Considerations for satellites providing NII/GII integrated services using ACTS results

This paper discusses the vital role that satellites must perform to realize the vision of the NII/GII to provide universal service at an affordable cost. This vision can only be achieved by ensuring seamless interconnections between terrestrial and satellite systems so that the wealth of existing information available through the wired connections can be extended to reach the huge number of users all over the world that can be best connected only by satellite. Described are some of the results obtained to date using tests and demonstrations in the areas of voice telephony, ISDN, and broadband ISDN/ATM transmission conducted by means of ACTS. These results show the use of satellites in the NII/GII. Conclusions are reached for broadband ISDN/ATM services via satellites relative to voice, BER, efficiency, routing, and congestion. (Author)