Isotropic Systems: A SATCOM terminal utilising unique Optical Beam Forming techniques that will disrupt the COTP Satellite market, specialised for the needs of the emergency services

"A major challenge facing emergency vehicles both in the UK and worldwide is the need for a near instant connection to a communications network so responders have vital, up-to-date information. In the UK only 86% of landmass has access to terrestrial 4g data signals (Ofcom,2016). Satellite networks can provide voice and data connectivity to public safety officials in these remote areas enabling them to effectively do their job where terrestrial cellular and Land Mobile Radio networks don't reach. However current leading 'comms-on-the-move' (COTM) satellite communications devices are prohibitively expensive to be adopted by emergency vehicle fleets. This leads to emergency vehicles often relying on 'comms-on-the-pause' (COTP) solutions which require the vehicle to stop moving and trained users to set up and position the satellite device, often taking up to twenty minutes to connect to the network.

For COTP use on emergency vehicles, a simple, reliable option is required having very short installation and setup time. Existing COTP terminal options are either manually pointed, require motor-driven mechanisms to deploy at each relocation or are prohibitively expensive. This is unacceptable in terms of one or more of the following - setup time, reliability, form-factor, weight, power consumption and cost.

To address the business opportunity, Isotropic Systems seek to develop an affordable, off-the-shelf COTP communications device that can acquire the satellite connection without requiring movement of either the platform or the terminal as a whole. The solution will be easily installed and be suited to either a simplified permanent installation on a vehicle or as a standalone solution with potential for temporary, deployable installations. This reduces all major barriers to entry for emergency vehicles and allows emergency workers to receive vital communications signals in all scenarios, without having to rely on an unreliable and incomplete terrestrial network."