated container conditions during transit to route optimization, fuel efficiencies and enhanced predictive maintenance.

In addition, satellites can bring remote communities online faster, opening up sustainable business models. SpaceX Starlink or OneWeb satellite internet services, for example, provide connectivity where traditional broadband is unavailable or as a backup to terrestrial land-line connectivity. This enables online education, telemedicine and e-commerce.

Unprecedented Growth

The latest satellites offer reliable, robust, low latency and high bandwidth communications. The ability to be “always on, always connected” supports a wide variety of previously budget-prohibitive business cases. These include financial services in underserved areas and emergency location services.

Satellites come into their own where fiber rollout is hugely expensive and capital expenditure intensive. This includes under-connected sectors such as energy, mining, agriculture, maritime and aviation. Satellite communication can also enhance urban management systems, including traffic control, energy management, and public safety, while ensuring network resiliency.

These factors drive growth in the commercial satellite industry, which generated revenues of $285 billion last year, accounting for 71% of the world’s space business.

Interest and investment are being focused on low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites as their orbital ranges are closest to the Earth for easy launch and reduced transmission latency. The latter makes it attractive for both voice and internet communications.

LEO satellites are also relatively small, with the largest being around the size of a mini fridge, compared to geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) satellites, which are as big as a large bus. This makes them much cheaper to manufacture and launch. As with everything, there is a trade-off, however. Large LEO constellations are required to provide global coverage because of their location relative to Earth, but it does make them easier to scale up. Compare this to a single GEO satellite, which can cover roughly one-third of the Earth’s surface.

These large LEO constellations offer competitive broadband internet services and are being integrated into the 5G ecosystem. LEO’s lower latency is critical to latency-sensitive 5G applications such as autonomous driving and remote surgical procedures. It can also help facilitate M2M communications for logistics, manufacturing and energy management.

Vulnerabilities In Space

As connections in space expand, so does the threat vista. With bad actors now employing AI and machine learning, the complexity of malicious activities is also growing, as is the case in other markets. The physical location of satellites and their dependence on wireless communications expose them to several threats, including jamming to block signals, distributed denial of service (DDoS) via overloading the satellite with traffic or sending fake signals, which can cause satellites to report false positions on data.

Protecting satellites demands a multifaceted approach. Shoring up defenses and anticipating and mitigating threats is pivotal to any business satellite strategy. These include end-to-end encryption, intrusion detection and monitoring, and secure command and control designed to verify the integrity and authenticity of commands sent to satellites.

Developing A ‘New Space’ Strategy

We are entering the “New Space” era, which is unlocking a universe of innovation and exploration that is characterized by commercialization, creativity and private sector engagement that will drive exciting economic dynamics.

Satellite internet is an ideal choice for enterprises operating in remote areas without access to reliable wired broadband, needing fast deployment, requiring backup internet for critical operations, or valuing the mobility and scalability that satellite connections offer up.

In addition, technological advancements in LEO satellites make them a compelling alternative to fiber-optic networks, especially in situations where rapid deployment, low-latency communication and broad coverage are vital.

Satellite, however, requires a strategic approach. Developing a satellite strategy is a significant step for any business looking to enhance its connectivity, expand its services and reach new markets.

Is Satellite Right For Your Business?

First, it is essential to define the goals for using satellite technology, such as improved communications and data services. The next step is to look at existing infrastructure and identify the gaps satellites could fill. Carefully evaluate satellite service providers and determine the technical requirements. Last, analyze the costs of deploying and maintaining satellite services, including launch, subscription and equipment expenses.

It is imperative to evaluate operational requirements, such as how much bandwidth and speed your business requires. It is also essential to deep dive into provider offerings, carefully analyzing pricing, data caps, speed, latency, equipment costs and customer support.

If a business plans to expand soon, it is also important to ensure that the satellite internet plan and equipment can handle additional users, traffic and bandwidth. With advancements in edge computing, 5G and AI, enterprises must also ensure their satellite connectivity will be compatible with future digital transformation initiatives.

Once a business case has been made and risk assessment run, pilot a small-scale deployment so that you can make any necessary adjustments before scaling up. The criteria for selecting a provider should also include whether they can provide managed value-added services beyond satellite. Continuous monitoring is critical to performance, security and service reliability.

Opening Up Satellite

Satellite enables forward-thinking businesses to leverage advanced technology for global connectivity, resilience and innovation. It is helping deliver global reach and safeguarding continuity in an increasingly interconnected planet.

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