Testing a system to provide both cellular and satellite connectivity, Kymeta is demonstrating its hybrid connectivity platform with a pilot program in Peru. Buses owned by TEPSA, an interprovincial bus line, were outfitted with Kymeta satellite terminals that accessed satellite capacity from Intelsat and cellular coverage from Cubic Telecom, controlled with a software-defined wireless WAN solution from Cradlepoint. The system enabled information to be gathered and transmitted real-time across a 742 km route through urban and rural areas of Peru.
Kymeta, Intelsat, Cubic Telecom and Cradlepoint worked with Airbus to create the “SmartBus” in partnership with the World Bank and with the support of the Ministry of Transport and Communications of Peru (MTC). MTC wants people in unconnected regions of the country to have access to communications, as well as gathering data on road safety and other regional statistics to improve Peru’s transportation.
“This project is making a tangible contribution to development by connecting people in an extremely difficult geographical region of Peru. The critical insights we unearth from this trial will be used by research centers, universities and leading technology companies, helping them to identify problems and possible solutions relating to road safety, meteorology and transport logistics.” — Alberto Rodríguez, director of the World Bank for Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador and Peru
The hybrid satellite-cellular solution, enables the SmartBus to remain connected even in the most rugged and isolated terrain, gathering and transmitting data. The trial is supporting research into new technologies to provide connectivity to remote areas, along with satellite images provided by the Peruvian Space Agency (CONIDA). The project will collect information about the state of the roads between Lima and several cities at the edge of the jungle, as well as providing communications in rural areas — which can be isolated by a natural disaster.
“Kymeta has strong partnerships that, collectively, have provided Airbus with a one-source connectivity solution: cellular and satellite access, a platform for integration, plus solution management. This is the complete hybrid network services offering we needed to make this project a success.” — Emmanuel Sauzay, SmartBus project manager, Airbus Defense and Space
The SmartBus pilot lays a foundation for various industry applications for Kymeta’s hybrid connectivity platform, including commercial agriculture, fleet management, public transportation and access for first responders. Each use case requires uninterrupted connectivity and reliable access, data collection and communications.
“Kymeta’s resilient cellular and satellite hybrid solution goes beyond simply providing a connection. With the help of our trusted partners, we are an end-to-end services provider with reliable mobile connectivity that also captures mission-critical data for a variety of industries. With Kymeta, users no longer need to choose between satellite and cellular — they are just connected.” Benjamin Posthuma, Connectivity Solutions manager at Kymeta