Satellite operator Thaicom yesterday launched the Thaicom-Globalstar satellite gateway in Thailand to provide low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation services and solutions.
The facilities providing the gateway are located at Thaicom's satellite station in Pathum Thani province.
Thaicom chief executive Patompob Suwansiri said the facilities aim to provide various solutions in Thailand and the region, such as security and Internet of Things (IoT) solutions that will benefit several industries such as tourism and maritime, along with nature conservation, and national defence.
The company recently entered into its first commercial partnership deal in the LEO satellite business with Globalstar, as it is eager to cash in on ground facilities in Thailand and regional service deployment, focusing on the sectors of personnel safety and management solutions.
Globalstar is a global LEO satellite operator and a leading provider of satellite IoT solutions and mobile satellite services.
Mr Patompob earlier said the company holds an exclusive right as the distributor for Globalstar's business in Thailand.
The deal with Globalstar is a part of Thaicom's business development roadmap as LEO satellite business is one aspect of Thaicom's business diversification, and to complement its satellite services portfolio.
Thaicom was awarded a landing licence related to foreign satellites from the office of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission.
LEO satellite business for IoT solutions allows businesses to streamline operations, providing safety and communication and enabling assets to be monitored remotely via Thaicom's satellite network.
LEO satellites operate at between 500-2,000 kilometres above the Earth's surface, compared with the 36,000-km height of geostationary satellites, which are the traditional type of communications satellite.
The advantage of the lower orbit is lower latency. It will benefit everyone with its access to high-speed internet services via 5G technology, IoT devices, machine-to-machine technology, as well as drone technology and apps in areas that require high levels of accuracy, such as remote surgery.