Pratik Kirve, Sr. Specialist – Content Writer, Allied Analytics LLP
Though the human being is able to reach the moon, most of the part of the world does not have an access to data and cell phone coverage. Instead of installing physical infrastructure in those areas, market players have devised a way to utilise satellite data services. Market players have adopted two major strategies to improving access and enable faster services than before. These strategies are partnerships and new launches. Partnerships are aimed at utilising capabilities of each other to offer better services as compared to existing services. The launches of new satellites will offer upgraded capabilities for particular applications. The demand for innovative satellite data services would increase in the coming years. According to the report published by Allied Market Research, the global satellite data services market is expected to grow significantly over the next few years. Following are some of the activities taking place across the globe.
One of the major strategies adopted by market players to achieve their objectives is to partner with other companies. This enables them to combine expertise and utilise capabilities of each other. Telkom Consumer joined forces with YahClick to strengthen customers with capabilities of making calls and availing broadband data with the help of satellite connectivity. In phase one, Telkon would migrate their existing customers and avail new customers from early 2021. The company aims to expand connectivity to rural areas of South Africa. This will eliminate the requirement of fibres. YahClick would utilize its satellite data services to offer data and voice over Internet Protocol packages using the Ground Segment and Hughes Gateway technology.
Commenting on the partnership agreement, Serame Taukobong, the CEO of Telkom Consumer, said that the combination of capabilities of both companies would seamlessly connect the customers across the nation. The restraints offered by the physical infrastructure can be overcome with satellite services and customers can have high-speed connectivity for studying, working, and streaming content. In addition, businesses and governments in a rural area will be able to utilize satellite packages for gaining high-speed access.
Another couple of firms formed a partnership to expand the capabilities of satellite monitoring along with data collection. Glencore joined hands with Tre-Altamira for expansion of satellite monitoring up to 110 dams across the world. This has become the world’s biggest monitoring operation that focuses on Tailings Storage Monitoring. The InSAR technology will be utilized for assisting geotechnical engineers in evaluating risks to ensure safety and operational continuity. Measurements for surface movements are provided every 11 days through descending and ascending satellite directions. Glencore will offer these measurements based on its horizontal and vertical components. Tre-Altamira services provide information about ground displacement at accuracy of millimetre. The data will be shared through a cloud-based platform. This data sharing will help in enabling stakeholder engagement along with ensuring safe performance of dams. In addition, the data can be utilized for supplementing terrestrial-monitoring activities for waste piles, open pits, and others.
As partnership becomes one of the major trends, market players have been launching new satellites for different applications such as maritime. Iridium Communications, one of the providers of mobile voice and data satellite communications network, launched its Global Maritime Distress and Safety Systems (GMDSS) service. This ship to shore system utilizes the satellites and digital selective calling technology for safety communications of maritime vessels. Iridium began the operation of GMDSS by the second week of December 2020. The company’s L-band satellite spectrum from the $3 billion satellite network is used for carrying out a successful operation. It serves as a weather-resilient system and complements other satellite broadband capabilities.
The company aims to create a safe environment for those parts of the world that lack cellphone coverage. Matt Desch, the CEO of Iridium, commented that the company launched an innovative system capable of saving lives. The launch represents a historic moment for the maritime and satellite industries. The offerings include distress alert (SOS button), conventional real-time emergency voice calling service, and maritime safety information with the global coverage of the company.
One of the leading companies in the satellite services space SpaceX launched the new generation of radio broadcasting satellite in the space. It also carried the company’s Falcon 9 rocket. This satellite is aimed at offering data and entertainment services. Various countries such as the U.S., Puerto Rico, Canada, and the Caribbean will be benefited for up to 15 years. According to SpaceX, this satellite would offer the content output of 8,000 watts. This became the highest power density offering satellite among the commercial satellites on orbit.
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