SkyBridge LP, Alcatel SA’s data satellite venture, says it has come one step closer to launching its ambitious $4.2bn project after winning widespread support for its proposed frequency-sharing model. SkyBridge, which intends to launch its first stage in two years, wants to use the Ku-band frequencies of 10-18 GHz, currently heavily used by what SkyBridge strategic affairs VP Mark McGann describes as the American duopoly of Intelsat and Hughes Electronics Corp division PanAmSat Corp. SkyBridge argues that, as its 80 satellites will be using a non-geostationary orbital pattern, steering clear of the geostationary arc used by the two American firms, it can re-use the Ku frequency of the spectrum.
The World Radiocommunication Conference in 1997 (WRC-97) approved elements of SkyBridge’s proposed system, placing certain power flux density limits on systems which intended to share the Ku-band, and set up a task force within the International Telecommunications Union to look at the issues. In the final meeting last week of the ITU’s Joint Task Group 4-9-11, SkyBridge’s proposal was supported by the majority of those participating. McGann said: The only dissent came from the US, where the PanAmSat/Intelsat duopoly is based, and Israel. What follows now is increased lobbying of the 188-nation WRC-2000 to ensure that the ITU’s findings are implemented politically.
SkyBridge, when launched, hopes to provide ground-based regional service providers – telcos and ISPs – with broadband satellite bandwidth to resell. The firm is currently in talks with groups such as British Telecommunications Plc, AT&T Corp and France Telecom SA for exactly such deals, according to McGann. Further announcements are expected September.
