 | Issue: | Asia-Pacific II 2008 |
| Article no.: | 11 | |
| Topic: | New generation broadband and satellite communications | |
| Author: | Seah Moon Ming | |
| Title: | President of International Business and Deputy CEO | |
| Organisation: | Singapore Technologies Electronics Limited. | |
| PDF size: | 272KB |
About author
Mr Seah Moon Ming is, concurrently, the President of International Business and Deputy CEO Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd. Mr Seah Moon Ming has served as Managing Director, President, Deputy CEO and Chairman of several subsidiary companies. He sits on the Boards of the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore, International Enterprise Singapore and KTPH Pte Ltd. Mr Seah is the Honorary President of the Singapore Table Tennis Association, and is the Chairman of the Temasek Polytechnic, a Fellow and member of the Council of Advisory Panel of the Institution of Engineers Singapore. A Senior Member of IEEE and Member of Eta Kappa Nu, Mr Seah served as a Member of the International Advisory Panel of the National ICT Australia, and as an Adjunct Professor to the National University of Singapore’s Entrepreneurship Centre. Mr Seah is now Adjunct Professor and Member of the Advisory Panel for the School of Science & Technology at SIM University, Singapore. Mr Seah has won a great number of awards, including: Asia Brand Innovation – Ten Most Outstanding Personality Award, the 6th International Management Action Award, Honorary Citizen of Yichun and Guiyang, China and as a Top 10 International Chinese Achiever for Financial & Intelligent Persons. Mr Seah majored in electronics engineering at the National University of Singapore and earned a Master of Science (EE) with distinction at the Naval Postgraduate School, USA. Mr Seah also attended the Stanford-NUS Executive Programme and completed the Advanced Management Programme at Harvard University USA.
Article abstract
Satellite communications has grown in functionality and efficiency to become an integral component of next-generation Internet Protocol (IP) networking. Satellites now provide voice, data and video networking any place on the planet, backup in emergencies when all else fails and seamless integration with terrestrial networks. Satellites now meet stringent terrestrial security and service level requirements, encouraging broader adoption for critical business applications. Satellite is increasingly used for cellular backhaul, maritime and military communications, business networks and distance learning.
Full Article
In just the past few years, the satellite communications industry has forged a broader value proposition. Once considered a costly, niche solution for remote communications and specialised network applications, satellite communications has grown in functionality and efficiency to become an integral component of next-generation Internet Protocol (IP) networking. Businesses and organisations increasingly want global networks that extend their business applications to every corner of the earth – networks that efficiently merge voice, data and video, sustain connectivity in mobile environments, and provide a critical lifeline when terrestrial networks fail. None of this is possible today without satellite communications. The broadened reliance on satellite communications can be attributed to several major technology achievements that have significantly advanced the industry. Satellite communications has developed along two fronts. The technology has progressed such that it now integrates seamlessly with terrestrial networks, extending their reach and functionality. These next-generation networks carry unique features to meet the world’s most challenging connectivity needs. Satellite systems have also been improved to better support specific applications and vertical markets such as maritime communications and Communications-on-the-Move. Going horizontal – satellite with terrestrial networks Satellite communications has long served as an extension to global networks. Traditionally, this has been in the form of hybrid networks, where satellite systems are grafted onto terrestrial systems to patch in remote areas. This method is often problematic as important terrestrial features such as data security and guaranteed service level agreements do not necessarily extend to satellite networks. Today, satellite technology has advanced significantly to mirror terrestrial features, creating seamless global networks that share common qualities and offer a transparent user experience. Specifically, satellite systems can now integrate with next-generation converged Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) networks. In this context, satellite systems use advanced IP routing protocols to govern the flow of voice, data and video traffic on a shared network, meet stringent terrestrial security requirements, and now match complex terrestrial service level agreements, encouraging broader adoption for critical business applications. Many leading terrestrial carriers – including Verizon, Orange and BT – have built next-generation IP networks that combine terrestrial and satellite technologies to form a single network capable of supporting any application and location. Going vertical The satellite communications industry has delivered engineering breakthroughs across several vertical markets. Today, military vehicles are equipped with broadband as they speed through the battlefield. Container ships can access land-based network applications and maintain connectivity while circling the world. The airline industry is preparing for broadband at 30,000 feet and 700 miles per hour. Universities are extending their distance learning networks, lowering costs and improving the quality of remote education. Advancing enterprise The integration of satellite communications with converged terrestrial networks enables businesses and organisations to expand their IP network around the globe. For example, a global bank’s remote branches can run the same business applications, with the same reliability, as its corporate headquarters. Businesses are also turning to satellite communications as an effective strategy to ensure business continuity. Traditional terrestrial backup solutions have inherent weaknesses. They usually share the same network infrastructure as the primary network and go down when terrestrial networks fail. In addition, terrestrial backup systems are typically bandwidth limited and cannot adequately support business applications that need to keep running. In contrast, satellite networks do not share terrestrial infrastructure and have high bandwidth availability. Once satellite connectivity becomes an integral element of terrestrial networks, businesses and organisations can leverage satellite bandwidth in multiple ways. Global cellular access The need for global cellular communication is rapidly increasing as nations industrialise and expand, yet billions of people throughout the world have limited or no access to cellular services. Increasingly, cellular network operators are turning to satellite communications to extend their networks into remote areas not served by terrestrial infrastructure. Satellite technology has advanced beyond costly and inefficient (Single Channel per Carrier) links that require fixed bandwidth levels defined by busy hour requirements. Instead, cellular operators can now pool bandwidth on a shared IP network that allocates that bandwidth according to real-time requirements. This has made satellite-based cellular backhaul much more cost effective for network operators, and is paving the way for global cellular access. Global mobility In the past, IP networks were engineered based on the assumption that remote routers are stationary. Today, with ubiquitous demand for broadband connectivity, this has ceased to be true. Satellite providers are building networks to support global mobility. One example of this is the maritime industry. New global Network Management Systems (NMS) are allowing service providers to incorporate merchant vessels, tankers, cruise liners and yachts into a global network that features cost effective, always-on services. End users receive seamless connectivity as they travel the globe. Recent breakthroughs such as automated beam switching technology enable global maritime networks that maintain network access as maritime vessels cross satellite footprints. Communications on the move Nowhere is communication more important than on the battlefield. Life and death decisions depend on a commander’s ability to receive relevant information and relay orders to troops quickly. Advances in Communications-On-The-Move (COTM) have enabled military fighters to maintain momentum in battle by extending the visibility of commanders and increasing the volume of data that can be transmitted to and from mobile units. The new capabilities are achieved through advanced spread spectrum technologies that enable broadband connectivity relayed via satellite to ultra small antennas mounted on military vehicles. With troops and vehicles deployed around the world at a moment’s notice, maintaining connectivity across thousands of mobile units is no small feat. Enhanced global NMS (network management system) capabilities are now allowing the military to incorporate mobile units into a global network. This allows them to track assets across the world and enables the vehicles themselves to connect to the network automatically regardless of geography. Advancing education Many of the world’s classrooms lack Internet connectivity because they lie beyond the reach of terrestrial connections. Students in these classrooms are at a distinct disadvantage compared to students attending schools – often in the same educational system – that have access to the Internet. Satellite connectivity has paved the way for school systems to level the playing field and extend critical connectivity to every classroom. Satellite is also playing an important role in higher education. With record numbers of students packing college campuses, many universities are developing their distance learning programmes to extend graduate and undergraduate courses beyond the school walls. Satellite has equipped these growing programmes with two-way connectivity, allowing students to attend classes online and ask questions in real time over the network’s VoIP capabilities. Because all information travelling over the satellite network is first converted to IP data, courses that are simulcast to remote classrooms can easily be archived as digital resources that benefit the whole student body – even those not enrolled in a distance learning programme. Emergency relief When disaster strikes, establishing lines of communication is a top priority for relief efforts. In many instances, such as the 2004 tsunami in Asia, terrestrial networks – and their backups – are disabled. Today, relief organisations are leveraging the mobility of satellite communications and equipping emergency response teams on the ground with access to instant voice and Internet connectivity. Shared networks and capacity Bandwidth efficiency, a persistent problem, limits the growth of satellite communications. Satellite capacity is costly and increasingly scarce. Recent industry breakthroughs though, are easing the burden on network operators and their customers. The first was the introduction of DVB-S2, the new satellite transmission standard that dramatically increased bandwidth efficiency on the outbound channel. The industry is minting new DVB-S2 systems that many network operators are using to replace older equipment. DVB-S2 enables these operators to push more data with the same bandwidth so they can reduce operating costs whilst serving more customers. Another critical development is the recent improvement to the Quality of Service (QoS) features that manage customer traffic on a shared network. Network operators face mounting difficulties managing traffic in a mixed media environment that may include voice, video, and data. In response, QoS capabilities have been enhanced to meet the complex, shifting bandwidth needs of customers. For example, group of remotes, applications, VLANS, or all of these can now segment traffic simultaneously, enabling a network operator to define service level agreements based on an expanded and flexible set of customer priorities. Network operators’ customers can now more accurately predict their service level agreements and avoid purchasing more bandwidth than they require. What’s next? Recent years have witnessed relentless innovation in the satellite industry. Satellite communications has grown beyond its traditional niche to play a pivotal role meeting the growing demand for constant connectivity. Satellite communications is enabling businesses to expand their reach, governments to save lives, economies to develop more rapidly, and individuals to improve their quality of life. New horizons are now visible – taking broadband to the skies, advancing IPTV, and keeping in stride with terrestrial network innovations. The next few years should see growth in the space segment due to further advances in bandwidth efficiency. The stage is set for the rapid expansion of the satellite communications market and a more connected world.
