PAGE CONTENTS
Objectives
The DVB-RCS standard EN301790 provides the technological basis for two-way satellite IP communications.
Belgacom, together with Newtec, aim to develop a platform that supports the delivery of advanced IP based services to and through multiple service providers.
The main target is to provide the service providers with tools that allow them to define and deliver a service to their customers with minimal effort.
Belgacom, as a telecom company with existing IP based services, both terrestrial and satellite based, also targets to extend several services into the DVB-RCS satellite context. Examples for this are corporate VPN and content distribution solutions. The project consists of two steps. The first step will cover the development and implementation required to reach the above-mentioned targets. This is also done to prepare the second step, where these solutions will be validated in the context of a pilot test.
Challenges
The key challenges are:
- Management of resource sharing to enable multiple service providers using the system
- Providing service provider operator management access to the system to enable them to manage their terminals
- Security aspects of multiple operator access on management systems
- Testing relevant usage scenarios
Plan
T0: Kick-off (23/3/2003)
T0+3M: critical design review
T0+6M: implementation, ready for pilot testing
T0+12M: review of results
Current Status
The pilot was successfully concluded. The service providers gave positive feedback on the concept of a shared hub.
They feel that the resource management guarantees them that the bandwidth they pay for is really at their disposal and under their control. The management and configuration tools allow easy provisioning and monitoring of the service for their customers. The security features implemented assure that each service provider gets a view on his part of the hub.
Traffic acceleration and prefetching features provide a great surf experience. The use of static public IP address opens opportunities for a wide range of applications.
The service is now commercially deployed. See text www.belgacom.be/satellite
