Intelsat capacity powers Digital Networks VSAT network expansion in North America

A multi-year satellite capacity agreement has been signed between Intelsat S.A. and Digital Networks. Capacity from the Intelsat satellite fleet and IntelsatOne terrestrial network will be leveraged by Digital Networks in support of its North American customers' very small aperture terminal (VSAT) communications networks.

Digital Networks delivers business-class satellite solutions to customers in the energy sector of North America. The company plans to expand its VSAT network in the United States and Canada using Intelsat's satellite teleport services and capacity from the Intelsat Galaxy 3C satellite.

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Telefonica del Peru debuts iDirect Evolution-based VSAT services

The iDirect Evolution platform served as the basis of the very small aperture terminal (VSAT) service recently offered by Telefonica del Peru to banking, oil and gas, and government sectors in Peru and its South American neighbors.

Telefonica del Peru integrated existing multi protocol label switching (MPLS) networks into the new VSAT networks using iDirect technology. Customers could now enjoy an unbroken end-to-end networking solution no matter how remote their location.

Telefonica del Peru deployed two iDirect Universal 15000 Series satellite hubs and more than 1,000 Evolution X1 and X3 remotes for its new VSAT service. IDirect's iDX 3.1 software runs on all of those satellite communications systems.

Telefonica del Peru sought out a highly efficient and reliable satellite solution when it expanded satellite communications services to 2,000 of the largest enterprises in Peru. iDirect's superior VSAT technology allowed the Peruvian company to extend its MPLS services while ensuring that Telefonica del Peru customers received the quality of service that they paid for.

iDirect provides a cost-effective, scalable solution that guarantees faster ROI. The company's iDX 3.1 software allows Telefonica del Peru to offer narrowband service and support large-scale networks with the Peruvian company's existing infrastructure.

iDX3.1 can also handle applications like SCADA/substation automation, pipeline monitoring, Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) mobile backhaul, business continuity, SOHO, and distance learning.

In addition, the iDirect's Series 15000 Universal Satellite Hub allows Telefonica del Peru to deliver the highest quality connectivity regardless of bandwidth requirement, satellite band, or network topology.

Telefonica del Peru will also be tapping a new licensing option for the Evolution XLC-M Line Card. The option for XLC-M allows it to support up to 16 narrowband return channels.

Libya grants VSAT License to Hermes Communications Technology

The Libyan government has issued a VSAT License to Hermes Communications Technology. Hermes is now authorized offer very small aperture terminal-based satellite communications services to Libyan markets like the oil and gas industry.

According to Glynn Wagg, Country Manager Libya, Hermes aims to provide its Libyan customers with an extensive range of direct support and reliable, secure communications services. “This [VSAT] license will aid our customers in receiving faster installations, clearer costs and the assurance of legal requirements,” Mr. Wagg said.

A joint venture partner of Hermes Datacommunications International Ltd., Hermes Communications Technology supplies VSAT communications, onshore and offshore, in city and remote locations. Hermes had established a presence within Tripoli, the capitol of Libya, back in 2008.

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US Army orders SNAP VSAT satellite communications systems, support from TCS

TeleCommunication Systems Inc. announced that it received a funded order from the US Army for a batch of deployable satellite communications systems equipment and attached technical support services.

The Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) order comes from the U.S. Army Project Manager for the Warfighter Information Network - Tactical Commercial Satellite Terminal Program. The order is worth $7.3 million, and according to TCS, the funding will come from the Army's $5 billion World-Wide Satellite Systems contract vehicle.

According to Michael Bristol, TCS senior vice president and general manager of government solutions, "The U.S. armed forces benefit greatly from secure, easy-to-deploy, and reliable satellite communications systems. TCS' SNAP VSAT satellite systems equipment gives our fighting forces the communications advantages they demand."

Secret Internet Protocol Router and Non-secure Internet Protocol Router Access Point (SNAP) VSATs are highly-secure and capable satellite communications systems. They provide multimedia communications capabilities such as encrypted voice, video, and data. SNAP satcom terminals features modularity and plug-and-play interfaces that allow its operator to reconfigure its systems to match the specific requirements of the mission at hand.

MTN, WMS deploy VSAT, wireless solution on Carnival Breeze cruise ship

Carnival Breeze, the newest ship of Carnival Cruise Lines, will be able to provide its passengers and crew with wireless broadband services through a Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) system installed by MTN Satellite Communications.

For this project, MTN partnered with cellular service provider Wireless Maritime Services (WMS.) WMS possesses extensive experience with the unique wireless communications needs of the cruise line and ferry industry.

The combined telecommunications skills of MTN and WMS allowed Carnival Breeze to provide a "shore-side" satellite and wireless broadband experience to its passengers and crew during its first month of operation. MTN provided an Internet Café solution that could be accessed by mobile devices such as fixed PCs, laptops, smartphones, and tablets, allowing all aboard to stay connected with the wider world while enjoying the sea.

The Carnival Breeze cruise ship can carry more than 4,000 passengers and nearly 1,800 crew members.

Brent Horwitz, SVP and GM for MTN Cruise and Ferry Services, stated that the number of Internet and mobile minutes used during the maiden voyage of the Carnival Breeze today's society placed great importance on staying connected even while on vacation. Mr. Horwitz said that there is a significant need for the ability to surf the Internet and access data through personal mobile devices even at sea.

MTN Satellite Communications recently announced that MTN Worldwide TV is now available for government vessels. According to MTN, MTV Worldwide TV will allow seafarers to watch a wide selection of news and entertainment programming drawn from international television networks.

VSAT History

The concept of the geostationary orbit was originated by Russian theorist Konstantin Tsiolkovsky, an Imperial Russian and Soviet rocket scientist and pioneer of the astronautic theory. He wrote articles in space travel at the turn of the century. 

In the 1920s, Hermann Oberth and Herman Potocnik, aka Herman Noordung, described an orbit at an altitude of 35,900 kilometers. Its orbital period, or the time for it to make one complete orbit about another object, exactly matched the Earth’s rotational period, making it appear to hover a fixed point on the Earth’s equator. 

Arthur C. Clarke contributed to the understanding of satellites through an article published in Wireless World in October 1945 titled “Extra-Terrestrial Relays: Can Rocket Stations Give Worldwide Radio Coverage?” In this article, Clarke not only determines the orbital characteristics/elements, or the parameters required to uniquely identify a specific orbit, necessary for a geostationary orbit, but also discusses the frequencies and power needed for communications. 

Live satellite communications was developed in the sixties by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), named Syncom 1-3. It is transmitted live coverage of the 1964 Olympics in Japan to viewers in the United States and Europe. Soon after, on April 6, 1965, the first commercial satellite was launched into space, Intelsat I, nicknamed Early Bird. 

The first commercial VSATs were C band (6 GHz) receive-only systems by Equatorial Communications using spread spectrum technology. More than 30,000 60 cm antenna systems were sold in the early 1980s. Equatorial later developed a C band (4/6 GHz) two-way system using 1 m x 0.5 m antennas and sold about 10,000 units in 1984-85. 

In 1985, Schlumberger Oilfield Research co-developed the world’s first Ku band (12-14 GHz) VSATs with Hughes Aerospace to provide portable network connectivity for the oil field drilling and exploration units. Ku Band VSATs make up the vast majority of sites in use today for data or telephony applications. The largest VSAT network (more than 12,000 sites) was developed by Spacenet and MCI for the US Postal Service.

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