A new, 21^st-century space race has begun as companies like SpaceX, Amazon, Lockheed Martin and others compete to launch their own “constellations” of low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites. These networks of space-based devices hold the promise of high-speed connectivity beyond broadband and earth-based 5G alone, where an estimated 42 million people globally without high-speed internet access may soon be connected.

 

There are already hundreds of LEO satellites in orbit for this purpose, with more scheduled to launch in the near future. Combined with earth-based 5G networks, these satellites could enhance internet-based operations with critical functions, such as:

 

– providing additional backhaul when moving data between radio access (RAN) and core networks
– providing redundances so that critical and life-saving services never lose connectivity
– connecting rural, remote, and underserved populations to high-speed internet for the first time
– supporting entirely new business models and improving existing ones

 

In time, these networks may seamlessly integrate with traditional infrastructure, such as cell towers, fiber optics, and even private networks. But questions remain as to the efficacy, reliability, and security of space-based communication technologies. Here we explore how our new connected environment is emerging, and what we can expect in terms of its impact on our personal, professional, and public lives.

 

The Next Evolutionary Step for Connectivity

 

The promises of satellite-based internet connectivity are exciting, and they serve several obvious, critical needs. In addition to seamless wireless experiences for virtually all human beings, it will remedy and enhance existing networks—reducing downtime, optimizing connectivity between IoT devices, improving military and defense capabilities, and others.

 

Perhaps most importantly, space-based communication technologies will integrate seamlessly with “terrestrial” 5G networks, which are foundational to future communication technologies. The reach and redundancies these tools provide promise to eradicate lost connectivity in virtually every case.

 

How Will Space-Based Telecommunications Work at Scale?

 

LEO satellites differ from traditional geostationary satellites (GEO). They orbit closer to earth, which reduces latency; but each individual satellite has limited coverage as a result. That’s why companies like SpaceX, Amazon, and others are prioritizing “constellations”—networks of LEO satellites can traffic data between one another seamlessly and at great distance, expanding coverage as well as data throughput.

 

As this strategy becomes more sophisticated and effective, its impact will be unprecedented. In addition to connecting virtually all 3.7 billion human beings to high-speed internet—many in rural areas and poorer countries for the first time—space-based connectivity will provide redundancies and alternatives to existing networks which governments, businesses, the military, and private citizens rely on every day. Space-based infrastructure will help support the exponential growth in connected devices and data traffic well into the future as well.

 

What will be the financial impact? As a point of comparison, consider that of the global positioning system (GPS) when it grew to scale. The Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis estimates GPS impacted more than $1.4 trillion in the U.S. economy alone. The impact of SpaceX’s Starlink and other networks promise to be even more substantial.

 

Recent Progress and Benchmarks

 

Leading U.S. technology companies are taking strides in bringing this connected universe to fruition—and federal agencies are working with them to see that their efforts are done correctly. In 2018, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission approved Starlink’s plan to send 12,000 satellites into orbit, Scientific American reports. This was reinforced by Starlink’s success winning a $900 million grant through the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, designed to connect rural parts of the country to high-speed internet.

 

By March 2021, SpaceX had already conducted its fifth launch of Starlink satellites that year and extended their services to some consumers. With hundreds of satellites now in orbit, Starlink will likely scale up launch frequency and capacity to reach its long-term goal of 30,000 satellites.

 

But while SpaceX makes the most headlines, other companies are making progress towards similar goals. Lockheed Martin announced an agreement with Omnispace in March 2021 to build its own space-based 5G network—one that does not require a ground terminal, as is the case with Starlink. What’s more, the Omnispace network will connect to standard 5G-capable mobile devices—no additional technology required on the part of consumers.

 

Amazon’s Kuiper System, a limited but low-latency broadband service, is also under consideration by the FCC. In the UK, OneWeb—with Virgin Group, Coca-Cola, and others as investors—already launched 34 satellites in 2020. More specialized networks or networks targeting specific sectors and industries—such as transportation, agriculture, and freight, each with its own unique requirements—are emerging as well.

 

5 High-Impact Industries for Space-Based Telecommunications

 

 

Seamless integration with ‘terrestrial’ 5G networks—that is what will make satellite-based telecommunications so unique and accessible. In this way, 5G will support a new generation of connected citizens; not to mention militaries, emergency service providers, and both enterprise and rural companies. Here we examine some of these paradigms and exactly how satellite networks will make an impact

 

Consumer Opportunities and Experiences

 

We are approaching a world where private citizens in the most remote or underprivileged parts of the world can reach one another instantly, even without fiberoptics. New connected products will emerge as a result, enhancing consumer experiences abroad, at sea, in their vehicles, and in remote locations.

Satellite-based connectivity brings learning and economic opportunities to underserved populations as well. And although existing satellite connectivity often requires an upfront financial investment, satellite-based connectivity will become increasingly affordable and built into common consumer devices, such as mobile phones.

 

Business Enablement

 

As it stands today, high-speed internet has been foundational to transforming both strong and growing economies. Spaced-based telecommunications can eliminate costly drops in connectivity, can eradicate growth-limiting “dead spaces,” and can lift up economies still untouched by high-speed internet.

 

For example, in the transportation industry, ships, trains, and planes that depart from populated areas needn’t see drops in connectivity for their passengers, crew, or IoT-connected equipment. Growing rural or emerging economies who have never head high-speed internet could build entire industries with newfound connectivity as well.

 

Finally, affordable, sub-5G satellite connectivity for connected devices could revolutionize existing connected businesses through enhanced capabilities. “A farmer who’s using smart sensors to track things like local weather and soil conditions doesn’t need broadband internet to connect these devices,” notes MIT Technology Review. “Smaller companies like the US-based Swarm… uses a fleet of over 120 small satellites to help connect IoT devices for such use cases [with] a data plan starting at just $5 a month.”

 

Fully-Realized IoT Networks

 

Internet of Things (IoT) technologies are proving critical to modern connected economies, where powerful analytics can transform data generated by thousands of devices in factories and in the field into meaningful insights and actions. Satellite-based internet eliminates barriers to how IoT devices are distributed and utilized, making new breakthroughs in fields like fleet management and remote assistance possible.

 

In addition to extending the reach of IoT connectivity, space-based communication technologies can help with additional capacity when data traffic is at its peak as well. That means more secure, reliable exchanges of data as IoT networks scale and as businesses and governments seek to grow more sophisticated in how they utilize IoT devices.

 

Government, Military, and Defense

 

Understandably, the U.S. military is already an interested customer for satellite-based internet connectivity. “When operating in remote areas [the military] often relies on geostationary satellites plagued by congested service and high latency,” MIT Technology Review observes—a conflict that might be swiftly resolved by LEO satellite networks.

 

As of 2021, the Air Force Laboratory is testing Starlink in partnership with Ball Aerospace under its Defense Experimentation Using Commercial Space Internet (DEUCSI) program, where Ball Aerospace was awarded a $9.7 million contract in August 2020 for that purpose. SpaceX had already received authorization from the FCC to run experimental Starlink tests—including tests with the U.S. Air Force—starting in 2018 as well.

 

Future Infrastructure

 

Looking beyond the immediate benefits of spaced-based communication technologies, we can image how broad and consistent high-speed internet access could help us improve core aspects of civilization, such as infrastructure. Local governments may use 5G networks extended and reinforced by LEO satellite networks so that public services, businesses, and private citizens needn’t limit themselves in terms of how, where, and what they connect.

 

In cities, ingenious use of IoT technologies, enhanced public media experiences, optimization of transportation and other active infrastructure, and critical redundancies for emergency tools and communications are made possible within satellite-enhanced 5G networks. Dramatic improvements to now off-grid, remote areas where high-speed internet is nonexistent—let alone as fast as 5G—will mean profound changes to how societies educate, enjoy, interact with, and learn about one another about within public and private spheres as well.

 

Conclusion: Our Next Connected World

 

There are still countless open questions as to how governments, businesses, and private citizens will use these networks in the long term. But we need only consider the changes that emerged after internet connectivity first arrived just a few decades ago to understand the scope of what’s to come.

 

If human innovation and ambition tell us anything, it’s that profound changes are inevitable—and promise to be ubiquitous. As enterprise companies, startups, ambitious creatives, and world governments step in, we can be certain we’re on the threshold of a new “connected world.”

 

Uvation Can Help with Your Future Connectivity Initiatives

 

Uvation builds close, trusted partnerships with some of the world’s leading public and private organizations as they consider the benefits of space-based and other telecommunication opportunities. Contact one of our connectivity experts to learn more.