SATCOM: Creating End-to-End Efficiency for IP Trunking and IP Backbone Networks for 5G

Published

4 years ago

January 28, 2022

Chike Onwuegbuchi

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By Andrew Aroh

Efficiency and more throughput are at the core of emerging technologies for IP at the core of emerging technologies for IP Trunking and IP Backbone networks and applications to drive 5G.
The latest technology is based on DVB-S2 and S2 Extensions standards and combines a set of innovative technologies in order to fully optimize the Trunking and Backbone Links. These technologies are:
Adaptive coding and modulation (ACM)
Cross-layer Optimization
Bandwidth cancellation
Clean Channel Technology
Automated Uplink Power Control (AUPC)
Wideband in GBs

The Dedicated technologies enhance the data throughput up to record breaking speeds in a large set of IP point-to-point or point or point-to-Multipoint networks.

Adaptive Coding and Modulation (ACM)
The tranking business is a highly competitive market with continuous pressure on pricing and profitability.
The implementation of ACM translates directly into new business opportunities for ISPs, satellite service Operators and Satellite Operators.
ACM increases the customer base within the same bandwidth. At the same time it introduces ways to reduce OPEX costs and increase the profitability of one’s business. Resulting in a quick Return-on Investment.
ACM combines DVB-S2 and S2 Extensions with different technologies to get as much data through the same satellite bandwidth as possible.
ACM will auto-adaptively set modulation parameters to the optimal point and overcomes distortion, noise and variation in the satellite link.
Through ACM the data rates between uplink and remote sites (for both point-to-point and point-to-mattip networks) can be doubled in the same bandwidth without the need to acquire extra satellite capacity. As such a quick Return-on-Investment can be achieved in a matter of months.
Optimal Service Availability through ACM
Communication lines over satellite need to be available at all time to exchange critical information and to keep customer satisfaction at a high level.
However, fading conditions could seriously disturb the satellite transmission and lead to temporary link losses.
Fading conditions could be due to different circumstances:
The choice of satellite/frequency and (Geo, Leo, Meo/C-,X-,Ku-,Ka-,V-band)
Environmental Conditions (rain, dust, etc.)
Interference (between two adjacent Satellites)
Due to the auto-adaptive technology incorporated inside ACM, these fading conditions will no longer interrupt the transmission between the hub and remote nor result in the loss of data.
In fading conditions, ACM will switch to a more robust modulation and provide optimal availability.

As soon as fading conditions are over, ACM technology automatically switches back to maximum efficiency,

Moreover, Service Priorities (e.g video, data, voice) and Quality-of-service policies can be auto-adapted on-the-fly depending on the bandwidth availability through cross-layer optimization technology.
Network Traffic Optimization
Network congestion reduces the customer experience and the overall throughput over the communications link
In order to Enhance Speed and Save on bandwidth, Service Providers can easily add Network Optimization to their Trunking Links.
Network Optimization Consists of the Latest TCP/IP Acceleration and Compression Technologies which increases the efficiency of the satellite link on top of technologies such as ACM.
Network Optimization is available as option in the Hubs or can added as separate equipment or software.
Network Optimization technology offers up to 35% bandwidth reduction for typical applications such as file download, web surfing and content streaming.
The reduction of traffic in both Volume and Number of packets is up to 20% in the forward and up to 90% in the return.
Network Optimization technology improves customer Experience and results in important bandwidth gains.
Bandwidth Cancellation:
Uses Bandwidth Canceller
Return traffic uses the same bandwidth as the forward traffic
Implements Superior Cancellation Performance
Bandwidth gain up to 33%
Flexible network scenarios are used (SCPC, MCPC)
Best efficiency with ACM
Automated Equalink
Performs Pre-distortion to compensate for the effects of imperfections in the filters and amplifiers of the satellite
Supports Linear & Non-Linear Links
Supports Saturated Transponders
Supports 16/32/64 APSK
Bandwidth Gain up to 10% (or 2GB)
Clean Channel Technology:
As a result of drive for standards, key players in the satellite industry have called for a new satellite transmission standard (S2 Extensions) to expand the existing DVB-S2 standard, specifically for professional satellite links.
Open Standards such as DVB-S2 and S2 Extensions allow for:
Interoperability and avoid vendor lock-in
Increase in the profitability of the industry by creating an economy of scale and reducing the cost of sitcom equipment
Today S2 Extensions already provide gains up to 37% compared to DVB-S2 through implementation of clean Channel Technology. These gains exceed the results by proprietary systems in the market
Clean Channel Technology involves 7 improvements in S2 Extensions:
Smaller Roll-offs
Advanced Filtering of Satellite Carriers
Increased Granularity in MODCODs
64APSK support
Linear and Non-linear MODCODs
Better implementation of MODCODs
Wideband Support (up to mbaud)
Clean Channel Technology can be offered as a software field upgrade so that customers can immediately field upgrade so that customers can immediately benefit up to 15% gain compared to DVB-S2 through implementing a lower Roll-off factor (5/10/15%) and an advanced filtering technology.
Best-of-Trade-Equipment
Emerging Hubs and Modems support medium and high rate data communication based on the DVB-S2 and S2 Extensions
Each Equipment embeds the latest innovative technologies to fully optimize IP Trunking and IP backbone networks over Integrated Satellite/Wireless/Fiber Solutions for 5G.
No extra or new ground infrastructure (antenna or amplifier) needs to be acquired to enable higher efficiencies.
Next to hubs and moderns, peripheral equipment such as redundancy Switches and Frequency Converters provide the Trunking and Backbone networks with extra stability and
Hubs and Moderns are installed on each side of the link.
Networks in Point-to-Point, Point-to-Multipoint (star) or Multipoint-to-point configuration are supported through Single-channel-per-Carrier (MCPC) technologies.
Within the same Carrier different Services such as data, video, voice, voIP, Wifi, WiMAX, GPRS, 3G/4G can be aggregate using MAP.
Through the multi-service hub, Service providers with their respective customers are connected with a common forward carrier.
The return technology can be SCPC or MF-TDMA depending on the return rate, the size of the remote or the network configuration.
By aggregating the data traffic in a common forward carrier and combing equipment in a single hub, important CAPEX and OPEX savings can be made.
Extra bandwidth gains are achieved by implementing ACM, clean channel Technology and Cross-Layer-Optimization technologies on top of the Multi-Service network.
The Multi-service network also allows the service provider to provider IP access service provider to provide IP access service on a direct way or an indirect way (Backhaul, Trunking) to the end user.
The hub provides internal and interface (RF, IP power Supply)
The internal redundancy is conceived as two fully redundant chains.
When there is a failure an automatic switch over to the other chain is performed.
Even during service windows there is limited downtime since upgrades can be performed on one of the chains with the other chain active in a previous version.
A failure in the RF path is resolved by switching to the alternative RF interface.
Multiservice Access Platform (MAP) is a scalable, integrated system that can provide a wide range of voice, video and data services in a single chassis.
A MAP can be located at the customer premises, in the local Loop/ Last mile or at the carrier’s point of presence (POP).
Efficient Carrier Grade Gateway and Consumer Terminal Concept
A typical Broadband solution is based on the Sat3play platform
The platform provides the means to establish an “always-on” two-way IP Connectivity.
The basic IP connectivity between Hub and Modem is extended with Quality-of-Service (QoS) in forward and return allowing the deployment of different services.
QoS is the capability to provide better service to selected network traffic over various technologies such as Ethernet, frame relay, ATM or IP.
The gateway contains management functionalities to monitor, configure and control all worldwide remotes.
The Gateway provides all necessary infrastructures to receive and transmit IP data from and to the terminals.
The Gateway has redundancy on all layers (user, control, management) equipment; RF signal and mains supply inputs.
Gateways are points of entrance and exist from a communication network.
Viewed as a physical entity, a gateway is that node that translates between two otherwise incompatible networks or network segments.
Gateway performs code and protocol conversion to facilitate traffic between data highways of differing architecture.
A GATEKEEPER is a device that manages an IP network, supporting all gateways, and a gatekeeper e.g low average-to-peak ratios in the traffic Profile. This results in high broadband user experience.
Unique Design:
The design of the compact modem and the lightweight low power outdoor equipment; the cost and “Look and Feel” of the terminal is in line with the consumer market requirements
Lowest Consumer Acquisition Cost:
With the lowest terminal cost on the market and a unique Do-it-yourself installation, the total customer acquisition cost is not a deterrent factor for capturing new subscribers.
Self-Installation at Zero:
Value Added Logistics
Terminal Customization
New Business Models, Retail outlet Channels and e-commerce
Zero CAPEX Internet Service Providers Satellite System
The require satellite system is Operated as Single-Service-Provider Platform AND Multi-Service-Provider Platform
On a multi-Service-Provider Platform, new ISPs can start with a Zero CAPEX and the ability to rollout services immediately
Different Service Providers Share the same HARDWARE and CAPACITY while they are capable of managing their own Customer base and Service Configuration.
Unlimited Scalability: the total number of users in the Satellite system scales without System limitation. The addition of capacity in order to accommodate more users or offer better QoS comes with an almost linear increase of investment result.

On the other hand, satellite capacity represents the largest cost element in the total cost of Ownership (CTO). Efficient usage of satellite capacity is therefore mandatory.

The End-Customer is expectation for Satellite broadband offerings are:
Monthly rate on par with terrestrial broadband services
Volumes as needed
True broadband experience-Implementing FUP which assures that all broadband customers enjoy the same experience and have access to quick and reliable service at all time.

Andrew Aroh is President of SSPI Nigeria

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X Suspends Twitter Account for Rules Violation

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9 hours ago

January 13, 2026

Ugo Onwuaso

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X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, has suspended the @Twitter account, replacing its profile with a standard notice citing violation of platform rules.

X Suspends Twitter Account for Rules Violation

Musk

The action, which occurred on Sunday, January 11, left users encountering the handle greeted by a bold “Account Suspended” message on a black screen, with no details provided on the specific rules broken or the duration of the suspension.

The development has sparked widespread confusion and nostalgia among users, given that Elon Musk rebranded Twitter to X in July 2023, approximately six months after acquiring the platform for $44 billion in late 2022.

The @Twitter handle had remained dormant since before Musk’s takeover, serving as a legacy remnant of the platform’s original branding, and its suspension appears to mark the final erasure of the Twitter name amid X’s ongoing efforts to combat spam, impersonation, and rule violations.

X’s official statement on the suspended page simply reads: “X suspends accounts that violate our rules,” without offering an appeal process or further explanation, unlike standard user suspensions.

Public reactions on social media ranged from humorous laments of “RIP Twitter” to speculation that the move resulted from automated moderation or a deliberate cleanup of legacy trademarks.

xAI’s Grok AI described it as a purposeful retirement of outdated elements rather than a genuine infraction, while neither Elon Musk nor X spokespeople issued any comment as of Monday morning.

This incident underscores the evolving identity of the platform under Musk’s ownership, which also saw a domain shift to x.com in 2024, further distancing it from its Twitter roots.

Industry observers note that while the suspension aligns with X’s stricter enforcement policies, the lack of transparency has fueled debates on consistency in applying rules to high-profile legacy accounts.

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Telecom

FG Plans to Invest $460m World Bank Loan in Fibre Infrastructure

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1 day ago

January 12, 2026

Chike Onwuegbuchi

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Federal Government plans to channel $460m World bank loan, representing about 92 per cent of a $500m, into the proposed fibre infrastructure company set up to deploy 90,000 kilometres of climate-resilient broadband fibre across the country.

This is contained in the Financing Agreement for the Building Resilient Digital Infrastructure for Growth project between the Federal Government and the International Development Association, the concessional lending arm of the World Bank.

Under the agreement, the World Bank approved a $500m concessional credit to support Nigeria’s drive to expand access to high-quality and climate-resilient broadband internet in unserved and underserved areas.

Of this amount, $460m is earmarked specifically for equity financing and capitalisation of a new Project Company that will drive the fibre rollout. The remaining $40m will cover goods, works, consulting and non-consulting services, training, operating costs, and the refund of a preparation advance used to develop the project framework.

According to the document, the proposed Project Company will be established “as an independent, majority privately-owned and managed special purpose vehicle-joint venture with the objective of the deployment of 90,000 kilometres of climate-resilient fibre infrastructure following a phased approach, limited to provision of wholesale, open access services to licensed telecommunications operators, and management of associated investments, including the carrying out of preparatory activities and provision of transaction advisory services, and provision of equity financing in and capitalization of the Project Company.”

The Federal Government will participate in the company as a shareholder through the Ministry of Finance Incorporated, which manages the government’s investment interests. However, the agreement explicitly caps the government’s shareholding at a maximum of 49 per cent, ensuring that the company remains majority privately owned.

The $460m equity injection is broken into four tranches, tied to strict performance and operational milestones. The first tranche of $150m will be released once the Project Company is incorporated as a joint venture with private partners selected through a process acceptable to the World Bank, and after its memorandum, articles of association, and shareholding agreement are approved.

A second tranche of $100m will only be disbursed after the company adopts fiduciary and administrative procedures approved by the lender and completes at least 5,000 kilometres of fibre deployment. The third tranche of $100m is linked to the completion of an additional 20,000 kilometres of network construction.

The final tranche of $110m will be released after the company launches wholesale open-access services through a published reference offer and completes a further 40,000 kilometres of fibre deployment, bringing the total rollout to at least 65,000 kilometres before the final equity drawdown.

Once each tranche is withdrawn, the agreement requires that the funds be transferred to the Project Company’s dedicated account within five working days, showing the equity nature of the financing rather than traditional budgetary spending.

The project will be implemented under the oversight of the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, and the Federal Ministry of Finance will receive semi-annual progress updates.

A dedicated Project Implementation Unit will manage day-to-day execution, with overall financial management handled by the Federal Project Financial Management Department in the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation.

Beyond the fibre rollout, the project also includes technical assistance to federal government agencies to support the use of high-quality broadband in targeted areas, as well as funding for project management, monitoring and evaluation, environmental and social safeguards, grievance redress mechanisms and independent audits.

The agreement places strong emphasis on environmental and social standards, requiring compliance with an Environmental and Social Commitment Plan. It also mandates the establishment of an accessible grievance mechanism for affected communities and strict reporting obligations to the World Bank.

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Telecom

Court Dismisses N1Bn Suit against MTN, Awards N3m Costs

Published

3 days ago

January 10, 2026

Ebere Melum-Nwogbo

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A Federal High Court in Lagos has dismissed a N1 billion lawsuit filed against MTN Nigeria Communications Plc by Walls and Gates Ltd and Okechukwu Udeichi, its managing director, over alleged copyright infringement, breach of confidentiality, and trademark violations arising from MTN’s 20th anniversary promotional campaign.

Court Dismisses N1Bn Suit against MTN, Awards N3m Costs

Delivering judgement on Tuesday, Justice Ayokunle Faji held that the plaintiffs failed to establish any legally protectable right in their proposal titled “20 for 20”, describing the action as frivolous, speculative, and vexatious.

The court dismissed the suit in its entirety and awarded N3m in costs against the plaintiffs.

The plaintiffs instituted the action under Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1935/2021, alleging that MTN unlawfully used their “20 for 20” proposal, which they claimed to have submitted to the telecoms company on 17 September 2019, ahead of MTN’s 20th anniversary celebration in 2021.

They argued that MTN’s anniversary promotion, in which 20 sport utility vehicles were given out to subscribers, emanated from their proposal and amounted to infringement of their copyright, confidential information, and trademark.

Based on those claims, the plaintiffs sought N1bn in damages or, alternatively, an order directing MTN to render an account of revenue generated from the promotion and remit 50 per cent of it to them.

MTN denied the allegations, contending that the proposal was an unsolicited business idea that imposed no contractual or confidential obligation on the company.

The telecoms firm maintained that its 20th anniversary programme was independently developed and that the plaintiffs’ document was merely a general business concept not protected under Nigerian copyright law.

MTN further argued that the plaintiffs lacked a valid registered trademark and failed to demonstrate access to or copying of any protected expression.

In resolving the dispute, Justice Faji noted that the plaintiffs conceded during oral submissions that they failed to prove their claim of trademark infringement, leaving only the issues of alleged breach of confidentiality and copyright infringement for determination.

On confidentiality, the court held that no confidential relationship existed between the parties.

Justice Faji observed that before sending the proposal to MTN, the plaintiffs had already submitted it to the Nigerian Copyright Commission and relied on it for a trademark application, thereby placing the document in the public domain.

The judge further noted that after transmitting the proposal to MTN, the plaintiffs admitted circulating it to other organisations, which extinguished any claim to confidentiality.

According to the court, MTN had no obligation to respond to an unsolicited proposal in the absence of a contractual, fiduciary, or business relationship, or a non-disclosure agreement.

On the allegation of copyright infringement, the court held that registration with the Nigerian Copyright Commission does not confer copyright, stressing that Nigerian law protects expressions, not ideas or business concepts.

Justice Faji ruled that the plaintiffs’ “20 for 20 Millennium Promotion” amounted to no more than an idea of rewarding customers during an anniversary celebration and lacked the originality and intellectual effort required for copyright protection.

He described the proposal as a bare business concept devoid of original qualities capable of attracting copyright. The judge also held that MTN’s use of the phrase “MTN 20th Anniversary” was a natural description of an anniversary event and did not originate from any protectable work of the plaintiffs.

He further relied on evidence showing that MTN affiliates in other jurisdictions had implemented similar anniversary reward ideas before the plaintiffs’ proposal.

Justice Faji characterised the suit as a “gold-digging exercise” aimed at forcing a commercial relationship on MTN. He criticised the plaintiffs for using MTN’s trademark in their proposal without authorisation and then seeking to ground a billion-naira claim on the same document, adding that the case wasted valuable judicial time.

While affirming that citizens should have access to the courts, the judge stressed that such access must be limited to suits with prima facie merit.

He therefore awarded N3m in costs in favour of MTN, holding that costs must follow the event.

The court accordingly dismissed the suit in its entirety and ordered the plaintiffs to pay the awarded costs to the defendant.

Credit: Punch

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