The development of the Intelsat network has caused a revolution in international communications for most countries and particularly those in the developing world. The high growth rates in international communications have resulted in a new satellite generation every few years, which use progressively more advanced technology in both the space and Earth segment. However, Intelsat VI may be the end of the trend to ever larger, more complex satellites. Satellites were unable to compete effectively with Europe’s highly developed terrestrial network. However, European Governments took a view not only on the need for cheap communications but also the need to develop a capability in the field of satellite communications that would equip industry for the massive world markets foreseen for the future. The result was ECS, a regional communications Satellite system for Europe that will go into service within a few months and will be used well into the 1990s.
Radiowave propagation on microwave links in tropical regions: A key element in the future of satellite communications?