Revving up
disruptive innovation in the Mobile
Satellite Sector
Thuraya’s Director of Products,
Rashid Baba shares his insight into new
developments in the consumerization of
satellite devices and how it impacts the
technology transformations taking shape
in the MSS industry
When one thinks of disruptive
innovation, the groundbreaking exploits
of tech companies such as Google come
immediately to mind. Recently, the
advent of Google Glass has made wearable
technology a reality for both consumers
and work professionals alike. The new
Android-powered dashboard, piloted by
Google in partnership with several
carmakers, is set to usher in a new wave
of connected vehicles.
Such developments hold the potential
for Google to uproot the way of thinking
for an entire industry; and more
technology disruption is on the horizon
with Project Loon. Exploring the use of
high-altitude balloons to provide Wi-Fi
access in remote areas, the lofty
aspirations of Project Loon—connecting
rural communities—must hold special
appeal among satellite players.
Also in the satellite sector, SpaceX
has significantly changed the game in
the commercial space launch industry, by
enabling satellite launches that are
more efficient and at a fraction of the
cost associated with traditional launch
technology. Many believe that the SpaceX
breakthrough will spur other rocket
companies to introduce new solutions to
keep up with the evolving market
dynamics.
Harnessing the disruptive potential
of MSS technology
A key takeaway from the success of
Google and SpaceX in their respective
sectors is the need for MSS operators to
think outside the box in order to stay
ahead of an emerging market trend or
requirement. From Thuraya’s perspective,
the convergence between the satellite
and terrestrial mobile sectors over the
past few years represents a pivotal
trend that will continue pushing
operators towards rethinking how MSS
products can become a powerful tool for
disruptive innovation. There is a
growing demand among satellite end-users
for more consumer-oriented products, as
well as broader deployment of
satellite-enabled applications that will
help improve operations or address the
rise of mobility and other major
technology shifts. We see the potential
for new businesses and technology
breakthroughs being created around this
emerging industry need.
MSS operators have traditionally
focused on ensuring their equipment are
robust and can work under extreme
conditions, with little attention placed
on its user interface and aesthetic
value. As a result, satellite devices
are still saddled with the perception
that they are primarily solutions
dedicated to meet the communication
needs of industrial sectors such as
mining and energy, as well as to support
defense operations.
Thuraya’s ultimate aim is to
challenge—and possibly change—that old
perception by putting more focus on
introducing more consumer-friendly
elements into our product development.
We are taking concrete steps to achieve
this by developing a new generation of
high-performance handsets with a
sophisticated form factor, for instance,
or IP terminals that are highly compact
and fully equipped with plug-and-play
capabilities.
Leading the next wave of MSS
disruption
The emphasis here is to develop new
solutions that will provide today’s
consumers with much easier access to
satellite connectivity—whether in terms
of having intuitive features that
resonate with the average user, or
allowing them to utilize our MSS devices
in virtually the same way they would use
a consumer device.
The Thuraya SatSleeve is a great example
of our commitment to fulfil consumers'
needs, both in terms of form factor,
functionality and simplicity. Designed
to be compatible with the latest
operating systems, the SatSleeve
reinforces Thuraya’s leadership in
pioneering a handset that appeals to the
average consumer, without compromising
the robust performance and reliable
connectivity expected of a satellite
device. The next step for Thuraya is to
continue building our product
development efforts around the latest
trends in consumerization.
In terms of satellite handsets, for instance, we are working with our partner developers to further push the envelope through faster data speeds, greater functionality and sophisticated design—delivering innovative capabilities, packaged into a pocket-sized device, into the palm of the end-user. We believe these are the key differentiating factors that would set Thuraya products apart from the competition, and enable us to lead the next wave of MSS disruption.
