Did you know that almost 2.4 billion people — or 55% of the population in Asia Pacific — are still offline today? Moreover, more than 3 billion people have limited access to broadband as they live further than 10km from existing networks such as high-capacity fibre optic cable structures.
One way of providing those people with Internet access is through low earth orbit (LEO) satellites, which orbit 500–2,000km from Earth, unlike traditional communications satellites.
“It will be a long time before network coverage guarantees fibre-optic Internet for everyone. Until then, satellites can help remedy the situation,” says Ivo Ivanov, CEO of Internet Exchange operator DE-CIX International.
He continues: “A LEO satellite Internet network can be set up and made usable comparatively quickly. [LEO satellites’ close] proximity to Earth allows for faster Internet speeds and low latency. As a result, it offers an ideal opportunity to support network expansion and provide Internet coverage in rural areas. Also, LEO satellites are relatively more affordable than having fibre rolled out in these regions.”
Although LEO satellite technology is still in its infancy in Southeast Asia, Ivanov notes that government organisations and affiliates are looking to adopt it to drive greater connectivity.
The Philippines’ government, for instance, has given the green light for SpaceX to launch its satellite broadband service, called Starlink, in the country. The move will enable much faster broadband speeds, better connectivity, more capacity for telecommunications services and more affordable rates for consumers.
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“With SpaceX looking to double the number of Starlink LEO satellites in service over the coming 18 months, this rollout has the potential to improve connectivity in regions that have been underserved until now,” says Ivanov.
Meanwhile, Singapore is planning to launch a micro-satellite the size of a mini-fridge (weighing 100kg) through an effort led by the Nanyang Technological University’s Satellite Research Centre.
“We understand that it will also be equipped with the country’s first locally designed space camera that can take high-resolution images of objects as small as a delivery parcel. This would be valuable for use cases such as supply chain monitoring, agriculture and mining, stretching beyond communications. We are therefore optimistic on the outlook of LEO satellite technology adoption moving ahead, given its versatile and dynamic use,” says Ivanov.
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Harnessing LEO satellites
Despite its benefits, managing LEO satellites can be challenging. According to Ivanov, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to setting up and managing LEO satellites as regulation varies from market to market. Additionally, LEO satellites will be regulated by the governing bodies of respective countries in terms of business, similar to how governments regulate telcos.
[As such,] LEO satellite operators have to customise their business strategies for the respective markets, and DE-CIX supports them in seizing opportunities by connecting them with thousands of other networks
Ivo Ivanov, CEO of DE-CIX International
He adds: “This is done through the DE- CIX Space-IX Program, where we support satellite network operators of all kinds through our high-performance interconnection on the ground and our thriving digital ecosystem of networks. By connecting to DE-CIX, LEO satellite operators will also have the option of becoming a type of Internet service provider in the digital ecosystem, alongside terrestrial and mobile networks.”
Another challenge of managing LEO satellites is that data transmission is partly dependent on weather conditions, as communications between satellites and ground stations only work when there is visual contact.
“[The good news is that] optical communication – laser connectivity between satellites – is now being deployed in some LEO satellites, potentially increasing transmission speeds dramatically. This will mean fewer weather-dependent handovers to ground stations as data can travel further through space,” shares Ivanov.
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He also highlights that the infrastructure of LEO networks consists not only of satellites but also of ground stations, which must be interconnected with other networks via high-performance interconnection on the ground.
“This interconnection of different networks usually takes place at an Internet Exchange (IX), from whose interconnection ecosystem Internet service providers benefit. For this purpose, the provider’s ground station must be connected via fibre-optic cable with a data centre which either houses or is connected to the nearest IX,” he says.
All in all, a LEO satellite network complements other means of Internet access, such as fibre or 5G, and can be regarded as a temporary solution for underserved areas. The connectivity it provides will help accelerate the digitalisation efforts in Asia Pacific, which can ultimately drive economic growth for the region.
