Enterprise, government defence orgs need NewSat

Milsatmagazine, the world’s leading military satellite news publication, published an article on Ka-band (covering the frequencies of 26.6 to 40 GHz) for enterprise and government customers.

With a rapidly growing global market for satellite communications (“comsat”), an artificial satellite sent to space for the purpose of telecommunications, and an ever increasing demand for network/data/digital bandwidth, which in computer networking and computer science are terms used to refer to various bit-rate measures, representing the available or consumed data communication resources in bits per second or multiples of it (bit/s, kbit/s, Mbit/s, Gbit/s, etc.), Ka-band is being hailed as the next step for satellite communications. Enterprise, government defence and military organizations have expressed the need to upgrade the capability and capacity of their satellite communications, as a Ka-band satellite can support significantly greater volumes of traffic than its C- or Ku-band counterparts.

The article explains how the benefits of small, affordable user terminals, cost-effective network deployments, increased mobility, higher capacity, bandwidths and speeds have been driving demands. New ka-band satellites such as NewSat’s Jabiru-1 employ novel designs to provide the advantages of multi-spot beams, yet with the advantages of ku-band-like coverage.      

NewSat is to date the largest independent satellite communications in Australia. NewSat-owned Jabiru is Australia’s first independently owned satellite operator to manage a fleet of commercial Ku- and Ka-band satellites.

See: NewSat's Internet from Satellite Services

Hughes to deliver three HughesNet Gen 4 Business Internet service plans

Hughes communications subsidiary for satellite broadband, Hughes Network Systems, is gearing up for the introduction of 3 satellite broadband plans tailored for businesses. The internet from satellite solution will deliver up to 15mbps speeds coupled with higher data allowances under three service plans: the Business 200 plan, the Business 300 plan, and the Business 400 plan. The price range for the services sit between $80 to $130.

According to Hughes Network Systems, the business internet service plans include business grade support, commercial installation, free anti-virus software for up to three computers, and of course, the HughesNet Express Repair Premium which comes free for the first year.

The Maryland-based company said that satellite technology will help enterprises with business operations in remote regions where access to broadband is limited via the terrestrial networks. With satellite broadband, small and medium-sized business will no longer have to rely on DSL connections or expensive options like T1 lines.

Blue Sky Satellite Communications to launch prepaid Internet from satellite

South-African satellite communications provider Blue Sky announced plans to launch an Internet from satellite service on a prepaid basis early next year. According to the company, the new service will primarily serve mining companies across the country.

According to Blue Sky CEO Pedro Camacho, offering a prepaid-based satellite internet service will be a first in the market, and aims to provide coverage to budget conscious mining companies. Prepaid satellite bandwidth will allow organizations in the resource industry to monitor their spendings.

One-fourth of Blue Sky’s revenue comes from the mining industry, as well as several oil and gas projects relying on satellite technology to deliver crucial communications to work sites. Satellite internet technology allows even the most remote mining sites to have email services, voice communications, and other messaging applications that improves operational efficiency.

Unfortunately, smaller mining companies are unable to benefit from the technology because of the cost. Blue Sky’s offering is looking to change all that. The prepaid internet from satellite allows monthly service fees to be more affordable. Mr. Camacho also said that the company offers on-site personnel to help maintain the communications equipment.