BRIDGING THE DIGITAL HIATUS VIA COMMUNICATIONS SATELLITE

BRIDGING THE DIGITAL HIATUS VIA COMMUNICATIONS SATELLITE

BY

LAWAL L.S, CHATWIN C.R & AHMED-RUFAI T. FOR

THE 2014 WORLD ENGINEERING CONFERENCE ON SUSTAINABLE INFRASTRUCTURE (WECSI)

ORGANIZED BY WORLD FEDERATION OF ENGINEERING ORGANIZATIONS (WFEO) IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE NIGERIAN SOCIETY OF ENGINEERS (NSE).

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTER, ABUJA

2-7 NOVEMBER, 2014

OVERVIEW

�  INTRODUCTION AND EVOLUTION OF COMMUNICATIONS SATELLITE

�  PREVAILING PROBLEMS OF ICT INFRASTRUCTURE IN MOST AFRICAN COUNTRIES.

�  GROWING NEEDS FOR EFFECTIVE ICT INFRASTRUCTURE

�  COMMUNICATIONS SATELLITE, BROADBAND, BROADCASTING AND NAVIGATION

�  EXPLOITATION OF COMMUNICATION SATELLITES TO BRIDGE THE DIGITAL HIATUS

�  CONCLUSIONS

�  The world’s first Geosynchronous Communications satellite was launched by NASA as Syncom-‐2 in 1963.

�  Followed by Syncom-‐3 in 1964 as the world’s first Geostationary Communications satellite.

�  The Syncom Satellite Program sought to add value to the United States first satellite in Space called Explorer 1 launched February 1, 1958. Explorer 1 was USA’s answer to first man-‐made Russian Satellite called SPUTNIK launched on 4th October, 1957.

�  The success of Syncom Satellite Program was followed with series of development of technologies i.e Applications Technology Satellite (ATS); Communications Technology satellite (CTS) in cooperation with Canada.

INTRODUCTION & EVOLUTION OF COMSATs

�  Tremendous changes in Communication satellite technologies have evolved and blossomed with remarkable developments in the last decades: �  Transition from Analogue to digital satellite transmissions

�  Better and Optimized coding and Error Corrections � Optimized Low Noise Devices �  Increase in Transmitted Satellite Power Levels �  Increased number of channels, throughput of transponders,

� Use of higher frequency spectrum i.e Ku, Ka etc


�  Fractionalized or bit-‐sized piece purchase of transponders to give end-‐users the required bandwidth for their services.

�  Tremendous Reduction in Customer Premises Dishes and Equipment (CPE)....addressing the cost of communications satellite service delivery sustainably.

�  Introduction of digital video broadcasting (DVB) systems was a milestone paradigm shift for the important role communication satellites are playing today in Broadcasting, Te lecommunicat ions , Mobi le communicat ions , convergence with voice, video & data as well as terrestrial telecommunications technologies.

�  Competitive cost of launch and launch vehicle innovations


�  ICT is a development enabler. The ICT readiness and development process of any nation is a function of level of networked telecommunications infrastructure and a determinant for the 3As for universal access goals and digital inclusion. The 3As are: AVAILABILITY, AFFORDABILITY & ACCESSIBILITY

�  These are the enablers for an Information-‐based Society with Knowledge-‐based Economy (KBE)

�  Convergence in communications networks through integrated connectivities (Satellite, fiber optics, radios etc) are required to optimize broadband accessibility, availability and affordability especially in Africa which still remains the least wired continent in the world.

INTRODUCTION

PREVAILING PROBLEMS OF ICT INFRASTRUCTURE IN MOST AFRICAN COUNTRIES.

�  Others are: �  Unreliability of Public Supply mains and the logistics behind providing alternative power with backup.

�  Right of Way hindrance and issues �  Multiple Taxation at National, state and local government council levels to deploy ICT infrastructure.

�  Lack of appropriate corridor and channels for the deployment of ICT infrastructure.

�  Inadequate urban and regional planning even in 21st century cities in Africa.

�  Difficult geographic terrain (i.e Swampy areas). �  Theft and damage to ICT infrastructure i.e optic fibre infrastructure during road construction, flood etc.


�  Anti-‐competitiveness among ICT and mobile operators as well as non-‐co-‐operation and non-‐implementation of ICT infrastructural sharing policy and thus discriminatory access to available inland fibre and metro-‐rings.

�  Affordability of services �  Reliability and Robustness of deployed networks �  Maintenance Culture �  Optimization of radio spectrum resource management considering its relevance in Africa if we must play catch-‐up within short and medium time frame.

�  Reluctance to adopt new emerging technologies with high data rate to support and aid broadband penetration and experience.


N.B: The problems above is not just African…for instance; Nortel recounts the vulnerability of terrestrial–only technology in Mexico where 97 miles fiber-optic cables serving rural communities with much needed voice services by a telecommunications provider were exhumed within days and used as new and creative jewelry in the form of colorful flowers in local markets (Show Stoppers, 1997).

�  African leaders and stakeholders have recognized the many challenges that confront their countries especially inherent infrastructural challenges and justifiably they have chosen ICT as one of their priority development program and project considering its multiplier effect on other development and economic sectors.

�  ICT are central to the creation of global knowledge-‐based economy and plays an important role in accelerating growth, promoting sustainable development and eradicating poverty in emerging countries.

�  Wireless Systems (Communication Satellites and variants of terrestrial wireless technologies i.e CDMA, GSM, HSPA,LTE, WiFi, WiMaX etc) has facilitated effective integration of areas with little or no terrestrial ICT infrastructure network into the global economy and even the remotest part of African village.

GROWING NEEDS FOR EFFECTIVE ICT INFRASTRUCTURE

�  Favorable laws and deregulation to enhance private sector participation.

�  Supervision mechanisms to ensure compliance with Government ICT frameworks.

�  Consultation with stakeholders for ambitious all-‐inclusive ICT infrastructure development

�  Government intervention through Universal Service Provisioning Fund (USPF) to facilitate connectivity in underserved and unserved areas.

�  Recent development of the Nigerian National Broadband plan 2013-‐2018 by the Federal Ministry of Communications Technology to address inherent pocket of challenges and facilitate broadband penetration with the needed QoS and QoE.

MEETING GROWING NEEDS FOR EFFECTIVE ICT INFRASTRUCTURE: NIGERIAN CASESTUDY

�  In furtherance to growing needs of Communication Satellite ICT requirements and satellite-‐based digital broadcast television to help bridge the digital hiatus and satisfy the universal Internet access goals that African governments are committed to; the Federal Government of Nigeria took the bull by the horns and responded with a communication satellite launch designed to meet West African Sub-‐Saharan needs and even beyond the continent.

GROWING NEEDS FOR EFFECTIVE ICT INFRASTRUCTURE: NIGERIAN CASESTUDY

�  Nigerian Communication satellite is a quad-‐band high powered communications; whose geostationary orbit is positioned at 42.5oE with a launch mass of 5,100 kg, and a service life of more than 15 years, while the design life is 22.5 years. The satellite has a reliability value of 99.7% with more than a 75% reliability value at the end of its service life.

�  The satellite provides Ku-‐band, C-‐band, Ka-‐band for telecommunications and broadcast services and Navigation payload capability with design inputs related to the weather and climatic conditions of African environment.

�  Nigeria is in the history books as the first country in Africa and Europe to deploy a Ka-‐band based Communication Satellite covering the African continent and Europe.

COMMUNICATION SATELLITES, BROADBAND AND BROADCASTING

14

NIGCOMSAT-‐1R FOOTPRINTS AND COVERAGE .

ECOWAS C-BAND COVERAGE

ECOWAS I KU-BAND COVERAGE

ECOWAS II KU-BAND COVERAGE

ASIA KU-BAND COVERAGE

KA-BAND COVERAGE

OVER NIGERIA

KA-BAND COVERAGE

OVER SOUTH AFRICA

KA-BAND COVERAGE

OVER EUROPE

GLOBAL NAVIGATIONAL

COVERAGE IN L-BAND

�  The Navigation payload is Africa’s contribution to Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) providing a regional Space-‐Based Augmentation System (SBAS). The Nigerian Satellite Augmentation System (NSAS) is a first for Africa with a global coverage including oceans.

COMMUNICATION SATELLITES AND NAVIGATION OVERLAY SERVICES (NOS).

EXPLOITATION OF COMMUNICATION SATELLITES TO BRIDGE THE DIGITAL HIATUS



�  Poorly wired landlocked countries with inadequate terrestrial ICT infrastructure require space-‐based ICT infrastructure (Communication Satellite).

�  Developed countries with adequate terrestrial ICT infrastructure still require a space-‐based system for strategic needs, broadcasting and disaster preparedness, as established ICT infrastructure can be rendered inoperable.

�  Countries with high risks of natural disasters require advanced planning in pre and post disaster relief operations for instant delivery of emergency communications infrastructure.

�  Effective communication as a Coordinated First-‐Response (CFR) during a crisis situation is a key factor for success in crisis & emergency management.

NICHE AND STRATEGIC NEEDS FOR GLOBAL SPACE-‐BASED ICT INFRASTRUCTURE

NICHE AND STRATEGIC NEEDS FOR GLOBAL SPACE-‐BASED ICT INFRASTRUCTURE

COMPACT SATCOM CRISIS MANAGERv1.0

CONCLUSION q  The success of Nigeria’s information technology policy and other emerging nations with inadequate terrestrial inland ICT infrastructure depends greatly on satellite communications and it’s supporting technologies to meet short and medium term plans.

q  Satellite Communications have a competitive advantage as they complement the present sparsely distributed terrestrial links (fiber optic) and radio link extensions contributing to accelerated economic growth, secure communications for security agencies, socio-‐economic development, good governance encouraged through transparent processes, promotion of financial and digital inclusion including universal access goals through the ubiquity of COMSATs, a launchpad for participation in the global knowledge-‐based economy thus accelerating sustainable growth and development.

CONCLUSION �  The NIGCOMSAT-‐1R as the first indigenously operated and managed communication satellite is fast-‐tracking development and is playing a critical role in delivering ICT readiness and Communications. It remains a signpost for e-‐readiness and a foundation for the transformation to a knowledge-‐based economy. � NigComSat-‐1R Communication Satellite represents the “low hanging fruit” ready to drive and improve broadband penetration in Nigeria, Africa and beyond. � Communication Satellites are strategic continental ICT infrastructure with far reaching impacts in enhancing telecommunications, broadcasting, the Internet and multimedia services in Africa including: transforming countries from just being a consumer of bandwidth to a provider. � 

CONCLUSION

Engineering

BRIDGING THE DIGITAL HIATUS VIA COMMUNICATIONS SATELLITE