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HPE News. Tech Insights. World-Class Innovations. We take you straight to the source — interviewing tech's foremost thought leaders and change-makers that are propelling businesses and industries forward.
Michael Bird (00:10):
Hello, hello, hello, and welcome back to Technology Now, a weekly show from Hewlett-Packard Enterprise, where we take what's happening in the world and explore how it's changing the way organizations are using technology.
(00:21):
We are your hosts, Michael Bird-
Aubrey Lovell (00:23):
... And Aubrey Lovell.
(00:24):
And today we're taking a bird's eye view of a tech story that's been bubbling for a little while now. It's a rewriting of the book when it comes to our organization's relationship with satellites.
(00:34):
We'll be looking at how a decades old industry is being encouraged to modernize, and we'll be asking what it means for unconnected communities and industries in remote areas.
(00:43):
Finally, we'll be exploring why it should matter to you and your organizations, whether you're in a big city with great connectivity options or not.
Michael Bird (00:50):
So if you're the kind of person who needs to know why what's going on in the world matters to your organization, then this podcast is for you.
(00:57):
Oh, and if you haven't yet, do make sure you subscribe on your podcast app of choice so you don't miss out.
(01:03):
All right, Aubrey. You ready?
Aubrey Lovell (01:04):
Let's get into it.
Michael Bird (01:04):
Let's do it.
Aubrey Lovell (01:08):
So let's give a backdrop on the satellite industry before today's guest.
(01:12):
The first communication satellite was Telstar, which was launched by the US in 1962. 60 years later, there are around 7,000 satellites in orbit around earth. Astonishingly, due to the rise of low cost direct-to-consumer satellite networks, that number's gone up by over 2000 from 2021 alone, according to the United Nation's Office for Outer Space Affairs. What a cool place.
(01:38):
Other sources give slightly different numbers of active satellites, but the overall trend is the same. Space is seeing a massive growth spurt.
(01:47):
And competition is heating up. In November, the UN will be holding its four yearly auction of radio bandwidth, and competition for space on the spectrum, particularly between satellite and cell operators, is likely to be fierce.
Michael Bird (02:00):
But I guess the question is why? And what does this communications boom mean for our organizations and the population as a whole?
(02:07):
Well, joining us to explain is Isabel Mauro, Director General of the Global Satellite Operators Association, or GSOA, a body which represents the interests of 70 members in the satellite operations field.
(02:20):
So Isabelle, first off, what's causing this huge spike in satellites?
Isabelle Mauro (02:26):
Yeah. Well, it's an interesting question because in some meetings I've been recently at the UN, the International Telecom Union, the director of IQR, which is a spectrum, keeps referring to a rebirth of the satellite industry. The European Space Agency keeps referring to a renaissance. So I think you're really online with the sort of feeling that this industry is really going for a new phase, if you want.
(02:52):
And I think there are two main elements. One is really the demand and the second is innovation. On the demand side, we still have significant portions of the world that rely on satellite connectivity as they have little to really no ground-based infrastructure to provide terrestrial coverage at all.
(03:09):
And I just want to share a few numbers. In the Americas, for example, 22% of the rural population is not covered by any terrestrial mobile signal at all. And you have about an additional 5% only who have access to a 2G network. And in Africa, this figure is up to 29% with 15% without coverage whatsoever. And those are figures from the ITU, the International Telecom Union.
(03:37):
And then you have also the fact that even in well-connected countries, terrestrial coverage can be spotty in rural and remote areas. And as you know, as we enter IOT, et cetera, this becomes particularly important as well to connect not just people, but connect things as well. And of course you have all the cases of emergency and disaster relief, sadly, where you really need ... You know, connectivity may be disrupted, terrestrial connectivity.
(04:01):
So I think all of those make that really the demand is really increasing to cover all these areas that are not covered.
(04:08):
The second thing as well is the innovation, and it's the services that we are seeing. So you now have this multi-orbit dimension where latency bandwidth, economic security, reliability, availability, all these factors come together being covered both by GSOs, so geostationary satellites, the more traditional satellite, and what we call the low orbit, the LEO satellite, and MEO, in medium orbit. Plus integration of terrestrial and non-terrestrial into 5G and later 6G, satellite direct to handset.
(04:43):
So a lot of innovation that is really also fostering investment I guess in the industry.
Aubrey Lovell (04:49):
Isabelle, what opportunities have some operators seen to make operating more satellites a viable option?
Isabelle Mauro (04:56):
Well, I think that's what I'm saying. I think you will see that. We see some trends in Europe and elsewhere where more traditional operators maybe are looking into more innovative service or the latest services. So we're seeing an emergence of combination of maybe LEO and GEOs, of GEOs capabilities with high throughput. So really a lot of new business models that they are, if you want, trying to see what makes the most economic viable sense depending on the regions, where they operate, the countries where they operate, and the different surfaces. Because clearly, satellite is not just bound to one area.
(05:37):
So there is clearly a lot of interest, and there is a lot of interest from countries as well, governments, as I was saying, to make sure that the whole population gets covered. And the answer is a mix of satellite, terrestrial and terrestrial.
Aubrey Lovell (05:51):
Why do we need so many satellites to connect everyone?
Isabelle Mauro (05:54):
Well, I think because they all have different capabilities and function [inaudible 00:05:58].
(05:57):
So the first reason if you ask in terms of number, why is because, first of all, what I was saying, the demand of connecting is really increasing. And terrestrial networks, whilst have covered a very big part of the population, a lot of the landscape, the land mass, if you want, is not covered.
(06:16):
And then I think it's really the mix. GEO satellites can provide broad or narrow band coverage to a wide region at a high capacity. So they can cover, if you want, a large area since they have a broader field of view of the surface, of the earth surface. For instance, it's very advantageous for broadcasting, for example. The non-GSOs, so what we call most of the LEO satellites networks, have smaller coverage area per satellite, but can deliver in some cases. And that's arguable. Maybe in some cases, latency is better, but they're able to provide coverage to polar regions and other regions.
(06:54):
It's this combination of multi-orbit that we are seeing that is really offering this [inaudible 00:07:00] of services that we couldn't have before.
(07:03):
And that in turn has also incentivized more traditional operators, satellite operators, to really look at innovation, innovative services, and looking at integration with terrestrial, looking at satellite direct device and many other services that we are now seeing emerging or increasing even if they were there already.
Michael Bird (07:24):
How does this tie in with the desire for us all and I guess all of our stuff to be connected?
Isabelle Mauro (07:29):
You know, coming together will also help, if you want, the increase of new services such as IOT. So once we have this integration of non-terrestrial and terrestrial ... Which without going into details, 3GPP, which is the European standard body, had a Release 17 where the satellite component became integrated into the standard, into the mobile standard. So now satellite is really fully part of, if you want, 5G.
(07:55):
When you look at 6G, [inaudible 00:07:57] will be integrated from the very beginning. So it will not be an add-on. It's like as we are currently looking into 6G, satellite is really being considered as a full add-on. And that of course will have an immense impact on IOT services and how we are going to integrate and becoming part of 5G.
(08:13):
The benefits when you ask is that, in particular, you are no longer just connecting people that didn't have a handset and couldn't have normal communications. You are going to start connecting businesses, enterprises, government services in areas where they couldn't reach out to the population or entire communities.
(08:31):
So I think it really truly has the potential of transforming IOT by bringing it not only to privileged and urban areas, but to remote areas in developed economies and areas that were totally uncovered, in least developed economies part of the world.
Aubrey Lovell (08:49):
So there's a huge UN conference coming up soon. Could you tell us a little bit about that and why it matters?
Isabelle Mauro (08:54):
Yeah. So it's called the WRC, World Radio Conference. It's hosted by the UN International Telecom Union. It happens every four years, and that's where all decisions related to spectrum, which as you know is the oxygen of any tech company, any telecom sector, satellite, mobile, fixed, whatever you call it.
(09:14):
So this is happening every four years. It's happening in November in Dubai just before COP28. And for us, it's a really crucial moment in time because it determines not only the satellite that we can keep as an industry which is vital for so many of our services, but also potential new [inaudible 00:09:34] of spectrum that we will need for more innovative services that I was describing that are coming through for the higher throughput that we are delivering on so many of the capabilities.
(09:44):
But also IOT, there is an increasing demand as well. And we were asking at the very beginning to be connected all the time. People expect to be connected now on planes, on cruises when you are on. So not only land, but on air and at sea. And that as well is increasing the capacity that we need and the areas to be covered. And therefore, for us, it's really critical as well that we have more spectrum for the years to come.
Michael Bird (10:12):
So finally, Isabel, why should the rest of our organizations care about the satellite industry?
Isabelle Mauro (10:17):
Because I think it's really a way of looking forward of how critical this industry is going to, A, fill some gaps where there are gaps in connectivity, again, as I said, in terms of geographical space, but also communities that are not connected.
(10:34):
It's going to be an incredible source of innovation when you think as well at 5G, IOT and new services; direct to device, satellite direct to device. So being able as well to roam seamlessly between a mobile connection and a satellite connection without even knowing; terrestrial, non-terrestrial, wifi, whatever it is that connect us. I think that's why you should care about satellite because that's what is going to enable that seamlessly ubiquitous kind of connection. And if you really truly want to connect everywhere, everyone, everywhere, anytime, that will have to be done by satellites. So I think that's why we should care.
Michael Bird (11:16):
Absolutely fascinating. Thank you so much, Isabelle.
(11:18):
And we will be back with Isabelle in a moment, so do not go anywhere.
Aubrey Lovell (11:25):
All right. It's time for Today I Learned, the part of the show where we take a look at something happening in the world we think you should know about.
Michael Bird (11:32):
And this week I've got one for you, Aubrey.
Aubrey Lovell (11:34):
Ooh.
Michael Bird (11:34):
So we are going back to last week's theme of clean shipping.
(11:38):
Now cutting up and recycling old ships can be one of the most dangerous jobs in the world. They're full of toxic chemicals and are often broken up on beaches where their chemicals can spill into the sea. And in almost all cases, the work is done by hand.
(11:52):
According to the UN's International Labor Organization, 90% of shipbreaking in the world is carried out in Bangladesh, China, India, Pakistan, and Turkey. Often many of the dangerous materials on board, including mercury and asbestos, are sold off in the local community, causing significant health and environmental risks. We've linked that report in the podcast description.
(12:13):
Now, a team in Germany have developed a shipbreaking robot which uses water cutters to do the job more cleanly and in a fraction of the time. The powerful robotic arms work in teams, each tackling a part of the ship so it comes apart in the safest way possible whilst the chemicals on board are collected.
(12:30):
They're working on building huge 3D scanners, and the next step in their process will be to create almost a 3D unprinter designed to use AI to calculate the fastest way to pull apart a ship.
(12:42):
Now, it's hoped the technology could make one of the most dangerous and polluting jobs in the world far cleaner, far safer, and far more efficient, whilst also meaning much, much more material can be recycled.
Aubrey Lovell (12:54):
Thanks for that, Michael. Interesting stuff.
(12:58):
All right. It's time for questions from the audience. You've been sending in your questions to Isabel Mauro on satellite operations and we've pulled out a couple.
(13:07):
The first question comes from Seb in El Paso: "When it comes to connecting the less well provisioned parts of the world, what does this boom mean?"
Isabelle Mauro (13:15):
If you look at where cellular connectivity or terrestrial connectivity hasn't made its way, in most cases, and I think the mobile operators will be the first one to say that, it's because it is not economically viable for them in some regions, in some part of the world. This again leads to looking at solution, which governments in particular are very keen for us as industries to come together, mobile and satellite. We are seeing an emergence of partnerships between mobile operators and satellite operators. In fact, at Mobile World Congress earlier this year, in February, I think I'd never seen so much satellite presence in terms of stands from different satellite operators, from vendors. So I think there is definitely this trend happening.
Michael Bird (14:01):
So the second question comes from Paula in Dubai who would like to know if we can put a number on how many people are currently unconnected and how far you think that number is going to change in the next few years as costs come down and connectivity improves.
Isabelle Mauro (14:14):
I think it's dramatically going to come down. If you look at figures, I think pre-COVID, we were at 3.2, I think, billion people that were not connected. And today we are at 2.6. That's the latest stats from the ITU they announced at the broadband commission and during the UN GA week in September.
(14:34):
So I think that increase that we saw during COVID was really incredible in terms of bridging the digital divide, bridging the digital gap, and connecting, bringing online many more hundreds of million people.
(14:46):
The main thing is I hope that governments keep that momentum because connectivity became the oxygen for every society, every economy around the world. And there are many more problems, There is inflation, there are wars going on, and we tend to forget that connectivity still remains critical. And I do hope that that remains a top priority on the agenda of every government so that we all work together to really bring the cost down, reach economies of scale. We have collaborations between different industries and hopefully can reach everywhere and provide internet or connectivity to everyone around the world.
Michael Bird (15:25):
Thanks so much, Isabelle. It's been great to talk.
(15:27):
And you can find more information on the topics discussed on today's episode in the show notes.
Aubrey Lovell (15:35):
All right. Well, we're getting towards the end of the show, which means it's time for This Week in History-
Michael Bird (15:42):
This Week In History.
Aubrey Lovell (15:43):
... A look at monumental events in the world of business and technology which has changed our lives.
Michael Bird (15:49):
Now the clue last week was, "It's 1938 and the martians aren't coming." Do you know what it is? I had a bit of an inkling.
(15:58):
It was Orson Wells' broadcast of War of the Worlds on national radio in the US this week in 1938-
Aubrey Lovell (16:03):
Wow.
Michael Bird (16:05):
... Which featured a news report of an alien invasion so realistic, it reportedly caused national panic as people who tuned in partway through the show thought that we were really under attack.
(16:16):
The piece started playing at 8:00 PM on October the 30th, and within half an hour, police and station execs burst in to try and stop the performance. Eventually, the police carried off all the scripts and recordings and Wells was forced to escape through a back entrance as hundreds of reporters crowded the street outside the studio.
(16:37):
But hey, as they say, there's no such this bad publicity, right?
Aubrey Lovell (16:41):
I guess that's right.
(16:43):
Sidebar, I actually studied this in school, this particular event, and around the psychological events of them doing this and what it did to people. So it's really, really fascinating, interesting, and also kind of sad.
(16:54):
But anyways, we're going to move right on to the next clue, which is, 1895, and you'll see straight through this one. Not such a tricky one this time.
Michael Bird (17:04):
Ooh. I'm not sure that's not tricky. I don't think I'd know that one.
Aubrey Lovell (17:08):
1895. I don't know.
Michael Bird (17:09):
[inaudible 00:17:10].
Aubrey Lovell (17:09):
Straight through this one.
Michael Bird (17:12):
I guess we'll find out next week.
Aubrey Lovell (17:14):
All right. Well, that brings us to the end of Technology Now for this week.
Michael Bird (17:18):
Thank you so much to our guest, Isabel Mauro, Director General of the Global Satellite Operators Association. And to our listeners, thank you all so much for tuning in.
Aubrey Lovell (17:27):
Technology Now is hosted by Michael Bird and myself, Aubrey Lovell. This episode was produced by Sam [inaudible 00:17:32] and Zoe Anderson, with production support from Harry Morton, Alicia Kempson, Alison Paisley, Alyssa Mitri, Camilla Patel, Alex Podmore, and Chloe Sewell. Our social editorial team is Rebecca Wisinger, Judy Ann Goldman, Katie Guarino, and our social media designers are Alejandra Garcia, Carlos Alberto Suarez, and Embar Maldonado.
(17:56):
Technology Now is a Lower Street production for Hewlett-Packard Enterprise.
(17:59):
We'll see you next week.