Satellite Communications: NewSat's Paldao on His Ka-Band Perception

Satellite Communications: NewSat's Paldao on His Ka-Band Perception: "We are not trying to be all things to all people, but certain application such as ISR are an ideal fit for Ka-band." - Diego Paldao Milsat...

Thrane and Thrane installs VSAT-based total communications solution in Hansa Heavy Lift fleet

Thrane & Thrane is close to completing the installation and commissioning of its sophisticated SAILOR 900 VSAT and SAILOR 500 FleetBroadband systems on Hansa Heavy Lift’s entire fleet.

gCaptain reported that Thrane & Thrane partnered with PRO NAUTAS and Vizada to create a total communications solution for Hansa's 21 multipurpose heavy-lift sea vessels. T&T provided its SAILOR 900 VSAT and SAILOR 500 FleetBroadband, Vizada provided its XChange platform, and the project was implemented by PRO-NAUTAS.

Thrane & Thrane's VSAT systems ensure provided redundant global broadband connectivity and voice services. The Vizada-based solution platform automatically selected between Ku-band or L-band based on the current coverage, system performance, and airtime rates available to ensure maximum, cost-effective connectivity.

Casper Jensen, VP Maritime Business Unit, Thrane & Thrane, explained that Hansa wasn't just interested in ensuring crew and operational communications. "The new communication solution aboard Hansa Heavy Lift vessels," VP Jensen said, "Was chosen for its capability of enabling remote diagnostics and maintenance of the on board IT networks."

According to Jensen, total solutions that feature both VSAT and MSS had become very important. Global satellite broadband coverage allowed for constant remote monitoring and least cost routing that improved fleet fuel efficiency and reduce pollution. It could also help reducing maintenance and service costs.

Thrane & Thrane designed SAILOR 900 to speed up the system's procurement, installation, and commissioning. The Ku-band VSAT system can be easily and quickly installed on a wide variety of vessels, and it is able to link with all Ku-band satellite systems across the globe.

SAILOR 900 had achieved significant strides in the Ku-band market since its introduction last September. Earlier this January, Thrane and Thrane reported that a big shipping company with a global reach (Hansa Heavy Lift) procuted nearly 3000 VSAT units for a revolutionary Ericsson-developed total communication solution.

NewSat, Jabiru-1 Ideal Customers

On the question asked by Milsat Magazine (MSM), “Which customers will find the Jabiru-1 satellite ideal for their projects and missions?,” NewSat’s Senior Director-Americas, Diego Paldao, said that it is unique because it will deliver “new” high-powered Ka band coverage to regions that are in need of more capacity.

According to him, Jabiru-1 is the best for both government and enterprise projects looking to support increased throughout requirements, however, unable to grow because of limited availability of Ku-Band capacity in most markets.

The Jabiru fleet of NewSat, the largest independent satellite communications provider in Australia, shall focus mainly on meeting customer demands for growth, as well as cultivating strategic opportunities with clients interested in launching new platforms and service.

See: VSAT Services

Beam gets major Oceana-Inmarsat trial order from Chinese entity

A China-based satellite communications company placed an initial order worth $170,000 with Beam Communications Pty Ltd for a major trial of Beam's Inmarsat FleetPhone Service.

For commercial and competitive reasons, customer details remained confidential and undisclosed.
Beam's customer is, however, a leading operator of Chinese satellite communication services. It reportedly possesses more than 20 years experience in providing complete mobile satellite terminals and technology integration services for Chinese users on land, at sea, or in the air.

The Chinese entity had earlier committed itself to deploy 100 units each of the Beam Oceana 400 and Oceana 800 marine communications terminals on fishing vessels.

The new trial will take place in July 2012. The Chinese entity will install 100 Beam Oceana 400 terminals and another 100 Beam Oceana 800 terminals on its ships.


Beam Oceana terminals were specifically designed to take full advantage of the voice, data and tracking communications services provided by the Inmarsat satellite network through the 'Fleetphone' maritime service. These terminals specifically targeted high volume deployments in emerging satellite markets during their 2011 global release.

The Chinese entity expects a relatively short trial period foir the Beam Oceana terminals.
Once the Oceana terminals achieve market acceptance, the customer intends to order at least 1000 additional units so that it could expand the trial into the broader market of Chinese maritime users.

"This is a major breakthrough for Beam into the Chinese maritime market," announced Michael Capocchi, Managing Director, Beam Communications. "We are delighted to be working with a key strategic partner in China, which further reinforces Beam's position as a leading global provider of satellite communication solutions for both the Inmarsat and Iridium satellite networks."

MSM: Paldao on Newsat's Jabiru-1

NewSat is the largest independent satellite communications provider in Australia. Diego Paldao, NewSat’s Senior Director-Americas, talks about the company’s Jabiru-1 project on a Milsatmagazine (MSM) article.

Paldao said that the Jabiru-1 satellite will deliver high-powered Ka-band coverage all over the Middle East, Asia and Africa (MENA Region) through its 7.6 GHz of “new” capacity. This will surely satisfy the demands from government, energy and carrier grade telecommunications markets in these “developing” areas.

The Jabiru-1 satellite is the company’s first geostationary (GEO) satellite dedicated to focus on Ka-band, with its complex design that provides the greatest flexibility to their clients/consumers. A combination of multispot, regional and steerable beams provides maximum options to accommodate client requirements. This satellite require customers a more complex and larger satellite design which takes longer to build that will be launched by Arianespace, one of the best launchers in the satellite industry.

Padlao said they believe that Jabiru-1 is “a great transition satellite because it looks like a Ku-Band satellite in its design as well as offering a range of beams, but it makes use of a less congested frequency band.” Jabiru-1’s design, in particular, is appealing as it will have both commercial and military frequencies available on most beams.

“NewSat will launch additional Ka-band satellites following Jabiru-1, expanding our fleet to provide coverage over Europe and the Americas,” added Padlao.

See: VSAT Services

Diego Paldao and NewSat

Diego Paldao, NewSat Senior Director-Americas, had his first time working for the satellite industry, 14 years ago, when UUNet provides IP transit services where his team worked closely with satellite operators to provide connectivity via satellite for places that lacks in adequate or stable fibre connectivity.

Paldao also joined global teleport operator Verestar following his work with UUNet. Verestar then was ultimately acquired by SES where he also had various positions, supporting enterprise and government clients based in North America.

At last, Palda joined NewSat, an Australian satellite specialist, in January, contributing to the vision and the realization of the vision to launch the continent’s first commercial satellite fleet.

NewSat is to date the largest independent satellite communications provider in Australia. Its satellites, VSATs and teleports provide coverage to 75% of the Earth’s surface. Its CEO Adrian Ballintine and Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen founded the company in 1987 where it started as a multimedia business which survived the dotcom crash to evolve into a fully-fledged satellite communications company. Most of their customers are located in Australia, the Middle east and Africa.

See: NewSat's VSATS

NewSat's Diego Paldao is Happy with the Company

Diego Paldao, NewSat Senior Director-Americas, talks about the company. To date, NewSat is the largest independent satellite communications provider in Australia. Its satellites, VSATs and teleports provide coverage to 75% of the Earth’s surface.

He said that it excites him to join the company since their teleport business is growing rapidly, expanding across different sectors and extending into the satellite operator arena along the Jabiru Satellite Program. The company now owns and operates two teleports, one in Perth (Western Australia) and one in Adelaide (South Australia).

Their teleports’ infrastructure provides an offering different from other teleports. Both teleports provide superior lookangles into the MENA region and are recognized as highly secure Global Access Points which supports certified classified networks. These teleports are also recognized as a finalist (Top 3) at the 2012 World Teleport Awards.

On the other hand, NewSat’s Jabiru Satellite program is also developing well. The fleet of GEO satellites shall deliver Ka band coverage all over the world starting with Jabiru-1. This is through the utilization of the latest Ka band technology. It will now provide “raw” capability and flexible payloads via a range of multi-spot, regional and steerable beams. The construction for Jabiru-1 started last year and is planned to be launched at the second half of 2014.

See: NewSat's VSATs