Page 65 - SAMENA Trends - October 2021

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PH Space Agency Eyes Satellite Internet for Remote Areas

The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) has launched a program in terms of the uses of the internet such as maybe being able to
to help the country achieve more robust internet connectivity, bring education to far-flung areas or being able to conduct TELE-
particularly in remote and far-flung areas. During the launching help in far-flung areas, also, financial inclusion,” Bantigue said.
of the INCENTIVISE (Introducing Non-geostationary Satellite Bantigue said the new satellite systems located in lower altitudes
Constellations Test Deployments for Improved Internet Service) can cover unserved or underserved areas and can complement
program, the PhilSA called on new satellite internet operators traditional geostationary orbit satellites (GEOs) already being
(SIO) to conduct test deployments and trials in the Philippines. used by the Philippine government for internet connection. “So,
It said it will facilitate these "test deployments”. “This initiative is because they are closer in proximity to earth, they entail shorter
intended to help expand internet accessibility. in hard-to-reach return trip time of the signal and therefore there is a latency or
areas through satellite broadband,” said PhilSA chief project delay that is significantly less. So, because it’s significantly less,
development officer Agnes May Bantigue. “We are targeting it can better support delay-sensitive applications such as video
companies that operate satellites in so-called non-geostationary teleconferencing like this one,” Bantigue added, referring to the
orbit (NGSO) for providing internet access. Examples of such virtual presser. For example, based on PhilSA’s calculations, Elon
NGSO SIOs, include One Web of UK and Starlink of Elon Musk," Musk’s Starlink has 99.1% total availability or satellites passing
she said. As of date, there are no known local companies with over. This means that for areas like Tawi-Tawi, that could mean
NGSO technologies. Citing a World Bank study, Bantigue said “23.98 hours of 24 hours in a day” satellite availability. This
“only 46.88% of the population in the Philippines had access depends on the results of PhilSA’s tests, if it can determine that
to the Internet, making it the country to have the third-lowest this would translate to actual internet connectivity. “INCENTIVISE
penetration rate in the ASEAN region.” The Bangsamoro Region will help us assess their performance in the Philippines and
has the lowest internet accessibility, with internet access in just determine their performance in the local setting or under local
4.5% of its households. In Regions 9 and 10, 93% of households conditions,” Bantigue explained. The project can also further
do not have internet connectivity, while 92% of households in transfer technology and open opportunities for the Philippines
Regions 4-B and 5 also cannot access the internet, Bantigue to be part of the space technology’s “supply chain" since these
noted. “So, for these regions, we can perhaps turn to satellites satellites need to be replaced more often, she said. “We can pursue
as a means for connecting—for achieving connectivity,” she said. further discussions or negotiations on capacity building through
Bantigue said satellite internet will “bridge the digital divide”, know-how transfer and retention and even local design and
which is cost-effective in areas where “terrestrial networks can be manufacturing which promote local SSDA industry development."
uneconomical and logistically difficult.” “Moreover, satellites can PhilSA is now accepting proposals until the end of this month and
provide urgent communications during disasters and emergencies will take evaluate and decide which satellite internet operators will
when terrestrial infrastructure may be disruptive,” she said. But be assigned to certain sites for trials. “While the tests are ongoing,
PhilSA could not say how cost-effective the technology would we will also be conducting the assessment and preparing the
be yet. “Definitely every infrastructure investment entails capital reports, which we intend to complete and present and share with
outlay. So, in terms of affordability, we really need to assess this relevant government agencies by early quarter two of 2022,”
against the benefits that it will bring to the community. Perhaps Bantigue said.

Intelsat Partners with Air France on
2Ku Satellite Connectivity Solution

Intelsat to install its 2Ku satellite based inflight connectivity (IFC)
solution on the carrier’s incoming fleet of 60 A220-300 aircraft.
Delivery of the systems will commence in 2021. Air France is
Intelsat‘s third airline partner for the A220 airframe and its first
2Ku line-fit European airline partner. The contract will extend
Intelsat installations on Air France‘s fleet to 143 aircraft, including
Boeing 777s and A330s.

65 OCTOBER 2021