(Boursier.com) — Representatives of the NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) attended a successful presentation last month on the combined use of capabilities in geostationary orbit (GEO) and in low orbit (LEO) respectively by Eutelsat and OneWeb, two satellite telecommunications operators who have become strategic partners.
Performed live, this practical presentation enabled the members of the NATO delegation to take stock of the actions undertaken by the two operators to set up a multi-orbit architecture capable of offering connectivity combining robustness and resilience allowing the transmission of data and telecommunications services especially especially for sensitive applications.
On this occasion, the two partners recalled their crucial role in the implementation of the concept of secure, reactive, reliable and guaranteed satellite telecommunications (SATCOM) (SARA for Secure, Agile, Resilient and Assured), developed by Eutelsat for the NATO. This concept revolves around a multi-orbit communications plan that guarantees the end user Primary, Alternate, Contingency and Emergency (PACE) connectivity in the event of a disruption or unavailability of a given network, whatever the reason.
OneWeb also wanted to present its ecosystem of solutions aimed at ensuring perfect connectivity through its global network made up of more than 600 LEO satellites. The operator established a connection with its constellation of LEO satellites through its brand new Kymeta Hawk u8 terminal, mounted on a Land Rover Discovery 4×4 vehicle, to demonstrate the effectiveness of high-speed, low-latency communications .
Proof of concept was demonstrated when Eutelsat alongside OneWeb successfully streamed 4K video and successfully ran Teams, Twitch and GoogleEarth apps with 195 Mbps download speeds, 32 Mbps upload and latency times as low as 70 ms.
The operator also achieved a perfect switch between beams and satellites and performed a 1 GB file transfer operation in less than 8 seconds.
Performed at the Eutelsat teleport in Rambouillet (France), the demonstrations enabled the two partners to convince the NCIA of the reliability and robustness of their combined offers, both on earth and in space.
Eutelsat and OneWeb have taken a decisive step by providing NATO with a demonstration of the fluidity of the operations they will be called upon to carry out in orbit. For armed forces around the world, multi-orbit connectivity via satellite is of crucial importance, as it allows them, in all circumstances, to communicate in a global and uninterrupted manner with low levels of latency.
Air Corps General (retired) Serge Cholley, Director of Defense and Security at Eutelsat, said: “Eutelsat is particularly proud to be able to provide resilient services for joint operations that are part of the structuring multi-media and multi-field (M2MC) Satellite telecommunications services that can be operated in multiple orbits, in geostationary orbit and in low orbit, as well as in multiple frequency bands, are better able to ensure availability and continuity communication links in the most demanding operational environments.”
“Eutelsat’s opportunity to demonstrate its expertise to NCIA officials came at a key moment for the NCIA and for NATO, marked by the rapid development of services provided by commercial satellites. in military operations, but also for Eutelsat and OneWeb which, thanks to their closer commercial relations, are better able to serve these constantly evolving needs by leveraging cutting-edge innovations,” he added.
Air Vice-Marshal (Retired) Chris Moore, Director of Defense and Security at OneWeb, said: “The way armies fight has always been shaped by their systems of Thus, the case of Ukraine has highlighted the fact that satellite telecommunications in low orbit allow, in a combat situation, to benefit from a real advantage against a greater opposing power. able to help reduce decision-making times and equip forces at the tactical level with resilient, high-speed and low-latency connections. Together with Eutelsat, we are delighted to have been able to convince the NCIA of the interest of our offer, at a time when it is also turning to technologies and innovations from the space sector to strengthen its capabilities.”
Among the dignitaries present was OneWeb Director for Government Affairs, Charlie Clark, who explained that NATO wanted to move away from large, static and long-term telecommunications infrastructures in favor of more flexible connectivity solutions, more mobile and backed by platforms, in order to accelerate the pace of its interventions in the field.
“Such a situation reflects the evolution of NATO’s operating methods, which seeks to move away from large static arrangements to gain in agility. It will take time to establish this new modus operandi, but this is what we are aiming for. “, he indicated.
According to Charlie Clark, the feedback from the event was “extremely positive”, especially as NATO plans to provide equipment to as many user groups as possible across the Alliance in order to fully assess the potential offered and to decide whether to proceed…