Why Satellite?

Satellites have been in use for more than 40 years and, with more than a million VSATs currently operating in more than 120 countries, the technology is mature and proven.

1. Satellites offer global, regional and/or local reach.
2. Satellites’ performance, reliability and value have improved dramatically in recent years for IP-based services, including VoIP; internet access; WiFi/WiMax; GSM backhaul; and business continuity.
3. Satellites offer direct, last mile connectivity to regions of the world with little existing infrastructure, at a fraction of the cost of installing and maintaining terrestrial solutions.
4. Capitol expense costs for implementing satellite networks are generally lower than establishing full-scale terrestrial networks.
5. Satellite networks can be implemented quickly. Sometimes, within hours when a disaster strikes, providing “instant infrastructure.”
6. WAN extension for corporations can be implemented faster and more cost effectively via satellite.
7. Satellites offer an increasing range of solutions, from traditional SCPC services to IP-based VoIP and data networking.

In addition, ongoing technology trends, miniaturization of components and increased economies of scale are lowering costs still further making satellites even more attractive.

1. Satellite capacity costs are lower, due to an abundance of capacity.
2. Satellites are increasingly more powerful, allowing the use of smaller – and more inexpensive - antennas on the ground.
3. Digital Signal Processing (DSP) is driving voice services. A PCM telephone call in the past required the equivalent of 64kbps; today with state-of-the-art coding algorithms designed to recognize and mimic human voice, toll-quality voice can be achieved with as little as 4.8 kbps. The end-result: More than 2,000 telephone conversations can be carried on a single 36 MHz transponder, translating into very low space segment cost per line.
4. New modulation schemes and efficient coding techniques allow digital information to be recovered more efficiently from the satellite, offering additional space segment savings.
5. Hardware and silicon prices continue to drop and Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) that perform the majority of VSAT functions are economically feasible. They also bring the added benefit of reducing component count, reducing costs and increasing reliability.
6. All the above has fueled higher adoption rates, which has led to greater economies of scale. These savings are also passed through to the end user in the form of lower terminal prices.
   

The end result is a cost-effective, rapidly-deployable solution flexible enough to address a wide range of applications that are self sustaining and, indeed, that help create new sources of capital.

Click below to view articles on “Why Satellite?”

“The Case for Satellite in Today’s IP Networks: Extending Reach to Gain Competitive Advantage.”

“Extending Your VoIP Network With Today’s Advanced
Satellite Solutions.”

“Key Drivers Behind the Growth in Satellite-Delivered IP Services.”

“IPTV in Asia-Pacific: Opportunities for Telecom & Satellite Companies.”