Telecom
SATCOM: Creating End-to-End Efficiency for IP Trunking and IP Backbone Networks for 5G
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
Telecom
GSMA, Mobile Industry Call for Strengthened Action to Advance Child Online Protection in Africa
The GSMA, in partnership with the mobile industry, is calling for strengthened collective action to protect children online across Africa. Building on insights from a high-level roundtable convened at the Ministerial Programme during MWC25 Barcelona, the GSMA yesterday released a new whitepaper, Enhancing Child Online Protection in Sub-Saharan Africa outlining key recommendations to guide governments, regulators, industry, civil society, and youth stakeholders as they work together to create a safer digital environment for children.
With Africa’s digital transformation accelerating, the number of children accessing the internet is rising rapidly – often through mobile devices, as the region remains mobile-first.
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC) set out the fundamental rights of all children, both of which provide a critical foundation for ensuring that children’s rights are fully respected, protected, and fulfilled in the digital age. Mobile technology holds enormous potential to help advance these rights, as explored in the GSMA-UNICEF report Enhancing Children’s Lives through Mobile.
While published in 2019, the report’s principles and mapping remain highly relevant today, reflecting the GSMA’s longstanding commitment to this area. We continue to work closely with UNICEF, and as a next step, GSMA and UNICEF will co-lead a new regional taskforce to help drive forward the recommendations from this whitepaper and strengthen cooperation across governments, industry, and civil society.
Mobile can open doors to education, social connection, and development. But as connectivity expands, so too do the risks: children are increasingly exposed to cyberbullying, harmful content, and online exploitation. Recognising both the opportunities and challenges of the digital environment, the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child dedicated the 2023 Day of the African Child (DAC) to this important theme – reinforcing the urgent need for cross-sector cooperation.
The GSMA and its members in Africa have worked together to highlight shared challenges, amplify the voices of young people, and identify areas where governments, industry, and civil society can strengthen coordinated efforts.
Key recommendations from the whitepaper include:
- Ensuring child- and youth-centred approaches in policy and programme development
- Strengthening national frameworks in line with the African Union Child Online Safety and Empowerment Strategy
- Expanding digital literacy and awareness initiatives for children, parents, and educators
- Building stronger public-private partnerships to scale resources, tools, and services across the region
Angela Wamola, Head of Sub-Saharan Africa at the GSMA, said: “Protecting children online is a responsibility shared across governments, industry, civil society, and families. By working together, we can ensure the digital environment becomes a place of opportunity – not risk – for Africa’s children. This whitepaper is an important step in supporting stakeholders across the region as they advance this urgent agenda.”
Nankali Maksud, Regional Advisor for Child Protection at UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa, added: “Children and young people under 18 make up half of Africa’s population. Protecting their safety online is not only about safeguarding rights, but about investing in Africa’s human capital and future leadership.
This whitepaper helps elevate African voices, African leadership, and African solutions for protecting children in the digital space. We at UNICEF look forward to co-hosting a taskforce for GSMA to take forward the recommendations emerging from this whitepaper”.
The whitepaper integrates regional data, including findings from IPSOS research commissioned by MTN Group, as well as insights from youth advocate Jemima Kasongo, 19, from the Democratic Republic of Congo, who opened the roundtable during MWC25 with a powerful call to action on behalf of young people across the continent.
The GSMA reaffirms that child online protection is a global priority, with efforts underway worldwide to strengthen safer digital environments. Initiatives such as the GSMA Mobile Alliance to Combat Digital Child Sexual Exploitation bring together international mobile operators to drive good practice and coordinate global responses.
While this new whitepaper focuses on Africa, it builds on the GSMA’s broader global commitment, including newly published guidance on incorporating young voices into digital policy and solution design. The GSMA encourages all stakeholders to engage with the recommendations and join the ongoing dialogue to help ensure a safer digital future for Africa’s children.
In a strategic move to deepen its presence in emerging economies, global cryptocurrency exchange MEXC has launched peer-to-peer (P2P) trading support for three new fiat currencies — the Nigerian Naira (NGN), Ethiopian Birr (ETB), and Pakistani Rupee (PKR). This expansion reflects the company’s increasing focus on localising crypto access in high-growth, underbanked regions.
The addition of NGN, ETB, and PKR to MEXC’s P2P platform enables users in Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Pakistan to trade major cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Tether (USDT), and USD Coin (USDC) directly with their local currencies.
The trades come with zero transaction fees, in line with MEXC’s strategy to lower entry barriers for users and encourage grassroots participation in the digital asset economy.
The update is more than a technical expansion — it underscores MEXC’s recognition of Africa and South Asia as rising crypto frontiers. Nigeria, often cited as one of the world’s fastest-growing crypto markets, and Ethiopia, where digital finance is beginning to surge amid reforms, represent key territories for crypto adoption. Similarly, Pakistan’s growing youth population and fintech appetite offer strong potential for crypto-enabled financial inclusion.
To support the rollout, MEXC is actively onboarding new merchants to its P2P platform. Merchants benefit from zero transaction fees, dedicated customer support, a special verification badge, and invitations to exclusive community events. The goal is to nurture a local network of verified sellers and buyers who can facilitate seamless and trusted crypto trades.
P2P trading — which allows users to transact directly without third-party intermediaries — is especially relevant in markets where banking infrastructure is either insufficient or heavily regulated. By bypassing traditional systems, P2P provides a lifeline for users seeking stablecoins, alternative stores of value, or more flexible remittance solutions.
This latest expansion signals MEXC’s intent to compete aggressively for market share in underserved territories while enabling more users to access and benefit from Web3 technologies. As global exchanges race to localise their services, MEXC’s early moves into fiat integration may prove pivotal in shaping the next wave of crypto adoption across the Global South.
At the recently concluded NextNow Business Forum in Victoria Island, MTN Nigeria electrified the business community with a live demonstration of its forthcoming Communication Platform as a Service (CPaaS), a solution engineered to redefine how Nigerian enterprises connect with their customers.
Unlike traditional communication systems, MTN’s CPaaS is built for the realities of a mobile-first market. The platform unifies SMS, voice, WhatsApp, email, and more into a single, intuitive interface. This approach is especially significant in Nigeria, with over 107 million internet users, 45.4% of the total population, according to Data Report. This figure underscores the necessity for businesses to meet customers where they are.
During the demo, attendees witnessed how CPaaS enables two-way, real-time conversations between brands and customers. The platform’s support for rich media, instant analytics, and seamless integration with business workflows drew particular attention. These features are designed to empower businesses with data-driven insights and the agility to personalise every interaction, whether it’s a service notification, marketing campaign, or customer support exchange.
Akinbulejo Onabolu, Head of Enterprise Segment at MTN Nigeria, articulated the vision: “CPaaS gives enterprises the flexibility to interact with their customers on their preferred platforms; whether it’s chat, voice, or messaging, in a way that feels personal and immediate. We’re looking forward to the value this will unlock for businesses across industries once it launches.”
The fireside chat added depth to the conversation, with Omowunmi Olatunbosun, Head of SME Segment at MTN Nigeria, and Stephen Agbi of Bayobab, highlighting how digital engagement bridges the gap between businesses and audiences.
They emphasised that today’s consumers demand immediacy, relevance, and ease, qualities that CPaaS is built to deliver.
The stakes for digital transformation in Nigeria are high. In a report by Punch, the country’s enterprise tech market is projected to reach $22 billion by 2027, reflecting a surge in demand for scalable, cloud-based solutions that drive efficiency and customer loyalty.
The CPAAS Acceleration Alliance have estimated that globally, the CPaaS market is expected to grow from $14.7 billion in 2025 to $72.4 billion by 2035, at a compound annual growth rate of 18.4%, a testament to the platform’s transformative potential.
The event’s closing keynote from META’s Korhan Yunak reinforced the strategic value of digital channels like WhatsApp, which are now indispensable for business communication and engagement at scale.
As MTN Nigeria prepares for the Q3 2025 launch, the anticipation is unmistakable. With its promise of flexibility, intelligence, and seamless integration, MTN’s CPaaS platform is set to become the backbone of next-generation business-customer engagement in Nigeria, enabling enterprises to not just communicate but to connect, adapt, and grow in a digital-first era.
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