Rebecca Cowen-Hirsch, an Inmarsat senior vice president, believes that military organizations can increase the capacity of mission data transfers with Ka-band communications satellite technology.
Cowen-Hirsch said the U.S. Government Accountability Office has observed defense agencies relying on industry to help meet operational requirements of the Wideband Global SATCOM satellite program.
In-orbit tests have shown that Ka-band frequency works to facilitate high-speed data transmission during extreme weather events and via small terminals, she added.
She also believes that offering satcom as a service to military organizations will give troops an opportunity to access “end-to-end” managed services and get more uniform Ka-band coverage.
She urged military and commercial satellite technology firms to collaborate to produce a Ka-band infrastructure that will help both the public and private sectors.