Astrome: GigaMesh, SpaceNet and a story of Cutting Edge of Connectivity

Astrome Technologies is a deep tech, women-led startup working in telecom, broadband and space internet. The startup, headed by Dr. Neha Satak, was incubated in IISc, Bengaluru. They have recently come in the limelight due to their wireless broadband technology. This group of ambitious people looks to provide internet to the most remote regions of India.

GigaMesh is a product that can propel companies towards IoT by enabling smart environments wirelessly, while also increasing backhaul capacity of telecom infrastructure, making it 5G ready. While SpaceNet is a space internet solution, much like Elon Musk's Starlink and Jeff Bezos' Kuiper.

GigaMesh by Astrome

India is working on BharatNet, It was approved by the government in October 2011. Notably, the project aims to bring internet connectivity to all 2.50 lakh gram panchayats in India. Furthermore, fiber-based connection will ensure faster and more reliable internet. It will cost around Rs. 42,068 crores - the cost rising due to continued delays.

Herein lies the problem. In large countries like India, getting internet access to villages is difficult. Therefore, wireless backhaul products can be the answer. The products need to deliver internet on the three crucial points

• Low cost
• High data capacity
• Wide reach

As of now, the available wireless backhaul products have either one or more shortcomings in this regard. Some products do not have high enough speed, or wide enough reach or are prohibitively expensive. However, GigaMesh looks to deliver on all three aforementioned points.

The product works to reduce network congestion and also makes existing infrastructure 5G ready. A single GigaMesh device can provide as many as 40 links with 2+ Gbps capacity on every link, with a range of 10 km. This helps to decongest networks in the cities and also works to extend rural coverage as well. This extensive backhaul capacity can increase a telecom cell's capacity by as much as 4 times. Furthermore, GigaMesh comes with 6 Point-to-Point E-band radios. This reduces the cost per device/link, which then reduces overall operational costs.

Along with this, GigaMesh can work as wireless optical fiber extension. This implies that it can project high speed data wirelessly over dense environments, enabling IoT as a result. For example, in an industrial environment, less cables can mean less costs and faster, more reliable automation with IoT.

SpaceNet by Astrome

SpaceNet might as well be India's answer to Elon Musk-led SpaceX's Starlink and Amazon's Kuiper, along with OneWeb's offering from Britain. While the project is in its infancy, with not much details available on the official website. However, the technology involved is similar to Starlink in many respects.

Firstly, SpaceNet involves putting microsatellites into orbit. These satellites will cover its designated region with "spot beams". Basically, spot beams are broadband wave projections which are concentrated to provide better connectivity and throughput to the end user. Notably, SpaceNet's satellites will use mmWave, which are essential in 5G as well.

Astrome claims that SpaceNet's tech will enable speeds of upto 400 Mbps, which is incidentally 33% more than that Starlink is currently providing. Further, the space internet solution claims to reduce the costs down by 2000 times, relative to networks on the ground. These claims are thus far on the paper as we were unable to obtain any testing. Also, there are no satellites in the orbit as of yet. However, Astrome plans to put up 198 satellites in the orbit soon. The scale is not nearly as massive enough as Starlink (which will have 11,000 satellites in orbit), and Kuiper (~5,000 satellites), yet it is a huge stride forward.

Astrome Technologies is shooting for the stars (regrettable pun), and intend to stay up there. With their products, India can target 100% connectivity with a greater energy if they can return on their promise.