TI will be using IGC’S FlexAir to assist the FBI in meeting critical missions as it has other airborne government teams with the speed and reliability needed for real-time situational awareness and seamless command, control and communication. FlexAir leverages the world’s largest, high performing GEO satellite fleet, combining multi-layered, Ku-band HTS coverage with wide and spot beams to bring broadband connectivity around the globe – including the most trafficked flight routes.

“IGC is committed to delivering a high-performance managed service to all types of government aero users,” said IGC President, Dave Micha. “We understand government missions require unwavering service, in the toughest of environments and on non-negotiable deadlines. Intelsat will always rise to the challenge.”

This solution delivers preflight, in-route transit, and on-station data, voice, and video communication capabilities anywhere in the world. FlexAir enables the FBI’s wide range of applications that require dynamic, resilient high-bandwidth capacity on-demand.

In collaboration with TI, IGC FlexAir partner Satcom Direct (SD) Government will provide service delivery and the best in reliability 24/7 year-round, to optimize the customer experience on the ground and in the air.

“Satcom Direct will ensure that the FBI can rely on first-rate connectivity in support of all mission requirements, that’s our customer commitment as an IGC FlexAir Partner,” said Hayden Olson, general manager, Satcom Direct.

About Intelsat & Intelsat General

As the foundational architects of satellite technology, Intelsat operates the world’s most trusted satellite telecom network. We apply our unparalleled expertise and global scale to connect people, businesses, government, and communities, no matter how difficult the challenge. Intelsat is building the future of global communications with the world’s first hybrid, multi-orbit, software-defined 5G network designed for simple, seamless, and secure coverage precisely when and where our customers most need it. Intelsat General Communications LLC (IGC) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Intelsat dedicated to serving government customers. Follow the leader in global connectivity and “Imagine Here,” with us, at Intelsat.com.

About TI

Telecom International, LLC (TI) is a small business specializing in commercial satellite communications solutions to government agencies including Defense, Energy, and Treasury. TI provides on-going COMSATCOM support to Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) programs and other mission-critical programs in support of the US Government. Customers receive unparalleled, customized responsiveness and technical knowledge around-the-clock ensuring absolute minimal disruption of communications to mission objectives.

About Satcom Direct

Satcom Direct (SD) mobilizes the most cutting-edge technologies to enable data connectivity globally. SD’s proprietary technologies span business aviation, marine, government and telecommunications sectors, with the singular goal of leading connectivity industry standards.

Harnessing a powerful combination of tools and partners SD delivers consistent, reliable connectivity across the globe. Proprietary software, hardware, terrestrial infrastructure, cybersecurity solutions and award-winning customer services create tailored data services for each individual customer mission to enhance the passenger and ownership experience, improve efficiencies and deliver connectivity beyond all expectations.

Media Contact:

Melissa Longo – melissa.longo@intelsat.com; +1 240-308-1881

The post FBI Selects IGC FlexAir For High Performing, Secure Global Airborne Communications appeared first on Intelsat.

While many space industry businesses have been able to cope with the ever-evolving COVID-19 crisis, many are struggling including small and medium-sized businesses. This is very concerning because innovation in space comes from not only the large companies like Intelsat but from the smaller companies that produce a great deal of technology innovation. As a result, many in the industry are concerned about the lasting effects of the pandemic which probably will be with us for a while. It is my hope that innovation, economic growth and employment opportunities are not negatively impacted as companies navigate this global pandemic.

In which areas and geographies do you see strongest potential for growth?

In the past ten years, there has been remarkable investment in space companies, everything from small sats to reusable rockets. I just read an article the other day stating the space industry globally is expected to generate more than a trillion dollars in revenue in the next 8 or 9 years.Every day you hear about another satellite launch, building these satellite constellations with thousands of satellites orbiting Earth. That number will only grow.

In the case of Intelsat, we are a developing a next generation ecosystem based on 5G technology that will integrate space, terrestrial and wireless connectivity all using software defined satellites and networks. We currently have 10 satellites being built in the factory and many more to come. We think the convergence of GEO, MEO and LEO is a critical component to our strategy and we look forward to announcing new offerings in the near future. As I am responsible for the Government business at Intelsat, I believe the Middle East and APAC will continue to be strong geographic growth areas in addition to the US.

What technologies do you predict will impact the Space industry most in the next five years?

Next generation software defined network and satellites

Continuing the commercialization of space travel

Virtualization of hardware

Mission extension vehicles which will extend the life of satellites

5G satellites that are compatible with Terrestrial and wireless networks

Which Space mission are you most looking forward to see launch in 2021/2022?

I am looking forward to the launch of Intelsat’s next generation software defined satellites that are currently being built in the factory. We have two in production and more to follow. They will begin to launch in late 2023. I’m also excited about the efforts of companies putting private citizens into space. It shows how technology has matured and what the future of manned space may look like.

What are your expectations from Dubai Airshow 2021 – which will be the first of its kind event since the coronavirus outbreak?

The Dubai Air Show has become one of the world’s premier aviation and aerospace events. It not only allows you to showcase your latest technology and products but also provides thought leadership exchange, innovations, and very important networking opportunities. Intelsat is the world’s largest satellite owner operator with 52 satellites, 62 teleports and over 100,000 miles of terrestrial fiber. We are a global company that provides communication to governments and multiple other sectors. We are proud to take part in this year’s Dubai Air Show and, after the worldwide stagnation COVID-19 has caused, we expect this year’s show to be bigger and better than ever.

Lastly, what are INTELSAT plans ahead in the region?

The Middle East and Africa region has always been very important to Intelsat. In fact one of our regional offices is based in Dubai Internet City. We have already partnered with governments and the major telecommunication operators in the region. Having said that we plan to grow our presence here as we feel we can collaborate with different entities to contribute to their national space programs, capability development and knowledge exchange.

The post Executive Interview: David Micha, Vice President and General Manager, Intelsat General Communications appeared first on Intelsat.

HAWTHORNE, Calif. – August 31, 2021 – ThinKom Solutions today announced that its land-mobile ThinSat 300 phased-array antenna has been qualified for use on Intelsat’s FlexMove for Government satellite network.

The qualification was awarded following an extensive battery of over-the-air tests conducted at Intelsat’s Mountainside Teleport in Maryland with Intelsat General. As a result, the ThinSat 300 is now fully authorized for use with Intelsat’s FlexMove service packages.
ThinKom’s ThinSat 300, now qualified for COTM on Intelsat FlexMove for Government network.

Intelsat’s FlexMove next-generation tiered service offerings are built around a high-performing multi-layered Ku-band satellite fleet centered on the Intelsat high-throughput Epic satellites combined with the world’s largest wide-beam satellite constellation to create a global service area. Bandwidth is dynamically prioritized across different satellite beams automatically to meet demand.

Based on ThinKom’s patented VICTS (Variable Inclination Continuous Transverse Stub) technology, the field-proven ThinSat 300 phased array is a low-profile, lightweight vehicle-mounted antenna that provides high-quality voice, data and video communications-on-the-move (COTM). It supports robust IP networks, streaming video and voice-over-IP applications on- or off-road at high rates of speed without stopping the vehicle to deploy a fixed satellite dish or waiting for a blockage recovery.
Since the ThinSat 300’s introduction to the market more than 10 years ago, hundreds of the COTM phased arrays have been deployed around the world for government, emergency response and broadcasting applications, providing continuous connectivity in regions where terrestrial cellular networks are limited or nonexistent.

“This FlexMove qualification is an important validation of our VICTS technology and opens the door for Intelsat to provide immediate access to mission-critical information and reliable communications to government and enterprise customers around the world–even in the most remote and challenging regions,” said Bill Milroy, CTO and chairman of ThinKom Solutions.

“The qualification of the ThinSat 300 adds another excellent low-profile COTM option to our FlexMove for Government offerings. In addition to other manpack, communications-on-the-pause and fixed terminals, the ThinSat 300 combines with the wide range of FlexMove service options to meet customer mission requirements,” said Michael Radermacher, director of product and market development of Intelsat General.

About ThinKom Solutions, Inc.
ThinKom Solutions, Inc. is a leading provider of innovative, highly affordable, compact broadband multi-beam antennas and products for aeronautical, vehicular, user terminal, gateway, satellite and man-portable applications. The company’s primary products uniquely enable near-term worldwide availability of high-data-rate connectivity across all major satellite communication frequency bands. ThinKom offers a range of reliable, proven technology solutions for the consumer, enterprise, first responder, civil, military and intelligence communities.
About Intelsat General

As the foundational architects of satellite technology, Intelsat operates the world’s most trusted satellite telecom network. We apply our unparalleled expertise and global scale to connect people, businesses, governments and communities, no matter how difficult the challenge. Intelsat is building the future of global communications with the world’s first hybrid, multi-orbit, software-defined 5G network designed for simple, seamless and secure coverage precisely when and where our customers most need it. Follow the leader in global connectivity and “Imagine Here” at Intelsat.com.

ThinKom Press Contacts:
Greg Otto
ThinKom Solutions, Inc.
+1 (310) 802-4507
Jim Rhodes
Rhodes Communications, Inc.
+1 (757) 451-0602

Intelsat Press Contact:
Melissa Longo
Global Media Relations Manager
+1 (240) 308-1881

The post ThinKom Satellite Antennas Qualified for Operation on Intelsat Flex Networks appeared first on Intelsat.

Multi-purpose, ruggedized terminal supports a wide variety of mission critical military, government and Roll-On Roll-Off (RORO) applications

Orbit Communication Systems Ltd. (TASE: ORBI), a leading global provider of airborne communications solutions, today announced that the Orbit MPT-30-Ku multi-purpose terminal (MPT) has received full qualification for use with the Intelsat FlexAir for Government service offering.

FlexAir is a global end-to-end managed service solution that delivers powerful, secure and flexible connectivity for a variety of government airborne missions, including enroute, ISR and VIP applications. 

The MPT-30-Ku is a multi-role terminal that operates in the Ku-band through a 12” antenna. The terminal is fully integrated with Intelsat approved modems, electronics and software to ensure reliable operations worldwide. The terminal enables a wide range of communications capabilities for a variety of RORO and fixed installations on military aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as well as other mobile platforms.

The terminal, which is part of a family of the MPT terminals, is flying today on ISR and mission aircraft, helicopters and UAV’s and is field proven to withstand the harshest military conditions. It complies with all relevant industry regulations and standards including Federal Communications Commission (FCC), European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) and Mil-STD for a wide spectrum of fixed and rotary wing aircraft. The lightweight, small-footprint terminal enables a variety of installation options for mounting on aircraft either on the hatch, shoulder or fuselage.

Tuomo Rutanen, VP Sales and Business Development of Orbit, said: “We are excited to have our terminal qualified on the Intelsat FlexAir network. The MPT-30-Ku is a great example of Orbit’s field proven technology and long-term commitment to the aeronautical industry.

Robert McCord of Intelsat General stated, “We welcome Orbit and the MPT-30-Ku into our ecosystem of qualified antennas and look forward to collaborating with Orbit on this and other exciting projects to serve our customers. Our partnership with Orbit enables Intelsat General to respond rapidly to a variety of mission requirements for secure, affordable and flexible aeronautical services.

Intelsat and Orbit will be showcasing the MPT-30-Ku at Satellite 2021. Orbit will be showcasing the MPT-30-Ku in Booth 501 and Intelsat will be showcasing the terminal at booth OE26.

Contacts

Media Enquiries:
Intelsat Contact
Melissa Longo
Global Media Relations Manager
Contact Corporate Communications

Orbit Marketing
marketing@orbit-cs.com
Tel: +972 9 892 2777

About Intelsat

As the foundational architects of satellite technology, Intelsat operates the world’s most trusted satellite telecom network. We apply our unparalleled expertise and global scale to connect people, businesses, governments and communities, no matter how difficult the challenge. Intelsat is building the future of global communications with the world’s first hybrid, multi-orbit, software-defined 5G network designed for simple, seamless and secure coverage precisely when and where our customers most need it. Follow the leader in global connectivity and “Imagine Here,” with us, at Intelsat.com.

About Orbit

Orbit Communication Systems Ltd. (TASE: ORBI), a leading global provider of airborne communications and satellite-tracking maritime and ground-station solutions, is helping to expand and redefine how we connect. You’ll find Orbit systems on airliners and jet fighters, cruise ships and navy vessels, ground stations and offshore platforms. We deliver innovative, cost-effective, and highly reliable solutions to commercial operators, major navies and air forces, space agencies and emerging New Space companies.

The post Orbit MPT30-Ku 12” Airborne SATCOM Terminal Receives Intelsat FlexAir for Government Qualification for Ku-band Solutions appeared first on Intelsat.

Deployed ground teams require instantaneous access to secure, high-data-rate communications to ensure fast and effective decision-making. Connectivity for Command, Control, Communication, and Computers (C4), as well as Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), were vital capabilities during the Global War on Terror and will evolve into even more important warfighting tools for the Great Power competition.

In this Q&A with David Micha, president of Intelsat General, we discuss the state of Satcom, satellite-based capabilities for all-domain operations, and new subscription models for pay-as-you-go managed services.

Breaking Defense: How is the military using Satcom today, compared to how it was used at the height of the Global War on Terrorism?

Micha: Dynamics are always changing but in many ways some things haven’t changed. In general, Satcom was a key component when the Global War on Terrorism was hot and heavy. And even today the military continues to drive Satcom activity all the way down to the lower echelons. It’s critical to the warfighting effort. It was then, and it is now.

Something else that hasn’t changed and won’t change going forward is unmanned aerial ISR. It has been and will continue to be important in the Global War on Terrorism, and we’re not even talking about near-peer threats yet. It’s just the way the military conducts operations.

What has changed, though, is that Satcom and ISR were very concentrated efforts. Now military operations are more distributed. The number-one issue in the Pentagon is China. Of course, there’s Russia, North Korea, and every other bad actor in the world. But China is the number-one threat. That means our military operations are becoming much more distributed and Satcom will play a key role in that. Instead of being highly concentrated in one geographic region, it’s going to be more global.

The other big difference is that the networks we’re using now versus five years ago are much more flexible, capable, and reconfigurable, while our terminals have better size, weight, and power characteristics so they’re easier to move around.

All that is enabled by the next generation of satellites that are more powerful and flexible, with more focused coverage areas. Those are some of the big differences. The threat is changing and the location is more distributed, but Satcom is going to continue to be a very important warfighting element as we go forward.

Breaking Defense: How will Satcom be used in the near-peer/peer Great Power competition? Why is the ability to transmit/receive data on the move key for all-domain operations?

Micha: When you think about all-domain operations against a near-peer threat—whether it’s space, air, ground, maritime, and cyber—we are not going to be able to operate unimpeded. We are not going to necessarily control all the airspace all the time like we have for the last 20 years. So Satcom is going to be a key component in the preparation of the battlefield by providing ISR data and situational awareness.

In addition, we frankly don’t have enough manned platforms in some areas or enough staffing to man all the platforms. So unmanned systems are going to be the wave of the future.

They’re going to operate autonomously, in swarms, and they’re going to have to operate with manned platforms. All that happens through a network of Satcom links. That’s how they’re going to move data back and forth for the various domains we have to operate in.

In addition, UAVs have to be secure. They have to be LPI/LPD (low probability of intercept/low probability of detection), and they have to be able to transmit and receive on the move for command and control data, sensor data, and other ground, air, sea, and space data. That’s where Joint All-Domain Command and Control pulls everything together. Satcom is going to be a key piece of that to securely move that data.

Breaking Defense: Intelsat has introduced the FlexMove for Government managed service solution to meet the comms-on-the-pause and comms-on-the-move connectivity needs of land-mobile operations. What’s the driver behind FlexMove?

Micha: It came down to flexibility. Some government customers want what they want, want it all the time that they want it, and are willing to pay for that. There are other customers who want capability, but they don’t need it all the time. They just need to be able to access it when they need it. So, they don’t really want to pay for full-time usage.

We are offering a number of subscription packages that let customers customize their mission and their budget. It gives them more flexibility depending on their mission CONOPS. If they’re working in a high-threat environment like nuclear command and control, for example, they need an always-there capability. If they just need connectivity sporadically, maybe on a terminal by terminal basis depending on where they are, then they may want to pay as they go under our FlexMove model.

Breaking Defense. Talk a little more about the military missions appropriate to the FlexMove pay-as-you-go model.

Micha: There are missions that are known and planned months in advance. We’re going to be flying on this day or we need connectivity on that day. We’re only doing something in the morning or only at night. Those people have a much more structured operational environment that works well as a pay-as-you-go approach.

Then there are other military missions where flexibility is important because they need immediate readiness. Think of disaster-preparedness organizations that need to deploy tomorrow afternoon for a hurricane that’s hitting some place today. Or any mission that doesn’t allow for advance preparation.

It provides cost savings to the customer who doesn’t wish to purchase a service when it’s not used. Rather, it lets them more cost-effectively take advantage of spur-of-the-moment missions.

Breaking Defense: FlexMove is also a managed service, as you mentioned. What are the advantages of that?

Micha: Warfighters have a lot to do and a lot to worry about. What they shouldn’t have to worry about is all the infrastructure that’s needed to conduct their mission. With managed services, all the headaches are removed from the warfighter by having the satellite network provisioned and managed for them so that they can just conduct their mission.

I liken it to working in an office environment with a computer. Your job is to create value for the company. What you don’t want to be doing is tinkering around with the system because your printer is not working. You want all that handled for you so you can just do your work. It’s the same thing with warfighters. FlexMove provides a comprehensive, fully managed network that’s provisioned, frequency managed, and has the proper terminals. That’s going to save them a lot of headaches.

This model also reduces the need for highly trained and expensive field engineers to do things like activating the antenna. If something has to be engineered to be set up, then it’s complex by nature and it’s expensive. An analogy I would give you is an iPhone. When you buy one, you basically turn it on and it works, right? It doesn’t require three people from the store to help you get it going.

When the provisioning service is outsourced to a company like Intelsat, it provides these capabilities at scale because we have thousands of customers with thousands of daily needs. It’s just less costly and takes the burden away from the warfighter.

Breaking Defense: You’re conducting a roadshow of military bases to demonstrate this service. What are the main points you’re getting across?

To me, demos are the most powerful tool to show a warfighter what we can do for them. These demos have a variety of objectives. We want to show them that we have broadband connectivity across a small-form-factor, mobile manpack for comms-on-the pause that operates on a varying number and type of end-user terminals. That’s important because different customers, different organizations use different terminals.

The other parameter we like to show in the demo, quite frankly, is the high performance that they get all the way out to tactical-edge applications. We have state-of-the-art, high-throughput satellites, and we’re launching new software-defined satellites that are at the cutting edge of satellite technology. Along with the technology, we give them a total connectivity package—high range, both low cost and flexible cost, a varying number of terminals, and the managed services that let them do their mission and not worry about the rest.

Breaking Defense: You also sell a similar model for aviation called FlexAir for Government. Tell me about that.

Yes, FlexAir for airborne applications and FlexMove for land mobile are very similar. It’s a bit different because installing an antenna on an aircraft is a little more challenging than just throwing it in the back of a Jeep or setting it up on the ground. Every military service is looking for Satcom connectivity on almost all of their airborne platforms. We believe FlexAir is a great product that provides a globally comprehensive managed service.

We rolled out FlexMove and are now gaining traction with FlexAir. Similar to FlexMove, FlexAir is a managed service that can be applied to the Global War on Terrorism or against near-peer threats. The military needs that warfighting connectivity and FlexAir serves that function from an airborne standpoint.

Breaking Defense: You mentioned ISR earlier. Is FlexAir targeted at something like a King Air surveillance platform?

It could go on anything from a Navy P-8 to a King Air ISR platform that’s doing full-motion video or signals intelligence to a blue and white aircraft for the presidential fleet. So, yes, King Air would be a perfect choice.

Breaking Defense: Final thoughts?

Micha: Intelsat as a company has decades of experience doing work with the U.S. government, has more satellites and tremendous coverage from a commercial standpoint than any commercial satellite operator. We have a prodigious, interactive, proliferated ground infrastructure around the world with our hubs and teleports.

When you go to a managed service approach like FlexAir or FlexMove, you are getting high-throughput connectivity using smaller, lighter, lower-power terminals, ground facilities staffed by cleared personnel, as well as global coverage at reasonable and affordable rates.

Finally, I’m also very excited about our next-generation network ecosystem – a software-defined network (SDN), integrated with 5G enabling next-generation mobility, seamless IoT, and cloud solutions.  Stay tuned for more on that in the coming months.

This article first appeared in Breaking Defense.

The post On-Demand Satcom Customized for Myriad Missions appeared first on Intelsat.

Intelsat recently hosted a virtual event in partnership with Wide Conferences & Exhibits to discuss the challenges of border security for European, Middle Eastern and North African nations. We were joined by government representatives and industry experts who shared insights, technical challenges and trends, as well as space-based solutions that enable governments to protect their borders by land, air or sea.

Europe, the Middle East and North Africa face unique geopolitical challenges, which has resulted in a rise in illegal border crossings into Europe from adjacent war-torn and terror-influenced regions, as well as a rise in security threats and tensions. Protecting citizens and critical infrastructure has thus become a priority for government agencies in these regions, who are looking for more advanced, secure and reliable border-security solutions.

Intelsat Chief Commercial Officer Samer Halawi opened the event, reminding attendees about the importance of satcom in challenging times, like the global COVID-19 pandemic. Halawi said challenges likes these highlight how reliable connectivity is essential in ensuring the safety and interconnectedness of people, businesses, communities and governments around the world.

Intelsat welcomed representatives of national space agencies from the Middle East who discussed the importance and the rise of space programs in the region, as government and private-sector entities rely increasingly on satellites for services such as communication, navigation, remote sensing, imaging and weather. The speakers highlighted the projects their countries have launched as part of their growing involvement in the space industry, and the benefits they are getting from them.

Intelsat provides innovative solutions in support of applications such as these through strong partnerships with experienced technical partners, some of whom joined us on a second panel during the event. National and international agencies are looking to make the best use of technology; the integration of satcom with advanced, reliable and flexible technology applications ensures that critical data is shared in a timely manner, allowing for well-informed decisions and actions. 

Border security management is becoming more complex every day, and border agencies need innovative systems to meet the challenges ahead. Intelsat solutions enable essential communications, real-time situational awareness and seamless coordination when moments matter — giving border agencies the flexibility and dexterity to meet their missions head-on.

Intelsat FlexMove, FlexAir and FlexMaritime – our secure, end-to-end managed solutions – enable high data-rate mobility for border security management on land, in the air or at sea. These solutions serve a variety of mission critical  applications — everything from border security and remote military operations to disaster preparedness and recovery.

To watch the virtual event and learn more about how Intelsat can support governments in addressing their border security management challenges, click here.

The post Connectivity Solutions for Governments and Border Security appeared first on Intelsat.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recently released its 2021 Atlantic hurricane season forecast, predicting an active storm season with a 60% chance of an above-normal number of named storms.

NOAA says there is a possibility for 13 to 20 named storms – with six to 10 of those likely to become hurricanes. Of those, three to five could become Category 3 or higher.

No matter what the weather brings this hurricane season, Intelsat is prepared to deliver critical connectivity to first responders and emergency personnel in storm-impacted areas.

Satellite’s Unique Role in Disaster Response and Recovery

In the wake of any kind of natural disaster, it’s essential that first responders and emergency personnel can quickly communicate about the conditions and needs on the ground. Satellite technology provides a critical lifeline when storms damage or destroy the existing terrestrial communications infrastructure. 

Recent advances in satellite hardware have also made it possible to easily deploy small, lightweight satellite terminals to an impacted area. In addition to being more mobile, these user-friendly terminals are easy to connect to a satellite network – no advanced technical training required. 

A History of Supporting Disaster Recovery  

Intelsat has a history of leveraging its advanced global satellite network, easy-to-deploy managed solutions and hardware partnerships to provide satcom services for disaster-response efforts.

Intelsat is actively pioneering the land-mobile satellite connectivity market with a host of hardware and service partners. As a result, humanitarian and emergency response vehicles, as well as other Communications-on-the-Move (COTM) applications, are now able to stay seamlessly connected to Intelsat’s global network wherever they go.   

Intelsat is also signatory of the 2019 International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Crisis Connectivity Charter, a mechanism created between the satellite industry and the wider humanitarian community to make affordable satellite-based communications more readily available in times of disaster. In 2021, Intelsat will chair the Crisis Connectivity Charter, helping to connect signatories to humanitarian-support opportunities.

Recent Examples of Intelsat’s Disaster Recovery Support

In August 2020, after Hurricane Laura made landfall as a Category 4 storm on the U.S. Gulf Coast, Intelsat General Communications (IGC) and its customer Cubic sprang into action, providing critical internet connectivity to first responders and residents in Lake Charles, Louisiana for eight days while their traditional, terrestrial communications infrastructure was offline.

Cubic deployed its GATR inflatable, ultra-portable satellite antennas and the GATR 950 modem – powered by Intelsat’s FlexMove for Government service – to several different sites in the Lake Charles area, providing communications infrastructure support to Lake Charles Memorial Hospital and a Red Cross site enabling internet access to help residents call home and use instant messaging. The connectivity was also used for coordination between other Red Cross distribution points throughout the area.

Global Relief Efforts

Our disaster relief efforts don’t stop in North America.

When Cyclone Harold hit the remote island of Vanuatu in the Solomon Islands last April, Intelsat was there to provide much-needed communication relief.

The cyclone made landfall as a Category 5 storm, the second strongest tropical cyclone to ever hit the country. The storm caused extensive damage destroying communication networks, broadcast radio and television infrastructure, and power.

Intelsat, as part of its work with the ITU, donated capacity to Vanuatu on Intelsat 18’s South Hemi beam. This vital communication support helped connect the islands to the mainland areas, enabling families to get in touch with their loved ones and spur support for additional post-storm efforts.

When severe weather strikes, Intelsat is ready with the critical connectivity technology that first responders and impacted communities need. To learn more about the communications support and relief that Intelsat can provide during natural disasters or other crises, visit www.intelsat.com/resources/blog/how-emergency-responders-can-leverage-affordable-high-speed-communications-when-disaster-strikes/.

The post Severe-Storm Ready: Intelsat is Here to Help appeared first on Intelsat.

Satellite communications has long provided a lifeline for military families to stay connected during deployments.

Meet Megan, an Intelsat corporate communications contractor and military spouse. Her husband, Owen, has been in the U.S. Army for 17 years. He is an Infantry Officer.

Megan was aware of Intelsat before she came to work here in part because the company had helped her connect to her deployed husband.

In this blog, we talk to Megan about that experience, and how advancements in communications technology have helped her stay more connected to her husband during his recent deployments.

At how many forts have you been stationed? Six. One multiple times. At one point, we lived in three different houses, in three different states in under one year. Owen has also done six deployments.

How much has technology changed since your husband’s first deployment? During those Iraq days, “real-time” communications meant email – that was the latest and greatest. Owen would take short videos occasionally when he was in his “room” (during the first Iraq deployment his “room” was an old bathroom in a building that had everything torn out of it). He’d burn those videos onto a blank disc and then snail mail them home.

The units could video conference back to their commands, and every so often the unit would announce that it was allowing spouses to come to talk to their soldier via video. You had to drive to the unit’s headquarters, go to the VTC room where soldiers set everything up for you, and then hope the connection worked. If it did, you got something like 15-20 minutes.

Now, I can FaceTime him anywhere. During the past two deployments (including this last one to Afghanistan) he was able to bring his personal phone.

Why did you join Intelsat? I joined in September 2020. I was looking for something different and more flexible. The pandemic changed everything, and I had to take more into consideration; I am holding down the fort at home with three kids under the age of eight who are remote-learning while Owen is deployed to Afghanistan. I’m also a space enthusiast and the opportunity to work for a company like Intelsat, with its history and legacy and reputation, felt like something I couldn’t – and shouldn’t – turn down.  

Any memorable moments or stories where Intelsat technology helped you communicate better? In 2013 Owen was deployed to a very remote forward operating base (FOB) in eastern Afghanistan, near the Pakistan border. I was coming home from a business trip on a several-hour long flight that had Gogo Wireless (Gogo Commercial Aviation is now part of Intelsat) on it – and because it was the holidays, it was free (I distinctly remember that). My business trip had been a week of 20-hour days, and we hadn’t had been able to talk really at all, so I was looking forward to getting home and being more connected. While on the plane I connected to Gogo and voila! I could reach Owen via Facebook Messenger. We were able to message back and forth for the entire flight and catch up. That memory of ‘how much technology has changed’ has stuck with me ever since.  

Read more posts from our National Military Appreciation Month series:

• Honoring and Supporting our Service Members and their Families
• “We’ve Been in Those Boots”; Intelsat’s Military Veterans Share Real-World Experiences that Continue to Shape their Careers

The post Family Matters: How Tech has Changed the Way Military Families Connect appeared first on Intelsat.

One of the reasons why Intelsat is the leading provider of satellite connectivity to the U.S. Armed Forces is because we understand what it takes to successfully complete a mission.

Intelsat provides secure and seamless broadband connectivity, video communications and mobility services through its open, interoperable architecture to all branches of the U.S. Military and Allied Ministries of Defense. We can link any combination of satellite bandwidth and terrestrial services to an agency’s equipment and networks, and deliver real-time information via satellite to land, sea and air platforms.

Intelsat has also carried the global satellite feed for the American Forces Network (AFN) for more than 15 years, distributing TV content to more than one million U.S. servicemen and women who are stationed around the world.

But, we couldn’t do any of this without the real-world knowledge of Intelsat employees who served in the military, many utilizing Intelsat’s network.

In this blog post, we recap how Intelsat helped to shape the careers of several of our satellite communications experts, even before they became Intelsat employees.

Bill – Managing Sales Director for Global Network Solutions at Intelsat General Communications; Lt. Col., USMC, retired:

On the sense of service: “We used to use Intelsat satellites while in the military, so it’s always something I had in mind. This is a great second career for me [after retiring] because I get to work closely with the military and help it succeed. I’m also able to still contribute to our country. We’ve been in those boots before; there are lots of veterans on our IGC team, it’s a great place to work. You still have that camaraderie, great bonds like you have in the military.”

Rich – Sr. Manager, Intelsat Commercial Aviation; Gunnery Sgt., USMC, retired:

On continuing camaraderie: “Most of the pilots I fly with are former military and now fly for the major airline we have our Intelsat systems on. As it turns out, I had crossed paths with many of them in military operations long before we knew each other in my earlier years.”

Anna – Sr. Technician, Intelsat Network Operations; Staff Sgt., U.S. Army and former Army Reservist:

On her first introduction to Intelsat in the field. “We were using Intelsat satellites to stay safe, get the job done and protect our country. Sometimes I was over soldiers who operated different parts of the network. It was important to know their job and what training they had. I could ensure they could shine at what they did best.”

Intelsat is proud to be an employer of choice for veterans. If you’re a veteran interested in a career where you can continue to make a difference, check out our job opportunities on www.intelsat.com/careers/.

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May is National Military Appreciation Month, and Intelsat is honoring current and former members of the U.S. Armed Forces all month long.

Intelsat began the month with a donation to the Patriot Foundation, which provides support to the families of fallen, wounded, injured, or ill service members. Intelsat’s donation will directly contribute to post-secondary scholarships for children of these service members. 

“Intelsat is proud to serve as a long-term Patriot Foundation supporter and do our part to give back to those who have given so much in service to our nation,” said Rick Henry, Vice President, Intelsat General Corporation. “Supporting our servicemembers, veterans and their families is core to our Intelsat Gives Back mission, during Military Appreciation Month, and all year long.”

“Patriot Foundation is so grateful for the support of Intelsat through the years. They have made a great impact and have helped countless military children pursue an education through their donations to the Patriot Foundation,” said Patriot Foundation Executive Director Kim Gilley.

“’Taking Care of Those Left Behind’ isn’t just a mantra – it is the passion of every Patriot Foundation volunteer and donor,” said Maj. Gen. Kurt Sonntag, retired U.S. Army and President of Patriot Foundation.

“Our servicemen and women face untold hardships protecting our freedoms,” Sonntag continued. “Nearly 7,000 have died since 9/11. Many experience complications from training, deployments, and war. They struggle with disabilities making it difficult to fund schooling or training for their sons and daughters. The Patriot Foundation is devoted to the children and families of our military and veterans. We believe that when these young people succeed, it makes the world a better place.”

Intelsat takes pride in its work to assist and support members of the U.S. military and their families. In addition to annual donations to the Patriot Foundation and employee-volunteer work with the USO, many Intelsat employees have served the United States Armed Services with honor, including a number who used Intelsat products in the field.

Intelsat’s dedicated government business, Intelsat General Communications (IGC) provides government customers with mission-critical communications solutions – on land, at sea and in the air. From remote military outposts and disaster-recovery sites to U.S. embassies and homeland-security agencies, IGC solutions support and enable some of the most complex U.S. military applications around the world.

Intelsat also distributes TV content to the more than one million U.S. servicemen and women who are stationed around the world. In fact, Intelsat has carried the global satellite feed for the American Forces Network (AFN) for more than 15 years.

For information on the Patriot Foundation, or to donate, visit patriotfoundation.org.

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