Page 65 - SAMENA Trends - November-December 2021

SATELLITE UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Inmarsat Teams for Satellite IoT

RBC Signals will use the Inmarsat global applications and solutions, enabling connectivity, which is where Inmarsat’s
mobile satellite network to drive IoT and new levels of flexibility and service experience, expertise and technology come
other data and communications services customization. Where previous leasing into their own. Our new agreement with
and solutions for customers. RBC Signals agreements were based on static, pre-set RBC Signals will allow more businesses
has signed a strategic agreement with network connectivity specifications, the to benefit from the efficiency, productivity
Inmarsat to use the UK-based satellite new partnership will enable RBC Signals to and sustainability gains IoT enables.
operator’s global network for the Internet of adjust dynamically, reallocate and scale up We look forward to working with RBC
Things (IoT). The global multi-year leasing variables such as spectrum, power levels Signals to bring new, innovative IoT and
agreement pairs Inmarsat’s worldwide and geographical reach, according to the other data-driven products and services
ELERA and Global Xpress satellite changing connectivity needs of individual to market.” “Companies are increasingly
networks with RBC Signals’ range of new customers. “The Internet of Things demanding innovative connected
and existing data and IoT applications for is transforming how businesses and products and services, especially around
use across multiple verticals, including oil industries around the world operate,” said the Internet of Things,” said Christopher
and gas, maritime, agriculture and utilities. Mike Carter, President, Inmarsat Enterprise. Richins, founder and CEO, RBC Signals.
RBC Signals will incorporate Inmarsat’s “The positive impact of IoT depends “These products and solutions must
L-band and Ka-band networks into its on reliable, secure and scalable global have global reach to perform optimally
and satellite connectivity is essential to
meet the needs of enterprises with assets
beyond the reach of terrestrial fixed and
mobile networks. IoT, and especially
Industrial IoT, is a significant growth
area for RBC Signals. Inmarsat with their
uniquely positioned network and global
coverage is the ideal partner for us to
take advantage of this opportunity. “This
partnership will help RBC Signals achieve
our aim of being a complete end-to-end
solution provider for every organization
that needs best-in-class multi-network
solutions. We are proud to announce this
new strategic partnership with Inmarsat at
such an exciting moment in their history,
with the imminent launch of world’s most
advanced commercial communications
satellite, the new Inmarsat I-6 F1, later this
month.”

FCC Considers Satellite Rule Overhaul

The Federal Communications Commission satellite operators by requiring them Chair Jessica Rosenworcel endorsed
(FCC) proposed revisions to rules to share information including satellite the “entrepreneurial activity in our skies”
governing non-geostationary (GEO) beam pointing data. In addition, the FCC and told a meeting the agency “needs to
satellites, potentially making it easier will consider limiting existing spectrum make changes” to accommodate this.
for newcomers to operate Low Earth sharing mechanisms to operators Rosenworcel noted existing rules were put
Orbit (LEO) birds. A Notice of Proposed approved in the same processing round. into place when almost all spacecraft were
Rulemaking (NPRM) adopted today (14 Satellite systems subsequently approved launched by the government, contributing
December) proposes ending interference would be required to protect those cleared to a “first mover advantage”, which the FCC
protections granted to existing operators earlier. The FCC noted its proposal grants will consider mitigating. She noted a need
of non-GEO satellite services. The agency part of a petition made by SpaceX, which is to strike a balance between rewarding
is seeking public feedback on methods deploying satellites for broadband services entrepreneurial initiative and encouraging
to enable coordination among relevant and backhaul for mobile operators. FCC competition.

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