Satellite  |  2024-03-12

SES and AWS: Ensuring the Continuity of Critical Operations through Satellite and Cloud

Source: The Critical Communications Review | Gert Jan Wolf editor

Sergy Mummert, SVP, Sales Global Cloud & Strategic Partnerships at SES, recently in a Blog on the SES website, highlighted the critical role of satellite technology in disaster response scenarios.

Sergy Mummert, SVP, Sales Global Cloud & Strategic Partnerships at SES, recently in a Blog on the SES website, highlighted the critical role of satellite technology in disaster response scenarios. When traditional connectivity fails due to severe weather or natural disasters, satellites become a lifeline, offering high-bandwidth connectivity from space to support recovery efforts. This innovative approach ensures that first responder agencies have access to vital information and coordination tools even in the most challenging conditions.

An exemplary case study is showcased during Hurricane Ian's impact on Southwest Florida in late 2022. SES Space & Defense, in collaboration with SimbaCom and Amazon Web Services (AWS), swiftly deployed a communications infrastructure utilizing SES's global O3b satellite constellation and local edge connectivity to AWS Disaster Response. This solution provided fiber-like communications to state agencies, first responders, and affected residents in Lee County, facilitating critical communication and aid distribution.

The successful collaboration between SES, SimbaCom, and AWS underscores a commitment to extending cloud resources to any location, even amidst the aftermath of catastrophic events like Hurricane Ian. SES's pioneering partnership with AWS, dating back to 2021, has continually evolved to support joint government projects, particularly with the U.S. Department of Defense, ensuring secure and reliable connectivity in even the most challenging environments.

Looking ahead, SES and AWS are poised to further revolutionize digital transformation efforts by leveraging satellite-cloud integration. The combined expertise of SES's satellite resources and AWS's cloud services offers customers unparalleled network security, reliability, and scalability. This integration is particularly crucial for sectors undergoing digital transformation, such as the mobility industry, where cruise and aviation customers rely on AWS Direct Connect for cloud transformation needs.

Moreover, governments and sovereign connectivity operators worldwide are increasingly turning to satellite technology to scale alongside growing demand. SES is at the forefront of providing secure, resilient, and future-proof 'sovereign' connectivity solutions to meet these evolving needs. As satellite systems continue to evolve, bridging the gap between terrestrial and satellite performance, they are becoming integral to digital infrastructure projects that leverage cloud hosting, services, and edge computing.