News (EN)

Hybrid satellite solution expands connectivity in remote areas and reinforces industrial security

Spaceship
Photo: Spaceship - Photo: 3DSculptor/istock

The geographic vastness of territories located at high latitudes has always represented a logistical and communicational challenge for large industrial operations. In northern Canadá, where conventional cellular networks often disappear, the implementation of new communications infrastructure promises to change the dynamics of work in critical sectors. Terrestar Solutions officially launched a continuous service that aims to fill existing signal gaps, using a technological approach that integrates terrestrial and space systems to ensure uninterrupted data flow.

This initiative emerges as a direct response to the needs of industries that operate in hostile and isolated environments, such as mining and forestry. The lack of communication in these areas not only represents an operational inconvenience, but a latent risk to the safety of workers and the management of high-value assets. The new network is designed to support Internet of Coisas (IoT) and standard mobile devices, eliminating the need for proprietary and bulky satellite equipment that has historically hindered large-scale adoption.

Terrestar Solutions
テレスターソリューションズ – 再生/テレスターソリューションズ株式会社

The technology used is based on a hybrid architecture that automatically switches between cell towers and satellite signal, ensuring that the connection remains active even when the user moves outside traditional coverage. The central objective is to provide a layer of digital security that allows real-time monitoring of fleets, heavy machinery and, mainly, teams in the field. With digitalization advancing across primary industry, the ability to transmit telemetry and voice data seamlessly becomes an indispensable strategic asset.

Industry experts point out that the convergence between terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks is a global trend for the next decade. The solution presented uses the S-band spectrum, a frequency that offers significant advantages in terms of signal penetration and stability, being crucial for operations that cannot afford to face shadow zones. The operability of this system marks an important step in reducing the digital divide that affects productive but geographically disadvantaged regions.

Technical integration and global connectivity standards

The operation of this innovative network is based on the use of the Echostar T1 satellite, which operates at a bandwidth of 40 MHz. Isso means that the infrastructure is compatible with the global telecommunications ecosystem, facilitating integration with companies’ existing equipment.

The developed Rede Não Terrestre (NTN) architecture allows the transition between the ground signal and the spatial signal to occur imperceptibly for the end user or industrial sensors. Essa fluidity is essential for automation applications, where latency or dropped connections could interrupt autonomous processes or fail to send a critical alert. The technology acts as a natural extension of the mobile network, expanding coverage to areas where installing physical towers would be economically unfeasible or logistically impossible.

Operational validation in a real environment

To prove the effectiveness of the solution before its commercial availability, exhaustive tests were carried out in partnership with LUBEX, a company operating in the forestry sector. The chosen scenario was the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region, known for its challenging topography and dense vegetation cover, ideal conditions for testing the limits of any wireless communication system. The validation program lasted thirty-two weeks, subjecting the technology to different climatic and operational conditions.

The results obtained during the testing period demonstrated robust stability in data and voice transmission. The ability to track vehicles and equipment in real time, regardless of their location in the forestry network, has been confirmed. The system maintained the integrity of communications even in points where there was previously no signal, validating the premise that hybrid technology can support complex operations far from urban centers.

The practical experience served to adjust transmission protocols and ensure that fleet management could rely on accurate location and status data. Confirming commercial viability through these field tests offers the market the necessary security for adopting the technology, proving that the hybrid connectivity model is a mature alternative and ready to scale in other industrial verticals that face similar challenges.

Impacts on work safety and the environment

The implementation of this satellite network has profound implications for occupational safety in remote areas. The possibility of making emergency calls or sending distress signals from any point in the operation drastically reduces response time in the event of accidents. In mining and forestry environments, where physical risks are high, constant communication is the fine line that ensures rapid rescue and preservation of life.

In addition to human protection, technology plays a vital role in environmental monitoring. The continuous connection of sensors in forest areas allows early detection of fire outbreaks, enabling rapid action by combat brigades before the fire spreads. Collecting real-time climate and environmental data facilitates the sustainable management of natural resources, allowing companies to operate with greater ecological responsibility and less impact on the local ecosystem.

The digital inclusion promoted by this infrastructure also benefits isolated communities that reside close to industrial operating areas. By extending signal coverage to previously disconnected regions, the technology contributes to local socioeconomic development, allowing access to basic digital services and integrating these populations into the global digital economy.

Future perspectives for the connected industry

The advancement of satellite communications integrated into mobile devices signals a transformation in the way critical infrastructure is managed. The elimination of dead zones allows automation and artificial intelligence to be applied in their entirety, without the restrictions imposed by a lack of connectivity. Caminhões Autonomous, monitoring drones and predictive maintenance systems depend on this constant flow of data to operate at maximum efficiency.

As more industries adopt this technology, a reduction in operating costs resulting from unplanned downtime and asset loss is expected. Full supply chain visibility, from raw material extraction to transportation, creates a more resilient and productive industrial ecosystem. Terrestar Solutions thus positions itself at the forefront of a movement that redefines the frontiers of business connectivity.