Broadband satellite systems such as Teledesic, Astrolink, Spaceway and Celestri will provide a global broadband infrastructure for IP services, according to a new report released by Pioneer Consulting titled “Satellite Data Networks: The Internet’s Next Frontier.”

Using newly available frequencies in the Ka-Band, these systems will provide broadband services in an efficient manner to all regions of the globe. The Ka-band has created the opportunity for satellites offering multimedia services to small antennas, eliminating the bottlenecks associated with telecommunications networks “last mile.”

“By the year 2000 at least three major Ka-Band satellite systems
will be in operation, offering IP services to businesses and consumers
on a uniform basis throughout the globe. Applications such as
high-speed Internet access, distance learning, telemedicine, and
virtual private networking will be facilitated at megabit speeds at a
cost that should be quite competitive with existing broadband services
in the U.S., and very competitive with those in Europe and Asia,” said
Scott Clavenna, the report’s author. “The nearly universal adoption of
IP as the foundation of corporate internetworking has created an
opportunity for satellite system developers to offer regional or
global broadband IP coverage, allowing users to create highly
versatile and flexible networks with one point of billing and
management.”

As the Internet expands globally from its present U.S.-centrism,
satellites will be the only telecommunications network infrastructure
to economically reach emerging markets, particularly those without
access to submarine fiber optic cable systems. For developed markets,
broadband satellites offer a complementary access option to existing
fiber optic and high-speed copper solutions, bringing broadband
capabilities to the mass market in the same way DBS has delivered
digital television. Because broadband satellites serve lucrative
business customers, this market has a potential to far outgrow the
DBS/Direct-to-Home market. By the year 2005, revenues from broadband
satellite services will reach $29.25 billion globally.

Year              Broadband Data Revenue
                  ($US Billions)
1998               0.05
1999               0.10
2000               0.30
2001               1.00
2002               3.70
2003              11.47
2004              19.50
2005              29.25

This report is presently available at a cost of $4,000. For a
table of contents, executive summary or other additional information,
visit Pioneer Consulting online.