A European view of DBS

Reference is made to comparative studies showing that the cost of a direct television broadcasting satellite system would be between one-half and one-quarter that of an equivalent terrestrial one. Estimates for the cost of an adapter for use with a conventional television receiver to make possible direct reception from a satellite vary between 75 and 175 pounds sterling. It is pointed out that national beams could be used together to make possible Europe-wide television programs. The bandwidth of a satellite television channel can capacitate 16 monophonic radio channels or eight stereo ones. The 'Geneva Plan', produced by the World Administrative Conference for Broadcasting Satellites in 1977, is discussed. In this plan, an antenna with a reflector of 0.9 m diameter and a receiver with a given noise factor were assumed. Technological advances now promise receivers with lower noise factors. With a high-performance receiver, programs from a given country will be susceptible of reception well beyond the contours laid down in the plan.