The UBC Okanagan Team: Emon Sarker, Fahd Seddik, Ronit Buti, Oluwadabira Omotoso and Om Mistry.
Team members Om Mistry, Fahd Seddik, Oluwadabira Omotoso, Emon Sarker, and Ronit Buti were tasked with designing a mobile solution that enables walkie talkie (push-to-talk) communication over satellite networks. Sponsored by SkyTrac, whose Kelowna office supported the team’s participation, the hackathon also provided close collaboration with industry mentors. Om Mistry, speaking on behalf of the team, shared insights from the experience.
 Live mobile app demo |
 Attempting connection to satellite using SkyTrac modem |
What was it like representing UBCO at a national, industry-led hackathon?
Representing UBCO at a national, invite only hackathon was a surreal experience. While the pressure was high, it was an honour to work alongside such talented teammates. We trusted each other and stayed positive throughout the week, which helped us overcome challenges together.
Can you describe the problem your team was tasked with solving and why it matters?
Our challenge was to design a push-to-talk (PTT) mobile app that works over satellite connections. PTT systems depend on cellular, WIFI, or radio signals, which don’t work in remote areas. Satellite communication fills that gap, especially in emergencies. We designed the system with real-world scenarios in mind, such as aircraft crews at high altitudes who need reliable communication with Air Traffic Control or ground teams.
What were the biggest technical challenges?
One of the biggest challenges was working with very limited satellite bandwidth—about 22 kbps for uploading and 88 kbps for downloading—while still making sure audio was clear and fast.
We also couldn’t use direct device-to-device (peer-to-peer) communication because of limitations with the satellite modem. A simple way to think about it is this: you could talk to someone, and they could hear you, but they couldn’t talk directly back to you the same way. We used a hub and spoke system where messages go through a central point instead. We also kept the app simple and easy to use for emergency situations.
How did teamwork and mentorship shape your solution?
Living together for the week helped us stay aligned and collaborate effectively. Our SkyTrac mentor, Steve LePage, played a key role by guiding design decisions and helping us think through real-world challenges.
How did this experience differ from classroom learning?
Working with a real satellite modem exposed us to industry-level challenges that are difficult to replicate in a classroom.
What did you take away from placing such a close second?
Although missing first place by a small margin was tough, our mentor reminded us that we operated like a professional engineering team. Knowing our work met industry standards made the experience incredibly rewarding.