Satellite service provider Hughes Network Systems is throwing its weight behind an open standard used to transmit satellite broadband signals called IP over Satellite. It is an open standard Hughes developed and on which its DirecWay Internet access service is based. The Telecommunications Industry Association also ratified the specification late last year.
According to a white paper Hughes published, the open standard “specifies the layered architecture and protocols for the transmission of IP packets between a central hub station and remote satellite terminals using standard Ku-band . . . geosynchronous satellites.”
IPoS is compatible with all IP services such as videoconferencing, VoIP, VPN, Web browsing and Wi-Fi. IPoS is used on about 300,000 satellite terminals that Hughes has sold.
Earlier this month, Hughes announced that it was forming the IPoS Forum to promote the standard’s adoption. Company officials say it is important for the satellite industry to encourage development of an open satellite broadband standard.
Most satellite broadband providers have been using proprietary technology in their satellite systems, says Pradman Kaul, chairman and CEO of Hughes. “This has led to systems that do not talk to each other.”
IPoS is not the only broadband satellite standard available. The digital video broadcast – return channel via satellite (DVB-RCS) standard, created through an organization called the DVB Forum, is also an open standard that allows two-way communication with satellites. Hughes officials say DVB-RCS could be developed further, but they promoted IPoS as the only interface specifically designed for efficient delivery of broadband satellite services.
The company says it will license some of its intellectual property related to IPoS royalty-free to other companies working on IPoS-related products. Hughes has lined up support for IPoS from several technology companies, including HP, Intel and Microsoft. No other satellite broadband vendors are on board yet, but Hughes officials expect significant interest in IPoS.
Gross is a correspondent with the IDG News Service’s Washington, D.C., bureau.
