I-CO
I-CO Global Communication's system will cost about $2.6 billion for both the space and ground network, and it is expected to begin service in 1999/2000. It will use ten operational satellites, weighing 1,925kg, with 6.3kW power, in 10,400km circular orbits in two planes, providing about 160 beams from each satellite and a simultaneous call-capacity of 30,000. Hughes won the $1.3 billion deal for 12 satellites, including two spares. I-CO satellites relay calls between the user and a Satellite Access Node (SAN) within the satellite's view. Twelve SANs are interconnected using terrestrial systems to form the P-Net network, linked through gateways owned and operated by third parties. The contract for the construction of the SAN Earth stations is expected to be awarded to Ericsson/NEC/Nera or Hughes Network Systems, supported by Nokia. Some 38 national telecommunications companies are backing I-CO which has so far raised $1.4 billion. The dual-mode handsets are likely to be manufactured by Ericsson, Nokia and NEC and will cost between $500 and $1,000 once the network is running. Initial, first-generation handsets may cost more than $1,500. Calls will cost about $2 per minute.
Odyssey
TRW, in conjunction with Canada's Teleglobe, is developing the $2.5 billion Odyssey system. The companies have provided $150 million, but have yet to find the further 85% needed. There will be 12, 1,950kg, 2.5kW satellites (plus two spares), possibly operational by 1999, orbiting in MEO in three planes at 50¡ inclination, and 10,354km circular altitude. The spacecraft will provide 37 beams and a 36,000 call-capacity. Odyssey provides dual-satellite coverage worldwide. The MEO system needs only eight Earth stations for global coverage. TRW claims that Odyssey, being relatively simple, will be the cheapest system. On average, calls will cost less than $1 a minute worldwide and a 0.5W handset will cost between $500 and $700, plus a $24 monthly subscriber fee.
Iridium
Iridium was the first global mobile-satellite project to be proposed (in 1990), and the biggest. The final bill will be some $3.4 billion, of which £1.6 billion has already been raised by Iridium and major investor, Motorola. A $300 million public offering for further funding was withdrawn after an unfavourable bond rating.
Another major partner, Lockheed Martin, is building the satellites. It has a $700 million contract to build 125 spacecraft buses. Other main investors include Nippon Iridium with 19 Japanese companies; Iridium India, with a $70 million investment; Raytheon; China Great Wall Industry; and Russia's Khrunichev. There will be 66, 700kg, 1.2kW satellites rather than the 77 originally planned. Eleven, and one orbit spare, will be placed in 672km circular orbits, covering six orbital planes, providing 48 spot beams within each satellite's footprint. The satellites - with on-board processing and inter-satellite links - will provide 100% global coverage and will be interconnected and linked to the terrestrial public telephone networks by about 15 gateways at service introduction. Low power handsets will initially cost $2,500-$3,000, although volume production will reduce this figure later. Calls will cost $3 a minute.
Globalstar
This $1.9 billion project, founded by Loral and Qualcomm, will operate a 48-satellite low-Earth-orbit (LEO) constellation, plus eight spares, from 1,406km, 52¡ inclination orbits in eight planes. So far, $484 million has been raised. Each 450kg, 1kW satellite will have 16 channels, with a capacity of 64,000 calls. They are being built by Space Systems/Loral, Aerospatiale, Alcatel, Alenia Spazio, DASA, and Hyundai of South Korea. The first satellites will be launched by Delta, Zenit and Long March boosters, starting in 1997. Initial services with 24 satellites will start in 1998, with full coverage in 1999, when positive cash flows are expected. Globalstar expects revenues of $1.6 billion from 2.7 million subscribers by 2002. By 2012, it expects 16 million subscribers to be returning revenues worth $9.3 billion.
Globalstar is selling access to its system via a worldwide network of exclusive communications services providers. So far there are 42 in 53 countries, including strategic partners, AirTouch, France Telecom/Alcatel, Finmeccanica, Dacon and Vodafone. Calls costs will vary according to local conditions but are expected to be under $1 a minute. First-generation handsets will weigh about 400g and cost $750. Second generation handsets will be available after 2000. Fixed remote-site phone booths, will cost $1,000 to $2,000.
Source: Flight International
