Grainswest Tech 2021

Tech 2021 Grains West 12 THE FARMGATE CANADA IS KNOWN THE WORLD over as a satellite system innovator. Though the most-hyped low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite array now in deployment is the American SpaceX Starlink, Canada’s own Telesat Lightspeed will be launched with rural and remote internet users in mind. Lightspeed’s “fibre-like connectivi- ty” will be licensed to broadband internet providers such as Bell, Rogers and Telus that would in turn supply service to farm and rural customers. These will be 4G LTE or 5G networks. The Satellite Canada Innovation Net- work (SatCan) is a not-for-profit organi- zation that supports the development of the Canadian space sector. A non-political body, it works with government and industry to deliver programs, advocate for the betterment of the space sector and create public awareness of its value. It is also the administrator of the Optical SatCom Consortium (OSC). Comprised of science professionals and organizations, the OSC leads cutting-edge optical com- munications development, with the goal to advance broadband connectivity in the hinterlands. Executive director Michelle Mendes said though SatCan views competition in the satellite communications arena as healthy, the nature of the Canadian marketplace limits homegrown initia- tives. Satellite technology evolves quickly and certain funding mechanisms do not. But the nation excels in its research and development game, she said. “R&D-stage technology funding in Canada is second to none. A lot of companies come here to start. I like the fact that Canada is rein- vesting in itself that way.” She believes satellite systems will play a large role in the delivery of better farm internet. “The connectivity they’re going to be able to offer will be very easy to get used to, and the hunger for more is going to grow significantly.” She also said not enough outreach has been done to make farmers aware of what is possible with these systems from communications to crop imaging and even remote soil analysis. The Lightspeed constellation will be comprised of 298 next-generation satellites supported by an advanced control network on the ground. Development and rollout of such complex systems takes time. The pro- ject has been in the works for several years, with its design phase now being completed and the manufacture of its fleet of satellites underway. Sophisticated ground infra- structure and software must be designed and built to control and communicate with the satellites, which themselves will incorporate complex subsystems. Tentative- ly scheduled for deployment sometime in 2023, the system will be ready for service immediately upon launch. The federal government supports the project and views it as a means to close the internet service gap between urban centres and underserved rural regions. It initially contributed $600 million to build network capacity that will allow service providers to access the system at heavily discounted rates. “They’ll be able to use this capacity to connect rural and remote communities and areas, and that capac- ity will help to bridge the digital divide,” said Michele Beck, Telesat vice-president of North American sales. “It will be high-quality, low-latency, ultra-fast, very reliable connectivity. “Lightspeed service will provide a great opportunity for mobile network operators to expand their footprints affordably and provide connectivity in some of the most rural areas of Canada,” said Beck. She added Telesat now provides dedi- cated enterprise solutions with its GEO satellite fleet that may suit large farm op- erations. It will continue to provide these custom service solutions when Lightspeed is operational. Helen Hambly is a University of Guelph professor and the project lead for the Re- gional and Rural Broadband Project, which supports research and innovation in rural internet service. Hambly said Canada does not yet have a testing methodology to en- sure next-generation satcom services such as Telesat Lightspeed will facilitate better internet connectivity in areas of greatest need and demand. This is important, she said, as it is well-known the quality of ser- vice can vary. “Rural users of fixed wireless, satellite and mobile wireless find reliable service an issue—the persistent lack of getting service at the ‘up to’ speeds or being served well below the advertised quality of service promised by providers.” It is Lightspeed’s indirect relationship with the customer that, makes the implica- tions of its launch an unknown for farmers. Rural internet space race Telesat Lightspeed among new farm connectivity options “They’ll be able to use this capacity to connect rural and remote communities and areas, and that capacity will help to bridge the digital divide.” —Michele Beck