Thuraya, the UAE-based mobile satellite services subsidiary of the Al Yah Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat), and eSAT Global, a low cost Satellite IoT connectivity firm, have announced the completion of successful tests validating eSAT’s Global LPWAN (Low Power Wide Area Network) communications technology over Thuraya’s satellite system.
As a provider of mobile satellite services (MSS) over its geostationary (GEO) satellites, Thuraya offers an wide range of compelling voice, broadband data, and M2M/IoT capabilities for land, maritime and aeronautical applications. These include cost-effective solutions, catering to a wide range of technical and commercial market requirements.
According to eSAT, to date, only modest consideration has been given to the use of direct links to GEO MSS satellites for LPWAN connectivity for Internet of Things (IoT) applications. eSAT’s tests of its breakthrough technology over Thuraya’s robust GEO MSS system reveal that this approach is not only practical, but also highly advantageous, and that low latency, low-cost LPWAN connectivity is about to become a reality with the use of Thuraya’s cutting-edge technology.
The functionality of the eSAT system is enabled by the advanced capabilities of Thuraya’s GEO MSS system. eSAT’s disruptive approach ensures much lower costs and much higher capacity than many other satellite-based LPWAN systems. It is also cost-competitive when compared to ground-based solutions, which are by their very nature, limited in their range of coverage.
Jassem Nasser, chief strategy officer, Thuraya, “We are delighted with the success of the testing campaign conducted by the joint team of Thuraya and eSAT experts. Thuraya aims at being at the forefront of Satellite IoT and we believe in its enormous potential to transform societies and industries worldwide. Testing with eSAT is one of many steps we are undertaking to address the Satellite IoT markets, and we look forward to eSAT completing the development of its unique technology platform.”
David Lyon, executive chairman, eSAT Global, said, “We are very pleased to mark this occasion of successful joint testing. eSAT looks forward to future success with Thuraya bringing reliable, always available, Global LPWAN data connectivity to millions of IoT devices enabling practical applications such as environmental protection, public safety and fire prevention, asset and personnel tracking, and smart agriculture. This borderless mobility will also enable ongoing refinement of IoT applications through AI techniques applied to the massive data records that are to be continuously gathered over these GLPWAN communication links.”
Thuraya and eSAT have highlighted that they are both looking forward to bringing ultra-low-cost Satellite IoT to the market to address the many applications that have now become viable at a previously unheard-of price point.
