Satellite issues: Earth stations in motion (ESIM)

• Earth stations in motion (ESIMs) address the complex challenge of how to provide reliable, continuous and high-bandwidth Internet connectivity to users who are on the move. There are three types of ESIMs: ESIMs on board aircraft (aeronautical ESIMs), ESIMs on board ships (maritime ESIMs) and ESIMs on board land vehicles (land ESIMs).
  
• Advances in satellite manufacturing and earth station technology have made ESIMs more widespread and practical. When ships are at sea or aircraft cross the oceans, they are out of reach of terrestrial networks. ESIM systems can provide continuous and reliable service with broadband coverage.
• The typical data rates provided by terminals operating in networks serving ESIMs often exceed 100 Mbit/s, much higher than those historically provided by satellite-based systems operating in the mobile-satellite service (MSS).
• To address the increasing demand for continuous-coverage mobile connectivity and hence for ESIMs' access to radio frequency resources, while protecting other and existing radio services, WRC-19 and WRC-23 decisions facilitate the regulatory harmonization for geostationary orbit (GSO) and non-geostationary orbit (non-GSO) fixed-satellite service (FSS) ESIMs to deliver high-speed broadband connectivity onboard aircraft and ship.
• ESIMs contribute to Sustainable Development Goal 9 (industry, innovation, and infrastructure) by connecting ships, aircraft and land vehicles and ensuring their safety and security and that of their passengers, cargo, and systems. When information and communication infrastructure is unavailable following natural disasters, land ESIMs can be very helpful and vitally important.​
  

Earth stations in motion (ESIMs) communicate with geostationary orbit (GSO) and non-geostationary orbit (non-GSO) satellite systems operating in the fixed-satellite service (FSS).

When ships are at sea or aircraft cross the oceans, they are out of reach of terrestrial networks. For such craft on or over vast oceans, an ESIM system can provide continuous broadband connectivity for crew and passengers.

ESIMs provide broadband communications on cruise ships, the largest of which can accommodate several thousands of passengers. In addition, ESIM stations can provide broadband communications for managing ship operations, such as for transmission of engine diagnostics, as well as for access to the ship operator's corporate network and for crew communications.

In addition, ESIMs meet the broadband connectivity requirements of land vehicles, including trains, coaches, vans, trucks, and motorhomes. Land ESIM can provide connectivity throughout countries and are particularly useful in areas that are not served by terrestrial networks.

ESIM applications also exist for government users and aid organizations that have broadband communication needs for land vehicles, ships, and aircraft. For example, when telecommunication infrastructure is unavailable following natural disasters, land ESIM can be very helpful and vitally important. 

Last update: January 2025 ​​