Show Daily: What are the main growth drivers for on-the-move satellite based communications? How important is high-speed capability?
Jacob Keret: Broadband connectivity– at rest and on the move – has become a must-have. There is constant unsatisfied demand for connectivity anywhere and anytime – for video, voice and data.
Traditional infrastructure simply can’t meet this demand – especially for on-the- move connectivity. We see the mobile satellite services (MSS) market expanding in coverage and bandwidth to meet this groundswell of demand. Every year, more military, commercial and government users turn to satcom broadband to solve tactical, critical emergency communication needs.
For military applications, for example, constant connectivity between personnel on battlefield and central command has become mission-critical, as units share data and rapidly respond to field conditions. For governments, emergency response vehicles turn to satellite-based technologies when natural or manmade disasters disable standard land communication networks. And, of course, commercial air and rail carriers are simply at a competitive disadvantage if they don’t offer broadband to their customers. All these factors are driving the tremendous growth in communications on the move (COTM) markets.
How is that different than a couple of years back?
The difference today is twofold –technological and behavioral. On one hand, we have a new generation of users for whom connectivity is a necessity, not a luxury. They expect to have access wherever they are – and in any situation.
On the other hand, today’s technology is mature and cost-effective. This synchronization of user behavior, demand and technological capability didn’t exist several years ago. It really is an exciting time for this market.