Global Communications on the Rise

An Ask the Expert feature with SWE-DISH Satellite Systems

Mobile broadband access in remote locations, by Magnus Wallmark, Director Business Development, SWE-DISH Satellite Systems AB

“The number of satellites for Ku-band and C-band continues to increase each year. The number of VSAT terminals in use continues to grow, resulting in increased connectivity globally”
-Magnus Wallmark, SWE-DISH Satellite Systems

Oil and gas exploration teams are often deployed in remote and inhospitable locations. Weather conditions are often extreme, at sea, in cold environments and in deserts. Oil and gas fields are often in deep water and ultra deep water, as well as on shore in remote areas. Emergency response facilities are usually put in place for the safety of the crews. Reliability and availability of VSAT equipment under such circumstances is critical.

Global Connectivity
The number of satellites for Ku-band and C-band continues to increase each year. The number of VSAT terminals in use continues to grow, resulting in increased connectivity globally. New satellites are equipped with stronger and more sensitive transponders, allowing for smaller IP based terminals.

The amount of data being transmitted globally over VSAT rises each year. New ways of utilizing the available bandwidth more efficiently are introduced continually through more efficient ways of compression and modulation like DVB-S2 and MPEG-4 as well as dynamic link optimization. Bandwidth is often shared for cost savings between larger groups of users by using TDMA e.g. iDirect and mobility is often crucial.

Core Applications
The core application areas of VSAT terminals are communications, crew morale, remote collaboration and network efficiency. Communications are data transmission e.g. voice, Internet, fax and backhaul. Crew morale includes calling to e.g. families and friends, Internet hot spots and IP TV. Crew morale solutions are important for personnel retention in remote locations. Remote collaboration is used for e.g. video conferencing, remote video streaming and asset tracking. Network efficiency is achieved by different types of acceleration of traffic on the application level, as well as web content filtering and anti-virus programs.

Mobile VSAT Solutions
SWE-DISH offers mobile SATCOM solutions for the oil and gas industry for exploration in remote locations. The company is today a global leader in the production of highly portable and transportable satellite communications solutions. We pioneered the development of small IP based satellite terminals such as suitcase systems, fly-away and drive-away (vehicle-mounted) systems and other related solutions.

SWE-DISH also offers mobile telecommunications solutions with satellite reach-back. We work jointly with Ericsson for ultra portable cellular GSM and WCDMA networks. The networks can easily be deployed in remote areas to be used for emergency response and oil and gas exploration.

SWE-DISH specializes in reliable, highly mobile satellite terminals and solutions with antenna sizes of 1.5 meters and below, with compact, easy-to-use and quick-to-air for live transmission of video, data, Internet and voice content from any location in the world.

IPT Suitcase®

The SWE-DISH IPT Suitcase is the world's most compact and quickest-to-air satellite terminal. The Suitcase, with its one-person operation and exceptional technical performance, allows live broadband transmission from virtually anywhere in the world. The Suitcase is used for everything from ordinary satellite news gathering (SNG) to IP-over-satellite.

The SWE-DISH Suitcase is one of very few antenna systems of its size and type to have an Intelsat type approval. A type approval ensures that the equipment meets Intelsat operating performance requirements, and that all units of the model perform in a similar manner.

Stcom-On-The-Move

The company is also known for its SATCOM on-the-move systems that deliver high-bandwidth capabilities both for vehicles and naval vessels. The Satcom-On-The-Move (SOTM) platform is a result of a successful integration of SWE-DISH's leading satellite terminal technology, and Saab System's leading stabilized platform technology. The SOTM platform is based on well proven components. It offers on-the-move capability utilizing commercial satellites and conventional communication infrastructure, as well as other architectures. The platform will effectively balance cost, performance, and profile to be an effective solution for all platforms requiring streaming video, video conferencing, net meeting, and field updates while on the move.

Today we supply most major broadcasters, armed forces, disaster relief organizations and others.

Magnus Wallmark is the Director of Business Development at SWE-DISH Satellite Systems. Prior to this role at SWE-DISH, Magnus worked as Director of National Security Networks at Ericsson Microwave Systems AB. Magnus has prior experience from working in leading roles within project management, product management and business development at several Ericsson companies. Magnus obtained a M.Sc. Business Administration, Gothenburg School of Economics and Commercial Law, and B.Sc. Media and Communications Science, Gothenburg School of Journalism. He lives in Stockholm with his family.

SWE-DISH Satellite Systems is based in Stockholm, Sweden.

For more information, visit www.swe-dish.com

Contact details:
SWE-DISH Satellite Systems AB, Torggatan 15, P.O. Box 6075, SE-171 06 SOLNA, SWEDEN
T: +46 8 728 50 00, F: +46 8 728 50 50, E: sales@swe-dish.se