By 2027, global investments for very low Earth orbit (VLEO) satellites, operating at an altitude of around 300 kilometers, will reach USD 220 billion, according to Juniper Research.
The next-generation network technology, 6G, will bring innovation to new heights, revolutionizing connectivity and bridging the digital divide.
Explorations for advancements in telecommunications are poised to go far beyond the planet’s terrain, catapulting industries to adopt innovations the world has never seen before.
As the telecommunications industry faces the growing demand for high-speed transmission across the globe, operators and service providers are exploring space-based solutions, such as the integration of VLEO, to drive digitalization to its peak.
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Driving the Future of Internet Connectivity
The sixth generation of network technology, expected to hit the market by 2030, will usher us into a more connected and intelligent world, bridging the physical, cyber, and biological gaps.
Compared to 5G, 6G will deliver greater improvements in spectral efficiency and capacity in VLEO satellite networks, enhancing the abilities of terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks. VLEO satellites will be deployed, establishing a mega satellite constellation.
Integrating non-terrestrial and terrestrial communications will deliver global communications with broadband and Internet of Things (IoT) services, even extending to remote locations.
Non-terrestrial networks, amplified by 6G, will provide wider connectivity coverage, particularly in remote areas that lack internet access. These will deliver cost-effective connections while ensuring reliable network connectivity and broadband services.
VLEO satellites will provide reduced latency solutions compared to traditional satellite systems. This is critical for real-time data transmission. 6G will also drive universal high-performance wireless connections and seamless connectivity, signifying a substantial increase in the speed provided by 5G.
Furthermore, VLEO and 6G will drive the future of internet connectivity through higher-resolution imagery and active sensing. Remote sensing technology will be utilized in real-time at high resolution, enhancing Earth observation and introducing new advancements such as 3D Earth coverage, real-time traffic dispatch, remote sensing maps, and rapid disaster response.
Due to the reduced distance between the satellite and base stations, communication will be more proficient and will achieve higher data transfer rates.
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VLEO Risks and Challenges
The future of VLEO promises an enhanced network that will revolutionize communication in various industries. However, this technological advancement presents multifaceted risks and challenges, particularly in integrating future communication systems like 6G.
Satellites operating in VLEO may potentially experience issues with platform stability, affecting missions that require immovability. VLEO satellites face atmospheric drag, which leads to rapid orbital decay and results in higher operational costs due to the frequent adjustments required to maintain operational orbits.
The risk of collisions is also inevitable, potentially leading to debris that could complicate operations and cause significant damage. This marks a significant concern due to the increasing number of satellites deployed in orbit.
As orbits draw closer, fuel consumption increases, driven by the atmospheric drag due to its proximity to the Earth’s atmosphere. The satellites are also exposed to very high levels of a highly reactive form of oxygen, known as atomic oxygen (AO), with some VLEO bands containing up to 96% AO in the atmosphere.
Chinese technology conglomerate, Huawei, emphasized the complexity of developing a unified architecture that integrates terrestrial networks (TN) and non-terrestrial networks (NTN). Ensuring seamless communication across the layers of the integrated network architecture poses a significant challenge to operators and deployers.
Maintaining service quality while managing resource allocation is an added burden as the integrated network needs to support a wide range of services. The need for reliable control and end-to-end management can cause delays due to limited inter-satellite link (ISL) communications, which can be challenging.
In terms of capacity, VLEO constellations offer less bandwidth compared to terrestrial networks, which impacts their overall service capability. Inefficient spectrum utilization due to the limited throughput of individual satellites is also inevitable. However, innovative solutions such as beam-hopping and multi-satellite cooperative transmission can be integrated for enhanced service delivery.
In pursuit of the establishment of VLEO-based satellites, regulatory frameworks should be established to ensure compliance with international standards.
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LEO/VLEO Advancements for Broadband Connectivity
The need to improve imaging and communication services has led to the advent of VLEO systems. According to Huawei, LEO/VLEO constellations will form important aspects of the 6G network technology.
The development of low Earth orbit (LEO) and VLEO systems is poised to increase access capabilities and reduce time delays in satellite connections.
Starlink, a subsidiary of aerospace company, SpaceX, deployed its Gen 2 constellation which includes around 30,000 satellites, with the intention of providing high-speed and low-latency internet connections.
This year, however, Starlink’s plan to deploy internet satellites in VLEO ranging from 340 to 360 kilometers, has been rejected again by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). In an order published by the FCC, SpaceX may not deploy any satellites designed for operational altitudes below the International Space Station.
Project Kuiper, Amazon’s 3,232 satellite-strong initiative, is poised to provide faster and more affordable broadband connectivity by deploying thousands of satellites in LEO linked to a network of antennas, fiber, and internet connection points in the terrain. The technology company’s project will provide high-speed broadband access via satellite to areas with little to no broadband connection.
Its satellite constellation deployment is expected to take off in the fourth quarter of 2024, with a commercial rollout expected by 2025. Amazon's satellite deployment is tied to an FCC deadline requiring the launch of a 3,232-satellite constellation by 2026.
OneWeb, launched by French satellite operator, Eutelsat, facilitated the first ground station in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region earlier this year for commercial operation along with Saudi Arabian telecommunications provider, stc Group.
Bridging the digital divide in the region, the first Eutelsat OneWeb Satellite Network Portal (SNP) in the MENA region will base its ground station in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, consequently enabling extended communication service for LEO connectivity across the Middle East.
Furthermore, satellite service provider, Arab Satellite Communications Organization (Arabsat), and satellite communications company, Telesat, collaborated to establish advanced LEO services in the MENA region. Together, the entities are set to launch Telesat Lightspeed, a project designed to deliver global broadband services and solutions.
Moreover, Eutelsat and digital infrastructure services provider, Bayobab, established a partnership to deploy LEO satellites with the aim of boosting connectivity across the African continent. Slated for completion by December 2024, Bayobab will utilize the LEO capacity from Eutelsat’s OneWeb constellation, providing fixed connectivity services, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
The information, communications, and technology (ICT) industry believes that satellites will forge a direct connection with mobiles in the future, offering a glimpse into a transformational connection available on-demand.
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Final Thoughts
The existence of 6G and VLEO satellites highlights the potential of connected intelligence among individuals, communities, and IoT, transforming lives in every way possible.
The unique contributions of next-generation technology will revolutionize all industries and bridge the digital divide, ultimately leaving no one behind in the pursuit for global digitalization.
VLEO’s development through 6G is a significant leap in internet connectivity and satellite communications, amplifying internet connectivity for all users globally.
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