Proposed U.S. multimedia satellites

Several new satellite systems operating at Ka-band or V-band have been proposed which would provide global or nearly global service and are intended primarily for the distribution of multimedia. The completion of any of these systems would contribute greatly to establishment of the Global Information Infrastructure (GII). Within the USA the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) conducted a rule-making for proponents of new Ka-band systems. Fourteen applicants filed for systems, including such large companies as Hughes, Motorola, AT&T, and OE Americom. Thirteen applications were for geostationary systems, and one (Teledesic) was for a system operating in low-Earth orbit (LEO). AT&T subsequently withdrew its filing, and Motorola has recently filed for a new system (Celestri), thereby modifying its original proposal. Seven of these systems offering global or nearly global service are reviewed.