Non‐Inmarsat Geostationary Mobile Satellite Communications Systems

This chapter examines geostationary (GEO, geosynchronous equatorial orbit) mobile satellite communications systems other than Inmarsat's. Non‐Inmarsat GEO mobile satellite communications systems operate at both the L‐band, generally the frequency band designated for mobile satellite services (MSS), and the Ku‐band, which has been generally designated for fixed satellite services (FSS). OmniTRACS reports that it has integrated terrestrial wireless data services with its satellite data services so that users can switch from satellite to terrestrial radio links depending on the circumstances and user's requirements. The Thuraya satellites operate in the L‐ and S‐bands for mobile communications and in the C‐ and S‐bands for communications between the satellites and the hub earth station, or gateway. INTELSAT was formed as a treaty‐based organization in which countries participated in two levels: at the government level, called Parties, and at a telecommunications service provider level, called Signatories.