The SECOMS/ABATE project has demonstrated the technical and economic feasibility of a new generation of satellite systems that provide continent-wide, broadband, end-to-end services. The project has defined a modern connectivity system for moving huge volumes of digital contents 'point-to-point' and 'point-to-multi-point', at higher speeds than telephone lines and over a coverage area with a quality and cost never before achieved. Now the ITU-R is reference and standard model for the "Satellite System Offering MultiService" (SSOMS).
The system offers bandwidth-on-demand to service providers such as Telecom Operators, TV broadcasters and Internet Access Providers who can now expand their network structure and reach new markets.
SECOMS network offers a highly flexible platform for the provision of a wide range of services in five categories: messaging, retrieval, conversational uses, user-controlled distribution and interactive diffusion.
The network offers an aggregate capacity of several Gbps with a relatively low-cost geostationary satellite cluster. Thanks to the Network Operation Centre, capacity will be available on demand and billed on the basis of use. The on-board processor adopts an intelligent switching stage for selective routing of the data 'cells' under the control of the driving memory matrix updated at frame rate. A patent has been requested for this important on-board element.
Permanent or long-term circuit connections can be reserved as well. The terminals are PC-based with a very compact air interface. They will be able to receive several Mbps of data information and transmit at a speed typically 50 - 200 times higher than traditional cellular phones.
The first generation, using the 20/30 GHz frequency band, will be operational by 2002 - 2005. A second component, operational after 2005 and operating at 40/45 GHz, will support links with very small handheld terminals.
Project URL : http://www.euroskyway.alespazio.it/secoms.htm