IP services over satellite platforms

Although satellite data services have been available for quite some time, the costs associated had restricted their adoption to corporate customers with very specific needs. However, factors like the surge in demand for Internet connectivity and the development of low-cost DVB receivers have re-activated the interest in providing data services over satellite. As a result, a number of competitors have (or will shortly) entered the IP over satellite market offering differently packaged services. BT Satellite Systems have been involved in the development of ways to provide IP services over satellite networks and have investigated a number of technologies (ATM, DVB, ...) and network architectures (bi-directional satellite links, one-way satellite link plus terrestrial return, ...). This paper reviews the work carried out by Satellite Systems to date and explores the new business opportunities offered by the use of DVB platforms.