Satellite Communications for Mobile Backhaul

Not  all solutions to bandwidth scarcity are cost-efficient. Fiber optics and cell towers may result into good return on investments for wireless carriers and telcos, but they are not necessarily the solution to the lack of internet service in marginalized areas. Africa is considered as one of the major growth areas in satellite communications industry. To date, most of 1 billion people residing in Africa have poor access to wireless Internet. The African mobile backhaul market has a promising future , giving global wireless telecommunication providers and satellite communications carriers good reasons to make long-term investments in the region. The continuous expansion of fiber optic network is a big concern for satellite communications carrier as it means more competition. The strong demand for terrestrial  fiber is delaying the adoption of mobile backhaul and satellite solutions in several rural African markets. But as the wireless communications industry requires more cost-efficient  backhaul solutions, the demand for  satellite communications, VSAT and teleport services are more likely to remain strong as well in the long-run. Mobile backhaul providers and satellite operators must continuously  improve efficiency and reliability of satellite communications solutions to meet the backhaul demand of  mobile phone and satellite industries. The society is heading to age of  mobile communications. Mobile computing has become an indispensable part of everyday life in both rich and developing countries.The world is seeing an exponential growth in the demand for wired and wireless Internet. These market trends have a net effect of improving the overall market prospects of satellite communications carriers and the mobile backhaul industry.A study conducted by Gateway Communications showed that nearly 54% of the African people may not be able to enjoy Internet services unless a wireless broadband provider will serve their area. Thus, the demand for mobile backhaul providers and wireless communications carriers will likely remain the long-run. To date, there are many "no-signal" zones in Africa. Despite the lack of cables or fiber optic infrastructures in such regions, satellite communications carriers can provide wireless communications at competitive prices. Gateway Communications COO Phil Braden believes that more demand for bandwidth means more demand for satellite backhaul as well. In most marginalized rural areas, cellular sites and microwave terminals are too expensive to build, leaving mobile phone carriers and wireless Internet service providers with only one option: satellite. Braden emphasizes the significance of  these restoration products. Braden foresees market trends shifting to satellite restoration products to complement and substitute for wired communications solutions nearing the end of their life-span.  Vitalis Ozianyi, industry analyst, South Africa, ICT, Frost & Sullivan, said the satellite backhaul market will continue to see strong demand. The development of more LTE and HSPA means that demand for satellite alternatives and complementary mobile backhaul solutions would likely go strong as well.