 | Issue: | Global-ICT 2009 |
| Article no.: | 13 | |
| Topic: | Satellites – a Global Platform for Seamless Connectivity | |
| Author: | David McGlade | |
| Title: | CEO | |
| Organisation: | Intelsat, Ltd | |
| PDF size: | 496KB |
About author
David McGlade, Intelsat’s CEO, is a 25-year telecommunications and media industry veteran with experience in cable TV, broadband and wireless. Mr McGlade joined Intelsat following the company’s acquisition by a group of private equity firms, collectively named Intelsat Holdings. Prior to joining Intelsat, he served as chief executive officer of O2 UK (previously BT Cellnet). As President, West Region, Sprint PCS, he launched the first CDMA network outside of Asia. Mr McGlade is a board member of Intelsat, Ltd, WildBlue Communications and Skyworks Solutions. David McGlade holds a Communications degree from Rutgers University.
Article abstract
It is hard to imagine today’s world functioning without its communications systems. Yet in many parts of the world, effective communications are too costly or technically challenging to install. Indeed, many of the systems we depend upon cease to function during emergencies or natural disasters. Fortunately, satellite communications systems can easily, almost instantly, reach even the most remote difficult spots on earth or be called upon to fill in when existing wired or wireless systems are ‘knocked-out’ by a disaster.
Full Article
“We know that every aspect of our lives in local communities – every school, every hospital, every workplace and even every home – will be dependent on the services that the digital network provides. A fast Internet connection is now seen by most of the public as an essential service, as indispensable as electricity, gas and water.” This statement, made 29 January 2009 by British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, highlights the importance of broadband in a country’s socio-economic development. Yet, there are regions throughout the world such as Africa and Latin America that, today, do not have adequate telephony services, reliable power or clean drinking water. Governments therefore struggle to determine the priority for Internet access among life’s other necessities. It is true that broadband access plays a critical role in building economic development in a country, but advancing communication services remains a critical first step. The economic development that follows will drive expansion to include Internet access. Even though technological improvements have progressed at an astounding pace, much remains to be done to advance communication services worldwide, further closing the gap between the ‘haves and have-nots’. To fully realize the benefits of a connected world, a commitment needs to be made by technology leaders to level the playing field for all regions with a communications infrastructure that is universal in availability and reliability. The technology exists – and satellite is an essential component of the solution. Breaking down regulatory barriers Deregulation is often one of the best ways to accelerate the introduction of new technologies into a country. For example, eight years ago, Nigerian telecommunications was deregulated, ushering in a surge of new service providers. Prior to 2001, the national telecommunications provider controlled nearly 90 per cent of the sector. Today post-deregulation, more than 30 wireless and terrestrial voice operators are providing services throughout the country and connecting Nigeria with the rest of Africa and the world. Satellite-based solutions are available almost everywhere, and can be deployed quickly and independent of any existing infrastructure. With satellite technology, voice, data and video services have overcome geographic and regulatory barriers that often slow the pace of their development. Through satellite technology, cellular networks have extended to the most remote regions of the world and Internet connectivity has become a robust tool for enterprises and consumers. Video today is delivered on-demand, by satellite, to new access points including mobile phones. As a result, countries and people are working together more productively. Today, satellite communications provides ubiquitous coverage and complements established terrestrial connections for business applications and communications throughout the world. Satellites provide an infrastructure solution that enables service providers to deliver a vast range of critical applications including for government, educational and health services; for enterprise networks and critical communications, restoration; and for the consumer, mobile applications. Connectivity for education Today, higher education is necessary to prosper in an economy that is dependent on brain power. Satellite helps remove geographical barriers to learning by delivering distance education programs. The expansion of higher education via satellite into Brazil’s remote communities is one of the country’s most inspiring stories. The educational institution, Uniao Norte do Parana de Ensino (UNOPAR), uses a satellite network to link its traditional campuses in the State of Parana to more than one thousand tele-classrooms serving more than 70 thousand students throughout the country. Similar distance education initiatives also are underway in Africa. The South African non-profit organization, Mindset Network, uses satellite technology to enrich minds, save lives and support community growth. Mindset develops and distributes educational resources and delivers free educational material on television and on the Internet. With satellite technology, Mindset can give educational and healthcare professionals the opportunity to learn and – in turn – educate the next generation and create social change. Since its inception in 2002, Mindset has transmitted content directly to more than 1.5 million households in sub-Saharan Africa, to 1,250 schools and 307 health clinics and hospitals. Users of the Mindset Network can access content produced by South Africans for South Africans – in local languages where possible, using examples with local relevance. Network infrastructure for enterprise growth Even though broadband access will play a crucial role in Africa’s socio-economic development, a broader communications infrastructure will be needed to support the growing demands – 54.2 million users in 2008 – for Internet access. The vastness of the continent, geopolitical issues and costs make fibre networks difficult to implement in Africa’s interior. Communications capacity is more easily available from satellite networks, so fixed satellite services offer an easier solution to growing Africa’s telecommunications infrastructure and bridging its digital divide. Given the growing demand for broadband services, satellite operators are increasing their commitment to Africa. Recently announced satellites will be in service by early 2011 and will deliver new capacity for voice, wireless backhaul, Internet, media applications and to providers in Africa such as Vodacom International Ltd, Gateway Communications Africa (UK) Ltd, Zain Nigeria and Gilat Satcom. Satellite-delivered applications, from voice to high-speed Internet access, will help business, improve create jobs and enable the power of networking across the continent. Today, satellite operators are working with African businesses in sectors as diverse as finance, oil and gas, manufacturing, professional services and IT. At a local level, satellite operators offer assistance to service providers, helping build businesses that deploy satellite communications in local communities; for instance, establishing Internet cafés in village centres. SkyVision, a global provider of Internet services over satellite and terrestrial systems, has grown by 700 per cent in the past three years using satellite technology to expand its transmissions platform. From its main gateways in Europe, the United States and the Middle East, SkyVision provides end-to-end standard or customized IP services for enterprises, NGOs and Internet Service Providers throughout Africa. In addition to expanding broadband connectivity, cellular services have exploded throughout Africa due to satellite technology. Satellite operators are providing economical inter-regional connectivity, greatly reducing the cost of connecting neighbouring African countries. Since a phone call from Mozambique to Tanzania no longer needs to be switched out of the region through an international carrier, reducing the wireless operator’s operational costs. Satellite technology has also enabled wireless operators to expand networks more efficiently, offering thousands of subscribers enhanced, seamless connectivity for regional and international communications. Vodacom International expanded its mobile telecommunications services throughout the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique and Tanzania by using satellites to carry national and international traffic between more than 20 base stations and switching centres and into the public switched network. In Angola, MS Telecom used satellites to maintain service for one of the country’s largest GSM operators as it rebuilt and expanded its telecommunications network after its infrastructure was destroyed by civil war. Reliable communications To attract capital, developing regions need reliable communications. Corporations depend on voice, data and video to monitor their operations. A severed line can paralyze business and cause long-term losses from transaction errors, lost data and eroded customer and investor confidence. Operating in one of the world’s most active hurricane zones, Caribbean enterprises place high priority on business continuity protocols to avoid losses. Similarly, Latin American organizations have renewed their focus on disaster recovery to better prepare for earthquakes, floods and other natural disasters. Both have come to depend upon satellite communications. Satellite technology offers business continuity for Internet Service Providers and telecommunication carriers who most of the time rely on terrestrial networks for their operations. When the Pakistani leg of the Sea-Me-We3 cable failed in 2005, causing significant disruption to services provided by Pakistan Telecommunication Ltd (PTCL), operations were switched to satellite for transmission, restoring service within hours. Five new duplex links were established once the restoration efforts were underway, utilizing a satellite earth station in Fuchsstadt, Germany and capacity on two satellites. The satellite-enabled Internet trunking service allowed PTCL to connect to an IP backbone network and re-established Internet and call centre traffic in Pakistan. When Nigeria’s SAT3 submarine cable system experienced a default cut to one of the landing cables, which connect its interior grid to the international undersea line, one of Nigeria’s primary Internet service providers immediately switched to satellite backup to ensure uninterrupted connectivity for its customers. These events spotlight the vital role of satellites as backups to fibre-based networks. When satellite connections are an integrated part of a diverse telecommunications network, uninterrupted communications for critical business can be maintained during emergency situations. A truly connected world Be it telephony, Internet access or business continuity, there is a real need for ubiquitous and dependable access. Satellite technology has repeatedly proven its ability to establish and maintain reliable communications infrastructures and guarantee the uninterrupted delivery of vital services and applications. Satellite operators are proud of their ability to bring services to regions too technically challenging or uneconomical for other means of communication. Satellite operators, working with local service providers, continue to seek creative ways to connect the world fully.
