The core mission of journalists and reporters is to inform about key affairs, events and developments happening in the world. To live up to that mission requires a true calling and a lot of dedication. It also necessitates having the right equipment, to be always ready to send.
As the Time newspaper published in an article, 2024 is not anyelection year but the election year. Important votes will take place in many nations in the world (USA, Taiwan, India, South Korea, etc.) as well as for the European Parliament. All in all, about half of the world’s population will be called to the polls. And while this year will be pivotal for democracy, it will also be a key year for Media organizations to report about the state of the world.
Technology at the service of the press
The growth of the Internet and the breakthroughs in telecommunications technology since the end of the 90’s has greatly influenced the way news reporters and journalists work and given them a reach, both in terms of what they can report on and to whom, that would have been hard to imagine some years before.
Looking at the major broadcasting technology trade shows such as NAB in the United States or IBC in Europe, it is clear that the trend is not slowing down,
Dependency on telecommunication infrastructures
However, the common factor and sometimes bottleneck that all media reporters face is bandwidth availability. Who says key happenings such as elections, the Paris Olympics Games, growing armed conflicts in several parts of the world, and many other things going on, also says overloaded telecommunication bandwidth or possibly complete lack of infrastructure. This is why satellite news gathering has been around for over 60 years and is here to stay.
That goes without saying, but satellites in orbit are immune to natural disasters, armed conflicts or very popular events, making them a very dependable redundant communication channel complementary to IP boxes, especially today when the prohibitive GB prices are now a thing of the past.
The “Satcom checklist” for broadcasting companies
At Satcube, we work closely with leading media houses such as CBS, ABC News, ITV and more, and have carefully listened to them to develop products and services that bring a real solution to the table. So here is our “Satcom checklist” for broadcasters and news reporters, to make sure you never miss a live sending!
- Portability & ease-of-use are the priorities.
- Your satcom solution should be easily transportable: lightweight, compact, and suitable for train and air travel.
- If there are no telecom infrastructures, chances are you won’t have electricity readily available either. So, a terminal that can be battery-operated will be needed.
- Setting up the equipment should require minimum training. Good satcom equipment is rocket science made easy!
- Choosing the right orbit or the GEO vs LEO dilemma
- Depending on cases, having a constant link might be more important than higher speeds or the contrary. If you’re going to send in real-time, then GEO is most likely the way to go.
- Will it be possible to have a clear sky view where your breaking news is taking place? This is a question that will also help you choose as 360° open sky views are needed for a good quality LEO connection.
- If you’re going to send from a conflict-ridden area, risks are that GNSS signals will be disturbed. So here again, GEO might be a better option.
- Best value for your money
- Purchasing satcom equipment can be seen as a substantial investment, but looking at the Total Cost of Ownership is often a better measure. For example, cheaper data prices for GEO or LEO compared to BGAN might make the extra equipment “ROI positive” in just some months.
- Forward-leaning companies like Satcube also offer rental options, as we understand that vital connectivity needs can arise at very short notice but only be a few weeks a year. With services like Satcube Instant, you can easily rent a terminal online and receive it wherever you need within two business days.
Back to the core
In today’s world filled with disinformation and misinformation, the need for high-quality news and facts reporting is greater than ever. That’s why Satcube is proud to help professional news reporters around the world to make sure all voices are heard. But don’t take our word for it, instead we recommend you watch this short testimonial by Richard Gaisford, Chief Correspondant for Good Morning Britain and in charge of reporting on major global events, about how he and his team at ITV leverage our Satcube Ku terminals to fulfill their mission.