Digital satellite networks in Europe

Digital satellite communications systems are being developed in Europe as a key element in upgrading existing telephony capabilities to accommodate the various data streams, e.g., facsimile, data files, voice, teleconferencing, etc., that are now necessary, desirable, and/or feasible. The Eutelsat organization is guiding efforts to establish the TDMA 14/11 GHz technologies. The OTS satellite was launched in 1978 to test the various capabilities and furnish data for defining ground equipment procedures and satellite configurations. The French Telecom 1 will be accessed by other European nations. The TELE-X DBS satellite is an experiment being launched by three Scandinavian countries. A preoperational Italian 30/20 GHz ITALSAT spacecraft is scheduled for 1988 launch. The ECS satellite, intended for an August 1984 launch, will cause the ECS-F1 satellite to be relegated to a role as a spare. At least four ECS satellites will be launched and will provide full services routed through 17 earth stations. Details of the traffic routing and operational procedures are explored.