Several different types of global satellite communications systems are in various stages of development. Each system, either planned or existing, has a unique configuration optimized to support a unique business plan based on the services offered and the markets targeted.
In the last few years more than 60 global systems have been proposed to meet the growing demand for international communications services. More are being planned and these are in addition to a large number of new regional systems.
Some of the global systems intend to provide global phone service, filling in where ground-based wireless systems leave off or providing seamless connectivity between different systems. Others intend to provide global data connectivity, either for low-cost short message applications such as equipment monitoring, or for high-speed Internet access anywhere in the world.
The global phone systems will target two very different markets. The first is the international business user, who want the ability to use a single mobile wireless phone anywhere in the world. This is impossible today on terrestrial systems because mobile phone standards are different from region to region. The second market is unserved and underserved communities where mobile and even basic telecommunications services are unavailable.
Because global and regional satellite systems are relatively new in non-military communications, these market approaches still are untested and it is likely that economics, user acceptance rates, technical difficulties and other factors will cause adjustments in the business plans of many of these systems.
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