Space-based Internet connectivity as a retail product was pioneered by Elon Musk’s Starlink and players such as Amazon, as well as dedicated space data startups, are clamoring to fill the skies with small sat networks to provide direct-to-home data. Barcelona-based Satelliot plans to take this concept to the next level, with 5G connectivity from orbit that operates seamlessly with existing terrestrial 5G networks currently using cell phone technology. In principle, the system will allow seamless high-speed data access to smart phones and handheld devices using existing carrier companies, Sim cards and the same smart phones in use today. The development of this 5G technology is spurred by autonomous vehicles, which are expected to be widely connected and generate staggering amounts of data: Nokia predicts that autonomous driving will generate data at 4 TB per hour. .
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Episode Transcript:
The combination of handheld devices and the emergence of the Internet of Things has created an unprecedented demand for high speed, low latency data transfer. 5G delivers the speed needed for live streaming of video and other data-rich applications, but future services such as connected autonomous vehicles promise to flood 5G systems with information.
According to Nokia, connected self-driving cars will generate about 5 terabytes of data per hour, and other IoT devices will generate similar streams. Handling that wireless traffic from space-based systems seems like an obvious solution, but technical challenges are difficult.
Elon Musk’s Starlink system of low Earth orbit satellites is providing service—but with complex ground receiver technology that must hand off signals to satellites that are rising from and setting below the local horizon. Geosynchronous satellites offer global coverage from as few as three satellites, but with latency issues derived from orbits 22,000 miles high.
For high-speed 5G service, Barcelona-based Satelliot has launched a prototype satellite designed to provide orbital 5G service that is interlinked with ground-based cell networks and operates with standard 5G handheld devices with no special receiving equipment.
The company calls the satellite Groundbreaker, and it represents the first of 250 nanosats operating at 300-mile altitudes to provide global coverage. The system is designed primarily for commercial and Industrial Internet of Things applications, although the firm notes that the system is capable of greatly extending the coverage area of current 5G cell phone service providers.
With Starlink already operating, and competing services from Globalstar and Iridium using low orbits, Amazon, AST SpaceMobile, Lynk Global and Telesat are planning similar services.
The technology to handle data up-links and down-links to low orbit satellites, and handing the signal off between satellites is now well proven, but if the Satelliot system proves robust and cost-effective, their ability to integrate seamlessly with terrestrial 5G networks with existing consumer hardware, Sim cards and cellular service providers would represent a considerable market advantage over companies who require dedicated receivers.
On the other hand, emerging commercial and industrial IoT applications may saturate the available bandwidth quickly, creating a two-tier satellite communications market of consumer voice and video service, and a much larger datastream between devices.
It’s early in a rapidly emerging market, and it’s unclear whether all the competing satellite systems will survive—but the relatively rapid orbital decay of low orbit small satellites, and the need to constantly replace them, is paradoxically an opportunity for space data networks to constantly upgrade their service.
For commercial users, the benefits are obvious. For consumers, the future may be low cost, no roaming charges and personal data service providers that are global in scale.