SABER satellite broadband project kicks off in Europe

The biennial Satellite Broadband for European Regions (SABER) project has been officially launched. The project intends to deliver satellite broadband connectivity to an estimated 10 million households in Europe that still lack it.

The objectives of the project were set out in European Digital Agenda, Europe 2020. Local, regional, and national authorities throughout Europe will be provided with guidelines regarding the use of high-speed Internet by satellite technologies as well as the method to connect remote, unconnected areas with the rest of the Continent.

The project is coordinated by CSI Piedmont. It counts Astrium, Eutelsat Communications, SES Broadband Services, 21 regional bodies, and both public and private ICT companies from thirteen countries as its partners for the project.

The European Union supplied 510,000 euros to the SABER satellite broadband project as part of the ICT Policy Support Program.

Habitat for Humanity taps Hughes for satellite broadband during Queens, NY reconstruction

Hughes Network Systems is providing satellite broadband services to Habitat for Humanity of Westchester, NY as the latter rebuilds homes in Breezy Point in Queens, NY that had been devastated by Superstorm Sandy.

Habitat for Humanity is coordinating the reconstruction of the homes of Breezy Point residents from a nearby command center equipped with satellite communications technology. The command center can access broadband Internet by satellite and voice services through Hughes' new Internet Access Solutions.

The Hughes broadband Internet by satellite solution leverages the EchoStar 17 satellite. The next generation Ka-band satellite deploys JUPITER high-throughput technology that can deliver satellite internet speeds of up to 15 Mbps.

The Disaster Preparedness Registry of the Global VSAT Forum helped Habitat for Humanity to identify the satellite resources that will be needed by their command center. In addition, a Cisco on-site TacOps team provided customers with services such as a connection switch for their computers, access to wireless Wi-Fi, and a call manager for their phones.

MP champions rural areas in British push for national broadband

A member of the British Parliament urges the government to devote special attention to rural areas plagued with abysmal ADSL connections for its national broadband plan.

MP Graham Stuart, the representative of Beverley and Holderness, has encouraged his constituents to raise whatever issue they have with their access to fast and reliable Internet.

In an interview with ITV News, Mr. Stuart expressed his belief that the government must assist regions that lack a strong commercial incentive to provide broadband. This can come in the form of more traditional optic fiber and wireless services, as well as the new satellite Internet option.

Mr. Stuart took heart in the recent decision by the European Union to approve Britain's plan to provide broadband connectivity to rural regions. The MP urged that the government begin ensuring broadband access in rural areas within the East Riding.

There is a concern that small and medium-sized enterprises in Britain might lag behind their foreign counterparts if they do not receive a chance to partake of the digital advancements of recent years, innovations such as broadband Internet by satellite and other, more traditional ways of delivering connectivity.

Satellite broadband contributes to online education

Most people think satellites are only used in the broadcasting industry, aviation, and even military missions. But the advent of satellite broadband technology has made its effect even more widespread. Today, millions of people rely on the transmission of vessels orbiting the earth. 

Aside from making it possible to watch TV shows from other countries, satellite technology is also delivering online education in remote regions. Many communities, especially those in developing countries, are inaccessible by road, or are situated in areas where large-scale terrestrial communications network cannot be constructed.

In such situations, satellite broadband via VSAT has been the ideal solution. Now, the system can be conveniently deployed with minimal interference on the environment. Students in remote regions can stream educational videos via Internet, and teachers can finally access more information online. Internet by satellite enables computers to connect to a host of resources that are usually cut off because of the location.

Soon, satellite broadband will penetrate more remote regions, and improve the lives of people in communities often cut off from the rest of the world. With wireless communications technology improving, and with the rise of more powerful mobile devices, our connected world can enjoy easier transfer of information, as well as more powerful and convenient online education. 

How does VSAT work?

Check out this video on what and how VSAT works. We all know how VSAT technology is crucial for internet by satellite to work. In this video, we get an introduction to the system, and which customers VSAT's are ideal for. 
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Internet by satellite broadband for rural communities

Many parts of the world have no access to the internet. Even in developed nations, there are still regions which aren't serviced my mobile communications. Majority of these locations cut off from the web are in the rural regions. In remote areas, terrestrial infrastructure cannot easily be built. The geography of far-flung regions poses a challenge: building telephone lines or digging to embed fibre optic cables is not ideal in mountainous region, or vast arid lands; any infrastructure work may also mean degradation of forest areas or resource-rich lands. 

A VSAT System used in Australia's desert communites

In such situations, the most recommended solution would be satellite broadband. Satellite communications, despite the rise of fibre as we can see in NBN projects across the globe, is becoming the most viable alternative to bring the Internet in rural regions. A technology called VSAT has made the deployment of such systems possible, with little interference to a location's geography. Thus, communities found in remote regions like the deserts in Australia, or even the mountain ranges in Nepal, can rely on VSAT systems because little space is required.

The lack of public infrastructure in rural regions mean satellite broadband is often their only option left. The downside to the technology though would be cost and latency issues. Satellite communications technology isn't cheap, since the service you're paying for makes up for the millions of dollars needed to launch a rocket into space. And since the satellites orbit thousands of kilometers above the earth, signal transmitted via VSAT systems to communications ports both on the ground and in space may face delays. 

Luckily, many operators are looking into improving their technology. This would include the rise of more powerful Ka band satellites. Ka band satellite can carry more payloads, and deliver powerful coverage in vast regions. Many satellite broadband systems are already relying on the new spectrum, and soon enough, more operators will be offering the service at a cheaper cost. 

Do you want to learn more about satellite broadband? Check this out see and read about the Two-Types of Satellite Broadband Systems.