Telecom
Current and New Dimensions for SATCOM Network Services Driving IoT & IoE for 5G
By Andrew Aroh
- Today Access to the Satellite resources is as simple as pointing the dish and transmitting/receiving: This is because Satellite Coverage is Ubiquitous, the bandwidth is instantly available and it can be directed /redirected without any last mile issues.
- Satellite communications enhances economic, educational and health standards more than any other form of technology. In turn, higher economic and social standards are attracting foreign investment, which creates employment opportunities which leads to increased exports, which yields stronger hard currency earnings.
- Increasingly, there is a recognition by regulators, operators and service providers that new job opportunities, foreign investment, and digital economic strength are counted among the many advantages of permitting the provision of effective broadband communications.
- In SATCOM digital realization, we are looking at payload with high-speed and low power characteristics, whilst having radiation hardness.
- The frequency spectrum for broadband (Ka-band/V-band) has higher power and therefore will be used for high-bandwidth interactive services such as high-speed internet, video conferencing and multimedia applications.
- Note that NGN is expected to integrate wired/cabled and wireless networks into an all-IP network. Based on the above, a rejoinder to WRC-19 has shown that the following characteristics are vital for essential communications operation of NGNs:
- Coverage
- Capacity/throughput
- Flexibility/scalability
- Interoperability
- Access & control
- Quality-of-service
- Protection/Security
- The required increases in spectrum will provide the following:
- Continuous connection
- Greater capacity
- More data
- More users
- Faster speed
- Faster response time (latency) for connections.
- 5G is accompanied with development of Architectures leveraging Network Function virtualization (NFV) and software defined networking (SDN) both at the core and edge of the network providing:
- Increased computing power
- Scalability
- Reduced operating cost
- Business models to enable differentiation
- 5G will push the boundaries of throughput and capacity further beyond that of 4G to enable newer types of applications and services in the domain of:
- Health
- Transport
- Entertainment
- Machine-to-machine communications
- Security etc.
- 5G is virtually instantaneous opening up a new world of connected applications/devices (IoTs) leading to a huge shift towards a landscape dominated by WIRELESS CONNECTIVITY
- ITU SATELLITE CORE DESIGN PRINCIPLES (Development philosophy) which drives innovation in ICT:
- Make it simple, efficient, scalable, work anyplace, anytime no matter what the connectivity requirements
- The Technology is developed to a universal set of requirements (outlined below) to enable service providers to meet any customer need no matter the application, bandwidth, or satellite network topology:
- Everything is integrated
- Efficiency rules
- Scalability pays
- Flexibility matters
- Intuitive management prevails
- How do you prorate a new ICT device/product:
- Allows customers to generate new revenues
- Enhance Network performance
- Reduce Operating Cost
- Can operate with multiple carriers of different bandwidths.
- A new dimension in efficient satellite network solution:
- Features:
- Multi-frequency TDMA (MF-TDMA)
- Full mesh, star or hybrid (virtual network)
- Bandwidth on demand through DAMA
- Based on IP suite for internet
- Delivers cost-effective VoIP, Data, Video, DVB/DVB-S/DNB-S2/Extension
- From 105Mbps to 50Mbps or more to the Gbps range
- Multimedia
- True Broadband Triple-play:
- The emerging true broadband services are a combination of:
- Voice (making calls)
- Data (social media; email, browsing)
- Video (news, sports, entertainment, TV and broadcast; training, movies.)
- Most of these streaming and file-transfer based services have converged towards IP. Through a multiservice platform the different service over IP can be combined either in the Hub or the remote into a single carrier for efficient transfer at optimal service availability over a combination of fiber + terrestrial wireless + space wireless using ochestrantion.
- For true broadband (broadband 2.0) experience over satellite, the satellite MODEMs and terminals in the network implement the most efficient technologies:
- Adaptive code modulation (ACM) in the forward link.
- Adaptive return technologies using automatic in-route-selection (AIS)
- Embedded IP traffic enhancement software (aka cross-layer-optimization) through
- TCP acceleration
- Pre-fetching
- Compression/decompression
- The emerging true broadband services are a combination of:
- SEAMLESS INTEGRATION TO CREATE TRANSPARENT LAN SERVICES (TLS)
- With convergance in ICT we need integrated BROADBAND ACCESS & NETWORK PLANNING which provides high-speed data service that allows for the inter connection of different LANs across an extended campus, metropolitan area or nation network.
- Using VLANs Gigobit range LAN interface (such as 11011000Mbps Ethernet), TLS provides a much simpler solution to the customer for connection of disperate sites than other forms of WAN, such as frame relay or ATM.
- We need products and solutions that enable:
- Information exchange
- Accelerate information flow
- Ensure information delivery
- To make data communications systems:
- Faster
- More reliable
- More interoperable
- Standards-Based Satellite & Terrestrial RF Network Gateway Applications include:
- IP-over-Satellite Links
- IP over tactical/terrestrial wireless links
- IP over wired/cabled terrestrial links
- End-to-end communications over wireless links, with mobile nodes implementing space communications protocol standards by extending TCP/IP to maximize throughput and link utilization in the lossy, high-latency, asymmetric bandwidth environment typical of space and tactical/terrestrial RF communications links.
- Seamless integration with existing IP and Satellite/wireless RF network infrastructure transparent to most network functions.
- Support for BGP routing protocol for integration with existing IP network infrastructure and migration to IPV6.
INTERNET OF THINGS:
- The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to machine-to-machine communications.
- The IoT continues to grow as devices proliferate.
- Cisco estimates that 50 billion devices will be connected to the internet by 2020 and those connections will communicate data to analyze, plan, manage and make intelligent decisions autonomously.
- Connected IoT device like UAS sensors will keep soldiers and commanders connected to data needed to respond to the ever-changing battle field.
- When combined with collaboration and analytics, IoT data becomes part of a broader IoE (Internet of Everything) environment that promises to create a real-time information advantage.
- As the multitude of CONNECTED SENSORS and DEVICES grows while at the same time video surveillance and applications leverage the internet, the importance of physical and network security becomes even more critical.
THE INTERNET OF EVERYTHING
- The internet of everything (IoE) is a catalyst to take IoT to the next level by combining people, processes and technology with connected devices, sensors and other machines. This integration of IoT with human communications collaboration and analytical elements enables real-time decision advantages.
- The opportunity with IoE comes from its ability to link components via intelligent, programmable network.
- IoT is a critical part of this evolution, in which physical objects like vehicles, weapons and unmanned vehicles are connected to secure networks to create information dominance.
- The IoE is serving as a catalyst to change the landscape of the IT industry while transforming how to leverage network-based solutions.
- For defense, IoE holds the power to connect the battlefield with the digital world in ways that promise to fundamentally change military operations.
- An integrated architecture for IoE creates interconnected physical and virtual environments that combine IoT devices with secure virtualization, mobility, unified communications and other advanced technologies.
- The proliferation of unstructured imager and video data from a variety of sensors is creating new:
- Capture
- Storage
- Computing
- Exploitation opportunities
- To accommodate an influx of new devices without sacrificing security, they must be managed as part of an integrated architecture for IoE.
- The framework should leverage commercial product to avoid unnecessary government-modified devices that are more expensive to field manage and support.
- Security measures will be critical for protecting data on classified networks.
- Architecture suited to support IoE will include:
- Compute
- Storage
- Virtualization assets in the data center
- Secure network fabric for connectivity
- Voice and video-enabled secure mobile infrastructure
- Battlefield sensors
- Virtualization combined with advanced security from the network to application levels are essential to allowing high secure access to sensitive and classified information on multiple networks while lowering the risk of vulnerabilities.
- When properly designed and deployed, IoE will help to realize the vision of net-centric warfare while proving technology advantage for our connected war fighters.
- INTERNET OF EVERYTHING COULD TRANSFORM THE BATTLEFIELD: EVERYTHING CONNECTED.
- Today’s military is adapting to asymmetrical warfare and an evolving real-time threat matrix that require new approaches to military operations.
- In the midst of a technological shift from the fixed location work models of the PC era to the mobile, social, virtual and collaborative models of today, information advantage has become more important than overwhelming force.
- To address those needs the military is taking a leap forward by adopting new technologies and incorporating them into existing environment – all without sacrificing security and the ability to manage complex systems.
- The integration of military technology also unification of computing, storage and networks with sensors, devices and collaborative application.
- Security concerns surrounding IoE will be particularly important for military operators connecting to classified networks. Hence, network-aware intelligence and end-to-end physical security for video and all networked sensors must be at the heart of any military IoE solution.
- Today’s missions require ongoing, untethered interactions between soldiers, decision makers, subject matter experts and machines.
- Unification of sensors, video, voice, data collaboration and secure mobile computing is delivering next-generation battlefield capabilities.
- The potential exists to combine IoE technologies with big data analytics, trusted multilevel security capabilities, software-defined networks and virtualization – aware network infrastructure to deliver an integrated architecture for the battlefield.
- THE PROMISE AND CHALLENGE OF THE NEW CENTURY HIGH OVERHEADS.
- Advanced Satellite systems make vital contributions every day to:
- Science
- Connecting citizens and business for Internet of Things (IoT) as well as Internet of Everything (IoE).
- Gathering weather data for aviation, weather forecasting & climate change.
- Sending navigational signals for tracking, monitoring & control.
- Mapping earth, the planets and deep space & sea for information and security
- Defense
- Etc
- Advanced Satellite systems make vital contributions every day to:
- CURRENT AND NEW GENERATION SATELLITE NETWORKING TECHNOLOGY INCLUDES:
- Data networking constellations using LEOs & MEOs.
- New Generation Commercial Satellites with onboard processing (OBP) systems.
- New Military Satellites, such as SBIRS
- Next Generation Smaller Terminals
- CONCLUDING REMARKS: MAJOR TECHNICAL TRENDS COMMON TO COMMERCIAL AND MILITARY USERS:
- More powerful satellites are emerging
- More bps per Hertz
- Larger antennas onboard the Satellites
- More power are produced from the satellites
- Use of Ka-band, V-band and mmW increases bandwidth availability for mass market broadband
- Adaptive coding and Modulation to get even more bps per hertz (most of the time!)
- Standards are reducing the size and cost of earth station baseband equipment
- Continued move towards use of IP networking over satellite.
- More powerful satellites are emerging
- Andrew Aroh is President of SSPI Nigeria
Nigeria may bring back a 5per cent excise tax on telecom services, according to the 2024 Finance Bill passed by the Senate last week.
Gbenga Adebayo, chairman, ALTON
The tax would apply to data transmission and voice calls.
First introduced in 2020 under the Mohammadu Buhari administration to widen the tax base, the measure was suspended in 2023 by President Bola Tinubu due to rising inflation.
With the budget under pressure, the government is now considering reinstating it.
Telecom operators warn that the tax would raise service costs and make it harder to close Nigeria’s digital divide, which still leaves more than 40% of the population without internet access.
Gbenga Adebayo, chairman, Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), said the proposal lacks detail and would increase the financial burden on users.
“We’ve had no clarity on how the 5% tax would be implemented, but the burden will fall on the consumer. Telecoms should be treated as a social good, not taxed like luxury items. No one taxes telecoms like this in countries where infrastructure is taken seriously,” he said.
ALTON also noted that operators are already subject to 54 different taxes nationwide.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has not yet received the official version of the bill for review.
Telecom
GSMA Urges Governments to Prioritise Affordable Spectrum Costs to Support Global Digital Growth
The GSMA released its latest ‘Global Spectrum Pricing Report’, highlighting that average spectrum prices have not reduced in line with operator revenues over the last decade — putting significant pressure on their ability to invest in essential network infrastructure.
The report shows that, whilst both consumer prices for mobile services and the average cost of spectrum have fallen, the overall cost burden on mobile network operators (MNOs) has actually risen sharply. Global cumulative spectrum costs now account for 7% of operator revenues, a 63% increase over the past ten years.
Meanwhile, the average revenue generated per megahertz (MHz) of spectrum has declined by 60% over the same period. Although costs per MHz have fallen by up to 75% in some bands since 2014, operators have increased spectrum holdings by 80% over the same period to cope with bandwidth demand, driving up the overall cost.
A gigabyte of data is far more affordable today than ten years ago, with operators experiencing a staggering 96% fall in revenue per GB between 2014 and 2024. However, these falling revenues, when combined with the proportionately high cost of acquiring spectrum, restrict operators’ ability to invest in expanding and improving mobile networks, particularly 4G and 5G. The report shows that higher spectrum costs correlate directly with lower network coverage and reduced mobile speeds, impacting consumers and slowing the development of digital economies worldwide.
Vivek Badrinath, Director General of the GSMA, said: “The mobile industry sits at the heart of the digital economy, enabling services and opportunities that transform lives. But a dollar can only be spent once, and high spectrum costs can choke investment at a time when the need for affordable, reliable connectivity has never been greater. Governments and regulators must prioritise spectrum pricing that reflects market realities and fosters long-term digital growth. By ensuring spectrum is affordable, they can unlock faster network expansion, better service quality, and greater digital inclusion for all of their citizens.”
The Global Spectrum Pricing Report also highlights that public policy choices — such as setting artificially high reserve prices, creating artificial scarcity, and attaching onerous licence obligations — have often contributed to inflated spectrum costs. In some countries, spectrum costs can reach as high as 25% of operator revenues.
The GSMA urges policymakers to adjust spectrum prices in line with current market conditions and the economic realities faced by operators. With nearly 1,000 spectrum licences set to expire worldwide by 2030, upcoming renewals present a critical opportunity to reset pricing policies to drive investment in the next generation of mobile networks.
Sophos, a global leader of innovative security solutions for defeating cyberattacks, today launched MSP Elevate, a new business-accelerating program for managed service providers (MSPs). With the new program, Sophos enables MSPs to expand their business with high-value, differentiated cybersecurity offerings that elevate their customers’ cyber defenses and rewards growth with additional investment to fuel further success.
With the increasing complexity and sophistication of today’s cyberattacks, organizations are increasingly turning to MSPs for 24/7, human-led monitoring and management of their cybersecurity environments. This has made Managed Detection and Response (MDR) a major focus for MSPs with 81% currently offering a MDR service, according to the Sophos MSP Perspectives 2024 report.
MSP Elevate helps MSPs to differentiate themselves as a high-value provider to customers by delivering unique business-enhancing benefits, including an exclusive high-value Sophos MDR service offering.
Managing multiple cybersecurity platforms is a major overhead for MSPs and consumes valuable billable hours. MSPs estimate that consolidating on a single platform would slash their day-to-day management time by 48%.
MSP Elevate includes Network-in-a-Box bundles that enable MSPs to manage the full network stack through the unified Sophos Central platform, freeing-up staff for business generation activities.
Furthermore, the single biggest perceived risk to MSP’s businesses is the shortage of in-house cybersecurity expertise.
Sophos’ network solutions respond automatically to threats across the customer environment, enabling MSPs to elevate their customers’ defenses without adding workload.
“MSP Elevate is the first of many business-driving MSP programs following the powerhouse union of Sophos and Secureworks,” said Chris Bell, senior vice president of global channel, alliances and corporate development.
“As a channel-first organization that defends more than 250,000 customers of MSPs, we are constantly looking for opportunities to reward our partners and invest in their success when they grow their business with us.
“MSP Elevate fuels long-term growth for our partners by providing MSPs with exclusive solution access, discounts, rebates and training to deliver the best possible value to customers.”
Sophos MSP Elevate program benefits include:
· Exclusive Access to the Sophos MDR Bundle for MSP: Includes access to Sophos MDR Complete premium service tier with 24/7 incident response, 1 year data retention, Sophos Network Detection and Response (NDR), and all Sophos integration packs, enabling defenders to leverage all available telemetry from across the customer environment to accelerate threat detection and response.
· Simplified Sales Process: Speeds up time to deployment and reduces MSP overhead. With the new MDR Bundle for MSP, partners can quickly and easily allocate a single SKU to the customer for all their current and future MDR needs.
· Discounted Network-in-a-Box Hardware Bundle: Access to Sophos’ advanced network security solutions, including Sophos Firewall, Sophos Switch and Sophos Wireless Access Points at a significant discount. These products work together to automate threat response and are managed through Sophos Central.
· Growth-Based Rebates: As part of our commitment to grow with and invest in our partners, the program will recognize and reward MSPs that increase their Sophos MSP monthly billings.
· Architect-Level Training Courses: Equip MSPs to increase their in-house services delivery capabilities with trainings on Sophos Endpoint and Sophos Firewall.
· Invite-Only Access to Sophos Summits: Gain exclusive access to hands-on training and enablement, Ask the Experts sessions, attend exclusive Sophos events and meet with Sophos executive leadership to influence the Sophos roadmap and MSP strategy.
· Future benefits: Introduction of new program benefits to increase MSP’s profitability, customer defenses and overall value as a service provider.
“MSP Elevate enables MSPs to quickly deploy a comprehensive MDR service that eliminates blind spots by leveraging all available telemetry from across the customers’ environment,” said Raja Patel, chief product officer, Sophos. “This enhanced visibility accelerates threat detection and response while delivering improved return for customers on their existing technology investments. Furthermore, the service adapts seamlessly as the technology environment evolves over time, future-proofing customers’ defenses and providing both commercial and cybersecurity peace of mind.”
MSP Elevate is a non-exclusive commitment to sell Sophos’ best-in-class cybersecurity solutions available on the Sophos Central platform, including Sophos MDR, Sophos Endpoint powered by Intercept X, and Sophos Firewall. To access the program benefits, MSPs need to commit to a minimum monthly spend for a 12-month period. As a pre-requisite to joining MSP Elevate, partners need to be part of the MSP Flex program, which enables MSPs to offer Sophos solutions on a monthly billing basis.
“Joining MSP Elevate is a no-brainer. This new program adds further rocket fuel to the MSP growth trajectory we’ve enjoyed with Sophos over the last 17 years. Not all MDR offerings are the same, and I’m excited to be able to offer a superior service based around value and quality of outcomes that will elevate my customers’ defenses and differentiate my business in this increasingly crowded market,” said Craig Faiers, sales director, Arc.
With 80% of MSPs offering MDR through a specialist vendor for delivery*, partners can choose to have Sophos fully deliver the MDR service or to use Sophos to augment in-house teams, including for the provision of out-of-hours coverage. This is particularly important considering 88% of ransomware attacks start outside of standard business hours, according to Sophos’ Active Adversary report.
Sophos MDR is the service most trusted by MSPs to secure their clients and currently defends more than 18,000 MSP-managed customer environments against advanced threats, including ransomware. This unmatched breadth of customer coverage delivers unparalleled insights into attacks on MSP-managed environments that are continually leveraged to update customers’ defenses in real-time, optimizing their protection from ever-evolving attacks.
To learn more about MSP Elevate, visit www.sophos.com/elevate. Sophos partners can sign up for the MSP Elevate Program on the Sophos Partner Portal at https://www.sophos.com/en-us/partners/partner-portal.
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