BTopenworld satellite broadband from concept to launch

BTopenworld is one of the first mass market UK Internet service providers (ISP) to grasp the challenge which is currently facing the satellite communication industry, namely the migration from providing traditional trunk connections and broadcasting into the emerging field of delivering local access Internet services. This paper reviews the commercial drivers from both the ISP and end customer perspective surrounding the delivery of broadband Internet and multimedia services via satellite, including positioning of such services in relation to existing and future broadband terrestrial offerings. An explanation of the various technological solutions that presently exist to deliver such services is then given, for example the relative merits of hybrid and two way satellite solutions and the use of performance enhancing proxies to enhance the end user Internet browsing experience. This paper specifically draws on the real life experiences gained from taking the BTopenworld broadband satellite service from concept to launch and also covers, for example, VSAT licensing and local planning aspects.