As a technology, nobody is quite sure what 5G means. But we get the real sense that it will dictate the future of telecoms — and the satellite industry’s role in it remains uncertain. At SATELLITE 2018, a panel discussed 5G’s conflicts and opportunities for satellite.
Andrew Jordan, president of AsiaSat, expects 5G to be a significant driver for satellite backhaul, since 5G towers must be only 100-150 meters apart, making satellite critical for rural areas. Jim Simpson, CEO of ABS, noted satellite will be important for ubiquity since Asia lacks sufficient fiber.
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Amit Somani, chief strategy officer at Yahsat, said: “5G is more than mobile networks. It’s a network of networks.” He emphasized the satellite industry must collaborate with the wireless industry. Nile Suwansiri, CCO of Thaicom, agreed that partnerships with telcos are important though challenging: “Getting their attention will be the hardest part.”
The panel also addressed threats 5G poses to satellite, particularly in broadcast and broadband. Suwansiri warned: “5G will also be so fast and ubiquitous it will disrupt broadband services to end user so we need to be relevant in the middle mile and not the last mile.”
The overriding challenge is the wireless industry’s grab for C-band spectrum. “Spectrum is a finite resource,” Somani said. “There is a pressure because of the volume of business … We need to coexist. As an industry, we have to be mature about how to share the spectrum.”
On the controversial Intelsat-Intel spectrum deal, Jordan was blunt: “It’s bad deal in Asia. It’s not our spectrum to sell, it’s a resource owned by mankind.” Somani said Yahsat felt action was necessary: “Our feeling was if a deal wasn’t cut, something would be taken.” VS
