Highlights:
- Dynamic Bandwidth Switch is a new feature that reallocates bandwidth between upstream and downstream links in real time, ensuring optimal utilization.
- Consumption-Based Management uses predictive intelligence to anticipate demand and optimize volumetric pricing—while preserving consistent QoE over time.
Last year, we announced Network Capacity Controller (NCC)—a smarter layer of predictive intelligence that transforms how bandwidth is managed and Quality of Experience (QoE) is optimized at the edge—using deep data, AI and actionable insights.
NCC introduced Fleet Capacity Sharing—our dynamic network orchestration capability that allows existing satellite bandwidth to be intelligently shared across a fleet of ships, aircraft or remote sites. Unlike traditional provisioning models that lock in fixed capacity per endpoint, NCC treats bandwidth as a flexible, shared resource. It adds a fleet-aware intelligence layer to Quvia Grid, our AI-powered network management solution, and enables real-time reallocation of capacity based on demand. The result: every site gets the connectivity it needs, when it needs it.
Today, we’re excited to announce the expansion of NCC with two powerful new features: Dynamic Bandwidth Switch and Consumption-Based Management. These capabilities enable NCC to predict demand, manage costs and optimize utilization—both at the endpoint level and fleet-wide. Let’s break them down.
Dynamic Bandwidth Switch: Intelligent Traffic Balancing Between Upstream and Downstream Links
An influx of application types has introduced more diverse, asymmetric demands on satellite networks. Yet traditional networks still allocate fixed upstream and downstream bandwidth ratios, often leaving one underutilized while the other gets congested.
Dynamic Bandwidth Switch (DBS) manages bandwidth between upstream and downstream links—dynamically allocating bandwidth based on the real-time needs of applications and end-users. This ensures overall QoE is consistent and that critical services remain reliable during peak hours. Consider crew video calls, which depend on stable, bi-directional bandwidth. Even if downstream demand increases from passenger activity like streaming, DBS intelligently manages the upstream/downstream split to preserve call quality—maintaining QoE across all services without sacrificing performance.
In environments where customers operate under rate-based contracts with fixed bandwidth limits—such as committed information rate (CIR) plans—DBS brings additional value. Rather than statically allocating bandwidth to upstream and downstream, DBS dynamically manages the split within the purchased rate, optimizing usage in both directions. This maximizes performance within the contractual limits, helping to improve QoE as well as the onboard experience.
By dynamically reshaping bandwidth allocation in real time, DBS ensures every bit of capacity is used where it’s needed—preserving user experience, enhancing operational performance and eliminating inefficiencies.
Consumption-Based Management: Predictive Demand and Bandwidth Forecasting for Quota Management
As the satellite industry moves toward consumption-based pricing models, a new challenge has emerged: how do you meet peak demand, stay within your budget and still deliver a consistently high-quality experience for every end-user and application type?
Consumption-Based Management (CBM) addresses this by forecasting demand and aligning bandwidth availability accordingly. Using proprietary algorithms, analytics and historical usage data, CBM predicts bandwidth needs hourly, daily, weekly and monthly—factoring in operational patterns and known events. This enables customers to plan ahead and reserve just enough capacity to maintain high performance without overshooting their usage limits.
In real time, CBM adjusts bandwidth distribution between sites and services to maintain optimal and consistent QoE. It sets soft caps on bandwidth based on its forecast, then feeds those limits into Grid, which orchestrates the traffic accordingly. If usage threatens to exceed the plan, CBM can temporarily throttle non-essential services, like large file transfers, preserving performance quality for critical applications. In addition, if there’s a temporary surge in demand, the system will allow it to pass through and adjust accordingly to maintain QoE and maximize performance.
By forecasting intelligently and adapting continuously, CBM helps customers get full value from their bandwidth plans—without compromising user experience at any given time.
Delivering Smarter, More Adaptive Connectivity at Scale
Together, Dynamic Bandwidth Switch and Consumption-Based Management build on the foundation of Network Capacity Controller—ensuring every megabit of satellite capacity is used efficiently and aligned with real-world demand. Network Capacity Controller now includes deeper levels of predictive intelligence, helping companies optimize operations, performance and QoE both at individual endpoints and across entire fleets. It forecasts bandwidth needs, adapts upstream and downstream usage in real time, and reallocates capacity where it's needed most. The result is smarter, more adaptive connectivity, digital operations and end-user experiences.
Want to learn more?
Join us on Monday, June 23 at 9:30 a.m. ET for a webinar hosted by Jonathan Kader, Quvia’s VP of Product & Analytics, as he dives into DBS and CBM—what they are, how they work, and why they matter. He’ll be joined by our founder and CEO, Benny Retnamony, who will share insights into how these features are being applied in real-world environments.
Register here to save your spot! https://bit.ly/3FVOrb3
