A Survey of Future Broadband Multimedia Satellite Systems, Issues and Trends

The demand for advanced information services is growing in terms of both the number of users and the services to be supported. Voice and low-rate data services are insufficient for users in a world where high-speed World Wide Web access is taken granted. The trend is toward global information networks offering flexible multimedia information services to users on demand, anywhere, anytime. Potential services include video on demand, interactive video, fast Internet access, telemedicine, tele-education, and large file transfer. The need to support bandwidthintensive multimedia services places new and challenging demands on satellite systems and networks. Flexibility, efficiency, mobility, and the ability to guarantee end-to-end quality of service are at a premium.