Summary of Key Technological Advances of Satellite Broadband Communications - By Rudra Tiwari

 

Summary of Key Technological Advances of Satellite Broadband Communications

Satellite communications are possible when several transponders listen to a portion of a radio spectrum and then amplifies and retransmit it on another band. It relays the communication between customers and gateways and also known as the bent pipe mode of operation. Satellite broadband today is an option for hard-to-reach areas such as rural and other sparse geographies. The is up to 20-30 Mb/s download and it cannot be compared to most fixed broadband services due to high latency. It is contended as shared capacity. It can cost 30 to 100 pounds a month depending on the data limit someone is looking for. It has a costly installation process. The weather conditions can affect the transmission problems in satellite broadband. Nowadays, most people are using dish TV at home and the satellite broadband is very similar to it where the dish receives information and transfers the same via a cable connected to a modem in the house (Avonline Broadband). There is a difference between how internet application works over satellite and copper/fiber network because the signal travel to and from the satellite. There are hundreds of satellites that are in the orbit as a part of these growing networks and the numbers of satellites are only increasing.  Among so many satellites orbiting the Earth, it is hard to tell who is going to be the first to achieve the most sustainable and profitable approach. According to a Article published by Deloitte, there are satellite broadband players who are seeking to avoid the fates of their predecessors. They are offering higher speeds, low latency, and cheaper prices than their predecessor. In order for them to achieve the same, they need to get into the orbit at a lower rate. The construction of satellite and launching it is cheaper than what it used to be before but there are heavier competition because of the cheaper cost. The manufacturing methods have become more advanced so the satellites are built at a reasonable timeframe and cost. They use more smaller and advanced components so that they are more effective. Finally, the demand for connectivity has increased and so the increased demands driving the growing expection of the people. The new technologies are only making sure it is more and more easier to stay connected no matter what part of the world, remote or less-developed areas (Jarvis et al).

 

Analysis of the Social and Business Impact of Satellite Broadband Communications

The sector of setellite communication are thriving and new opportunities are being enabled in the sector every day. It has been proven in the past that better connectivity around the world is important to tackle the global economic and societal challenges. Satellites can make connectivities better and so it is at the core of this success. With the help of satellites communication, we will be able to reduce poverty, better disaster relief, tackle climate change, save energy, and improve the health services for people at every corner of the world. With the technological innovation, there has been better use of satellites and connectivity on a global level. According to an article, Opinion: Satellites as a solution to economic and societal challenges, published by Devex, increased satellite connectivity in the remote areas will increase the productivity of business, government and institutions of the area. It will be enhance the knowledge exchange between the local and the people from far land and exchange of skills and even health (Hauwer).

There are many people around the world who lack better internet access or no internet access at all, with the help of satellite internet this can be changed. It can reach to the most remote place around the world. We are mostly dealing with everything in the cities with some app and a digital revolution can take place if these apps can reach to every part of the world. It can only be possible with the help of satellite internet. According to a new article published on the BBC, it is reported that more than half the world is still unconnected to the internet and cables and mobile phone masts hook up is a slow process for these people. So when distances that are involved is huge, internet from space is the only solution (Baraniuk). In the article, How internet that's beamed from space could create new jobs, Chris Baraniuk writes, "It’s a spectacular-sounding goal: thousands – perhaps even tens of thousands – of tiny satellites in low Earth orbit beaming the internet to anyone, anywhere." The employement will be affected all around the world as the plans to launch internet-beaming satellites are not a dream anymore. Now anyone with a smartphone are able to access internet which are better and faster.

 

An Evaluation of Future of Satellite Broadband Communications in Next 5 Years

There are companies which are competing with each other to find a sustainable and profitable approach to achieve the most sustainable and profitable approach. According to an article, The satellite broadband industry is moving at hyperspeed, published by Deloitte, there are companies that are looking to provide a multitude of potential application with the help of the technology. They are looking for wats to provide better connectivity for transportation industry, infrastructure or mobile backhaul for other communication companies, services for the direct-to-consumer market, government services, emergency response, and so on. Elon Musk's company SpaceX already operates the world's largest satellite constellation as the company has launched 302 Starlink satellites. The executives of this company are providing service and launch upto 24 more satellites by 2020. Other companies are also trying to upgrade and better ther game and some of the industries are dealing with leagl and regulatory challenges which are delaying their efforts (Jarvis). It is the time when the companies should find out how to better their game so that the business areas can be improved. With better setellite communication, there will be better access to online teaching material. With Covid-19 pandemic, e-learning initiatives have increases and with better internet connectivity eduction and knowledge-sharing will be better. It is also being used as a governance tool that can be used to make the election process much more transparent and efficient. In remote areas where gathering votes and interaction is difficult due to limited communication access, satellite technology can be useful. 

 

 

Works Cited

Avonline Broadband. “How Satellite Broadband Works.” United Kingdom, avonlinebroadband.com/about-satellite-broadband/how-satellite-broadband-works/.

Baraniuk, Chris. “How Internet That's Beamed from Space Could Create New Jobs.” BBC Worklife, BBC, 19 Aug. 2019, www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20190816-how-satellites-could-revolutionise-the-internet.

Hauwer, Christophe De. “Opinion: Satellites as a Solution to Economic and Societal Challenges.” Devex, Devex, 30 Jan. 2018, www.devex.com/news/opinion-satellites-as-a-solution-to-economic-and-societal-challenges-91732.

Jarvis, David, et al. “High Speed from Low Orbit: A Broadband Revolution or a Bunch of Space Junk?” Deloitte Insights, 9 Dec. 2019, www2.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/industry/technology/technology-media-and-telecom-predictions/2020/satellite-broadband-internet.html.

Jarvis, David. “The Satellite Broadband Industry Is Moving at Hyperspeed.” Deloitte Insights, 19 Feb. 2020, www2.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/industry/technology/future-of-satellite-internet.html.