Page 55 - SAMENA Trends - December 2020

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Sateliot received ITU's OK to Launch Smallsat Constellation Comprising as

Many as 100 Small Satellites

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has given for January. In particular, the company proposes to include in
Sateliot the green light to start coordinating the frequencies of its the definition of the standard a scenario for LEO nanosatellite
smallsat constellation with telecoms operators. Sateliot is thereby networks providing IOT services. The space sector is experiencing
taking a further step toward their goal of democratizing the a new paradigm in which the size of electronics, costs and times
Internet of Things (IOT) with 5G coverage through a constellation are being reduced, giving rise to a real “democratization of space,”
of as many as 100 nanosatellites; devices that will function as with more competitive innovation cycles and more possibilities of
telecommunication towers from space providing an extension deploying not one but tens or hundreds of satellites progressively
of coverage to telecommunication companies where terrestrial to provide services on a global scale. In defining the standards,
networks cannot reach. Once this first procedure with the body in it is important to take into account that, if previously only large
charge of defining the use of the terrestrial and satellite spectrum geostationary devices the size of a bus, developed over decades
has been completed, the company will start a round of talks with the and priced between 100 and 500 million, it is now possible to offer
space operators and the relevant public administrations to ensure connectivity through satellites the size of a microwave, developed
the compatibility of their frequencies so that telecommunications in a matter of months and priced between 1 and 5 million. This
companies can access the roaming service provided by the means that New Space is configured as one of the great motors of
smallsats. The ITU is not the only body that has endorsed Sateliot, the economy, due to its high added value, its capacity to generate
as the 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) working group employment and large investments in the coming years, which will
for non-terrestrial IoT networks — which brings together leading be called upon to drive the recovery. In fact, in Spain alone in 2019,
representatives of the telecommunications industry and other this sector moved nearly one billion euros and contributed 0.5%
non-governmental organizations for the definition of the new 5G to the national GDP. Moreover, Spain is in the top five European
standard — has recently agreed to take Sateliot’s proposal up countries by number of employees in this industry, according to
for discussion for final decision at the next meeting scheduled TEDAE figures.

Hybrid 5G/Satellite Testing Facility to Open in UK Next Year

A facility for testing 5G and satellite technology is to be created at helping us tackle Covid-19,” said science minister Amanda Sol-
the Harwell Campus in Oxfordshire, with £3m in government fund- loway. “This new state of the art facility backed by Government
ing. The engineering hub, which is due for completion in 2021, will funding will enable our brightest researchers and engineers to
provide a base for UK researchers and businesses to experiment, better understand how 5G can help connect us all, creating new
and will allow teams to test the benefits of hybrid 5G and satellite business opportunities, while delivering green efficiencies across
communications networks. The hope is that once the technology the UK.” Elodie Viau, director of telecommunications at ESA, said:
is demonstrated, the techniques can be rolled out to other busi- “ESA’s novel 5G Hub will showcase how space technology en-
nesses across the UK. The center is being backed by a European ables connectivity, partnering with industry to foster innovation
Space Agency contract, and will be carrying out a project to see in the realms of autonomous vehicles and smart cities, and to
whether rural communities can be connected to 5G in the most enable machines to exchange information with one another via
affordable way possible. Currently, the limited range of 5G anten- the Internet of Things.” “Adding satellites to existing terrestrial
nas means the networking standard will be mostly confined to 5G infrastructure is essential to ensure a reliable and safe tele-
high density population areas like cities, meaning that many rural communications network that supports such connectivity, which
locales will lose out, at least in the short term. Huawei initially pro- in turn promotes a seamless and more environmentally friendly
vided much of the infrastructure needed to supply 5G, but the UK experience. Investing in space improves life on Earth.” This UK
Government ultimately banned its involvement due to the firm’s is keen to be a global leader in 5G due to the potential billions in
close ties with the Chinese State. This last minute change could economic gains that this could provide. Last month, the Govern-
threaten to delay the nationwide rollout of 5G. “This year staying ment acquired bankrupt firm OneWeb which is launching a satel-
connected has taken on a new profound importance – from keep- lite constellation up into space with the ultimate goal of beaming
ing in touch with loved ones and competing in Zoom quizzes, to broadband-speed internet back down to Earth.

Spacex Secures FCC Rural Broadband Funding

Aerospace company SpaceX was Communications Commission (FCC) rural plan to deliver internet connectivity from
awarded almost $1 billion from a Federal broadband fund, boosting the company’s a fleet of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites.

55 DECEMBER 2020