Broadband Mobile Satellite Services: The Ku-band Revolution

Abstract

ABSTRACT In this paper we analyze the emergence of new system architectures and prod-ucts that are able to deliver broadband services into mobile environments us-ing Ku-band. In particular, we analyze the latest technological solutions that have been developed to cope with the stringent requirements of a mobile envi-ronment. Such solutions have brought broadband to environments such as business jets, commercial aircrafts, trains, and cars, which are today the new frontiers where broadband MSS can be offered. 1. INTRODUCTION After 25 years where mobile satellite services (MSS) have been delivered using L-band infrastructures, with the arrival of broadband services it is evi-dent than the scarce frequency resource in L-band is a structural limit to the scalability of such services. At the same time, Ku-band satellites have been until recently positioned to cover land masses only, and therefore they did not seem well suited to offer MSS that, by nature, require coverage over land and sea masses. But recent evolution in the market demand for ubiquitous broad-band services, with service quality comparable to those today available via ADSL or fibre networks, has generated a new business opportunity for satel-lite operators and satellite service providers. Consequently, market offers have appeared, starting from regional maritime services in Ku-band, evolving to global broadband services for aeronautical, and more recently maritime, scenarios, from the launch of the “Connexion by Boeing” offer [6] to the pro-vision of GSM services onboard cruise ships [7]. These offers have initially suffered of the typical problems of new technolo-gies, with relatively bulky and expensive equipment, but have opened a new opportunity for developing and deploying advanced system architectures and new products tailored to the different market opportunities. In this paper we analyze the emergence of new system architectures and products that are able to deliver broadband services into mobile environments using Ku-band. In particular, we analyze the latest technological solutions that have been developed to cope with the stringent requirements of a mobile environment. Such solutions have brought broadband to environments such