September 14, 2018

Why Satellite Can’t Work… Or at Least, Why the Market Thinks So

From ITWeb


I haven’t even started the presentation and already the technical director in the customer team has proudly informed the other decision-makers that satellite is slow, expensive and has a latency bug that makes computer systems fail. That’s it, game over. I am supposed to pack my bags and go home.

My satellite network solution will not work for his very critical business applications, he thinks. Thinking quickly, I decide to relax, close my laptop and start a courtesy discussion. Being polite gentlemen, they can at least let me finish the coffee that is being served, says Dr Dawie de Wet, CEO of Q-KON.

“Big Springbok rugby game on this week-end,” I start. “So pleased that DStv has secured the rights so that we can watch the game even at the lodge we are going to.” Everybody agrees and we have some light comments about teams, players and the game. I guide the discussion a bit and say that I wonder about the aspect of “latency”. Will this mean I see the big moments later than my friends in the city, or how come I can watch a game on satellite TV every split second of the way, even with slow motion details, and not be affected by this latency issue? The technical director looks at me with a question in his eyes and his body language saying he is partly irritated, partly confused. Continue >