The major consumer of all this new bandwidth is the use is live video being generated by the increasing number of vidcams on the battlefield. These vids are being exchanged by the units cooperating in an operation. This huge growth in bandwidth began in the 1990s, when the U.S. armed forces moved to satellite communications in a big way. This made sense, especially where troops often have to set up shop in out of the way places and need a reliable way to keep in touch with nearby forces on land and sea as well as bases and headquarters back in the United States. At the time of the 1991 Gulf War, there was enough satellite military communications capacity (commonly known as “bandwidth”) in the Persian Gulf for about 1,300 simultaneous phone calls. Or, 12 megabytes per second. But while the military has a lot more satellite capacity now (the exact amount is a secret), demand has increased even faster. UAV reconnaissance aircraft use enormous amounts of satellite capacity. The Global Hawk needed 60 megabytes per second, and Predators about half as much. The major consumer of bandwidth is the live video.

UAVs have other sensors as well, as do aircraft. A voice radio connection only takes about 240 bytes per second, and each of the multiple channels needed to control the UAVs use about the same. But it adds up, especially since the military wants high resolution video. At the moment, the U.S. has far more demand for satellite communications than it can support. As a result, not all the Predator and Global Hawk UAVs in combat zones have sufficient bandwidth to send their video back to the United States. Data compression and using lower resolution is often necessary, or using satellite substitutes (aircraft carrying transponders) to send the video to local users. The substitutes are becoming more common, simply because there is neither the money, nor the time, to get sufficient satellites into orbit.

While the larger UAVs need satcomm to send video back to the United States, most of the bandwidth demand now is for local use. Tanks, helicopters and aircraft are all sending and receiving more vids, maps and data of all sorts. The combat Internet is hardly identical to the civilian one, but the basic idea is the same; to keep everyone connected, all the time. More radios, and other wireless devices are on the way, as well as more features any Internet user would recognize, all available while under fire.



Deploying the bandwidth on board SES’s AMC-1 satellite and links through its Sunset Beach teleport in Hawaii, the company showcased the capability of the DIVN to offer live distribution of conference plenary sessions to locations worldwide. The people attending the conference being held at Phoenix also got to watch live video feeds of Defense leadership in Washington, DC and Afghanistan through the network.

The DIVN program aims at seamlessly integrating communications engineering with enhanced broadband satellite support service to offer advanced communication services to the Defense and Intelligence Community that is located at over 100 places worldwide, including Afghanistan, Iraq and Korea.

In the year 2009, the director of the DIA had selected the DIVN team for receiving his annual agency team award. DoDIIS is a conference hosted by the DIA, which offers a strong venue to demonstrate the capabilities of the global satellite communications network. The event is attended by around 2,000 participants.

In the words of Philip Kwong, chief defense intelligence VSAT Network, the success of the demonstration as well as the Director’s award recently presented to the DIVN team are indicative of both the importance and the quality of the service that VSAT Network provides to DIA and the nation.

According to Tip Osterthaler, president and CEO of SES WORLD SKIES, U.S. Government Solutions, DIVN has been a landmark program for SES WORLD SKIES, starting with a small contract to provide commercial bandwidth in support of a regional DIA network and evolving over several years into a significant program that provides mission critical capabilities to a large number of users across a wide geographic area. Osterthaler noted that the demonstration provided a great illustration of how the U.S. Government and industry can come together to provide an enhanced, global communications capability.

TS2 Satellite Technologies has completed the tender documentation for JCC-I/A and a satellite network project for the Marines new bases in Afghanistan. The government contract concerns establishing and maintaining full communication in new locations for two years for all soldiers stationed there. The USA are going to transfer 4.5 thousand Marines from Iraq to Afghanistan as early as at the beginning of 2009.

President Bush has obtained the necessary recommendations from the most important representatives of civil and military authorities in the Pentagon. An official decision should be taken soon. Future actions concern a transfer of an army brigade and a Marines battalion in a total number of 4500 soldiers. According to military commanders, to provide successful protection against the Taliban actions the needs are even greater.

“We were among the first telecommunications operators in the satellite technology in the territory of Iraq and Afghanistan and as such we have enjoyed a successful cooperation with the US Army for several years now. The Afghan project could be another big government order in the company’s history” – says Marcin Frąckiewicz, CEO of the TS2 Technologie Satelitarne. “Our military network in Iraq has already over 10 thousand regular users for everyday broadband connections” – adds Frąckiewicz.

TS2 specializes in providing global satellite communication services in areas with poor telecommunications infrastructure. Its basic transmission medium is a two way transfer of data which provides not only the Internet access and transfer of information within the network but also voice communications. This type of services is very often used by defense industries, Special Forces and Army.

TS2 communication among the bases is possible thanks to the simultaneous lease of bands on the Intelsat 10-02, Intelsat 901 and ArabSat Badr-4 satellites whose coverage enables configuration of connections between any place in Europe, Middle East and Southwest Asia. TS2 additionally equips its customers with Thuraya and Iridium satellite telephones which are often the only means of communication in this region of the world.

TS2 provides telecommunication services for the United States Marine Corps as well as for the Iraq police training institutions in the following locations: West Ramadi, Warrar, Tal-Aswad, Saqlawiyah / Saqlawiah, Rutbah, Rumanah, Ramadi District HQ, Qatanna, Mulaab, Kubaisa, Khaladiah, Karmah, Jazeera, Hit, Haqlaniyah, Hamdiyah, Habbaniyah, Forsan, Ferris, East Ramadi, Barwannah, Anah, Ameriayah and Al Qaim. 

The provider of the new network for the Marines is to be selected by the end of 2008 within the applicable procedures of JCC-I/A (the Joint Contracting Command-Iraq/Afghanistan).

The most significant clients of TS2 Technologie Satelitarne include: the United States Marine Corps (USMC), the United States Army Corps of Engineers, Australian Defense Forces (ADF), the Polish Navy Headquarters, GROM Operational Mobile Reaction Group, the First Special Commando Regiment from Lubliniec, Lockheed Martin Information Technology, Halliburton Energy Services, KBR, General Dynamics Information Technology, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc., L-3 Communications Vertex Aerospace, US Naval Research Laboratory, ITT Corporation Aerospace / Communications Division, Technest Holdings / EOIR Technologies, North Eastern Aeronautical Company (Neany), EchoStorm Worldwide, Jorge Scientific Corporation, Erinys International and Aegis Iraq.

Largest satellite military networks are in:

FOB Iskan, Iskandariyah
FOB Orgun-E
Camp Taji / FOB Bennett
FOB Hammer / Butler Range Complex
Camp Striker BIAP / Baghdad Airport
COB / FOB Speicher / Tikrit Airbase / FOB Summerall
Camp Habbaniyah
LSA Adder / Tallil Air Base
PRT Sharana
Kandahar Airfield / Tarin Kowt
Camp Ramadi / Camp Blue Diamond / Camp Junction City
Camp / FOB Warrior / Kirkuk
FOB Bagram / Bagram Air Base
FOB Waza Khwa
FOB Normandy
Al Taqaddum Airbase
Camp Echo / Ad Diwaniyah
Camp / FOB Bucca / Umm Qasr
FOB Marez / Mosul / LSA Diamondback
Camp Slayer / Baghdad Airport
International Zone / Baghdad
Camp Liberty / Baghdad
Camp Victory South
FOB Sykes
LSA Anaconda / Balad Airbase / FOB Paliwoda
FOB Endurance, Q-West / Qayyarah Airfield West
Camp Fallujah
FOB Falcon, Baghdad / Rasheed Airbase
Camp Al Asad
Camp Arifjan, Kuwait
CSC Scania
FOB Solerno / FOB Salerno
Al Kasik Military Base
Camp Duke / Najaf
FOB Prosperity

Supported military locations in Iraq
Supported military locations in Afgahanistan

TS2 News of 21.05.2007 Internet for the US Army soldiers in Iraq

VSAT satellite Internet in Iraq and Afghanistan

The new BusinessCom Advantage IP VSAT service is based on the DVB-S2 standard, with ACM (Adaptive Coding and Modulation) delivering up to 52 Mbps IP throughput per terminal, with the ability to bond multiple terminals together. Whenever high order modulation can be used, the throughput can be further increased up to 133 Mbps per terminal. The Advantage IP VSAT service is available in both bi-directional receive and transmit and receive-only configurations, seamlessly integrating with existing terrestrial IP uplinks.

The Advantage IP VSAT customer premise equipment (CPE) kit features an easy-to-install motorized antenna, with a relatively small footprint compared to traditional IO satellite tracking hardware. The system automatically aligns and stays aligned to the target satellite, without the need to deploy, and possibly redeploy, a licensed installer. The CPE is designed to provide single button satellite acquisition and automatic reacquisition in the harshest of environments, minimizing initial deployment and recurring maintenance expenditures.

The Advantage IP VSAT CPE also includes a high performance Layer 7 Firewall appliance that provides QoS, Network Intrusion Detection System, Remote Administration, caching and on the fly traffic compression capabilities. This significantly increases satellite bandwidth efficiency compared to traditional VSAT systems. By leveraging the IP bandwidth optimization and IO satellite pricing, the Advantage IP VSAT is a very high performance, dedicated satellite Internet access solution.

Purchased bands gives TS2 unlimited possibilities of configuration and setting any telecommunication connections from the Near East region and South-Western Asia. The broadband service offer two-way high-speed Internet access with no phone lines, no cable, no dial-up modem. It’s always online, available virtually anywhere, and affordable. The offered satellite system is ideally suited for broadband requirements such as Internet and VPN access to enterprise networks, as well as real-time VoIP and video conferencing.

The Internet connection can be shared with other users via wireless or wired network. Most soldiers deploy with a laptop in hand and a hookup to the Internet in their barracks. This is especially important for the many who are married, and have young children. The Internet access has resulted in major morale improvements. Troops no longer feel cut off from home. Not all the Internet connectivity is just for staying in touch with the folks back home. The troops in Afghanistan also use the Internet for professional tasks — some troops blog, and many other stay in touch with military friends and associates in other parts of the world. The Internet has made possible many online communities composed of military professionals. Without the new satellite system, large numbers of soldiers would be without regular communications for much or most of their time in Afghanistan.

Eutelsat’s W6 (formerly W3) satellite is located at 21.5 degrees East and features 28 simultaneously active transponders. This satellite is ideal for applications such as VSAT networks, broadband Internet and data broadcasting. It is most suitable for companies that require communications between Europe, North Africa, the Sahara, the Middle East and the Gulf region. The EUROBIRD 4, also called as EB4, is one of Eutelsat’s satellites that provides coverage from 4 degrees East for Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and central Asia in Ku-band frequencies.

These types of telecommunication products are mainly used by the companies that execute contracts in Asia, as well as by the soldiers that are stationed in Afghanistan. Purchased bands gives TS2 unlimited possibilities of configuration and setting any telecommunication connections from the Near East region and South-Western Asia.

The broadband service offer two-way high-speed Internet access with no phone lines, no cable, no dial-up modem. It’s always online, available virtually anywhere, and affordable. The offered satellite system is ideally suited for broadband requirements such as Internet and VPN access to enterprise networks, as well as real-time VoIP and video conferencing.

The Internet connection can be shared with other users via wireless or wired network. Most soldiers deploy with a laptop in hand and a hookup to the Internet in their barracks. This is especially important for the many who are married, and have young children. The Internet access has resulted in major morale improvements. Troops no longer feel cut off from home.

Not all the Internet connectivity is just for staying in touch with the folks back home. The troops in Afghanistan use the Internet a lot for professional tasks, and not all of them are official business. Some troops blog, and many other stay in touch with military friends and associates in other parts of the world. The Internet has made possible many online communities composed of military professionals.

Without the new satellite system, large numbers of Soldiers will be without regular communications for much or most of their time in Afghanistan. The infrastructure is Spartan to non-existent.

More information on http://www.ts2.pl/en/Internet-in-Iraq-and-Afghanistan

Eutelsat’s W6 (formerly W3) satellite is located at 21.5 degrees East featuring 28 simultaneously active transponders. This satellite is ideal for applications such as VSAT networks, broadband Internet and data broadcasting. It is most suitable for companies that require communications between Europe, North Africa, the Sahara, the Middle East and the Gulf region.

The EUROBIRD 4, also called as EB4, is Eutelsat’s one of the satellites that provides coverage from 4 degrees East of Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and central Asia in Ku-band frequencies.

TS2 Satellite Technologies specializes in providing global satellite access services. Our core business is broadband access to the Internet in areas with poor telecommunications infrastructure and mobile satellite phones communication. The main medium of used transmission is a two-way satellite transfer system, which provides good access to the satellite network in even the least accessible areas. It not only provides a broadband connection but also a wide range of additional data and voice services.

Website: http://www.ts2.pl

The Internet connection can be shared with other soldiers via wireless or wired network. Most soldiers deploy with a laptop in hand and a hookup to the Internet in their barracks. This is especially important for the many who are married, and have young children. The Internet access has resulted in major morale improvements. Troops no longer feel cut off from home.

iDirect is the industry leader in satellite-based broadband access solutions delivering all the benefits of high speed IP networking beyond the constraints of traditional landline networks. Developed specifically to meet the communication needs of satellite customers, iDirect powered networks deliver the speed, performance and flexibility to fulfill the most demanding requirements of today’s end users – anywhere.

The one iDirect Infinity system provides following services:

* Broadband access to the internet (www, e-mail, ftp etc.)
* Data transfer
* Access to application programs
* Telephone connections including VoIP, IP phone
* Video-conference connections
* The transfer of data, or image to many other users simultaneously

Advantages of the system:

* Short set-up time, (1-2 weeks for a system)
* Fast and easy upgrades
* Possibility of guaranteed CIR
* Transmission in almost all weather conditions
* Cheap and quick delivery of equipment to Iraq and Afghanistan (5-7 days)

TS2 provides in the Middle East & North African region following services: two way internet broadband access, VSAT Private Network, broadcasting services, SCPC/SCPC, SCPC/DVB, MESH services, STAR/DAMA, VSAT Mini Hub Solution, VNO and many more…

PS2 has excellent coverage in MEA, Iraq and Afghanistan making it an ideal platform for VSAT, GSM back hauling and other applications in the region ( footprint attached).

This capacity is available on a 90 day lease with 30 day for each extension thereafter.

ProtoStar’s fleet is a multi-satellite constellation model built around strategic Asian DTH neighborhoods. The satellites are customized to support DTH operators with high-powered transponders providing redundancy and expansion capacity across footprints tailored to their market requirements. By utilizing advanced wide scan angle antennae, DTH operators are able to provide television programming services across multiple satellites within a 30 degree orbital arc. This proprietary antenna technology improves the quality of service for subscribers, reduces installation costs and extends the service life of satellites. The initial ProtoStar fleet of three satellites utilizes proven models from world class manufacturers ensuring long design lives. These satellites will be launched by major launch providers with years of demonstrated operational reliability.

WBJ: US Marine Corps, US Army Corps of Engineers, GROM and many more… How did you manage to gain these impressive contracts?

Marcin Frąckiewicz: To answer I need to go back to the beginning. During my trips to Iraq I noticed that ordinary American soldiers, different from Polish, had literally no access to the internet or cell-phones to get in touch with their loved ones. This is when we started to offer them a wireless internet access via satellite. Groups of soldiers pooled money to buy our terminals. They referred us to their colleagues from next contingents and so on. Popularity among regular soldiers brought inquiries from official US institutions, and this is how we were allowed to those big tenders with government orders and with contractors for the US Army. US Army Corps of Engineers bought around 100 BGAN terminals – these are smaller than laptops, but are more expensive than over-sized VSAT access equipment. However, individual soldiers still remain our most important customers.

WBJ: How many customers does your company have? Are these just military?

MF: It is a list of about 50-60 institutional customers, not only military, but also private companies that use our VSAT internet access. With our partner we provide services for nine US embassies in Africa. The number of individual soldiers using our services in Iraq and Afghanistan is around 15,000. Non-military customers include Agora, for example, which equips its foreign correspondents with satellite phones. World Bank also uses our phone services. This customer list comprises several hundred.

WBJ: How you make your services competitive?

MF: Price is the key. We cooperate with cheap middleman and also directly with satellite operators. We buy services in Dubai, where our partners’ warehouses and distributors of the equipment are located. It is also a tax-free zone, so here go another costs. We have partner install teams on site in the Middle East, so we are able to set up the VSAT access very quickly.

Our company tries to minimize the operation costs, hence our small office and a large network of partners. This is a business, where you win by knowledge rather than by building a big structure.

MP: Will you suffer from recently announced spending cuts at the Defense Ministry?

MF: I doubt it. 85 percent of our orders go abroad. Of course there will be fewer government tenders and the competition will grow. So we have to expect fewer orders for our satellite phones in Poland. Plus some contracts for internet access may not be renewed.

WBJ: What will you do when the American troops withdraw from Iraq then?

MF: From the business point of view obviously we are not looking forward to US pulling out, as most of our activity is based on the US Army presence in the Middle East. We would need to come up with a solution to reorganize our business. But there would still be corporate customers left for us.

WBJ: How do you see the future of this sector?

MF: We are anxiously awaiting launching of the Ka-Sat scheduled for 2010. The aim of this project is to make satellite access services cheap enough for ordinary Kowalski to make use of it. The prices of bands are to drop ten times, while the equipment is also expected to cost a few hundred złoty rather than several thousands. Our company would also like to get involved in this new offer, because it will help us target individual customers.

About TS2 Satellite Provider

TS2 specializes in providing global satellite access services. Our core business is broadband access to the Internet in areas with poor telecommunications infrastructure and mobile satellite phones communication. The main medium of used transmission is a two-way satellite transfer system, which provides good access to the satellite network in even the least accessible areas. It not only provides a broadband connection but also a wide range of additional data and voice services.

Before end of 2008 year, the TS2 solutions have been implemented for United States Marine Corps (USMC), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Australian Defence Force (ADF), Command of Polish Navy, Polish National Police, Polish National Headquarters of the State Fire Services, Border Guard (Poland), World Bank Group, Lockheed Martin Information Technology, Halliburton Energy Services, KBR, General Dynamics Information Technology, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc., L-3 Communications Vertex Aerospace, US Naval Research Laboratory, ITT Corporation – Aerospace / Communications Division, CACI Technologies, ARINC Incorporated, North Eastern Aeronautical Company (Neany), Warsaw Stock Exchange, Polish Supreme Chamber of Control, Polish State Railways PKP S.A., University of Warsaw, Reuters, TVP – Polish TV, PAP – Polish Press Agency, BMW – Bayerische Motoren Werke, DaimlerChrysler, IBM – International Business Machines Corporation, HP – Hewlett-Packard, Carrefour, Colgate-Palmolive, PGNiG – Polish Petroleum and Gas Mining, White&Case, Sun Microsystems, PMM – Polish Medical Mission, UPS – United Parcel Service and Polish Medical Air Rescue.