The official launch of the EXATEL satellite teleport took place today, i.e. on June 22. This is the only solution of this type in Central and Eastern Europe controlled by a state-owned company. This infrastructure will be used in both public and commercial sector.
EXATEL’s competence in satellite communications have been developed since 2018. Up to this moment, the Company has provided such services to public institutions. In early 2020 the satellite communications segment became one of the vital areas of market expansion and the Company announced in October that it was going to build its own infrastructure – a satellite teleport. According to the original plan, the construction was to be completed in June this year. The deadline has been met, and today the teleport is officially opened.
After 8 months of work, we have officially launched EXATEL teleport. The importance of this project is enormous – both for the State and for the Company itself. This is the only solution in this part of Europe that will be controlled by a state-owned company. The teleport services are currently used by Poland’s Foreign Ministry. However, the capacities of the teleport are much greater. Therefore, our services can also be used by other entities in both public and commercial sector. “What is important, the entire project has been carried out relying on our own funds,” said Nikodem Bończa Tomaszewski, EXATEL’s Management Board President.
Capabilities of EXATEL’s teleport
The EXATEL teleport currently consists of seven high-tech satellite dishes, with the biggest one measuring 6.3 metres in diameter. The infrastructure is supplemented by a Data Centre, linked to other EXATEL DC facilities, a warehouse and a room serving as a workshop.
The whole solution was prepared to provide services with an SLA of 99.9%. “Importantly, the area allows us to quickly expand the antenna system with additional infrastructure, if necessary. If we add to this continuity of power supply (at three security levels), full redundancy of satellite transmission and of the backhaul transport network, I can proudly say that EXATEL’s teleport meets the highest world standards,” said Rafał Magryś, EXATEL’s Management Board Vice President.
Polish teleport with the top security level
Technical aspects are not the only strengths of EXATEL’s latest project. The Polish telecommunications operator has also devoted much attention to the issues of the teleport’s security – both physical and cyber. The entire facility is under access control system and permanent video surveillance. Naturally, EXATEL also has a full support of qualified personnel with many years of experience who, if the need arises, can react swiftly 24/7.
The main distinguishing feature of our solution is the synergy resulting from our competence as a telecommunications operator. The entire infrastructure and provided services are constantly monitored and supervised by our Network Operations Centre and – which is a unique value of EXATEL’s teleport – Security Operations Centre. “It is also significant that – as a Polish telecommunications operator – we have the EU and NATO First Degree Industrial Security Certificates with Top Secret Clause,” adds Rafał Magryś.
The highest quality of services
Currently, EXATEL teleport can provide various services in the field of satellite communications. The high visibility of geostationary satellites makes it possible to connect with almost any place on Earth. Teleport also allows to provide broadcast services for media companies (radio, television) or may be a backup access to telecommunication satellites for their operators. Thanks to modern solutions, it can receive real-time satellite data from EDRS system in low Earth orbit and transmit it further to Earth via satellites in the geostationary orbit. It can also be used for mission control, i.e. to manage e.g. a constellation of Polish observation/telecommunication satellites.
Space is the limit
Teleport is not the only EXATEL’s space-related project. In January this year, the Company in cooperation with Rzeszów University of Technology and the State Higher School of Technology and Economics in Jarosław signed a letter of intent on the establishment of Polish space cluster. The event was attended by representatives of the Ministry of National Defence and the Ministry of State Assets. The result of cooperation between EXATEL and universities in Podkarpackie Voivodeship will be the creation of an Earth Observation Satellite System. The project is to include the creation of a Polish constellation of six base remote sensing microsatellites. This solution will provide very high-resolution imaging (VHR), applicable in the areas of defence, security, crisis management, agriculture, environment and others. EXATEL plans that the first Polish satellite will be lifted off in 2023, while the entire constellation will be launched in late 2026.
