Open architecture standards will make or break satellite’s viability for 5G and other applications, said a mixed panel of experts at SATELLITE 2018. Establishing fair and open-ended standards will be key for satellite to operate in parallel with cellular networks for joint use cases.
Nile Suwansiri, CCO of Thaicom, noted the satellite industry was too slow to react to 4G. “With 5G we have an opportunity now to be a little smarter.” He added: “If all we’re thinking about is where fiber doesn’t go, it’s not a sustainable business model.”
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Ethan Lavan, Eutelsat’s director of in-orbit resources, said: “It’s about making sure the standards at a higher level and the overall architecture are such that when you want to slot in satellite as a solution for connectivity in a given use case … the standards allow you to do that.”
Kalpak Gude, president of the Dynamic Spectrum Alliance, said: “If you own the customer — if you own that last connectivity piece — that’s where the drive is.”
Jefferson Wang, Accenture Strategy’s managing director of communications, media and technology, noted that mobile operators and satellite companies will begin to overlap as both hunt for new profitability beyond their traditional territories.
iDirect CEO Kevin Steen predicted “absolutely” that cellular-satellite hybrid terminals will emerge. “My job has to be to enable. Because if I can’t move faster and make it happen I’ll be a roadblock.” VS
