Page 69 - SAMENA Trends - May 2020

SATELLITE UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

IEC Telecom Unveils Satellite-Based Networking Management Solution

Satellite communications specialist, IEC Telecom has introduced
its latest satellite-based networking management solution,
OneGate Aid Compact to improve the efficiency of first responders
in regional communities across the Middle East and Africa amid
the COVID-19 pandemic. OneGate Aid Compact is an agile and
future-ready network management solution that operates from
a virtual platform and is designed to keep mobile humanitarian
teams connected at all times, enabling full control and visibility
over active telecommunication links. Urban areas utilize GSM
networks, while remote missions are heavily reliant on satellite
communication. Moreover, mandatory social distancing prevents
from staff reinforcement or rotation and as a result, field workers
are heavily dependent on satellite networks to receive remote
counselling and training. With an increase in data usage, it is not
enough to simply have access to the satellite network, but be in
a position to manage available resources and channel essential the screen of the device in use (smartphone or tablet). As such,
communications on mission-critical operations. “Successful limited staff onsite is exponentially expended via digitally present
operations during the COVID-19 pandemic are dependent on teams in the HQ and network support teams at IEC Telcom. “In
timely and proper communication in affected communities. This is addition to the critical communication to support the frontline,
especially critical to first response groups or mobile hospitals who we’ve seen a drastic increase in the use of video calls, which is
need to act fast in areas with no infrastructure. Now more than ever, a natural response to prolonged isolation,” added Ben Soussia.
telecommunications in general and satellite communications, in “In order to support front line staff and our communities, in
particular, are critical to support our frontline workers. OneGate cooperation with Thuraya we have doubled our data packages for
Aid Compact was developed as a solution to support continuous April at no additional cost.” With built-in Wi-Fi enablers, OneGate
communication. It provides satellite link in remote areas and Aid Compact provide remote workers with a way to connect their
serves as GSM back-up under terrestrial network coverage,” said own devices to the dedicated welfare network. This provides them
Nabil Ben Soussia, managing director IEC Telecom Middle East, IEC with an added option to reach out to their families regardless of
Telcom Group. IEC Telecom’s OneGate Aid Compact is powered by location. A dedicated welfare environment operates based on a
Thuraya IP+ for stationed use and Thuraya Voyager for vehicular voucher system. Credits are distributed among staff as a part
use over Thuraya’s L-Band network. It enables first response of a social package. Should anyone prefer to surpass the limit,
teams with optimized network traffic availing services such as big additional vouchers can be individually purchased online. As such
data transfer and live conferencing. In times of COVID it means filed workers are not limited in their communication and present no
that front line staff will be able to share operational reports in real risk to overstretch corporate communication budget. According
time and have access to telemedicine. OneGate Aid Compact also to the firm, with an option to install special apps on demand,
provides the gateway for remote maintenance, enabling technical OneGate Aid Compact can be termed as one of the most agile
support teams to monitor and troubleshoot at any place and at any and future-ready satcom solutions for the humanitarian industry,
time. It may also be enhanced with an augmented reality toolkit, enabling the organizations to better utilize the technology and
providing field workers with a ‘virtual pair of hands’ displayed on make a difference to the affected communities.

U.S. Army Signs Deal with SpaceX to Assess Starlink Broadband

The U.S. Army will experiment using Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. how much systems integration work could
Starlink broadband to move data across CRADAs are commonly used by the be required. According to the Army source,
military networks. An agreement signed military to evaluate technologies and the three-year agreement will “allow the
with SpaceX on May 20 gives the Army services from the private sector before Army to understand potential applications
three years to try out the service. The it commits to buying them. The Army in of state-of-the art advancements in
Army and SpaceX signed a Cooperative this case wants to be able to assess the commercial RF SATCOM such as the new
Research and Development Agreement performance of the Starlink low Earth orbit Starlink LEO constellation and modern
known as a CRADA, an Army source told internet service when connected to military SATCOM terminal developments capable
SpaceNews. The project will be overseen systems. The Army will seek answers of tracking LEO satellites.” The deal with
by the Combat Capabilities Development to key questions such as what ground SpaceX follows other CRADAs the Army
Command’s C5ISR Center based at equipment it will need to use Starlink and has signed with companies like Kratos

69 MAY 2020