Space For All - The HobbySpace Log

Globalstar allowed a terrestrial backup

Like the satellite radio services, Globalstar will now be able to supplement its space communications system with a terrestrial component: Globalstar is Granted FCC Authority for the Implementation Of Ancillary Terrestrial Component Or ATC: Approval paves way for Globalstar to offer seamless satellite/terrestrial wireless solutions for government and industry - Globalstar - Jan.23.06. This will, for example, prevent satellite mobile phone disconnections in a city when buildings block transmissions with a satellite.

01/23/06 10:44 AM | Posted by TopSpacer | Category SatCom

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New satellites for mobile communications announced [Update]

I've noted here several times over the past year or so that the mobile satellite communications industry seemed to be in the process of a comeback after the initially disastrous introductions of Iridium, Globalstar, and other systems. Today there arrived a sign that the strength of that comeback is growing: Boeing Announces Largest Satellite Contract in Nine Years with Mobile Satellite Ventures - Boeing - Jan.11.06

[Update Jan.13.05: Motley Fool has caveats about the deal: Boeing's Risky Win - Motley Fool - Janu.12.06]

01/11/06 10:01 PM | Posted by TopSpacer | Category SatCom

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SatCom industry and hybrid networks

I thought I would report a bit more about the satcom industry and companies that are using a new hybrid approach. As noted here many times, there is a modest resurgence occuring in the satellite industry after a few rough years that included major bankruptcies (e.g. Iridium, Globalstar, ICO) and a severe slowdown in new ventures and launches.

The low earth orbit satellite phone constellation systems Iridium and Globalstar have made a comeback as privately held companies. For example, see Iridium's latest announcement: Iridium Signs Service Provider Agreement with China Spacecom - Iridium - Dec.12.05 and Globalstar's Globalstar Receives Us Government Approval To Proceed With Launch Plans For Spare Satellites - Globalstar - Dec.7.05

Inmarsat just began offering broadband internet via a new GEO satellite:

BGAN Begins - TelecomWeb - Dec.8.05 * Inmarsat announces launch of BGAN service - Inmarsat - Dec.7.05. Several other companies like Starband and Wildblue are also offering satellite broadband. Despite the spread of DSL and cable internet, there are still millions of people in rural areas without such connections available. Satellite broadband can also be used for RVs, boats, etc.

A new approach that seems to be gaining popularity involves a combination of satellite and terrestrial transmission systems. This hybrid concept was pioneered by the satellite radio companies who use terrestrial transmitters as backups in areas where satellite signals are blocked or weak, e.g. in cities with high buildings, long tunnels, etc.

There are now plans by several companies to use hybrid networks to build mobile satellite service (�MSS�) systems that provide phone, data, Internet, etc. The receivers will seamlessly switch between sat and ground signals according to strength and availablity. Such systems would obviously be ideal during major disaster situations like hurricanes and earthquakes when ground systems often go down for long periods.

MSV Mobile Satellite is one company that is pursuing the MSS market. For a survey of the field, see their ATC Primer (pdf) , where ATC refers to Ancillary Terrestrial Component.

ICO North America, owned by ICO Global, has raised nearly $600M to go after the MSS market and has now gotten spectrum for it: FCC Assigns 20 MHz Of Spectrum To ICO Satellite Services - ICO Communications - Dec.12.05. ICO North America says that it is

a next-generation mobile satellite service (�MSS�) operator with an opportunity to offer ubiquitous satellite and terrestrial wireless services throughout the United States. The Federal Communications Commission (�FCC�) has authorized MSS operators to use MSS spectrum terrestrially to provide integrated mobile satellite-terrestrial service offerings. The Company is building an advanced hybrid satellite-terrestrial system (�Hybrid System�) designed to provide voice, data and Internet services with handsets similar to existing cellular phones. This system is expected to enable the Company to offer integrated satellite and terrestrial mobile services and is expected to be operational in July 2007.

All of this activity is good news for the comsat industry but whether it merely stablizes the situation or results in a significant expansion (and more payloads for hard-hit launch companies) remains to be seen.

12/13/05 10:52 AM | Posted by TopSpacer | Category SatCom

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A solution to the "there's nothing on" problem...

I've mentioned here that C-Band satellite reception was a space hobby that led to a multi-billion dollar industry. Most Direct-to-Home satellite TV these days, however, is via the small-dish Ku band digital systems. However, some people still like lots of both big and small dish TV: Dishing it out: Man beams 5,000 radio, TV channels with a dozen satellite receivers
- The Register-Herald - Nov.27.05. (Via
Boing Boing:).

Is this what Arthur C. Clarke had in mind?

11/29/05 11:09 PM | Posted by TopSpacer | Category SatCom

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