DITO Telecommunity expects to finalize a deal that would allow it to begin pilot testing of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite technology this year.
DITO may test low Earth orbit satellite
A low Earth orbit (LEO) is, as the name implies, an orbit that is near the Earth’s surface. A geostationary satellite, also known as an Earth-orbiting satellite, is typically situated at an altitude of roughly 35,800 kilometers, whereas an LEO satellite is typically put at an altitude of around 1,000 kilometers above Earth.
The agreement is with OneWeb Network Access Associates Ltd., a London-based business supported by Bharti Enterprises Ltd. of India and the UK government.
It has not yet been finished, according to Rodolfo D. Santiago, Chief Technology Officer of DITO. It will hopefully be completed as soon as possible. Their discussions with them are well advanced; it is more of a check to see whether [all] is fine and the commercial rates.
He said that the businesses have yet to fully discuss how these would be divided although expenditures for LEO satellites are expected to be slightly higher.
Mr. Santiago said that no in-depth discussion had taken place. In comparison to fiber and microwave, it is expensive. However, because LEO technology has a lower latency and a higher capacity than other satellite technologies, it is better.
According to Mr. Santiago, DITO is also in discussions with companies that provide various solutions.
“We are also talking with other satellite companies that have sent their offer,” he said.
He also added that “There are other satellite companies that have different technology like geostationary. We are also looking into that. In fact, I think there will be a discussion on its proof of concept for pilot testing to check if it’s okay,”.
Mr. Santiago claims that the rollout of satellite internet will aid places like the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi.
“But even here in Luzon and Visayas, there are off-grid places like those in the mountainous areas in the north, how will you connect them?” he said.
The OneWeb network consists of 648 satellites in 12 synchronized orbital planes 1,200 kilometers above the surface of the planet.
Source: BusinessWorld
