Forsway, a leading provider of innovative solutions tapping satellite and existing terrestrial technologies to enable cost-efficient broadband, announces Forsway Xtend has been nominated for Via Satellite’s 2019 Satellite Technology of the Year Award. The nominees are chosen based on innovation, benefit to the industry, and overall disruption to the satellite landscape.

February 24, 2020, link to article by Satellite Evolution Group

Forsway has challenged the high cost of reaching underserviced markets by deploying a cost-efficient hybrid satellite extension. Forsway Xtend has been built to remove the complexity of rolling-out satellite broadband to underserved regions while enabling monetization of unused bandwidth. Operators can now offer services to untapped markets while helping to facilitate a connected, empowered and equitable global society.

Xtend’s easy to deploy hardware and service ecosystem unites the best of satellite and terrestrial networks (global coverage of satcom and affordability and low latency of terrestrial networks), eliminating the need for expensive additional network (fiber, xDSL or LTE) infrastructure. The solution can be adapted to multiple customer deployment scenarios and diverse up/downstream technologies including 5G and emerging LEO/MEO constellations, and, provided as an OEM. A Forsway hybrid ODIN F-50 terminal costs 5 to 10 times less than a VSAT terminal, including installation – with similar downlink performance.

With the breakthrough Forsway Xtend solution, Forsway is providing a viable solution to reduce the digital divide and enable new business streams for satellite operators.

The winner of the 2019 Satellite Technology of the Year will be determined by a combination of the Via Satellite editorial team, including Editorial Director, Mark Holmes, and votes that come directly from industry.

The public can vote for Forsway Xtend online, or through the SATELLITE 2020 Official Mobile App, sponsored by Artel.

“Today the satellite industry is experiencing overcapacity and unused bandwidth, yet 45% of the global population remains underserved or has no broadband access – primarily outside urban areas including rural US and other industrialized countries,” says Tobias Forsell, CEO, Forsway. We are thrilled to be a finalist nominee for this year’s Via Satellite prestigious “Satellite Technology of the Year” award and excited to show that there is real progress and a viable solution for reducing the digital divide and bringing connectivity to vast, underserved regions.”

From the host of the prestigious “Satellite Executive of the Year Award”, Via Satellite has a longstanding history of recognizing the people leading the charge for the satellite industry.

“Last year, we introduced a new award, Satellite Technology of the Year (STOTY), an award that recognizes the impact of a specific technology that is making a difference in our industry. In 2019, Intellian deservedly became the first winners of this Award,” said Mark Holmes. “We have a terrific set of nominees and we await to see which company become our second winners of the STOTY Award.”

Voting closes at noon ET on Tuesday, March 10th. The winner will be announced at a special Awards Luncheon at SATELLITE 2020 on Wednesday, March 11, 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Tickets for the Stars of Satellite Awards Luncheon can be purchased through SATELLITE 2020 registration. SATELLITE 2020 will take place at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, located at 801 Mt Vernon Pl NW, Washington, D.C. 20001.