Global Connectivity Needs
In today's world, where fast and reliable internet services are crucial for both personal and business activities, there exists a significant gap in global connectivity. Many regions still lack access to high-speed internet, hindering their ability to tap into essential services like healthcare, education, finance, and governmental resources. This digital disparity poses a real risk for businesses operating in these areas, as they may lag behind competitors with better network connections. While mobile network operators have traditionally played a role in bridging this connectivity gap, a large portion of the rural population worldwide remains limited to outdated 2G networks, which cannot support modern digital services. Even in Europe, parts of the rural population are dependent on 2G networks. The main challenge lies in the cost of fiber rollout for backhauling traffic, particularly in rural areas where costs are more than double compared to urban areas.
Satellite Backhaul for Enhanced Connectivity
To address the limitations of terrestrial networks and provide seamless broadband services to underserved areas, mobile operators are turning to satellite backhaul solutions. Unlike traditional geo-stationary satellites that can introduce high latency issues, Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites offer improved bandwidth and reduced latency, making them ideal for supporting mobile broadband services. With LEO satellites located closer to the earth, around 1,000km away compared to 35,000km for GEO satellites, they provide significantly faster and more reliable connections. This enables them to effectively backhaul data for 4G and advanced networks with much lower latencies, ensuring critical services like voice-over-LTE remain operational. LEO satellites can serve as primary backhaul networks or complement existing fixed-line or GEO satellite infrastructure to enhance network resilience and coverage.
Standardization and Future Innovations
For LEO satellite services to fully meet the backhaul demands of mobile operators, adherence to 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standards is essential. Looking ahead to the future, integration of LEO satellites into network infrastructure will be pivotal for the rollout of 6G services. Seamless roaming between mobile and satellite networks without service disruptions or the need for additional fixed infrastructure will be key features to support evolving connectivity needs. By aligning with industry standards and innovating for the future, LEO satellite services aim to enhance communication capabilities on the move, extending connectivity to previously unreachable areas and unlocking new IoT-based applications.