The Sky is the limit

as well. We quickly achieved a very high
utilization of our global mobility network
and then followed quickly with the Intelsat
EpicNG fleet, for which the anchor orders
are highly weighted to the mobility sector.
For instance, Intelsat’s service providers
already deliver satellite connectivity to 298
of the world’s 316 largest cruise ships — and
a growing number of those are serviced
from the Intelsat EpicNG beams.
High-throughput satellites alone will
not be the magic that unlocks these two
opportunities. We are introducing managed
services that provide aeronautical and
maritime services providers the flexibility
to use our high-throughput spot beams
and wide beams depending upon routes
and seasonality of demand. Our managed
services simplify the complex networking
considerations, but still allow for the basics
of enterprise-grade solutions, such as the
ability to provide a service level agreement
(SLA) or contract to specific Quality of
Service commitments.
KA: Strategically, what will be your focus
in terms of service and geographical
markets for the coming years?
SS: We operate the world’s first Globalized
Network—from our inception, we have
been a fully global company. We don’t focus
on any one geographic market, but we do
seek to provide regionalized services that
address the most important needs in the
geographies we serve.
Our move toward managed-service models,
such as IntelsatOne Flex and IntelsatOne
Prism, will expand hybrid network solutions
that include satellite, wireless and fiber
infrastructure. This approach will allow
our customers to reduce their capital
expenditures and redirect resources and
manpower toward application development
that will bring new traffic on their networks.
As we roll out more managed services in our
product lineup, and access the innovations
in ground hardware and new antennas, we
will be able to address the opportunities in
the sector such as Internet of Things and the
connected car.
KA: How do you think will satellite
communications contribute to the
Internet of Things? Are you planning to
target this market with any solutions?
SS: We are investing and collaborating on
As we roll out more managed services in our product
lineup, and access the innovations in ground
hardware and new antennas, we will be able to
address the opportunities in the sector such as
Internet of Things and the connected car”
developing services for the Internet
of Things. Start with connected
vehicles, which include cars, trucks,
trains and any moving platform. We
believe that the billions of dollars spent
each year by car manufacturers to recall
vehicles for software upgrades could
be avoided by implementing broadcast
software updates via satellite. We think
broadcast capabilities, and the vastly
superior security aspects, give satellite a
real edge in delivering both operating and
navigation software updates that will be
essential as we move into the next decade.
Earlier this year, we participated in a
demonstration of the technology
with Toyota and Kymeta at the Detroit
Auto Show. This is an exciting application
to develop.
KA:Would you like to comment
on Teletimes International (which
is the only magazine focused
towards the satellite and telecom
sectors of the Middle East,
Asia and Africa)?
SS: Publications like Teletimes International
play a vital role in our business. We have
become a data-driven global economy,
and publications like yours help people
better understand the role that satellite,
as well as all communications networks,
play in keeping us connected. By profiling
different technologies and companies,
you open the discourse on some of the
biggest challenges and opportunities
facing the sector - and this ultimately
provides better solutions for our end
markets
November 2016
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