Page 89 - SAMENA Trends - May-June 2023

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Thuraya, eSAT Global Announce Satellite IoT Breakthrough

Thuraya and eSAT Global have successfully completed an over-
the-air demonstration of low-latency, direct-to-satellite IoT texting
system by transmitting low-power IoT messages over Thuraya’s
satellite network (Thuraya-2 Satellite T2). This is a pivotal
breakthrough in the on-going efforts to create a favorable framework
for the next-generation Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity. This
milestone is the first of several milestones that Yahsat expects to
achieve via its investment in eSAT Global and Thuraya’s agreement
with the company to develop a next-generation IoT platform. eSAT
was able to send and receive messages of lengths of up to 320
characters over the T2 satellite with less transmission power
(< 200 microwatts) than that used by a typical car key fob. This
means that only minimal power is needed to transmit long-distance
messages. The demo showed stable operations for a range of
configurations, including those with a fingernail-sized antenna.
Other technologies, such as Narrowband-IoT (NB-IoT), consume
more satellite transmit power and bandwidth for the provision of
similar texting and messaging services. The reduced level of power
and bandwidth consumption allow GEO-MSS satellite operators
to regulate cost per message, generating significant savings for
their customers, in comparison to other satellite-based messaging solution providers. Having only just invested in eSAT Global in
technologies. A further benefit of this approach is that very October 2022, we are pleased by the pace of this development. The
significant numbers of endpoint terminals can be simultaneously new capabilities that are being implemented in our existing M2M/
serviced under Thuraya’s coverage. The successful demo provides IoT ecosystem will enable us to offer even more compelling IoT
strong impetus to Thuraya’s and eSAT’s efforts to effectively utilize solutions to Thuraya’s customers.” eSAT Global CEO Rick Somerton
the resources of existing GEO-MSS satellites and thus unlocks a said: “Achievement of this milestone is a critical step towards mass
new avenue of revenue opportunities for satellite operators in the market commercial service initiation later this year. Customers are
IoT and texting markets. Yahsat’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Ali excited by the news, and we are receiving enormous interest in this
Al Hashemi, said: “This demonstration by Thuraya and eSAT Global new capability well in advance of the launch. Our prospective sales
underscores our mutual commitment to advance the fast-growing pipeline is already greater than one hundred million dollars. Within
IoT sector. It is also a strong testament of the growing synergy two years of commencement of operations we expect to double
between the business activities of leading satellite operators, the number of IoT devices currently connected to satellites around
with Yahsat and its mobility arm Thuraya at the forefront, and IoT the world.”

Trinidad Issues Starlink a Ten-Year Concession

The Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT)
has confirmed that it has issued a license to Starlink, the Low Earth
Orbit (LEO) satellite broadband provider backed by Elon Musk’s
SpaceX venture. As per the regulator’s paperwork, Port of Spain-
based Starlink Internet Services Trinidad and Tobago received a
‘Type 2 Concession for the Provision of a Public Domestic Fixed
(via satellite) Telecommunications Network and Public Domestic
Fixed Telecommunications Services on a National Geographic
Scale’ on 17 May. The license is valid for ten years. According to
Starlink’s coverage map, satellite connectivity is scheduled to go
live in Trinidad and Tobago from 2Q23, suggesting a commercial
launch will take place later this month. SpaceX currently has
around 4,000 satellites in orbit, with plans to launch 42,000 in total.
To date, more than 50 countries are known to have authorized
Starlink to offer fixed broadband connectivity.

89 MAY-JUNE 2023