Ubiquitous Broadband Access: A Low-Cost Satellite Solution

Satellites are uniquely qualified to ensure universal broadband access to the infrastructure, for the cost of access in all parts of Canada and US by broadband terrestrial systems— including telephone lines, coaxial cables, power-lines, and fixed wireless networks—would be prohibitive. Major advances in satellite technology on the one hand and market demand for small, low-cost high-speed user terminals and low servicesubscription fees on the other hand have helped pave the way for the introduction of direct-to-consumer satellite services. In view of the emerging large, powerful, versatile satellites and growing consensus among satellite service providers to offer the TV broadcast and high-speed interactive services both to the same user base, an advanced satellite system concept, which can integrate the distinct features of both Ku-band broadcast and Ka-band access satellites, while optimizing satellite resources, is proposed. This paper presents the baseline definition of this broadband satellite payload, and discusses all major aspects of the system design.