[ FCC in Sky ] Steve,
Never a dull moment. And it's a Very Big Pie !!
Ray
FCC Creates New Frequency Allocation for Stratospheric Internet Service
PR Newswire - May 06, 1997 18:44
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WASHINGTON, May 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Sky Station International, Inc. ("SSI"),
the world leader in stratospheric telecommunications, announced today that the
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) had approved use of its technology in
the 47 GHz frequency band. Stratospheric telecommunications technology uses
"Sky Stations(TM)" located 21 kilometers above the earth to provide millions
of wireless high-speed Internet links directly to consumer laptop and desktop
computers. The FCC decision is the first governmental approval ever given for
stratospheric telecommunication service.
"We are absolutely elated that the FCC shares our enthusiasm about the
unique benefits of stratospheric communications," said Alexander P. Haig,
President and Chief Operating Officer of SSI. "This decision marks the
beginning of a new age of high speed Internet service directly to personal and
portable multimedia devices, wherever they may be."
The Sky Station system provides wireless T1 (1.5 Mbps) links directly to
laptop and personal computers. This kind of high speed Internet service may
be used for portable videophone and Web TV applications. SSI is able to
accomplish its personal T1 service because of the ultra-high channel capacity
available in metropolitan areas only from a stratospheric altitude.
The FCC noted that its decision enables the offering of "services
utilizing networks of geostationary stratospheric platforms" and fosters
"the development of new communications services that will benefit American
consumers." The Sky Station user terminals will cost about US$l00 and a small
Stratus(TM) PCMCIA card can be used to upgrade existing laptop computers to
become high speed Internet terminals.
The Sky Station system is being built by an international consortium of
companies including Finmeccanica S.p.A. Alenia Aerospace of Italy, Thomson-CSF
Communications of France, Scale Composites Inc. of the United States,
Lindstrand Balloons Ltd, of the United Kingdom and Spar Aerospace of Canada.
The system is scheduled to commence service in the year 2000.
SOURCE Sky Station International, Inc.
CONTACT: Therese Fergo, Director of International Development of Sky
Station International, 202-518-0900; fax, 202-518-0802; e-mail,
tfergo@skystation.com; or Internet, skystation.com |
