Avanti
Communicates
Avanti Newsletter - April 2014
Cellular Backhaul:
The Next Generation
By David Williams
In Q1 this year, Avanti exhibited at Cabsat and
Mobile World Congress at which we showcased
world-first cellular backhaul technology to leading
global Mobile Network Operators and service
providers. Here, I discuss exactly why this is a
crucial piece of innovation for the satellite and
telecoms industries.
Overcoming economic barriers for MNOs
Historically, MNOs have been reluctant to extend their networks into rural and remote regions. Economics dictate that, wherever possible, they concentrate their investment in more densely populated areas with higher Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) and lower costs.
However, there is increasing interest in rural markets, which is driven by a number of factors, such as geographical coverage requirements demanded by national regulators and intense competition in urban areas - alongside the steadily increasing wealth of many living in rural areas and their demand for communications services.
Ka-band satellite: The backhaul enabler
Communications satellites have proven their capabilities to provide backhaul services. Satellite costs are independent of terrain and trunking distance. The new generation of Ka-band
high throughput satellites (HTS) are providing a viable and cost effective complement to terrestrial infrastructure in delivering backhaul using small antennas. This can provide primary connectivity for base stations poorly served by terrestrial links and overflow capacity for those with variable seasonal demand.
With live deployments with major MNOs in the field, our world-first technology has demonstrated we can cut operational costs by up to 70% and provide up to 365Mbps backhaul to remote base stations. In addition, the technology reduces the risk of failure when compared with terrestrial daisy-chained networks, which are only ever as strong as the weakest link. Satellite provides connectivity to each cell site independently, eliminating the risk of daisy chain failure.
Limitless opportunities for MNOs
In addition to providing primary 3G backhaul, Avanti has developed a solution for peak dimensioning - supplying additional backhaul to cell sites during periods of peak demand. This service enables MNOs to flexibly supply excess capacity whenever it is needed, reducing overall costs. The economics of Avanti’s technology means we have the capability to deploy new cell sites faster, with a level of quality not offered before. We are proud to be behind such an industry-leading innovation, supporting MNOs and service providers address the data demand boom in ways they haven’t been able to previously.
Our banners at Mobile World Congress
Click here to visit the newsletter and watch the interview with David Williams
Avanti’s latest satellite
Meet ARTEMIS, the latest addition to Avanti’s satellite fleet.
Here are ten things you should know about ARTEMIS:
ARTEMIS:
Satellite Facts
2.
7.
ARTEMIS provides Ka-band, S-band, L-band and Optical payloads.8.
This flexibility enables a wide range of services, including: Rapid Data Transit, Satellite Data Relay, Navigation Enhancement, and Mobile Services.1.
ARTEMIS is a geostationary earth orbit satellite, whichbegan its journey into orbit back in July 2001.
2.
Originally owned by the European Space Agency (ESA), its name was created from a shortened version of ESA’s mission title: ‘The Advanced Relay and TEchnology MISsion.’3.
Located at 21.5° East, ARTEMIS provides excellent coverage of Europe, Africa and the Middle East.4.
Avanti Communications took ownership of the ARTEMIS satellite on January 1, 2014, after winning a public bid.5.
This is the first such transaction of its kind inESA’s history.
6.
ARTEMIS is a highly sophisticated satellite which offers some unique communications services - it can communicate with other satellites in space as well as users on the ground.9.
Avanti will use ARTEMIS to support ESA’s Autonomous Transfer Vehicle (ATV-5) on its re-supply mission to the International Space Station in 2014.10.
ARTEMIS is available to new and existing customers today.Serving Europe from an orbital position of 21.5° East
Avanti
Mobile Assist
3.
Avanti has introduced a brand new product
to assist with Ka-band satellite field
installations – the Avanti Mobile Assist
Android app. The proprietary app allows all
stages of a standard Hughes installation
to be carried out using only an Android
smartphone.
Avanti Mobile Assist app not only cuts installation equipment costs by up to 75% but can also reduce installation time by up to 20%, meaning customers are online more quickly. It also eliminates the requirement for tools such as a horizon satellite meter, a laptop, an external GPS unit, a compass/inclinometer or camera.
The Avanti Mobile Assist app allows engineers to better perform:
n Install job management – job details can be accessed
from the OSS and loaded directly into the app, via any of the following methods:
- Direct download: By accessing the web portal directly from the phone or automatic synchronisation within the app
- SMS push: Sending jobs to engineers in the field via text messages
- QR codes: Can be scanned with the phone’s camera from Screen or print out
- Manual input: Details entered / modified manually in app
n Satellite modem configuration, finder and alignment
using any standard off-the-shelf WiFi router, the satellite modem can be configured:
- Multiple jobs can be stored on the device, so the installer only has to pick the correct job from a list and the app will configure the modem automatically
- Built in sensors calculate and display the satellite onscreen through augmented reality or simple compass feature
- When the dish is mounted, the app has a beeper tool so the signal level can easily be optimised by audible ‘beeps’ varying in time and pitch as the dish is moved, all carried out while connected to the modem over WiFi without any additional equipment
n Service commissioning and tests:
- When fully aligned, the terminal is authenticated and commissioned automatically over WiFi
- Once commissioned, the app runs an automatic test process, checking IP and DNS connectivity, latency and upload / download speed
- This generates a test report for submission to the OSS
n Reporting:
- Comprehensive install reports are submitted back to the OSS upon successful commissioning of the terminal
- The engineer can take photos, scan barcodes and provide details of the equipment used to assist in future troubleshooting and stock management of the service
Stories from Avanti Communications in Q1 2014:
1.
New ‘Gateway Earth Station’ in Turkey to Manage Turkish Internet traffic for HYLAS 2 Satellite
2.
Globecomm and Avanti Extend Contract to Provide Connectivity to South African Enterprises
3.
Hermes Datacomms’ First Foray into Ka-band Satellite, Powered by Avanti’s HYLAS 2
New ‘Gateway Earth Station’ in Turkey to Manage Turkish Internet Traffic for HYLAS 2 Satellite
Leading global telecoms operator, Profen, has announced the establishment of a Turkish Gateway Earth Station (GES) to manage internet traffic in Turkey. The GES - locally referred to as a ‘Teleport’ - will manage traffic for Avanti Communications’ HYLAS 2 satellite, which provides 100% coverage over Turkey. Avanti Communications is the only international Ka-band satellite operator to secure a GES inside Turkey.
The major infrastructure partnership guarantees data security within Turkey, providing secure, high-quality data connectivity for a captive government, enterprise and retail customer base. The GES will be owned and operated by Profen, in addition to retaining part ownership and operation of HYLAS 2 capacity and services in Turkey. Services will also be available to Avanti Communications’ Turkish customers.
Commenting, Onder Havuzlu, Chief Executive at Profen said: “We are pleased to be taking a significant lead in the telecommunications market with this move. Ka-band services have enormous potential in Turkey. Our operation of the GES will ensure provision of highly secure, quality data connectivity to government, enterprise and retail customers in Turkey.
Satellite
in the News
4.
Globecomm and Avanti Extend Contract to Provide Connectivity to South African Enterprises
Globecomm Systems, a leading global provider of managed network communication solutions, announced a contract extension with Avanti to deploy satellite broadband services to thousands of businesses in South Africa.
Operating from Cape Town and Johannesburg, the international service provider will deploy Ka-band satellite connectivity to enterprise customers in RSA via Avanti’s HYLAS 2 satellite. The partnership will be based on the Hughes platform and will extend beyond South Africa later this year. Harry Tayler, Managing Director at Globecomm South Africa, commented: ‘Avanti’s service has always proven to be reliable and high-quality, even when faced with adverse conditions such as torrential weather. As advocates of Ka-band satellite for some time we are very pleased to be extending broadband reach into South Africa through our latest partnership.’
Avanti and Quortus Achieve World-First in Delivery of 4G Over Satellite
Avanti Communications, BAPCO and Quortus have unveiled Project HYDRA, an innovative programme to provide 4G mobile networks to the UK’s emergency services via satellite backhaul, which has successfully demonstrated Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) optimisation. Project HYDRA allows emergency services to deploy secure 4G mobile networks anywhere, allowing them access to the communication tools they need to deal with emergency situations.
Project HYDRA - co-funded by the Technology Strategy Board and industry partners Avanti Communications, BAPCO and Quortus - enables 4G devices used in the field by operational teams to access the full capability of 4G, wherever the HYDRA solution is deployed. It provides a completely private network over a radius of 2km that can securely transmit data, make calls without interference and even locate disaster victims using the signal from their mobile phones.
The technology delivers a secure private 4G overlay network for emergency staff, ensuring total traffic separation from the general public telecommunications network. It can be deployed as a transportable platform, providing immediate backhaul for 2G, 3G and 4G communications. Additionally, the solution can be installed as a permanent feature in areas where additional capacity is frequently required.
Careers
in Space
and Engineering
5.
Avanti Graduate Recruitment
Avanti graduate recruits help design and support incredible technology. They are given the opportunity to work internationally. They help Avanti’s networks span the globe. Here, two of our Graduate Engineers tell us about their experience on the Avanti programme.
Anisha Varughese is a Graduate Engineer at Avanti, after joining in 2012. Eighteen months in, Anisha is pleased she was selected by Avanti’s Graduate Scheme after her studies: “I really like that my work here has been split into three to four month rotations. I’ve learned so much about the business in less than two years, having spent time in Satellite Resource Management, Space Procurement, Space Operations, Consultancy and Marketing. I’ve been fortunate enough to spend time down at one of our Ground Earth Stations, which was fascinating. My role here is very hands-on, and I’d urge students to consider starting their career at a company like Avanti.”
Tom Cummings also joined Avanti as a Graduate Engineer: “Since joining the Graduate Recruitment Scheme at Avanti I have been given real responsibilities and opportunities as well as being constantly challenged. My first placement was in the
Consultancy department where I was working on a European Space Agency feasibility study culminating in a meeting at the European Space Research and Technology Centre in the Netherlands. Since then, I have assisted in the procurement process for HYLAS 2 and become part of the operations team for HYLAS 2’s launch and early orbit phase which has included travel to the Avanti offices across Europe.
The scheme has been very varied and although I only have a physics background, I have been exposed to all areas of Avanti’s business. For example, my fourth placement was in the Marketing department, where I supported a number of campaigns both in the UK and abroad.”
The graduate scheme attracts hundreds of applications each year and continues to provide bright graduates with training and hands on experience of technical roles within the satellite communications industry.
Graduates can apply by clicking on the link below.
Avanti’s World-First
in Cellular Backhaul
6.
Avanti is the World’s first satellite operator to develop and deliver 3G NodeB backhaul over Ka-band. We know that the right backhaul solution must do far more than just optimise cost and deliver the resilience and performance the MNO expects from its own network. It must also offer bandwidth flexibility, quick deployment, scalability and reliability across the whole of your network.
We have a unique bandwidth pool system which can be dynamically allocated to the demands of your network, coping with peaks and troughs without heavily wasted bandwidth costs. Installation can be completed within days of ordering, using simple, small antennae. With £535m already invested in our growing fleet, you can rely on us for the long term. Our clients have deployed their bandwidth for multiple applications including:
n Seasonal loading - providing backhaul to holiday locations
during peak season
n Fixed backhaul back-up - 100% diverse routing of cell
sites to overcome cable outages
n Fast response capacity - portable backhaul capacity for
emergency situations
n Network extension - for dimensioning of un-served areas n Cell on wheels - coverage at events, conferences,
festivals, concerts
Our flexible backhaul is proven and our clients include some of the world’s largest MNOs. Our new technology brings unparalleled quality and flexibility, facilitating a new generation of backhaul capacity via satellite.
Rain Fade to
Rain Resiliency
7.
Introduction
Avanti Communications has redefined yet another aspect of the satellite communications market. Through its investment, meticulous design and implementation of the latest
technologies it has all but eliminated rain fade issues for its customers. By building the ultimate in network resiliency, Avanti leaves rain fade the exclusive problem of its competitors. Whereas Ka systems have opened up a new era in satellite communications (enabling high speed, cost effective services) the market is quickly learning that not all Ka-band satellite operators are equal. In fact there are enormous differences between the performance standards of competing Ka systems. Ka band is not a guarantee of quality, choosing the right operator is. This is why Avanti urges prospective purchasers of Ka services to forensically examine both the quality and flexibility of an operator prior to any commercial commitment. Key considerations in choosing an operator should include the following:
Flexibility
Vendor platforms - does the operator employ a single vendor strategy or provide open architecture?
n Control - to what degree do customers have the ability to
control and configure their service?
n Advanced Applications - are customers able to shape their
own applications or choose from preformed plug-and-play applications?
n Commercials - is the operator flexible in their approach to
contractual and commercial needs?
Quality
n Diversity - what redundancy measures are employed to
guarantee high levels of availability?
n Coverage - do the Ka spot beams provide full coverage
with no gaps?
n Beam clustering - can national service be delivered
through a single hub?
n Spectral density - does the bandwidth have sufficient
power per MHz to deliver the communications services required whilst still ensuring the smallest possible dishes can be employed?
This paper provides transparency and proof points on how Avanti continually delivers against its philosophy of network quality, no matter how meteorologically challenging the environment.
Avanti, making Ka-band rain resilient.
Hughes iDirect Newtec Your hub
