Summary

The onset of 5G means that Communication Service Providers (CSPs) are coming under increasing pressure to: manage data and voice traffic loads; extend high-speed data coverage into mostly or completely rural communities; take on critical service provisions for police, ambulance, fire brigade, and natural disaster responses; and support the Internet of Things (IoT) and Machine-to-Machine (M2M) connectivity needs of enterprises.

While fiber-optic backhaul, microwave, and millimeter-wave links have been effective in covering urban and mostly rural locations, it is important to highlight the value of satellite within a CSP’s portfolio of backhaul solutions.

Due to its ubiquitous coverage, security and availability, and broadcast/multicast capabilities, satellite backhaul is very suitable for communities and utilities/enterprises operating in mostly rural or completely rural areas. In rural and urban areas, satellite backhaul will not substitute, but rather will be an effective complement to fiber-optic or some microwave and millimeter links in providing consistent reliability, playing a vital role in providing backup to existing coverage areas backhauled over fiber when outages occur due to fiber cuts. Satellite can also be an effective contingency in scenarios like connecting a cell site that is awaiting regulatory approval for Point-to-Point (PTP) microwave links or being a capacity booster for cell sites with seasonal or short-term traffic load requirements (e.g., sporting events or festivals).