Satellite’s Expanding Role in Powering the Next Era of Telco Growth

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Blog 2 min read
Satellite’s Expanding Role in Powering the Next Era of Telco Growth

Once regarded as a supplemental option for specific niche requirements, telcos and MNOs today see satellite connectivity as an integral enabler of seamless global coverage to extend services to users in more locations. With increased frequency, telcos have adopted space solutions for remote cellular backhaul, private network expansion, and to support emergency response.

With new innovations in the industry, there are now even more opportunities to unlock the full potential of satellite.

By understanding these innovations, and forming strategic partnerships with today’s leading satellite solutions providers, telcos and MNOs can position themselves to take advantage of new space capabilities that can have an even bigger impact on their networks and solution offerings:

  • Multi-Orbit: The Next Leap in Network Reliability

    Satellite has long provided MNOs with a reliable option for extending their networks into sparsely populated areas, underserved communities, and regions impacted by disaster. The introduction of multi-orbit services further deepens the flexibility and effectiveness of satellite-powered backhaul. Multi-orbit systems combine the best attributes of GEO, MEO, and LEO orbits to deliver new levels of resilience, coverage, and performance. By leveraging multi-orbit designs, MNOs can deliver higher throughputs and more reliable services to areas far beyond their respective terrestrial footprints.

  • Moving Beyond the Tower with Direct-to-Device

    Satellite-connected towers extend networks to millions of users where fiber and microwave can’t economically be deployed. Emerging direct-to-device (D2D) technologies are extending cellular reach even further. With D2D, MNOs can seamlessly connect unmodified phones to ensure continued connectivity in even the most remote areas. Integrating D2D with their service offerings and network strategy means MNOs can offer nearly ubiquitous coverage for phones, cars, and IoT devices.

  • Revisiting Data Security and Network Control Expectations

    Geopolitical realities, global security threats, and data privacy concerns are prompting governments and enterprises around the world to reexamine the underlying networks and technologies upon which their operations depend. In response to these concerns, many satellite operators are expanding their offerings and creating new secure space solutions that preclude the need for customers to incur the onerous expense of building, launching, and flying their own satellites. From dedicated payloads on satellites to secure private ground infrastructure to space vehicle leases and managed dedicated solutions, satellite operators allow governments to address their “sovereign space” requirements. At the same time, commercial entities can leverage satellite to explore "sovereign enterprise” scenarios that combine the cost benefits of using existing constellations and satellite operators with levels of security and control appropriate to their network and customer needs.

  • Unlocking New Enterprise Revenues and Value

    AI-powered innovations, software, and cloud solutions continue to drive digitization across all industries, including sectors like farming, mining, construction, and those with major operations outside or on the fringes of traditional networks. As enterprises continue to adopt digital strategies, the presence of reliable connectivity has become critical. By leveraging the versatility of global multi-orbit solutions, telcos can enhance their enterprise connectivity offerings to deliver faster speeds, reduced latency, and critical redundancy.

  • Powering the Next “G” with Satellite

    While telcos today continue to focus on extracting value from 5G investments, many have also turned their attention to the next generation of connectivity technology. Whether those services are defined by faster speeds, lower latency, or more seamless interoperability between networks, the integration of space-based services with cellular network standards will be integral to realizing the promise of those new offerings. With the ongoing development of agile, standards-based satellite designs, satellite operators will ultimately enable the telco industry to deliver a unified, globally integrated connectivity network delivering unprecedented speed and reach.

As a leading satellite solutions provider, SES partners with the world’s top telecom companies and MNOs to extend network coverage, increase service reliability, and support disaster response and emergency connectivity requirements. With its existing global multi-orbit satellite network, including the proven mPOWER MEO constellation, and investments in D2D, quantum key distribution technologies, software-defined satellites, and more, SES is at the forefront of innovation in the satellite industry, bridging satellite and terrestrial networks to help telecom operators close connectivity gaps and meet the unrelenting demand for high-performance global connectivity.