Data Center POST interview with Ronald van der Breggen, Chief Commercial Officer, LeoSat Enterprises
By Contributing Editor Sarah Chamberlain
Ronald van der Breggen is Chief Commercial Officer for LeoSat Enterprises, a company redefining satellite communications to provide the first commercially available, enterprise grade high-speed and secure data service worldwide. Established in 2013, LeoSat aimed to leverage proven satellite communications technology, deployed in a unique way to develop a new low-earth-orbit (LEO) satellite constellation to provide a global data network. LeoSat is currently working with Thales Alenia Space to manufacture and launch a constellation of up to 108 Ka-band communications satellites. The high-throughput satellites (HTS) will be interconnected with laser links to effectively create an optical backbone in space which is about 1.5 times faster than terrestrial fiber backbones. The constellation is expected to start launching in 2019.
Data Center POST recently sat down with Ronald to discuss where the future of LeoSat lies and how PTC ‘19 can help them get there.
Data Center POST, Sarah Chamberlain (DCP-SC) Question: Tell our readers what problems LeoSat Enterprises is attempting to solve right now?
LeoSat Enterprises, Ronald van der Breggen (LE-RB) Answer: Big Data is clearly driving the need for new communications infrastructure, and data volumes are exploding. Global networks are already carrying over a Zettabyte of traffic globally and this is forecast to grow exponentially. This is having a significant effect on the communications industry, with the need to invest in and deploy appropriate infrastructure, particularly as current satellite solutions remain suboptimal for data and are generally seen as a last resort. As a dynamic young company, we believe that fast, reliable and ubiquitous data connectivity will fuel growth for businesses worldwide. Our solution is to take data networking into space, and in doing so set a new bar for ultra-secure, high-speed connectivity.
DCP-SC Q: What milestones did you achieve in 2018 and how will these developments help LeoSat keep up with the demands of the quickly growing and ever-changing telecommunications industry?
LE-RB A: 2018 has been a key year for us at LeoSat. We have achieved a number of significant milestones for the company including; securing investment from Hispasat, the Spanish national satellite operator, gaining approval from the FCC to operate our constellation in the U.S. and getting commitments from customers and resellers totaling over $1 Billion US.
DCP-SC Q: What are you most looking forward to accomplishing over the next year? The next 3-5 years?
LE-RB A: With the ever-growing demands of managing Big Data and Cybersecurity, global enterprises now more than ever need instant infrastructure from anywhere to everywhere that is fast, secure and reliable. With industry and market confidence clearly demonstrated by the firm backing of the FCC, SKY Perfect JSAT and Hispasat and over $1 Billion US in customer agreements, we are making significant progress on the journey to deliver the world’s first business backbone in space. As a result, we are looking forward to opening-up new markets for data networking for enterprise, telecom and government communications across the globe.
DCP-SC Q: What do you think is the greatest challenge(s) that is impacting your industry and how are you working to overcome it?
LE-RB A: A significant challenge is the perception of satellite for data communications, which has, up until now, been seen as a last resort. LeoSat will change that by pairing the speed of fiber with the ubiquity of satellite and adding a new dimension of ultra-security. We aim to create a paradigm shift in expanding the existing satellite services market and provide new opportunities for space-based data networking for enterprise, telecom and government communications across the globe. We believe that LeoSat can truly fuel worldwide economic growth by offering our customers the fastest, most reliable and secure global infrastructure for data communications.
DCP-SC Q: The theme of PTC’19 was From Pipes to Platforms. How do you believe that theme relates to LeoSat and your mission?
LE-RB A: We see “Pipes to Platforms” as the natural evolution of communications systems to meet the growing demands of Big Data. The term “bent pipe” is often used with traditional GEO satellites and relates to their limitations in terms of data communications. For LeoSat – our laser-connected satellite “platform” is a unique new global data architecture able to carry traffic from anywhere to everywhere. With capabilities beyond satellite and fiber, our unique infrastructure is what data communications has been waiting for – a game-changing service which realizes the synergies of both worlds to re-define connectivity in terms of capacity, latency, security, efficiency and coverage.
DCP-SC Q: What were you most looking forward to accomplishing at PTC’19?
LE-RB A: PTC is a must-attend event in the telecommunications calendar which provided LeoSat with the opportunity to meet with key communications providers. Last year, we signed our biggest MoU to date so we are looking forward to continuing the success!
DCP-SC Q: Thanks so much for chatting with us. To learn more about LeoSat Enterprises, please visit www.leosat.com.
