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Good Technology, Bad Management

Abstract

Over the last few years the use of satellite phones has been on the increase, they are now
cheaper and more available than ever, however, this has not made it any easier for the
consumer. Still satellite phones are not available in the market due to their cost.
I am using the word cheaper due to the advancement in technology and now in Pakistan all
companies launched 3G and some of them have launched 4G technology. This is the new era
for satellite technology.
Introduction


The commonly used mobile phones use wireless networks for communication but they have
limited bandwidths and confine to limited area. All the mobile phones present in this area are
connected through the antenna and the base stations present in these regions. Whereas by
using satellite phones we connect by using a satellite at any place located on the earth.
Iridium satellite service is the most commonly used satellite communication. In this
communication service we find three types of handsets available and each has different
features. The other service type is global star communication service which can cover up to a
range of 700 miles and it uses code division multiple access technique.
Inmarsat is the previously used satellite communication service which used four geostationary
satellites for its communication. Thuraya satellite services are used in areas where we find
limited GSM services and these services have very high quality voice services.
Overview of satellite phone

When the user initiates a call on a satellite capable handset, the nearest satellite picks up the
call and authenticates the users through the nearest gateway on the earth. If the destination
phone is part of the public switched telephone network (PSTN), the call is routed to the nearest
gateway and consecutive PSTN. If the destination phone is another satellite handset, the call
routing occurs through satellites only, which increases transmission efficiency and quality.

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Popular satellite systems

Three satellite systems that have gained wide spread popularity are Inmarsat, Iridium and
Global star. Although they are all attempting to meet the same demand, they each go about
this in different ways. What follows is a basic overview of some of their strengths and
weaknesses.

Inmarsat
The first mobile satellite system to be conceived, is a great example of how the technology has
emerged from a niche market and been made available to all. Originally designed for the
maritime industry, they now have over 100,000 registered satellite phone terminals.
Iridium
Probably the most famous, or rather notorious, of the satellite systems on the market. They
very publicly went bankrupt in 1999; one year after the service was launched. However,
Motorola Inc. stepped in and settled their debts.
Global star
They envisioned their customers as people who were working on the fringes of cellular
networks, crossing in and out of coverage areas. Therefore they designed a handset that would
work on both the cellular AMPS and CDMA networks and, the Global star network.
Causes of failure

Unfortunately, despite the brilliance of the technology and the team behind its design and
marketing, expectations had changed since 1987. People expected their phone to be
lightweight, usable inside buildings and the calls to be relatively cheap. Iridium phones were
heavy (not suitable for carrying in a pocket), as they needed powerful batteries, and they didnt
work inside buildings, costing around A$10 per minute. In parallel, the demand, anticipated by
the original Iridium creators, was slowly being met by a advent of portable mobile phones. 1G
cellular telecoms have been launched by NET in Japan in 1979. However, the dawn of mobile
phones came with the launch of 2G systems such as GSM in 1990s and still ubiquitous around
the world. By then, the market for satellite phones was estimated at 2-3% of the mobile-phone
market and there were other companies (Global star, ICO, and Ellipso) are chasing the same
(satellite) customers. That is why this technology is failed.


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Conclusion

This information is not intended as a definitive guide to satellite phones. Rather, it is meant as a
brief introduction to some of what is available. As you can see from the three examples
highlighted, there is not one all-encompassing system that can outperform its rivals in all areas.
Each has certain strengths and certain weaknesses.
If you decide that you need to use a satellite phone, you need to decide which satellite network
is best for you. You must assess what functions are most valuable to you. Do you need total
global coverage? Do you need the ability to send and receive data? Do you want something
that is easy to carry?
Once you are clear in your head what you expect from satellite communication then you are
able to make your decision from a more informed and confident position.
References

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iridium_satellite_constellation
http://spectrum.ieee.org/riskfactor/computing/it/toyotas-sudden-unintended-acceleration-
caused-in-part-by-electronic-interference
http://www.solarstorms.org/Sscope.html
http://www.bluecosmo.com/satellite-phone-faqs/