A joint NASA-National Science Foundation study of global trends in satellite-telecommunications systems and technology warns that "unless the industry carefully plans some of its more specialised offerings, there may be a costly shake-out due to overcapacity".
More than 20 new satellite ventures offering specialised services, particularly the Ku-band, very-high-data-rate digital multi-media "Internet" satellites, have been announced this year, indicating the explosion of the international communications market.
The study warns that specialisation may not be as viable as first thought. It concludes that the satellite delivery of high-bandwidth services direct to consumers will succeed only if these are offered "before comparable terrestrial services become commonplace".
Source: Flight International
