How Satellites Will Take High-Speed ​​Communication to New Heights

This article was co-authored by Jason Jackson, Vice President and Distinguished Engineer at Kyndryl, and Vivek Vijay, Vice President, Kyndryl Network and Edge Consult.

In the rapidly evolving world of networking technologies, a new niche has emerged: integrated space communications.

The limitations traditionally associated with satellite communications are changing with low-Earth orbit satellites. These modern marvels are lighter, smaller, and more agile than their predecessors, which may have weighed as much as small cars, because they operated from fixed positions tens of thousands of miles above the ground. What’s more, the new satellites can receive and transmit data faster, setting the stage for high-speed wireless connectivity from anywhere on Earth—and beyond.

In fact, more and more data is being generated in space and data traffic is expected to increase significantly.

Companies are watching closely as reliable and ubiquitous satellite connectivity—whether on land, in the air, or at sea—becomes essential to innovation. As this evolution continues, companies increasingly see the opportunity to better serve customers and people around the world with improved, integrated connectivity.

By combining satellite communications with cellular networks and edge technologies, companies can have ubiquitous connectivity. This is especially useful in industries such as energy, manufacturing and mining, where operations often take place in remote locations. Increased connectivity also has the potential to drive market growth in additional sectors, including communications, aviation and others.

As companies evolve their network strategies, they should consider how to protect and maximize their investments. Preparing for this new era of networking, building stronger networks, and managing the implications of increased connectivity will help companies leverage this new frontier and succeed in this extraterrestrial evolution.

Harnessing Ubiquitous Connectivity

Standalone satellites can be expensive and support limited services—and cellular networks sometimes can’t reach remote locations. By integrating satellites with cellular networks deployed at the edge, enterprises can fully leverage their technology investments and address critical business challenges.

Consider the network requirements of a cargo ship. Operating as a modern industrial enterprise, a single ship may rely on hundreds of Internet of Things (IoT) devices for fleet management, predictive maintenance, and real-time system failure detection. Reliable network connectivity is essential to maintaining these mission-critical operations, reducing risk, and resolving issues before they occur—whether on land, in port, or at sea.

But ships—like connected vehicles, drones, and airplanes, for example—can’t easily use cellular networks when they leave port. As they crisscross the globe, satellite constellations can help ships in remote locations increase their bandwidth and achieve high-speed, low-latency communications. With increased bandwidth, ships can use improved telemetry systems that collect larger amounts of useful data at sea.

Additionally, with edge computing, maritime operators can improve network performance and maximize bandwidth gains by using edge computing to perform IT maintenance, freeing up bandwidth for critical business operations, and implementing cost-effective bandwidth utilization strategies.

These benefits can extend beyond ships to other remote locations, as well as industrial networks that often include multiple IoT devices. Whenever seamless, secure, and consistent data exchange is required, integrated satellite connectivity is an option worth considering.

Increasing network resilience

Satellites can also help keep IT operations running smoothly by providing backup capacity in the event of network disruptions.

For example, satellite communications and edge computing can provide protection against disruptions to terrestrial technologies, such as natural disasters. If land infrastructure is damaged, satellite communications and edge devices can help keep critical communications services running when health and safety depend on the ability to send and receive information.

In addition, integrated communications can be useful for emergency services. Satellites can help operate sensors and devices that monitor water levels in floods, enable communications for search and rescue operations in isolated locations, and power early detection systems for earthquakes, tsunamis, and wildfires.

Using satellite communications in addition to mobile networks also provides a buffer of connectivity, especially in remote locations where installing 5G infrastructure poses significant challenges. In these locations, satellites can enable more backhaul services that support the smooth and secure flow of data traffic across networks, ultimately increasing network resilience.

Preparing for 24/7 connectivity

With increased connectivity comes increased security requirements. As companies look to take advantage of integrated satellite connectivity, they must prepare to manage cyber threats, including cyberattacks and technological disruptions.

Implementing zero trust principles will be key. For example, as ships and containers move across geographic boundaries, companies will need to manage complex security risks and operational technology security protocols. Companies should also prioritize regular security updates for IoT devices, which integrated satellite connectivity can help support expanded coverage and improved data traffic management.

Similar to ground security, prioritizing cyber resilience is fundamental to preparing for integrated satellite communications. Companies should work to ensure multiple connectivity paths across all applications and redundancies that will allow them to enhance their security posture and avoid service disruptions.

Technology partners can help companies develop strategies to drive network innovation and guide them in considering the right solution for each connectivity need. This way, companies can take full advantage of the newest—but certainly not the final—frontier of the network.