Other Important Mobile Satellite Communications Systems

This chapter examines several satellite systems that offer services relevant to any examination of mobile satellite communications systems. O3b, which stands for the term ‘other three billion,’ is a privately owned business headquartered in the Channel Islands of Great Britain and was founded in 2007. Mobile or remote O3b satellite terminals will consist of tracking dish antennas of around 1.8–4.5 m/6–15 ft with associated electronics. The integration of SkyTerra's frequency allocations and licenses into LightSquared set the stage for a major, highly visible conflict with the global positioning satellite (GPS) community over the use by LightSquared of its ancillary terrestrial component (ATC) authority in the United States. The mobile terminals were initially provided by Ericsson, after which they were procured and provided to customers directly by Asian Cellular Satellite (ACeS). The Mexsat's mobile services are designed to address military, civil government, disaster relief, and commercial markets.