The challenge is to source antennas that are available at a cost that would be viable for a commercial car. Existing vehicle antennas are mounted on the vehicle roof, which is feasible for the non-commercial sector. But how many car owners would want to have an antenna mounted on the roof? Satellite operators and manufacturers today are looking to collaborate with developers to create flat panel antennas that are both aesthetically pleasing yet affordable.
Another key concern that needs to be addressed is security. With recent incidents such as NSA hacking making the headlines, many car owners may still be uncomfortable with the idea of opening up their vehicles to mobile connectivity in general. For connected cars to gain commercial traction, satellite operators and car manufacturers need to collaborate closely to address these security concerns. In the Middle East, for instance, many governments closely regulate vehicular telematics service providers to provide the assurance that user privacy is safeguarded.
An important advantage that satellite operators have over GSM service providers is their ability to provide an affordable, uniform and optimized cost for their connectivity, even across international borders, as opposed to expensive roaming charges under cellular coverage. This helps facilitate new business models for car manufacturers that are currently not possible with cellular data.
The growing demand for connected vehicles promises massive business potential for many sectors, from satellite operators and product developers to vehicle manufacturers. As satellite technology plays a critical role in enabling connectivity for vehicles, these sectors will have to work together to will continue to develop and deliver innovations that will drive the future of connected vehicles.
About the Authors
Asher Faredi
Product Manager, Land IP
Asher is Thuraya’s Product Manager for Land IP. He is responsible for developing Thuraya’s satellite broadband portfolio and providing specialist counsel to business development and management projects within the sector.
Marwan Joudeh
Product Manager for M2M and Product Lifecycle Management
Marwan has been with Thuraya for over a decade and is responsible for developing Thuraya’s M2M portfolio as well as managing the lifecycle of Thuraya’s range of products.