Wireless backhaul in flux as 5G dawns and alternative connectivity solutions beckon

摘要

The market for wireless backhaul via satellite is in flux as the era of 5G connectivity dawns, potentially driving increases, against a backdrop of alternative forms of connectivity. In addition to the advent of 5G, the rural market, new technologies, and the burgeoning IoT market are some of the developments expected to boost wireless backhaul in the near-term. Yet the sector has its detractors, who point to other forms of connectivity and the effects of C-band reallocation as drawbacks. "We see an opportunity for LeoSat to provide a greater level of connectivity" via wireless backhaul in part due to the rollout of the 5G standard, Ronald van der Breggen, the chief commercial officer of the US broadband startup, told SatelliteFinance. Though the definition of wireless backhaul varies, it is usually regarded as the transmission of data - voice, internet, video - from the tower, through the network and to the end-user. Mixed trends stamp wireless backhaul as a market in change, according to a recently updated report from Northern Sky Research. The provision of wireless backhaul via widebeam FSS will expand through 2023, the report projects, as C-band gradually diminishes while Ku-band progressively increases. Currently the biggest provider of wireless backhaul, C-band is expected to contract as plans are projected to be implemented to reallocate the frequency for terrestrial use. Last fall, SES (EPA:SESG), Intelsat (NYSE:I) and technology giant Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) proposed a market-based framework to monetise C-band frequencies in the US through terrestrial mobile operator partnerships, though it is competing with other concepts before the FCC.