To advance connectivity technologies, SES, a leading global provider of content connectivity solutions, has recently undertaken a set of proof-of-concept tests to evaluate the performance of SES’s medium earth orbit  satellite constellation for the Department of Information and Communications Technology. The DICT is the government agency in the Philippines tasked with planning, developing, and promoting the country’s ICT development agenda.

The demo leveraged SES’s O3b and O3b mPOWER systems; these are MEO satellite constellations designed to bring connectivity to the “other three billion” — those who lack consistent, reliable access to communications systems. The test drive included showcasing breakthrough speeds of 500Mbps download and 80Mbps upload, which is six times faster than the Philippines’ median fixed broadband download speed of 83.09 Mbps and comparable to the median upload speed of 79.42 Mbps, as of September 2023, according to Ookla’s Speedtest Global Index.

Operating 8,000km away from the Earth’s surface, SES’s MEO constellations deliver high-throughput, low-latency services, making MEO the ideal orbit for superior Internet access, cloud-based applications, and 5G capabilities. SES has recently launched two more O3b mPOWER satellites for its second-generation MEO constellation which is set to start service in Q2 2024.

The high speeds demonstrated in the proof-of-concept can empower communities and villages in isolated areas — connecting them to buyers, suppliers, banking, and other institutions that will help build rural communities’ livelihoods. Enhanced connectivity can also provide access to new technologies and services that will aid the development of the countryside.