The satellite communications (satcom) industry is undergoing a significant transformation. Innovations such as software-defined satellites, low earth orbit (LEO) constellations, and integration with terrestrial networks, including direct-to-device (D2D), are accelerating change. Satcom operators face growing pressure to innovate rapidly while delivering meaningful outcomes from reduced time to market to enhanced agility and optimised costs.
At CGI, we bring a long-standing heritage of supporting satcom operators. We work alongside clients and their technical teams to build and evolve cutting-edge ground segments. Today, we’re helping clients unlock outcomes through cloud integration and migration, collaborating with cloud alliances such as AWS and delivering hybrid private/public cloud solutions. Based on our experience and client feedback, it’s clear: migrating satcom ground segments to the cloud is more than a technological upgrade, it’s a strategic necessity for achieving sustainable, future-focused results.
However, satcom operators must balance a range of complex business and technical priorities before moving ground segments to the cloud.
How can satcom operators reduce time to market while maintaining flexibility?
As new satellites such as GEO SDS and LEO/MEO constellations are launched, operators must adapt their ground segment operations quickly. Traditional hardware-based infrastructure often lacks the flexibility to keep pace. Cloud environments can offer a scalable, responsive architecture that adjusts in real time helping operators reduce time to market, respond to customer demands faster and optimise operational costs.
What role does automation play in optimising satcom operations?
Automation and data insights are becoming essential to delivering high-performance outcomes in satcom. With increasing mobility and demand for dynamic bandwidth allocation, integrating automation into cloud-based ground segments offers major benefits. CGI has built high levels of automation into our ground segment solutions, helping clients become more responsive and efficient. Machine learning and artificial intelligence can further support decision-making in resource allocation, resulting in tangible operational gains.
How can cloud technology improve integration with terrestrial networks?
As satcom and terrestrial telecoms networks converge, seamless integration is critical to creating new service models and revenue streams. Cloud technologies such as Software Defined Networks and Network Function Virtualisation enable this integration. These technologies help operators simplify operations, unify network management and deliver consistent, connected outcomes for end users.
What are the key lessons learned from cloud migrations in satcom?
Migrating to the cloud presents challenges but also opens doors to measurable outcomes. CGI applies a proven cloud adoption framework tailored to satellite and telecoms providers. Our experience ranges from managing critical network operations to optimising cloud cost structures, maintaining regulatory compliance, and enabling flexible scaling. These lessons inform a smarter, outcome-driven approach to cloud transformation.
What are the cyber security considerations for satcom in the cloud?
Cyber security remains a top priority for satcom operators transitioning to the cloud. Ensuring robust risk management, regulatory compliance, and resilience is essential. CGI helps clients design secure, cloud-enabled architectures that protect data, maintain availability, and align with industry standards, laying the groundwork for secure and trusted operations. When needed, we’re helping our clients build sovereign solutions which comply with national data control constraints.
Unlocking the potential of software-defined satellites
Software-defined satellites are revolutionising satcom by enabling dynamic control over coverage, frequency, and capacity. To realise these benefits, ground segments must be equally flexible. Cloud-based architectures empower operators to scale infrastructure in real time, delivering operational efficiency and improved responsiveness to shifting customer demands.
Helping to enable direct-to-device services
Direct-to-device services are emerging as a powerful opportunity for satellite operators. By using 3GPP standards and capabilities already embedded in many consumer devices, these services open access to new markets. Cloud technology offers a cost-effective foundation for launching direct-to-device services, eliminating large up-front infrastructure investments and leveraging ready-to-use tools within the cloud ecosystem.
Want to explore your cloud migration journey?
If you’re ready to understand how cloud-based ground segments can drive outcomes, from performance improvements to operational resilience, download our detailed viewpoint or contact our experts to learn more today.
About this author
Dr Jaime Reed
Vice President Consulting Services, Space Data Platforms and Applications
Jaime enjoys working with clients to invent and deliver the space services of the future. He leads Space Data Platforms and Applications team for CGI in the UK and Australia. We deliver a range of services for satellite operators including network operations and business operations ...
