By Vagan Shakhgildian, President of International Network Solutions, Comtech
The Asia Pacific (APAC) region is undergoing an enormous transformation. From emerging economies to established technology hubs, the digital acceleration across the region is reshaping industries, communities, and governments. A key component of this transformation is the critical need for reliable, resilient, and flexible connectivity – a challenge that satellite communications (SATCOM), particularly multi-orbit connectivity, is uniquely positioned to address.
As demand for data continues to grow at an exponential rate across urban and remote areas, multi-orbit satellite networks are becoming critical for achieving ubiquitous connectivity – supporting both national security efforts and economic growth initiatives.
The Demand for Ubiquitous Connectivity
Connectivity in APAC is as complex as it is critical. The region is home to more than half of the world’s population and encompasses a diverse mix of geographies and landscapes. While terrestrial infrastructure has made impressive strides, it is often still economically unfeasible to deploy in some regions.
Satellite connectivity can help fill these critical gaps, enabling high-performance connectivity access for communities, businesses, and governments out of reach of terrestrial networks. Today, governments are seeking secure networks to support everything from national security to disaster response. Companies often need seamless communications for a number of critical functions including logistics and energy production. And communities benefit significantly from connectivity services like remote education and telemedicine. In each of these areas, multi-orbit satellite connectivity can be the key enabler.
Why Multi-Orbit Matters
The global satellite landscape has evolved rapidly in recent years. Today, access to multi-orbit architectures can allow operators to intelligently route traffic based on latency requirements, bandwidth needs, and coverage zones – finding the best available network, regardless of the orbit. This adaptability is especially valuable in a region as dynamic as APAC.
The growing complexity of end-user needs, coupled with the proliferation of applications like cloud computing and IoT devices requires a network infrastructure that is agile, scalable, and always on – qualities that multi-orbit satellite networks are uniquely equipped to deliver.
Innovation in Action
While the industry trend points toward increased adoption of multi-orbit satellite networks, technology innovation plays a key role in operationalizing these benefits. Platforms that enable seamless interoperability between orbits and across hybrid networks – combining satellite and terrestrial infrastructure – are now essential.
Recognizing the growing multi-orbit demands of end-users, Comtech recently launched ELEVATE 2.0, a next-generation, cloud-native platform designed to support intelligent multi-orbit connectivity. With software-defined routing, Comtech ELEVATE 2.0 allows network operators and service providers to dynamically select the optimal path to connectivity – whether via GEO, MEO, LEO orbits – based on each application’s performance needs.
Comtech’s ELEVATE product line was designed for global scalability, and has been proven to deliver connectivity to some of the world’s hardest to reach places. In 2024, Comtech partnered with Eutelsat OneWeb to successfully deliver trial LEO connectivity services to multiple regions of Antarctica. The benefits Comtech’s ELEVATE product line are also well aligned with APAC’s connectivity challenges: variable infrastructure availability, vast rural populations, and growing demand for latency-sensitive applications.
In April 2025, Comtech also completed the initial delivery of VSAT systems to a strategic Navy partner in the region. These systems are built for resilience, enabling real-time communications across maritime and remote environments, where resilient connectivity is essential for mission success.
These recent developments are not unique to Comtech, and represent a broader industry movement toward adaptable, hybrid infrastructure connectivity models.
Looking Forward
The future of connectivity in the APAC region depends on a fundamental rethinking of how networks are designed and deployed. Multi-orbit satellite solutions are not a niche technology; they are a foundational component of next-generation communications infrastructure.
As satellite constellations expand and new innovations emerge, collaboration between governments, space agencies, telecom providers, and technology innovators will be crucial. Building future-ready networks means addressing policy challenges, streamlining spectrum access, and investing in new adaptable ground infrastructures.
At Comtech, we believe that connectivity is a catalyst for growth, inclusion, and resilience. In APAC, the road to growth can be found in multi-orbit connectivity, and we’re looking forward to continuing partner with communities, governments, and businesses in the region to realize the full value of multi-orbit networks.