Satellite launch heralds new era in broadband communications

A new age of broadband satellite communications was promised with the launch
of an Atlas 5 rocket from Cape Canaveral. The rocket was carrying a six-ton
satellite that will carry broadband capability to almost anywhere in the world.

Said to be one of the most sophisticated communications satellites ever
built, the Eurostar E3000 payload is the first in a new generation of satellites
that will support a new Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN). The company says
that once all three of the planned satellites are in position over the Earth,
they will be capable of delivering a wide range of communications services to
practically anywhere on the globe.

This means that remote and inaccessible areas of the planet along with ships
and planes will be able to access broadband quality services. Inmarsat, the
company behind BGAN envisions that not only will business travelers be able to
stay in touch wherever they are but also workers in remote areas like oil
exploration facilities or aid agencies can access networked services.

Among
the planned applications are Internet and intranet content and solutions,
video-on-demand, videoconferencing, fax, e-mail, phone and LAN access at speeds
up to 432kbit/s. BGAN is also said to be compatible with third-generation
cellular systems.

Andrew Sukawaty, Chairman and CEO of the Inmarsat said, 'The first two I-4
satellites will bring broadband communications to 86 percent of the

world. History has been made and the world has become closer through advanced
data communications.'

DQC NEWS BUREAU