Mobility

Movement within a nation’s borders, across borders and around the world is critical to a nation’s prosperity. Anticipated revenue for the road sector alone is around $33bn worldwide per annum by 2020, with the transport industry becoming increasingly reliant on technology and communications including infrastructure, communication systems, in vehicle systems, service sector and personal devices and applications.

Satellite operators are already working with car and antenna manufacturers to develop new affordable business models to encourage and nurture the early uptake of systems and to move from a small to large user community.

Future vehicle communication platforms should include state-of-the-art mobile and satellite communications for long-range connectivity, in addition to short range capabilities such as WiFi and Bluetooth, with the ability to switch between communications bearers to keep the user connected for as long as possible. Such hybrid routers are being developed as intelligent and rules-based systems to ensure the cheapest and most effective communication method is used, where data will only be sent when needed and within thresholds defined by any given user.

Mobile satellite systems preserve the lives of seafarers, enabling ship to shore communications as well as contributing to the safety of navigation and the vessel itself by enhancing situational awareness. Downloading navigation chart updates over mobile broadband can be achieved via satellite, in addition to exchanging voyage, fuel consumption, weather and other business process data with shore. Mobile satellite communications for ships also enable proper reporting for ships and trawlers who are required to comply with fishing quotas.

Ship tracking and security/anti-piracy capabilities are already advanced through satellite with numerous commercial operators already playing a very active role in protecting the commercial interests of the ship operators through optimised routing. Thanks to satellites one can obtain ship position, receive safety advisory messages, and communicate, including emergency calls, request support from air and receive support to anti-piracy actions.

Satellite communications provide ultimate connectivity for a consistent global experience for the whole aircraft, from safety communications to high-speed broadband and live TV in the cabin. Aviation safety is enabled through data communications with control centres on the ground using the C-band. Communications with the aircraft themselves are enabled using the L-band. They enable a wide range of uses in the cockpit and the cabin. These include safety communications, weather and flight-plan updates, as well as passenger connectivity for email, Internet access, VoIP telephone calls, GSM and SMS messaging.

Satellite communication enables safe and efficient passage of the aircraft to its destination with up-to-date information, including route, air traffic and airline operational information, supporting all key cockpit applications.

Satellite networks play an indispensable role in efficient air traffic management. Ka-band satellites using the Gigahertz frequency spectrum can reach user terminals across most of the populated world. As a result, ATM based satellite networks can be effectively used to provide real time as well as non-real time communications services to remote areas. Satellites offer wide geographic coverage including interconnection of “ATM islands”, multipoint to multipoint communications facilitated by the inherent broadcasting ability of satellites, bandwidth on demand (Demand Assignment Multiple Access (DAMA) capabilities), and an alternative to fiber optic networks for disaster recovery options.