IPSTAR SOLAR POWERED VSAT

This is one of the VSAT solutions IPSTAR team had installed in Tacloban through its service partner - AZComm.

It's a solar powered IPSTAR VSAT which was the only possible solution that time right after typhoon Haiyan (a.k.a. typhoon Yolanda) devastated Tacloban.

It helped Eastern Visayas State University in its IP based communications in and out of Tacloban via the Internet through IPSTAR broadband satellite.

The other photo below is a closer look of a similar set-up but in another area and using a smaller antenna size -0.84 meter.

Both of the set-ups provided a very stable, reliable, efficient and fast Internet connection.

This is the solution that could also be offered to the remote areas where there's no Internet and power supply.

Connectivity Problem in the Philippines

The Philippine Government is now very determined to address this very long standing problem that the country had been and still suffering of until this moment.

By the end of this month, May, 2017, there would be an opening of bids initiated by DICT. Just hoping that this new people of this department will think prudently when deciding who would be qualified to implement this very big connectivity project.

If the filtering process for the bidders begins immediately at the start of the process of finding the right service provider who will implement this massive project, then chances are that there would be no repeat failure that this DICT will experience this time.

However, if the decision makers will omit this important process and is guided or influenced by a promised of personal benefits they could get from any of the bidders they facilitate, then expect that a huge problem would happen again.

So, decision makers who will be responsible to awarding the connectivity project to the truly trustworthy service provider should study carefully who these participating bidders are.

Checking and scrutinizing their individual backgrounds, especially in those previous failed connectivity projects or other government projects, would be one of the things that could help them minimize the chance of making this project to be a failure again, if their decisions are referred and based to it.

So, the plan to start filtering the participating bidders from that kind of qualifications background check is, I believed would be a very important and prudent step to make.

The Real Reason Why Telcos Are Not Serious About Improving Internet Connectivity Speed in the Philippines

I read an article posted in the Internet with one of the big telcos saying that the reason why they could not establish the needed infrastructure is the permitting issues that takes several months or home owners not allowing them to put up the telecom infrastructures because of the radiation issues which is the main concerns of the home owners.

The same reasons they had presented during one of the Summit meetings they had this year, and the same story they had presented in Facebook.

However, one reliable source had mentioned that the real reason is not really those things they kept on saying to brainwash the people.

The guy said that if the Internet speed in the Philippines improves significantly, then it will kill the big telcos' business in voice communications. It's because, by then, people will call their friends or business partners, clients using IP based applications, such as Skype, Line, Messenger, Viber, etc.

So, why do things that will kill their existing lucrative business? After analyzing the situation with all those facts, I realized that what the guy said make sense.

Thus, the government has to do something to stop this and deprive those greedy people behind it to continue their injustices by depriving people of a much better Internet service.

One of the IPSTAR MVV Components

Below picture shows one of the components of the IPSTAR Mobile VSAT Vehicle (MVV).

Most of the previous posts about IPSTAR MVV shows only the external part or the outdoor unit which is composed of the 1.2-meter auto tracking antenna, BUC, LNB, etc.

This post shows the internal part of the MVV components with the brand name as indicated. In just one push of the button, in about 10 minutes, you will able to connect to the Internet.

With this set-up, IPSTAR proprietary modem (called iCON) with a throughput of 4Mbps download/2Mbps upload is used. However, modem from Gilat, like SkyEdge II-IP could also be used for higher download requirement.

POC for PTV 4

It's IPSTAR team's POC for PTV4 broadcast business using IPSTAR spot beams.

The test was very successful and the concept about IPSTAR spot beam technology was proven efficient, stable and reliable.

The team had gained much more confidence of what they proclaimed about IPSTAR ku-band technology. It was so because, during the POC, the cloud was very thick and dark and then a while later, rains came down while the POC was still ongoing and there was no problem.

Mobile VSAT Vehicle (MVV) for Streaming Applications

The vehicle at the background is a Mobile VSAT Vehicle (MVV) used by one clients IPSTAR client's end user doing media business.

Their media team covers important live events and streaming it to their partner's server where anybody could access via the Internet.

This client is using this technology for about four years now and so far, so good.

This same technology will be donated by foreign donors to the select LGUs and will be handed over to the DILG through its new appointed Secretary.

Satellite on the Move (SOTM)

It's the photo of one of the banners showing IPSTAR Satellite on the Move (SOTM) displayed in Tacloban during the event dedicated to gather important people and decision makers to discuss what they've learned on that unforgettable disaster brought by a typhoon Haiyan (a.k.a., typhoon Yolanda) which devastated the area and what they need to do to minimize casualties and how to responds effectively when that kind of disaster will happen again or at any emergency situation.

The technology was displayed to give people ideas how useful it is especially during emergency situation where there is a need to move while communicating: streaming live video contents, photos of the affected area, IP based voice communications, data transfer, and etc.

Below are the most important feature of this IPSTAR SOTM

- Always on & Seamless Connectivity

- Reliable Communication

- Nationwide Coverage

- IP Compatible

- Flexibility on bandwidth usage

- Easy installation & simple operation

Romantis - SCPC Modem

It's one of the modems that is compatible and is proven working excellently well with IPSTAR ground and satellite technology.

Using it with 1.8-meter antenna and a 2-watt BUC, it could accommodate a return speed (upload) of 12 Mbps and a forward speed (download) of 74 Mbps with a bandwidth occupancy of 6.25 MHz and 38.09 MHz for the return and forward links, respectively.

If it's used with a 4-watt BUC, then it would allow a return speed (upload) of 24 Mbps and a forward speed (download) of 62 Mbps with a bandwidth occupancy of 12.5 MHz and 31.86 MHz for the return and forward links, respectively.

It's one of the two modems used in one the very important events in Tacloban a year after the typhoon Haiyan (a.k.a. typhoon Yolanda) devastated the area.

Romantis modem is a Single Channel Per Carrier (SCPC) type of modem. So, two modems (pairs) are needed in the communication link. One pair has to be installed at the remote site and the other one will be installed at the IPSTAR gateway.

Satellite Service Adviser

This is the person who could provide more satellite service advises to those who has a digital service or connectivity projects.

He's been working in the company for 10 years already gaining a very huge experience in different aspects of the satellite and telecommunications business, such as in sales and marketing and in the technical matters.

For more than six years, he handled Thaicom's satellite business in Africa, Middle East and Europe and traveled to countries such as Egypt, Dubai, South Africa, Ethiopia, Somalia, Netherland, China, and Singapore while based in Bangkok, Thailand.

He managed big accounts like RRSAT, and closed business deals with private and government clients at Hargiesa, Somaliland, like the Somaliland National Television (SLNTV).

He's the one also who had closed a very big business deal for Telecommunication business in Central Africa, but deal was sealed in Cairo, Egypt.

After expiring a 10 year agreement with a Korean TV Channel, he was able to renew service for another five years.

In 2013, he was transferred to his home country, the Philippines to help his team there doing Thaicom's IPSTAR Broadband business in the country.

Thaicom Innovation Day

I visited Thaicom HQ last year (2016) and had witnessed of the so many innovative ideas.

Every team who got innovative ideas showed their product and explained it to all visitors who were interested to know more about the innovative idea which was translated into a demo product.

One of the innovation that I was very interested at was about Digital Mobility.

The whole idea is the continuous communications system network using satellite and combination of other communication media that will enable anyone to communicate anytime, anywhere, using any digital devices wherever he/she may be; in the land, subway, sea, air, home, office, etc.

It has four main features such as capability, Reliability, Efficiency and Low-Cost Antenna.

It is capable of the following:

1. Internet and TV service,

2. On Demand VDO

3. Watch owned preferred contents

4. Support current Media On Demand system on vehicle

For reliability, it will ensure the following:

1. Always connected

2. Content Recovery after rain and

3. OTA support

The system is considered efficient for it can assure us of the following:

1. Lower risk to congest other Internet services

2. Lower risk to overload Web Servers and it

3. Support rating

It is considered low cost because it will use Mobile SAT and lightweight antenna.

Testing IPSTAR Spot Beams for Broadcast

It's one of the tests we had done for our IPSTAR spot beams for broadcast applications.

The purpose of the test was to determine the exact latency by comparing the time difference between the source audio/video that was uplinked to IPSTAR satellite and the audio/video of the received signal.

The result was quite impressive; the audio/video received was excellent and the latency was only about 2 seconds.

According to the client, it's acceptable for their planned cockfighting business.

So, we had proven that IPSTAR spot beam technology worked as expected.

Many more similar tests requested from another potential clients had followed in the next year (2014) and not long enough, deal was closed.

Now, there are three or four clients doing that kind of business using IPSTAR technology solution.

Because of the success of those who started with that kind of business, many more potential client were also inquiring the details of setting up the same solution, though the contents would be somewhat different.

Part of their plans is to use a Mobile VSAT Vehicle (MVV) so they could move quickly from one event to another without the hassles of installing and dismantling the equipment.

Business deal is expected to be done within this month.

Today's Satellite Service Inquiry

Just want to share below's conversations between the service provider and the potential client for the purpose of giving you ideas about the satellite service offered by the satellite service provider - IPSTAR.

Hi Sir,

Please, see my answers (in red texts) to you questions below:

• Is your service available in any area in the Philippines?

Answers: For our Ku-Band satellite service, only 95% of the Philippine area is covered. But, for our C-Band, yes, any area is covered (100 % coverage).

• What equipment is needed to connect to your service and will you provide it and install it for us if we subscribe?

Answer: VSAT equipment set is needed to be installed at your location for you to be able to use our service. You need to purchase the needed equipment. Below are the details of the equipments:

SkyEdge-II IP set
• 1 piece of Antenna 1.2 m Ku-Band (at least 2.4 m for C-Band)
• OMT/FEED Ku-Band
• BUC 2-Watt Ku-Band
• LNB Ku-Band
• AC power adaptor & power cable
• Antenna base support
• Coaxial cable (RG6 or RG11)
• Connectors
• Electrical Tape
• Cable/Zip Tie
• IP Modem

• If we need more than 5Mbps, can we subscribe to 2 plans in one location and simply load balance them?

Answer: That's doable Sir, but more expensive in terms of equipment cost for you have to buy to sets of VSAT equipments. How much Mbps do you plan to subscribe? We have a modem capable of 1 Mbps upload and 6 Mbps download and another one, capable of 2 Mbps upload and 12 Mbps download

• Does your service have a bandwidth volume cap/ceiling?

Answer: No Sir. Our service has NO CAP. It's unlimited data service.

• Will there be any problems with your service if there is bad or cloudy/rainy weather?

Answer: No Sir, except for changing of the initial modulation used to another type, which normally causes to decrease the speed for a little bit in order to keep the link alive instead of cutting it off completely.

• Do you provide a static or dynamic IP? Is the IP address you provide with the service a public or private IP?

Answer: Yes. we provide static IP addresses and one (1) Public address per site. Or, if you need more Public addresses, then that could also be arranged

• Do we pay a local business for the monthly fees or do we need to wire payment to Thailand every month?

Answer: You can send your payment locally, through our service provider partner.

Hope this would help. Should you have any other questions or other concern, please don't hesitate to let me know.

Thank you very much.