Kizuna (Winds) Satellite Internet Update

Looks like the Kizuna Satellite Internet project is moving along as planned. According to Jaxa, they have moved the Kizuna to a regular operation phase. A little more longer and this will become a reality for the entire Southeast Asia. Not sure about the Philippines though.

KIZUNA moved to regular operation phase

JAXA has been carrying out the initial functional verification of the onboard equipment of the “KIZUNA” in cooperation with the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology for about three and half months since the KIZUNA was injected into its scheduled geostationary orbit (East longitude of about 143 degrees) on March 14, 2008. After we confirmed that all functions were normal, we completed the checks on all the equipment on June 27. On June 30, a review was held to determine if we should move onto the regular operation phase, and we decided to shift from the initial phase to the regular operation phase.

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Kizuna Satellite Internet Is The Answer

I’ve been eagerly awaiting the commercial launch of Japan’s Kizuna satellite that will provide satellite internet for the Asia Pacific Region. At this time, DSL is the most popular internet connection we have in the Philippines. It’s not perfect (a gross understatement) but it gets the job done. Although a lot of folks are already quite content with what’s currently available. I do think that things can be a lot better. I’ve been to a few countries outside of the Philippines and some of these countries although smaller in size have internet connections that can only make me drool.

Some folks have been proclaiming the advent of fiber optics as the savior of the internet in these parts but I sincerely doubt that it would work in this country. Haven’t we had enough of all those diggings and the overhanging wires that actually makes the Metro look like a wired jungle? I do think that the solution will come from heaven– via satellite internet.

Advantages of Satellite Internet

Satellite internet does not require huge cabling or telephone connection to access the internet. The speed of the internet is also constant as satellite internet uses two way high speed internet.

Disadvantages of Satellite Internet

A lot of experts however shake their heads at this concept. There are three major reasons why these folks scoff at the idea. First is satellite internet’s performance during inclement weather. Whenever there’s heavy rains or winds, existing satellite internet services tend to be significantly affected. Then there’s latency or delay. And the nail that they believe will seal the satellite internet coffin is cost. Satellite internet is costly.

So far, the Kizuna Satellite has passed the first two objections. Those who proclaim that satellite internet will never be faster than DSL are now eating their words. The recent test showing upload/download speeds of 1.2Gbps is droolworthy. Latency was a non-issue.

The only thing that can keep the Kizuna at bay will be the cost of its service. That and the politics governing its domestic usage in Japan’s neighboring countries.

What Is The Philippines’ Stand On The Kizuna Satellite?

The Micronesian Chief Executives Summit is already discussing their participation in the Japan Kizuna or WINDS Satellite. The big question is, why is the Philippine government still mum about this? Are we gonna be playing catch-up again, or is there a bigger agenda involved?

Representatives from the Governments took advantage of the opportunity of
two meetings occurring at the same time in Palau during April 2008: the
Micronesian Chief Executives’ Summit (MCES) and the Pacific Islands
Telecommunications Association (PITA.)

It was recommended that the Chief Executives approve a new committee, called the Telecommunications Committee and the Chief Executives received the report and agreed.

The main purposes of the Telecommunications Committee will be to serve as a forum to (1) exchange information in the areas of telecommunications and ICT policy, planning, technology systems, and applications; (2) to identify and create opportunities for sharing e-government, e-learning, and e-health; and (3) to initiate joint projects such as roaming among the countries, share technical training in ICT
and telecommunications.

The Telecommunications Committee enjoyed a fruitful exchange and covered topics ranging from the (1) the cross-cutting importance telecommunications to all sectors, including economic development, e-government, e-learning and e-health; (2) issues of competition in telecommunication services; (3) submarine fiber optics cable projects; (4) the participation of Freely Associated States in the National Exchange Carriers Association; (5) selection of both Palau and FSM to participate in the Japan Kizuna or WINDS satellite; and (6) discussion regarding the quality, cost-effectiveness and accessibility of telecommunication services.

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