Hitachi, Mitsubishi, Toyota and other Japanese companies plan to set up a joint venture in October to operate a satellite network offering advanced mobile data communications services beginning in 2008. The first launch is planned for 2007.
The Japanese government will provide $822 million in funding to develop and launch the satellites, while the private sector will operate the system and produce the transceivers.
The venture will compete with the Toshiba-led, 55-company, Mobile Broadcasting Corporation (MBC). The consortium's first MBSAT satellite, built by Space Systems/Loral, is set for launch in late 2003, with services beginning in early 2004. MBC will provide CD-quality audio and TV-quality video to mobile users.
Source: Flight International