We’d like to continue with the series of articles to mark 25 years of success for M&J Communications. Today, we’re showcasing one of our long-standing suppliers, Norsat International. We’ll talk about the company as a whole, their plans, and our mutually beneficial partnership.
About Norsat
Norsat’s story began in 1977 in Whitehorse, Yukon. It was founded by Rod Wheeler under the name of Northern Satellite Systems.
Currently, Norsat is a leading provider of innovative communication solutions that enable the transmission of data, audio, and video for remote and challenging applications. The company’s products and services include customisable satellite components, portable satellite terminals, maritime solutions, and satellite networks.
Through its Sinclair Division, Norsat provides antenna and RF conditioning products, systems, and coverage solutions for public safety, defence, and private wireless networks. Norsat’s unique platform technology allows for quick customisation and tailoring of equipment to meet the needs of customers.
The company’s products and services are used extensively by telecommunications services providers, emergency services and homeland security agencies, military organisations, health care providers, news organisations, and Fortune 1000 companies.
Norsat International Inc. is consistently ranked among the top technology companies in Canada and the top 100 companies in British Columbia.
While Norsat was acquired by Hytera Communications in July 2017, it remains an independently operated Canadian subsidiary.
Capitalising on current satellite equipment trends
Thanks to decades of experience in the industry, Norsat has identified several growing trends in the satellite equipment market as well as the opportunities that can be used to grow the company and provide better service to customers.
- The first trend is falling bandwidth prices caused by a vast increase in supply. This resulted from the advent of high throughput and very high throughput satellites (HTS and VHTS). The prices dropped to less than half of their value from 2018, and the drop is expected to continue.
This will fuel the increase in the ground segment demand, and Norsat is positioned to fulfil it.
- Next is the increasing popularity of the terminal rental model and long-distance education, with the special aim for smaller government and military organisations.
Additionally, Low Earth Orbit (LEO) providers are looking for good vendors who can provide high-quality VSAT equipment like Multi-band, Multi-orbit and Multi-network, first-generation Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) constellations.
Norsat has a ready LEO product line that can meet these demands.
- The third trend is the growing importance of mobility requiring greater bandwidth and more terminal features and capabilities for on the move applications.
Norsat is ready to meet these challenges with airborne products, COTM terminals, and Maritime terminals.
- Finally, the military and government markets are expected to increase the demand for customised products that can enable communications.
Norsat intends to target smaller militaries who have a high demand for satellite use.
Norsat and the present and the future of the satellite manufacturing market
As we witness the evolution of integrated communication, we also observe the increased number of requirements for SATCOM solutions. Off-the-shelf components often don’t meet the demanding and ever-changing specifications of customers. Thermal, mechanical, and environmental features may need customised products and services to achieve the desired performance goals.
Norsat has more than 40 years in the industry, allowing it to develop and customize components to meet every requirement of customers’ communication networks.
Working with M&J Communications
Norsat has worked with M&J Communications for many years, and two companies developed a fruitful partnership. They offer all of Norsat’s products, but Satellite LNBs and filters make up a majority of purchases.
M&J helps Norsat gather market information from customers, which translates into new products. Additionally, this enhances brand image and reputation by increasing customer satisfaction. M&J adds value to Norsat’s product line while offering solutions and support that help accelerate profitability and growth for both companies.
The close relationship between our two companies means that Norsat can keep track of M&J’s opportunities. This allows us to offer incredibly quick shipping to our customers — parts can arrive in less than a week and sometimes even on the same day. That way, M&J can offset some of the downsides of not being able to hold stock due to a wide variety of models and products.
Parting words
We’re very grateful to Norsat for their long and fruitful partnership and for the information they provided for this piece. The relationship has benefited both companies, and we’re hoping it will continue providing value to our customers long into the future.
