SES has revealed details of a cellular network connectivity demonstration in Kazakhstan that shows the potential for satellite-based cellular connectivity. Kcell, Kazakhstan’s leading mobile network operator, paired its terrestrial network with SES’s O3b satellites operating in Medium-Earth Orbit (MEO) to establish and test connectivity for 3G and 4G applications in remote parts of Kazakhstan. SES revealed details about the demonstration on May 25.
During the demonstration, SES’s satellite network was validated with a series of technical and end-user tests, proving its compatibility with Kcell’s network to enable low-latency and high-speed internet. The technical phase of the demonstration examined potential signal delays caused by weather conditions as well as the handover process between the O3b satellites. The established network was further assessed for quality of experience in the end-user testing phase.
The bandwidth has been established according to Kcell’s throughput requirements at 50 Mbps for 4G applications and 30 Mbps for 3G applications.
“Having been present in Kazakhstan for 24 years providing high-quality mobile communication services to the citizens, we always look for new ways to improve our connectivity services and diversify our networks. While working with SES on this demonstration, we had the pleasure to be one of the first mobile operators in the country to test their O3b satellite communications network capabilities and see the advantages,” Kirill Strashenko, acting CTO at Kcell, said in a statement.
