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Advantages

We are seeing a paradigm shift in which our media are going digital. Satellite communication has a natural role in this development. Television via satellite is an alternative to other forms of distribution and offers far greater capacity than terrestrial television, for example. Where broadband is concerned, satellite is complementary to other forms of distribution and can quickly and simply offer services in geographical areas where it is not economical or practical to implement cable and/or fibre solutions. A more detailed description of the potential and development of communication satellites in their respective fields of application is set out below.

One of the advantages of satellite distribution is that many receivers spread over a wide area can be reached at the same time. Television transmissions are an example of this. Another advantage is that satellites are independent of the infrastructure on the ground. In areas where terrestrial networks are absent or inadequate, satellite is the only option for various types of communication. With satellites, full-scale services can be established as soon as the satellite is in position. When transmissions start, the entire coverage area is reached immediately. Other forms of distribution, such as terrestrial networks, take far longer to construct. Customers save money by being able to introduce their service earlier and by reaching a larger target group right from the outset.

Satellite distribution can reach users who live in the most remote areas without the need for further capital outlay. Extending terrestrial networks to sparsely populated areas, on the other hand, is not economically justifiable when the number of potential users is small. That is why cable television networks, mobile phone networks and broadband do not currently extend to areas with low population density. This is unlikely to happen in the foreseeable future either. Another positive aspect of communication satellites is that they are "environment-friendly". All transmitters, receivers and other electronic equipment on a satellite run on solar power. That is why satellites have solar panels. A satellite carries a certain amount of fuel which is used only to maintain its position in space.