Message 14170122
Malone's plans for Actv lead directly to ISKY and the huge recurring revenues from interactive advertising, T commerce and database management.
What is iSKY?
iSKY, formerly KaSTAR Satellite Communications, is an Internet service launching in late 2001 that will deliver affordable broadband services via satellite to homes and small offices anywhere in the United States, Canada, and Latin America. This innovative company was founded to accelerate consumer access to broadband.
What will the service cost? Top of Page
Exact pricing will be finalized nearer to our late 2001 service launch. Our equipment will be comparably priced to digital satellite TV equipment. iSKY will feature an affordable flat monthly fee for unlimited high-speed access to the Internet. Developed from the customer up, iSKY is being built with affordability a key consideration in every technological and business decision.
How fast is this service? How does it compare to cable and DSL? Top of Page
We can offer up to 40 Mbps of downstream speed. Our initial consumer service will be comparable to cable modems with download speeds of 1.5 Mbps ‚ 30 times faster than today's 56k telephone dial-up modem speeds ‚ and 0.5Mbps upstream.
What does two-way communication mean to consumers? Top of Page
iSKY's two-way capability means customers do not need an additional phone line or ISP (Internet Service Provider). iSKY's wireless service will carry the data in both directions, upstream and downstream.
When and where will the service be available? Top of Page
Beginning in late 2001, iSKY's first two satellites will serve all of North America and Latin America. iSKY forecasts that 25 to 30 million American households, and 70 to 80 million Latin American households, will not have access to other broadband solutions when we roll out our service. Because of the cost to upgrade cable plant and telephone central offices for DSL (Digital Subscriber Line), it is not economical to reach some suburban and rural locations with cable modem or DSL technologies. As the Internet becomes more and more indispensable for most Americans, consumers will seek out high-speed Internet access directly from iSKY or through an iSKY distribution partner.
What will the installation process be like? Top of Page
An easy installation process is a top priority. iSKY's customers will have the option for simple self-installation or the use of an iSKY installation provider. Our professionally certified installers will have you up and running very quickly. A thorough orientation to the service will be provided at the time of installation.
What will the iSKY equipment package include? Top of Page
The package will include one dish and one modem. The dish is only 26 inches, similar to a DBS dish, and can be easily mounted on your home or small office on the roof or an outside wall. The small modem will use proven standards-based technology designed to be low-cost and easy-to-install. This one set of consumer equipment will support up to 8 connections within a home. Everyone in the home can be connected at the same time using iSKY's high-speed access to the Internet.
Do customers have to have a phone line in addition to the satellite connection? Top of Page
No. Unlike current Internet via satellite offerings, iSKY uses two-way high-speed transmission. An additional phone line and/or ISP is a thing of the past with iSKY.
How reliable is this service? Top of Page
iSKY.net's Ka-band, GEO satellites are designed with reliability in mind, and should be comparable to satellite TV reliability. This reliability has been modeled by the NASA Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS) launched in September 1993.
Will you offer other broadband services including interactive TV? Top of Page
iSKY.net's first offering will be a high-speed, 2-way Internet via satellite application. iSKY.net envisions a future with individuals using PCs, TVs and other Internet-enabled smart devices to communicate with the world and receive critical information on a routine basis in the home or at work quickly and easily. Email and eCommerce are reaching maturity and other broadband services including interactive TV are quickly becoming a reality. We have designed our technology to keep our options open for future changes.
How will the iSKY service be distributed? Top of Page
We will offer the iSKY service through several distribution channels including local, national and Internet- based retailers. For example, the iSKY service will be sold through EchoStar's 23,000 retail network in the U.S.
What is involved with the iSKY/EchoStar partnership? Top of Page
iSKY and EchoStar are in a partnership to offer consumers the first bundled satellite TV and satellite broadband service when we launch next year. iSKY and EchoStar are jointly developing a single dish and single box that will support EchoStar's DISH Network satellite TV service and iSKY's high-speed data service. We will offer consumers the best satellite TV and the best satellite broadband service with one sales process, one installation, and one set of equipment. This joint equipment will be sold through EchoStar's 23,000 retailers in the U.S. EchoStar owns approximately 12% of iSKY with the ability to increase that to approximately 21% through achieving iSKY customer sales targets.
Who is building your satellites and what makes them unique? Top of Page
iSKY.net selected Space Systems/Loral as the prime satellite contractor for construction of its first satellite. iSKY.net will deploy "bent pipe" satellites initially. Future satellites may have advanced on-board processing allowing increased flexibility and capacity efficiency.
What are your orbital locations and what does this mean? Top of Page
On May 8, 1997 the FCC assigned iSKY Ka-Band (20 to 30 GHz), fixed-satellite service (FSS) licenses at orbital locations of 73° west longitude and 109.2° west longitude. iSKY also has the exclusive commercial license to the Ka-band capacity on the TeleSat ANIK F2 satellite at 111.1°west longitude. iSKY's first phase will include the deployment of one satellite for each of these slots that will reach all of North, Central and South America. iSKY also has FCC applications filed for Europe and Asia, and plans to roll out service to these geographies as these licenses are granted.
What is Ka-band and how does it compare to other options? Top of Page
Ka-band stands for the Ka-band frequency. It operates at 20 to 30 GHz. The use of Ka-band frequencies, narrow spot beams and wide bandwidth transponders provide a capability that no previous satellites have had the ability to carry digital communication signals two-way, at broadband data rates.
There is one Ka-band satellite operating in the U.S. today. It is the NASA Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS) launched in September 1993 and located at 100° west latitude. The ACTS program has proven the viability of two-way broadband via satellite.
Will 2 dishes be needed if someone already has a satellite TV dish? Top of Page
No. Because of its strategic 109.2° and 111.1° orbital locations, iSKY.net can offer a "one dish solution." Customers can use one iSKY.net 26" dish to receive both iSKY.net high-speed Internet access and either of the 2 U.S. satellite TV services (DirecTV® and DISH®).
Who is launching your satellites? Top of Page
iSKY has formed a strategic alliance with Arianespace for the launch of iSKY's first two satellites, iSKY-1 and iSKY-2. iSKY-1 will launch in the third quarter of 2001 and iSKY-2 will launch in mid 2002. Arianespace holds more than 50 percent of the world market for launching satellites to geostationary orbit. Arianespace has demonstrated exceptional reliability with 52 successful satellite launches in a row. As part of the launch agreement, Arianespace is providing iSKY over $100 million in construction and long-term financing.
Is iSKY a public company? Top of Page
No. iSKY is a private company with no immediate plans to go public. If we do decide to go public, we will announce that information as appropriate in a public forum.
Will iSKY support all platforms i.e. Macintosh, Linux, Solaris? Top of Page
iSKY is planning on being able to support all platforms including Macintosh, Linux, Solaris and Windows. Basically the iSKY system will work no differently than a typical LAN.
Will iSKY offer service in Hawaii or Alaska? Top of Page
Not immediately. iSKY1 will cover the continental United States when we launch next year. However, future satellites may provide service to these areas.
Will iSKY service Canada? Top of Page
Any service in Canada is subject to regulation by Industry Canada. At this point, iSKY has not petitioned for rights to provide service in Canada. However, this may occur in the future.
Will iSKY provide global service? Top of Page
The iSKY1 and iSKY2 satellites will serve the North American continent. Future global coverage is possible and is being reviewed.
Will iSKY be accessible to RV users? Top of Page
iSKY will be accessible to RV travelers. Our high speed Internet satellite dish will function similar to satellite TV, such that the RV must be parked and the dish pointed toward the appropriate satellite.
Will I be able to use my current satellite TV dish for iSKY? Top of Page
No. iSKY does plan to provide a one-dish solution, whereby with one iSKY mini dish, our customers will be able to receive both high-speed data and TV simultaneously over the same dish.
If you have any more questions, please contact us.
iSKY headquarters: 4600 South Syracuse, Suite 5000, Denver, Colorado 80237
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