Eye in the sky: LEO satellites connect organizations in remote areas

In the heart of the Pacific, the small island nation of Vanuatu is struck by a Category 5 cyclone. The storm surge and high winds knock out power lines and destroy communication towers, leaving communities isolated and in dire need of aid. Traditional communication methods are down, making it difficult for first responders to coordinate relief efforts.

Within hours, a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation, operated by a large telecommunications provider, has redirected a cluster of satellites to focus on the region. They quickly establish reliable communication, allowing first responders and aid organizations to interact with each other and with the outside world. They can also capture high-resolution images of the affected areas. 

Low altitude, high value

LEO satellites orbit our planet at altitudes ranging from 160km to 2,000km (by comparison, medium Earth orbit (MEO) satellites used for GPS orbit at about 20,200km). And using them to make a life-saving difference is just one of many exciting ways to apply the technology.

These satellites can be useful to any organization with operations in remote areas that have poor infrastructure. In Southern Africa, for example, NTT DATA has deployed connectivity powered by LEO satellites for a mining company with shafts in remote locations. We’ve also used LEO for a government department and tax authority operating at a border post, and we’ve provided critical services to border-post employees and people coming into and leaving South Africa.

In Zambia, we’ve also worked with a logistics and supply chain specialist and deployed LEO services to help mitigate the effects of an energy crisis that was critically affecting local fixed-line connectivity.

The success of these implementations shows we have the skills and experience to roll out our solution in areas where a lack of infrastructure, remote locations or challenges like regular blackouts make it hard to do business.

Considerations when deploying LEO

To realize the promise of high speed and reliable connectivity to sites in remote regions or which are underserviced from an infrastructure perspective, there are some considerations to take into account when deploying LEO technology. From our experience deploying numerous LEO services across Southern Africa, it has quickly become apparent that LEO isn’t always a purely plug-and-play service.

First, the site itself matters. Instant success is not guaranteed just because the sky is visible.

LEO satellites cover a narrower surface area than satellites orbiting at a higher altitude, and they can handle only a set amount of bandwidth. A site survey will therefore consider how much total bandwidth an existing constellation of satellites can accommodate, compared with the overall bandwidth needs of the clients.

So, while LEO satellites are great at enabling connectivity in hard-to-reach places, they may not be the answer to every communication challenge. As with other technologies, success depends on careful planning and technical expertise.

Second, strict health and safety regulations apply, as the satellite dishes or domes need an unobstructed view of the sky – which means individuals will be working at height. The structural integrity of the surface that the dish is being installed on also needs to be determined prior to installation.

Last, the cost of the technology has to be considered. Cost-effective solutions have been developed for smaller and more home-based connectivity requirements, while the guaranteed connectivity and stability needed for enterprise-grade connections attract a higher price point.

Because both solutions offer great value to their respective target markets, one can base a decision on the type of LEO connectivity required by considering the cost of not being connected. For home users, degraded or lost connectivity might be more of an inconvenience than anything else, so investing in an enterprise-grade LEO solution may not be warranted. However, for a large organisation, lost connectivity could bring trading and production to a halt and keep employees from engaging and collaborating.

Use cases and industry impact

NTT DATA’s LEO satellite connectivity projects are proving useful in a range of sectors. Apart from mining, the public sector, transportation and logistics, we’re also working with clients in retail, manufacturing and banking.

For these industries, the ability to deploy connectivity in remote areas with limited infrastructure makes LEO satellites a transformative and scalable technology.

Our expertise extends far beyond just making the connection, though. These projects are backed up by NTT DATA’s industry-specific full-stack architecture, leading to an integrated infrastructure and application ecosystem tailored to the needs of each client.

We follow a vendor- and technology-neutral approach and help our clients navigate country-specific regulatory obligations and risk, too.

So far, we’ve completed more LEO satellite connectivity deployments in Southern Africa than most other service providers. If your organization will benefit from reliable, high-performance connectivity in remote areas, give us a chance to take you to the stars.