Mobile broadcast satellite customers have been pushing for improvements to video streaming service, prompting companies like Inmarsat and Thuraya to explore creative developments to their next-generation services, Richard Denny, senior vice president of global networks and engineering for Inmarsat, told Via Satellite.
    New solutions could attract a new wave of customers in the media sector, Denny said at CommunicAsia 2009 in Singapore. Inmarsat unveiled the global availability of its next-generation Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN-X) video streaming service during the show, an offering that guarantees data rates from a minimum of 384 kilobits per second (kpbs) up to 450 kpbs. Broadcasters “have been asking for us to push the limits. They want more bandwidth, higher data rates to improve video streaming quality. BGAN-X now offers a minimum of 384 kbps, and we can extend well beyond that,” said Denny.
    Thuraya, the Middle-East based mobile satellite services (MSS) operator, is targeting markets in Asia with its own range of services. Prior to CommunicAsia, Thuraya CEO Yousuf Al Sayed told Via Satellite that his company hopes to achieve growth over the next year through service developments. “Mobile satellite services have a lot to offer to the Asia communications market," he said. "Thuraya has developed adequate mobile satellite communication platforms to address specific requirements such as public safety, [non-governmental organization] operations, government and corporate activities in Asia. Together with our closely integrated partners, we aim to provide total solutions from tracking to video streaming all with mobility in the land and sea.”
    Inmarsat’s plans are similar, building off of its existing customer base and reaching into new markets, said Denny. “We already work with media industry players such as CNN who have their remote newsgathering capabilities based on BGAN. CNN has spent a lot of their own time and resources in terms of how they use BGAN. For other media players who, perhaps, have been on the edge of deploying BGAN, this could now tip them over the edge to take the service," he said. "We think a number of companies who have been on the borderline will start to adopt this technology because the enhanced capability matches their need. I think this will prove to be a compelling solution for smaller and regional broadcasters. I would say this is a highly significant move for one of our key sectors. We expect a steady stream of new customers, particularly among smaller broadcasters,” he said.
    In Japan, JSAT Mobile CEO Kei Shibuya said a lack of competition in the country’s MSS market means it is ripe for expansion. “I don’t think the Japanese market has really reached its potential due to the fact KDDI has had a monopoly. I think there will be a lot of room to introduce these services in the Japanese market. I think mainly shipping companies will use these services,” he said.
     JSAT aims to offer a portfolio of services to Japanese business and government customers. “We want to be a one-stop shop service provider,” said Shibuya. “We can provide Inmarsat services as well as provide Ku-band as well as supply services based on X-band capacity to the military. … Inmarsat is a giant in the field. Most ships use an Inmarsat service. Ku-band is a new service. That is why we need a base in the MSS field,” he said.
    But as confidence remains high in the potential for growth in the MSS industry, the global economic recession remains a concern. Al Sayed said Thuraya is unsure what impact the economy will have on the Asian market. “Thuraya is relatively new in the Asian market and does not own sufficient operations history to benchmark itself against the past. However, on the global scene, the satellite communications market is not impacted and continues to grow with renewed demand and requirement for new advanced services,” he said.
    Despite unfavorable conditions, Al Sayed does not believe Thuraya has entered the market at a bad time. “The MSS industry and Thuraya products are less exposed to economic cycles because we provide essential communications. We have a very strong value proposition which is beneficial to our customers. As a result we do not view the timing of our entry into the Asia-Pacific market as anything negative at all. On the contrary we are very well positioned in the market,” he said.