Mobile Satellite Communication Networks

By Ray E. Sheriff and Y. Fun Hu

The last decade proved to be hugely successful for the mobile communications industry, characterized by continued and rapid growth in demand, spurred on by new technological advances and innovative marketing techniques. Of course, when we refer to mobile communications, we tend to implicitly refer to cellular systems, such as GSM. The plight of the mobile-satellite industry over the last decade, although eventful, has, at times, been more akin to an out of control roller coaster ride. From an innovative start, the industry is now in the process of re-assessing, if not re-inventing itself. While niche satellite markets have continued to grow steadily over the last 10 years, the significant market penetration derived from personal mobile services via satellite that was anticipated at the start of the decade has failed to materialize. With this in mind, it may seem like a strange time to bring out a book on mobile-satellite communication networks.