Mobility through non‑geostationary satellites: Enabling connections in motion

Mario Neri, Director, Spectrum Strategy and Innovation, Telesat

Connecting to a virtual private network, attending a video-conference call, or just streaming content from the Internet– are all doable with a portable, personal, connected device. These are online activities, like many others, that connected-device users can easily begin to take for granted.

Yet, they are only possible for those who are lucky enough to be served by high-speed, low-latency broadband.

The luxury may not always be available though, when on a ship, an aircraft or any other platform in motion.

You might view this as a fortunate coincidence. After all, who wants to travel next to someone taking a long video call, maybe engaging with their counterpart a bit too loudly?

At the same time, many users could benefit from access to broadband connectivity through earth stations in motion (ESIM) — particularly those connected via non‑geostationary orbit (non‑GSO) fixed-satellite service (FSS) systems, or non‑GSO ESIM.

Shipboard and inflight links

Think of oceangoing ship crews, who may sail for months at a time, gaining high-quality video links to connect with family, with friends or with a medical practitioner. The stranding of some seafarers on maritime platforms amid the COVID‑19 pandemic further underlined the value of crew connectivity.

Making connectivity mobile can also support aeronautical applications. With growing demand for inflight connectivity and a focus on the gate-to-gate, fully connected passenger experience, non‑GSO ESIM offer the potential for fibre-like link performance across the entire flight path.

This will apply globally, even over the polar regions.

Overall, innovative non‑GSO FSS systems supporting ESIM applications could soon provide the same level of connectivity as that enjoyed by fixed, land-based users. This includes the same low-latency experience — something that cannot be achieved when using geostationary-satellite technologies. The upcoming World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC‑23) — under agenda item 1.16 — will address the use of non‑GSO ESIM in Ka‑band frequencies to enable high-quality shipboard and in-flight connectivity.

This is not the first time the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has developed a regulatory framework that could bridge the digital divide for users of satellite services on the move.

Let us remind ourselves of the successful deliberations at the last two WRCs, in 2015 and 2019, that enabled the use of ESIM communicating with GSO networks (GSO ESIM) in some parts of the Ka‑band.

Ensuring protection alongside development

Clearly, a sound regulatory framework should foster the development of new technologies, while also ensuring the protection of existing and planned services and related applications.

As was the case for GSO ESIM in the Ka‑band before, the draft text for the new resolution under agenda item 1.16 contains technical, regulatory and operational provisions to protect incumbent space and terrestrial services operating under a co-frequency allocation. These provisions will make harmful interference unlikely. Even so, during the WRC‑23 preparatory study cycle, ITU’s membership has considered the responsibilities of administrations in case a non‑GSO ESIM causes interference.

The general agreement seems to be that the sole formal responsibility for removing such interference would be with the notifying administration for the non‑GSO satellite system under which the interfering ESIM operates.

While the role of other administrations in such cases, if any, is still under discussion, the conference is expected to provide the necessary guidance. Among the topics that may help in this discussion at WRC‑23 are the functionalities of a network control and monitoring centre (NCMC) with operational authority over non‑GSO ESIM.

Enabling new technology deployments

WRC‑23 is expected, like the previous WRCs, to achieve broad consensus on key issues for satellite operation and communications. By defining a fair, balanced and effective regulatory environment, the quadrennial ITU conference series enables the development and deployment of innovative satellite technologies.

Any new communication technology can be useful for consumers, businesses and governments, bringing potential improvements in the lives of citizens worldwide.

The benefits that non‑GSO ESIM operating in the Ka‑band can provide — including, for instance, high throughput links, terrestrial-like low-latency, and full global service — are undoubtedly worth the effort involved in WRC‑23 discussions.

And in your future travels, if you feel your fellow passengers are talking too loudly, you may just have to ask them to kindly lower the volume on their devices!

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Header image credit: Telesat