Satellite connectivity solutions foster the integration of new technologies with existing infrastructure.
African countries continue to ponder the idea of underlining their investments in digital technologies, communications infrastructure, IT hubs, data centers, e-commerce, and e-government services.
According to CIO Africa, after the setting up of the ACFTA (Africa Continental Free Trade Area), fresh opportunities in technology start-ups and e-businesses are anticipated to grow the combined GDP by over $600 billion.
Hence, it’s now clear that communications infrastructure is crucial in optimizing these commercial processes. The African Union’s Digital Transformation Strategy 2020-2030 aims to bring universal digital access and develop a single pan-African digital market. The World Bank estimates that just a 10% increase in mobile internet penetration can translate into a 2.5% increase in GDP.
Satellite connectivity solutions enable the integration of the latest technologies with existing infrastructure. According to the African Space Industry Annual Report 2019, satellite communications generate approximately US$ 6.5 billion in Africa annually.
IEC Telecom Group, an international provider of satellite communication services, expanded its services to East Africa in 2021 with an official partnership with OstaTech Limited, leading information, and technology company in Kenya. This partnership has been key to creating economic opportunities as well as increasing investments in innovative infrastructure and satellite communications in the East African market.
Kenya is quickly becoming a tech hub for East Africa and is one of the fastest-growing economies in Sub-Saharan Africa. 10% of all projects awarded between 2018 and 2020 focused on the digital transformation of the government, healthcare, and education sectors.
“Connectivity is crucial for efficient, affordable, and safe business processes. Digitalization can empower business owners with reduced infrastructure investments and state-of-the-art hybrid technologies. It is almost a virtuous circle to see innovations in technology creating opportunities for increased entrepreneurship, and increased incentives for doing business in Kenya creating the demand for more connectivity,” says Oscar Mwai, Chief Executive Officer, Ostatech Limited.
IEC Telecom has long-standing relationships with key satellite operators that place it in a unique position to support global business operations as well as regional set-ups. As an International Golden Service Provider for Thuraya Telecommunications, IEC Telecom has worked jointly with Thuraya for 15+ years to develop high-performing customized solutions and value-added services that empower the public and private sector’s digital transformation journey.
Thuraya’s portfolio of innovative products is complemented by IEC Telecom’s value-added applications to bring bespoke and optimized connectivity services, including videoconferencing, remote maintenance, and telemedicine, to government, humanitarian, and enterprise operations across the globe.
Equipped with IEC Telecom’s state-of-the-art centralized management system called OneGate, Thuraya L-band solutions are optimized to deliver a wide range of value-added services, offering a user experience on par with VSAT.
“There was a market need to provide the right management and optimization tools to help our clients to have full visibility and control over their remote operations in a single centralized digital platform that they can access remotely. Using Thuraya’s wide range of L-band services and products to connect remote areas, teams, and operations, we provide many value-added services that take the connectivity experience to a higher level and provide our clients with end-to-end services fully designed and developed to fit their operational needs,” shares Mr. Alaa Alsadi.
OneGate is a future-ready network management solution that operates in dual GSM/satcom mode. This system is geared to minimize expenses by automatically routing traffic at the least cost while optimizing usage using filtration and compression.
In addition, OneGate is managed via a digital dashboard. This offers advanced visibility over active communication links and network traffic, bandwidth control, management of credit limits, the ability to issue vouchers for team communications, and more. All of the value-added services can be managed remotely, which allows us to further save on transport costs and avoid logistical delays.
Satellite Connectivity FAQs
Here are the frequently asked questions about satellite connectivity according to NBAA:
When will the standard definition of satellite TV format become obsolete?
As much as the aviation industry can determine at this point, the calendar year 2021 is when a standard definition is likely to no longer be broadcast to aircraft with satellite television systems onboard. More details will be available in the coming year as to when exactly this switch will occur. We will continue to provide information as it is made available.
Can I stream live TV?
It’s important to differentiate live TV broadcasts from streaming TV. Live TV is a feed of live events accessed via channels broadcast over a capable direct broadcast satellite system. Streaming TV refers to “on-demand” access to available content, often accessed through a Personal Electronic Device (PED) app. Both of these activities require a subscription service from a provider.
Streaming live TV is possible with the proper scenario onboard your aircraft, with two requirements: an internet system capable of producing a minimum constant speed of 3 Mbps* and a device to access the channels (e.g., AppleTV, Roku, Amazon Fires TV Stick, etc.). Note that some newer aircraft routers will come equipped with these apps. Current and future internet systems will offer internet protocol television (iptv). Internet protocol television will be able to access some popular tv channels using your aircraft’s internet system and in os cases, not use your purchased internet data to do so. This service will be a separately purchased plan from your internet plan which could lead to large savings by the end user.
*Streaming may be possible at under 3 Mbps but the quality of the content being viewed may be sacrificed.
Why is my internet so slow?
Many factors may cause the internet to be slow on the aircraft, but the biggest factor is expectation. Often when the internet is perceived as slow, it is because everywhere else the internet experience has gotten drastically faster. At home, in the office, and over cellular, internet speeds have grown exponentially. Airborne internet has also grown but unfortunately not at the same rate as ground system performance. Here are some factors that help to improve slow internet speeds:
- Turn off, or disconnect from the Wi-Fi – devices that are not in use or don’t need internet access
- Shut down apps that are running in the background
- Know that every device or app in use has the potential to reduce speed by up to 50 percent
- Be selective about using VPNs, as they create a larger demand on the network to maintain security protocols
- Limit streaming, or block if your system can’t support streaming. A system that can’t support streaming will still try to fulfill the streaming request causing the aircraft’s internet to appear slow or not working at all. In reality, you are moving data (which is billable) but without any performance to show for it.
- Disable cloud syncing and updates.
Who do I call for connectivity support?
The answer largely depends on your organizational structure. If you are a flight crew member, your maintenance department will probably prefer to receive the first call, just like any other aircraft issue. If you are a maintainer, you should start with your service provider, equipment installer, or aircraft manufacturer. Since your service provider is likely familiar with the connections to your aircraft, they would probably be the best place to start. If the issue involves a new aircraft, you may want to turn to the aircraft manufacturer. If the issue is with a newly installed system, you’ll want to go to the installer. Regardless of your particular circumstance, each of these three should be able to help you with support and steer you in the right direction if they’re unable to help you.
Why is the internet faster on the airlines than on my business jet?
Currently, you can see faster speeds on airliners because of fuselage size. The current antenna technology has limited the speeds you can get on a business jet. A bigger fuselage and bigger fuselage mount antenna mean more speed. As antenna and satellite technology continues to improve, we will start to see increased speeds on business jets.
How can I maximize my user experience?
On your aircraft, you have a limited bandwidth based on the connectivity solution you have chosen. To maximize the user experience, you’ll want to educate your passengers on what your connectivity solution is capable of (e.g., limiting data usage can boost performance.) Advise passengers and crew that these factors can decrease the apparent internet speeds:
- Too many devices connected to the access point
- Cloud syncing
- Device updates
- Background applications running
- Weather
- Aircraft location
What apps do I need?
There are several apps designed by service providers that are specifically meant to assist operators to determine the connectivity and configuration of satellite communications systems aboard their aircraft. For example, Mobile Access Troubleshooting Application (MATA) allows the operator to perform: Ping, Traceroute, and Network Device Scan. The app quickly determines if devices are successfully connecting to the internet and the results displayed can be sent via e-mail or SMS to technical support for further troubleshooting. The desired app can be downloaded to a smart device by visiting Apple Store or Google Play.
The following is a list of known apps designed by service providers for their installed systems:
- ARINCDirect Network Analyzer (iOS only)
- Honeywell SpeedTest (iOS)
- Honeywell SpeedTest (Android)
- Satcom Direct – Mobile Access Troubleshooting Application
- iOS File Manager
Note: It is also suggested that operators install a Google Drive or other cloud storage app for downloading router and terminal logs. Most onboard devices such as tablets and/or smartphones do not have integrated file storage/management features needed to download log files. So the device a smartphone or tablet will require a file management app. An example of this is iOS File Manager.
Do I need to do anything with my device to make it work?
For mobile devices:
- Put your device in airplane mode
- Turn on Wi-Fi on your device and connect to the Wi-Fi network of the aircraft.
- Once connected to the Wi-Fi network of the aircraft, you should be able to pass data over the network.
For laptops:
- Turn on the Wi-Fi adapter on the laptop
- Connect to the Wi-Fi network of the aircraft
- Once connected to the Wi-Fi network of the aircraft, you should be able to pass data over the network.
What is VoIP?
VoIP is an acronym for Voice Over Internet Protocol or, in more common terms, phone service over the internet. VoIP services convert your voice into a digital signal that travels across the internet. If you are calling a regular phone number, the signal is converted to a regular telephone signal before it reaches the destination. VoIP can allow you to make a call directly from a computer, a special VoIP phone, or a traditional phone connected to a special adapter. In addition, wireless “hot spots” in locations such as airports, parks, and cafes allow you to connect to the internet and may enable you to use VoIP service wirelessly.
What is VPN?
A virtual private network (VPN) is a solution that uses public internet infrastructure to provide remote users secure access to their organization’s network. The security is introduced using various tunneling protocols like L2TP/IPSec/PPTP/OpenVPN. It can be considered as a solution to avoid expensive leased lines to link a remote user to their organization’s resources but VPN does add overhead to a network link.
What is ATG?
Air-To-Ground (ATG) systems are connectivity networks for aircraft flying in or over certain geographic regions. This technology is based on the simple idea of turning cell towers up toward the sky to provide a connectivity solution for aircraft flying overhead. The largest and most common Air-To-Ground systems have been established throughout the continental United States due to the large, continuous geographic region with a singular governing body (FAA).
These networks typically offer some of the fastest, most reliable connections at a variety of speeds. While satellite broadband options offer global coverage from the ground up, Air-To-Ground broadband offers data at altitudes of 10,000 ft. and above.
Regulatory and logistic challenges currently make it difficult to launch Air-To-Ground networks outside of the U.S.
Does ATG work outside of CONUS? Why or why not?
Established Air-To-Ground networks today have coast-to-coast coverage over the contiguous United States, Alaska, and parts of Canada, including key northeast corridor traffic routes for flights to Europe. The Inmarsat European Aviation Network is a hybrid Satcom and ATG network that entered commercial service for the airlines in March of 2019.
What is the difference between a byte and a bit?
Bytes and bits are often confused with one another in the digital world. Simply put, there are 8 bits for every byte.
The “mega” prefix in megabit (Mb) and megabyte (MB) are often the preferred way to express data transfer rates because it’s dealing mostly with bits and bytes in the thousands. For example, your home network might be able to download data at 1 million bytes every second, which is more appropriately written as 8 megabits per second, or even 8 Mb/s.
It’s easy to manually convert bit and byte values when you know the following:
- 8 bits = 1 byte
- 1,024 bytes = 1 kilobyte
- 1,024 kilobytes = 1 megabyte
- 1,024 megabytes = 1 gigabyte
- 1,024 gigabytes = 1 terabyte
We believe this article on the satellite connectivity necessity, and the frequently asked questions about it will help you in your digitalization efforts.
