Everything that rises must converge - satellites to supply broadband and narrowband services - Wireless - Technology Information - Column

Privately financed satellite systems planned for launch in the next five years will supply broadband and narrowband services on demand for businesses and consumers, Allied Business Intelligence forecasts in a new report.

That's great news for network managers, because the complexities and expense of scheduling satellite access will be reduced. Improved transmission quality and bandwidth availability make many of the new telecommunications satellites comparable to land-based switching centers.

Entitled Bandwidth on Demand Satellite Systems: 97, the study predicts demand for new systems will result in deployment of 337,225 multi-user terminals and 11,625,900 single-user terminals through 2002. Subscribers are expected to generate revenue exceeding $11 billion in the year 2002 alone.

Table 1 summarizes satellite services by type, location and configuration. For more information, visit the company Web site at http://www.alliedworld.com.

Satellite System       Services              Location
Type

Global voice           Narrowband            Worldwide
systems                telephony

Regional voice         Narrowband            Regional (Asia, North
systems                telephony             America, etc.)

Little LEOs            Brief messaging;      Worldwide
                       Remote positioning
                       and monitoring

Broadband-on-demand    High-power            Worldwide
                       VSAT-equivalent
                       services on demand

Satellite System        Configuration
Type

Global voice            Non-geostationary
systems                 satellites in
                        mid-Earth and
                        low-Earth orbits

Regional voice          Geostationary satellites
systems

Little LEOs             Small satellites
                        in low-Earth orbits

Broadband-on-demand     Ka-band satellites
                        Ku-band satellites

ITU signatories and potential signatories recently agreed on deployment arrangements for new types of global mobile personal communications by satellite (GMPCS).

The new systems, known generically as Big, Little, and Mega LEO satellites, represent a new wave of personal telephony. The systems promise seamless global mobile fax, messaging, data and two-way voice and broadband multimedia. Customers will access the new services using small hand-held phones, computer mounted terminals, and laptops.

Many of these systems are expected to come on line within the next five years. A key point in the agreement involves a recommendation for customs procedures to allow unrestricted crossborder movement of GMPCS terminals. Success depends on the mutual recognition of GMPCS systems and terminals by national authorities.

In return, system operators will provide originating/terminating traffic data (excluding confidential customer information) and help in identify unauthorized traffic flows.

PanAmSat recently launched two Atlantic Ocean Region satellites, PAS-5 and PAS-6, from opposite corners of the world.

PAS-5, built by Hughes Space and Communications, contains 24 C-band and 24 Ku-band transponders, the first high-power HS 601 HP model satellite in PanAmSat's global fleet. The Sky DTH venture will use half of the Ku transponders to provide direct-to-home (DTH) services to Mexico.

PAS-5 provides a range of video distribution and telecommunications services throughout the Americas, with access to Europe. The satellite will also offer connectivity to the Asia-Pacific region through the company's teleport in Napa, Calif. This is the first PanAmSat satellite with a steerable spot beam for customized moveable coverage.

When orbital maneuvers and in-orbit testing are completed this month, the satellite will begin commercial operation at its final orbital location of 58 [degrees] west longitude. International Launch Services launched PAS-5 on a Proton rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

PAS-6, a Space Systems/Loral FS-1300 satellite, contains 36 Ku-band transponders. It is already sold out to Sky Latin America, a DTH television partnership. The satellite can deliver more than 360 digital television channels to Latin America, beginning transmission this month from its final orbital location, 43 [degrees] west longitude. Arianespace launched the satellite from the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana.

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