Azerbaijan telecom satellite meant for VSAT services, not ISP consumers

Internet service providers (ISPs) might be disappointed with Azerspace/Africasat-1, the first national telecommunications satellite of Azerbaijan, due to its lack of Ka-band transponders necessary for satellite broadband Internet services. The same, however, will not apply to VSAT service consumers.

Azerspace's owner-operator, Azercosmos, designed the satellite to provide VSAT technology services to large commercial customers. The Azerbaijani satellite is thus equipped with a payload of Ku-band and C-band transponders. The nature and service orientation of Azerspace makes it more expensive to deliver Internet from satellite services- perhaps too expensive for the tastes of ISPs.

At the same time, Azerbaijan does host a significant number of VSAT service consumers. Oil companies can use Azerspace-powered satellite communications solutions to stay in touch with their maritime assets and remotely run their pipeline infrastructure. Both Azerbaijan State Caspian Shipping Company (CASPAR) and the State Maritime Administration (ARDDA) can leverage the new satellite to control maritime vessels. Azercosmos also predicted the possibility of reeling in commercial banks as customers.

The United States accounts for half of the global VSAT market. However, Russia currently enjoys the fastest-growing demand for such services. The agencies of the Russian federal government is currently implementing universal communication service and education throughout the country. In addition, large corporations, small and medium regional business, and private users all use satellite services.

Azerspace/Africasat-1a was built by Orbital Sciences Corporation and launched by Arianespace from Kourou, French Guiana on February 7, 2013. Designed for an operational lifespan of 15 years, its 24 C-band transponders and 12 Ku-band transponders can deliver services to VSAT users in Azerbaijan, Central Asia, Europe, Middle East, and Africa.

Here comes the New Millenium VSAT hub series from Advantech Wireless

Here comes the New Millennium... The series of VSAT Hubs for HTS, that is, which are considered to be the most powerful Next Generation Satellite Communications products from Advantech Wireless Inc.

The New Millenium VSAT Hub takes a cue from the earlier Discovery Series of DVB-RCS Hubs. The Advantech product raises the bar when it comes to capacity, capability, and efficiency. A single New Millenium rack can support up to 20,000 remote terminals; provide 775Mbps of traffic to the remotes; spread the aforementioned traffic over 5 separate transponders/satellites and 480 TDMA carriers; and receive up to 240Mbps of IP traffic generated by the remote terminal population.

Designed to operate with C-band, X-band, Ku-band, and Ka-Band satellite frequencies, the New Millennium VSAT Hub supports Advantech's very own Satellite Interactive Terminals family of remote terminals. It also supports Star, star/mesh hybrid, and high-capacity SCPC.

Of note is the suitability of the New Millenium for the needs of Network Operators and Service Providers. Its scalability allows CAPEX expenditures to match network growth, its VNO capability lets its support large numbers of virtual operators, and its VPN capability establishes communications security for sensitive information transfers.

Recommended additional reading:

• KVH doubles capacity of maritime mini-VSAT satellite broadband network 

Gilat reveals its new SkyEdge 2-c VSAT solution supports Ka-band connectivity

Gilat Satellite Networks recently unveiled its new SkyEdge 2-c Internet connectivity solution, a VSAT system which supports Ka-band and Ku-band Internet from satellite services for both consumer and enterprise applications.

The SkyEdge 2-c system employs an array of new features and capabilities, including self-installation of its Ka-band VSAT kit. Its operators can start small and grow their services to match increasing demand thanks to scalable architecture. In addition to delivering business flexibility, the Gilat solution also allows operators to customize Internet broadband services while ensuring prices remain competitive.

Gilat has recently been reinvesting in its business segments and its initiatives in Ka-band and satellite-on-the-move. The Company won its first Ka-band VSAT order in September 2012. Following the successful launch of SES's Astra-2F satellite and the resulting consumer rollout of SES Broadband Services (SBBS) Ka-band satellite broadband, a larger European ISP had ordered several thousand self-installed customer premise equipment modeled on the SkyEdge 2 Aries unit. With these VSAT systems, European households will be able to access Internet from satellite, video, and Voice-over-IP services.

Gazprom taps Newtec for new VSAT platform leveraging Yamal-402 Ku-band satellite

Newtec has secured a number of contracts with Gazprom Space Systems (GSS) for the delivery of a new, complete VSAT platform that will leverage the newest Yamal satellite, Yamal-402. The Company is GSS' preferred partner of choice for the hub, modems, antennas, and other SATCOM equipment that comprise the new VSAT platform.

Until recently, the only VSAT installations in Russia were expensive and professional installations in limited hot spots in the Moscow and Saint Petersburg regions. Meanwhile, remote areas of the country were unable to access affordable and essential Internet access.

GSS intends to change that by offering satellite broadband access services to local Internet Service Providers, who in turn will supply services to consumers and enterprise customers. Capacity will be provided by Yamal-402.

The Yamal 402 Ku-band satellite had been launched in December 2012. Located at 55 degrees East, its 46 Ku-band transponders, four fixed beams, and one steerable beam can serve any location in Russia.

Newtec began offering its new high-speed Ka-band VSAT broadband technology in 2012.

The terminals it will provide to the GSS VSAT network will first use Ku-band and can later be upgraded to access higher throughput Ka Band frequencies without needing to adapt hardware.

Hughes Communications commands 52% of the Indian VSAT industry

According to a report by Voice and Data Magazine, Hughes Communications India currently leads the VSAT industry in India, having reportedly achieved a 52% market share in FY12.

The Voice and Data report stated that Hughes registered an 18.4% year-over-year revenue growth for FY12. The company's VSAT services achieved Rs 167 crore of total revenue. In comparison, during FY11, Hughes earned Rs 141 crore in total revenue.

Hughes also deployed 25.4% more VSAT terminals compared to last year. Voice and Data Magazine noted that Hughes installed 11,303 VSATs installations during FY12. That accounts for 52% of the total VSAT systems in India.

Hughes secured a number of large contracts with Indian companies this FY12. It will be creating 2,000 site network for State Bank of India, provide broadband satellite services to link 825 locations for Jaipur Vidyut Vitran Nigam in Rajasthan, and will deploy a network of 713 sites on behalf of a quintet of Karnatakan utility companies. The Rajasthan contract will take place over 3 years, while the Karnataka agreement will be for 5 years.

In addition, Hughes also got an order from ‘Brown Label’ to set up around 5,000 satellite terminals at ATM service providers across the Indian subcontinent.

“The Voice and Data report is testimony to Hughes overall leadership in the Indian VSAT industry,” said Partho Banerjee, president and managing director of HCIL. “Our growth has been led by significant business wins across the banking and financial services industries and government projects. We are very proud to be the flag bearers of the Indian VSAT industry," he continued, "and look forward to maintaining this lead in the future.”

The Voice and Data Magazine report stated that VSAT deployments increased by nearly 6% in FY12, leading to market growth of 6.2%. That raised the industry's overall revenue to INR 500 crore.

The VSAT industry also experienced several highlights in FY 12. The Ka-band spectrum (18-28 Ghz) was used for the first time to provide high-capacity, high-speed bandwidth- and just in time, as on-the-move mobility applications for voice and video that could take advantage of the new frequencies became available.

White label and managed service providers also began wide-scale adoption of VSAT terminals for use with ATMs. Enhanced VSAT CPEs were developed for security and routing and dual hubs were now used to generate multi-service integration business continuity.

All set for COMSYS VSAT2012 in London this September

Come September, London will be the place to go for very-small-aperture terminal (VSAT) operators and end-users. That's because COMSYS will be holding its VSAT2012 Conference at the Lancaster Hotel from September 12 to 14.

VSAT2012 will have the theme of “VSAT Vertical Value." The COMSYS conference will focus in on the VSAT industry as it undergoes a series of significant changes.

During the past few years, the VSAT industry had to put up with grossly insufficient bandwidth to meet increasing demands. But now there are plans to deploy new satellites that will provide Terabits of new bandwidth by tapping the Ka band. Such a tremendous influx of new bandwidth will potentially drive costs down to perhaps a tenth of the current prices, which will turn the industry upside-down.

At COMSYS VSAT2012, VSAT operators and end-users will learn about the complex changes taking place and the timescales for these changes. They will be able to identify the possible threats and potential opportunities that they might encounter in the new business environment.

In addition, COMSYS will offer a choice of one-day workshops on the day before the main conference. The workshops will tackle VSAT Market & Technology Essentials and Satellite Communications Fundamentals.