Air Surfing The Internet Via Low-Orbit Satellites
Ray Van Eng (05/09/96)
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has accepted an application
from Sky Station International to build a global network of wireless stations
or platforms which hover at 100,000 feet above major metropolitan areas
to enable the transmission of broadband video and Internet world wide web
communication services.
According to Martine Rothblatt, spokesperson for Sky Station, more than 20 organizations from around the world ranging from world banks and medical institutions have advised FCC of their interest of such a technology. "These platforms are similar to satellites, except that they are much closer to the earth and can thereby provide computerized images directly to portable cellular phone-like devices." Rothblatt said. The platforms will be powered by a new propulsion system invented by Dr. Alfred Wong, that will keep these devices in a stationary position irrespective of the earth rotation inside the 'stratosphere' for a period of up to ten years. Besides being Sky Station's chief scientist, Dr. Wong is also the head of the plasma physics department at UCLA in California. "World Wide Web and other video communications services would be marketed at a price of ten cents per minute to consumers in various countries through joint ventures with existing telecommunications companies," Rothblatt said. A total equity investment of $800 million will be needed to finance the construction of 250 platforms and the associated ground stations. The company's objective is to first get the radio frequency allocation in 1997, and with the expected approval from FCC, the first platform could be launched as early as 1999. Sky Station hopes to have all major metropolitan areas around the world hooked up by the year 2001 and the rest of the globe by 2004. |
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