World Meteorological Organization
WMO OMM
Working together in weather, climate and water
Ad hoc International Forum of Users of
Satellite Data Telecommunication Systems
Background information
Johan Stander with kind assistance from Etienne Charpentier
www.wmo.int
www.jcomm.info
Ocean data buoy community, a driver
WMO OMM
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First Global Atmospheric Research
Programme (GARP) Global Experiment
(FGGE) in the late 1970s had data buoy
component where drifting buoys have
been deployed in the Southern Ocean
In 1979 the French government offered
one year of Argos platform data collection
& location as its contribution to FGGE
As of 1980, governments had to buy
Argos service
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Establishment of the
Argos Joint Tariff Agreement (JTA)
JTA established in 1981 by WMO for scientific
programmes funded by governments and/or
non-profit agencies
In 1984 IOC of UNESCO agreed to co-sponsor
the JTA with the WMO
The objective of this cooperative effort was to
provide fair, cost-effective and simple
procedures for WMO & IOC users of the system
Contributed significantly to the stability of the
Argos data collection and location system and
its globally expanded applications
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Data buoy community influence on Argos system
WMO OMM
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WMO-IOC Data Buoy Cooperation Panel (DBCP)
Established in 1985
DBCP closely associated to JTA & has been influential in
promoting WMO & IOC requirements
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Development of a GTS data processing system
Global network of regional Argos receiving stations (for data
timeliness)
Argos system improvements taking into account DBCP
requirements
Automatic collection of instrument/platform metadata by
JCOMMOPS
Publication of DBCP Tech. Doc.
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Use of Argos system (DBCP TD No. 3)
GTS data processing and quality control (DBCP TD No. 2)
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Widening the scope with other satellite data
telecommunication systems
Argos system is no longer the only system that can be used for
data collection from drifting buoys
Pilot activities have been initiated by JCOMM to evaluate other
Satcom systems (e.g. Iridium)
In 2010, the JCOMM Pilot Project for the WMO Integrated
Global Observing System (WIGOS) promoted the
establishment of an international forum of users of satellite
data telecommunication systems
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Wide user base (ocean, land, polar, other…)
Addressing user requirements (high temporal & vertical resolution data,
improved timelines, power consumption)
Tariff negotiations
Making recommendations on deficiencies and gaps
Reduce satcom costs
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WMO OMM
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Discussions within the WMO Commission
for Basic Systems (CBS)
Recognised the existing JCOMM arrangement in
negotiating Tariff Agreements with Argos
Noted the recommendation from the JCOMM Pilot
Project for WIGOS
Recognized benefits of strong user base covering
multiple applications to address system deficiencies,
negotiate tariff and potential improvements of the
rendered services with the operators of satellite data
telecommunication systems
Extraordinary session of the CBS, Namibia, 17-24
November 2010 made specific recommendations to
WMO Congress
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WMO 16th Congress decisions (2011)
WMO OMM
• WMO Sixteenth Congress (Cg-16, Geneva, Switzerland, 16
May – 3 June 2011) decided to support the establishment of
an International Forum of Users of Satellite Data
Telecommunication Systems (Forum) covering a wide user
basis, and to address remote data communication
requirements - including tariff negotiations as needed - for
automatic environment observing systems coordinated
through WMO and partner organizations such as IOC and
FAO
• Forum is open to all satellite data telecommunication systems
used for the collection of environment data from remote
platforms to serve the needs of WMO, and IOC applications
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WMO 16th Congress guidance (2011)
WMO OMM
• Approach partner organizations & coordinate with the JTA with the view to
establish such a Forum during 2012-2015
• Go beyond tariff negotiations & take a very broad view of available
technologies, options and prices as well as cooperative mechanisms
through the DCP services of meteorological satellites
• Concerns about Antarctic stations funded by research agencies, which
data are not available in real-time for NWP
• High communication cost involved in using Iridium satellites is a limiting
factor
• CBS & JCOMM to investigate possible ways to reduce such costs through
an international forum of users of satellite data telecommunication
systems
• WMO Information System (WIS) would provide a suitable environment for
collection and dissemination of data from research observing stations
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Governance
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• Once established the Forum shall report to the executive
bodies of the co-sponsor Organizations through
mechanisms defined by each Organization
• WMO governance
– Under Commission for Basic Systems (CBS), who shall coordinate
closely on related issues with JCOMM
– Reporting to the WMO Executive Council through the CBS
– CBS Management Group considered the proposed road map
leading to the establishment of the Forum and endorsed the
Preliminary Draft ToT, and requested the Open Programme Area
Group on Information Systems and Services (OPAG-ISS) to take
the responsibility for the establishment of the Forum
• IOC & FAO governance to be discussed
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Workplan
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• CBS Management Group endorsed initial workplan
• Preparatory workshop held in Toulouse, April 2012
– Proposed operating principles, including Terms of Reference of the
Forum’s Executive Committee
– Adjusted the draft Terms of Reference proposed by the
Secretariats
– Elected an interim Executive Committee
– Reviewed current satellite data telecommunication issues
– Identified areas where progress/proposals can be made
– Refined the workplan for formal adoption of the Forum by the
Executive Bodies of the co-sponsor Organizations
• This ad hoc Forum to prove concept, and consolidate
workplan
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Workplan continue
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• Second Ad hoc International Forum of
Users of Satellite Data
Telecommunication Systems were held.
(Paris, France, 3-4 October 2013)
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TOR: Interim EC for Satcom Forum
shall
• Drive the workplan leading to the establishment of the Satcom Forum by the
co-sponsoring organization;
• Submit the Terms of Reference of the Satcom Forum to the CBS
Management Group and the GOOS Steering Committee;
• Once the Terms of Reference are adopted, act as Interim Executive
Committee of the Satcom Forum until the first formal Satcom Forum event
• Finalize operating principles
• Negotiate with potential hosts, and propose a venue for the next Satcom
Forum event
• Investigate establishment of a trust fund, seek potential contributors, and
propose initial budget for supporting the Forum’s activities
• Propose agenda and documentation plan for the next Satcom Forum event
• Organize the session of the next Satcom Forum event
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Requirements for Polar
Observations
www.wmo.int
WMO: EC-PORS
www.jcomm.info
www.wmo.int
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Background
• Polar Regions = Arctic, Antarctic and third pole.
• Remote areas has little infrastructure but specific demands
for transmission of meteorological observations.
• Transmissions need to be low power and short.
• Data speed not an issue as the data is low volume.
• Transmission needs to be reliable
• Data need at forecasting centre within 20 to 30 minutes of
observation
• Polar Regions geostationary satellites can be a challenge due
to low altitude or screening by terrain by satellites
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Background continue
• WMO Regions are preparing Regional
WIS Implementation Plans.
• No progress has been made to prepare
a WIS Implementation Plan for Polar
Regions.
WMO OMM
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Telecommunications methods used by
AnTON stations as notified to WMO
Secretariat by February 2013
E-Mail (1)
VSAT (3)
ARGOS (50)
HF radio/HF modem (1)
DCP (2)
HF Voice (1)
Satellite circuit (3)
UHF (1)
UHF Voice (1)
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HF/TTY-TELEX (1)
HF-LSB TTY 50 (1)
HF-SSB (5)
HF-SSB Voice (1)
HF-USB Voice (2)
Inmarsat (7)
Intelsat (2)
Iridium (5)
Unknown (18)
WMO OMM
General comments from EC-PORS
• Iridium is almost instantaneous as it gets bounced round the
satellites, some users get the E-mailed data within a couple of
minutes of it being sent.
• ARGOS is slower as it has to be captured at a download station
as the capability does not exist to transfer the messages
between satellites like it does with iridium.
• The data being sent is generally very small if using ARGOS or
SBD Iridium data transmissions.
WMO
WMO OMM
DBCP - IPAB
• Considers SATCOM initiative as very important and wishes
to contribute.
IPAB has formulated these requirements for Polar Obs:
• Main issues are continuous coverage of high latitudes
(90N - Arctic), with sufficient band width, e.g. increase
Iridium SBD size to 1000 bytes
• Amount of data transmitted and how frequent, real
time/delayed mode to be decided
• More data could be sent e.g. with Rudex system, which
should be simplified
• What are various service provides such as Globalstar
plans for Polar Regions
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Request from EC-PORS
• Lower tariffs
• Faster data transfer for forecast models.
• WMO group rate for satellite transmissions
World Meteorological Organization
WMOWMO
OMM
Working together in weather, climate and water
Tariff Negotiating Schemes
www.wmo.int
www.jcomm.info
WMO OMM
Cryptic notes 1 of 2
• Develop financial strategy which is compatible with both
Government and communication strategies
• END TO END SERVICE (NON STOP) to Address WMO/IOC/other
user as well as very importantly GFCS needs
• We have heard of a very successful JTA method of a Specific Tariff
Negotiating scheme
• Data quality, availability and quantity
• Address gaps in data sparse areas
• Affordable communication (negotiate service and price)
• Timeously provision of data
• User be able to make informed decisions
WMO OMM
Cryptic notes 2 of 2
• Uniform data processing and management (QC, dissemination,
archive and metadata)
• Reliable and sustainable
• Cost recovery finance model as some indicated price is flexible
• Negotiate tariff rates (5 year plan more services and lower cost)
• Matching needs with system capabilities
• What is real time data (define)
• FAIL SAFE CONCEPT
• Charge in system usage
• Scale process and various prices for various users
WMO OMM
Summary points 1 of 4
• Choice of the user/ user community depends on several aspects.
Like timeliness, availability and size of tags, support of a certain
application, sustainability of the service provider.
• Each of the options would need a specific set of Operating
Principles.
• Since the various service providers are so different in nature
(although some of them are relatively close to each other, the
end-to-end service (based on user requirements and quality
standards set by the user: that is what the user community is
looking for) will be definition not be the same to all users.
WMO OMM
Summary points 2/4
• The Forum as a Market place where all service providers have a
“stand”
• No real change from the current situation, but all players are now
at one place. The user can go shopping, individual negotiation
and standard service provision.
• Those systems that are free to use - Met Satellites. The cost of the
satellites and the associated ground systems is borne by Agencies.
In the case of EUMETSAT it is the member states and WMO
Programmes. For NOAA and JMA their Governments. There are
restrictions on use - it must be environmental data and be made
available on the GTS
WMO OMM
Summary points 3/4
• Those that are run on a cost reimbursement model – Argos
• The Forum as the provider of the same service by all service
providers (in accordance with global requirements and quality
standards). The users negotiate separately outside the Forum
with each of the service providers for the most attractive tariff
(depending on the application, not every service provider
provides the same service or application).
• The Forum has stands in accordance with the required
application: drifters, wildlife, etc. providing the same service
following international agreed standards.
– Same tariff at each stand
– Different tariff between the service providers of a stand (to be negotiated)
WMO OMM
Summary points 4/4
• Those that come under a “free” market - Iridium, Orbcomm,
Inmarsat, Globalstar. Here it interesting to analyse whether a
body such as the Forum acting on behalf of Users, could be in a
position to negotiate better prices or whether the role is more to
give users indicative information on prices. The resources /
governance issues required for each role would be very different.
The diversity of users and user requirements will also have to be
taken into account. Additionally each satellite operator operates
different business models - resellers with Iridium, and directly
with Orbcomm and
• Tariff structure could be purchase usage in advance for a day /
month / year or normal, invoice style
Graphical Proposal
WMO OMM
WMO
IOC
Commission
(JCOMM /
CBS)
Programme
1
Programme
2
Programme
3
Governing
Bodies
Forum
User Community
Recommendations
WMO OMM
• The ad hoc International Forum of Users of Satellite Data
Telecommunication Systems (Satcom Forum, Paris, France,
3-4 October 2013) made the following recommendations:
• (1) Recommendations regarding the use of the Inmarsat
satellite data telecommunication system:
– (i) Inmarsat is used for moored data buoys and tsunami buoys for
transmission of data terminal to terminal and terminal to server. For
many countries including India, Inmarsat is Government approved
satellite telecommunication for such critical data transfer applications.
Inmarsat may appreciate this societal need and the meeting stressed
that Inmarsat should continue services of SAT C transmitter which is
suitable for Buoy applications and all buoy systems have developed
with suitable hardware and software capability. This technology is well
accepted and proven and hence should be retained and should not
be withdrawn;
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Recommendations continue
WMO OMM
– (ii) Inmarsat charges vary from Land Earth Station (LES) and there
would be value in establishing common tariff arrangement among all
LES operators / Service providers;
– (iii) Efforts should be made to prioritize and sensitize tsunami buoy
transmitter for quick transfer of data. Inmarsat can propose specific
serial numbers, and the LES should ensure transfer within 3 minutes
of the data required for tsunami early warning;
– (iv) Being many government approved satellite communication,
Inmarsat should not withdraw SAT C unless an alternative plan
should be made available for the scientific community;
– (v) On the technological improvisation, transceiver manufacturers
could be asked to provide Inmarsat transceiver to have additional
USB based connectivity port to interface with desktop PC / Laptop
PC, since desktop’s & Laptop’s with serial ports are getting obsolete;
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Recommendations continue
WMO OMM
– (vi) Inmarsat LES provides very good service and are available for
support. However at times when specific issues are faced a
working mechanism with Inmarsat HQ/LES and Buoy operators
could be evolved to address transmission issues faced by Buoy
operators;
– (vii) Inmarsat can consider providing data transfer as free service
as they are linked to societal application as weather services being
provided to Ships. Mooed buoy data are also made available to
global community in GTS.
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Recommendations continue
WMO OMM
• (2) For operational systems (and in particular for disaster risk
reduction purposes), any GPRS/GSM telemetry solution
should be supported by a backup Satcom system, and
Satcom service providers need to recognize their importance
in this regard and not impose punitive fixed charges for a
backup service;
• (3) A certification process should be established for
companies providing GTS data distribution service on the
basis of environmental data collected via satellite;
• (4) To develop guiding materials with inclusion of synthetic
description of the capabilities of the relevant Satcom
systems, using metrics to be agreed upon;
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Recommendations continue
WMO OMM
• (5) To establish a mechanism to allow for a useful dialogue to
take place between the users and the Satcom service providers
in particular for (i) informing Satcom providers about the user
requirements; and (ii) informing users about the Satcom
capabilities. Appropriate metrics should be developed for both
aspects;
• (6) In order to facilitate communication between Satcom users,
Satcom service providers, and equipment manufacturers, explore
the use of
– (i) conferences and expositions where users would make scientific and
technical presentation, and vendors would be offered table to display their
equipments;
– (ii) social media (explore existing sites, and define #hashtags), and
– (iii) Internet forums like Wikipedia;
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Recommendations continue
WMO OMM
• (7) Investigate whether tariff for low data rate applications could be
negotiated with the Satcom service providers;
• (8) To consider placing the Satcom Forum not only under the umbrella
of the CBS, but also of JCOMM, so that the Satcom Forum becomes a
joint JCOMM-CBS body;
• (9) To widen the scope of the Forum as much as possible in terms of
the user communities represented, and to approach organizations
such as the World Wildlife Fund (WWF28), Movebank29, and BioLogging30 in the view to invite them to join the Forum as co-sponsors;
• (10) To analyse six months of traffic from Argos JTA platforms by
platform class in the view to highlight actual use of the system and to
do a comparison with the Argos charges paid by the users of each
class.
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World Meteorological Organization
WMO OMM
Working together in weather, climate and water
Thank You!
www.wmo.int
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