Satellite Internet Forum 2002
Conference Agenda
Wednesday, December 4

8:00 am

Workshop A: Building a Highly Efficient Internet-over-Satellite Network

D.C. Palter
Vice President
Mentat, Inc.

The TCP/IP protocols that are used to transfer data over computer networks are not optimized for satellite link conditions and can suffer severe performance limitations. Fortunately, a variety of solutions are available to overcome these limitations and offer connectivity over satellite comparable in performance to terrestrial options.

This workshop is designed to provide a foundation for understanding the basic design of TCP/IP, explain the causes of its limitations in the satellite environment and review the different approaches for overcoming these limitations, with particular emphasis on protocol gateways and multicasting. Topics that will be covered include:

Describe the design of TCP/IP

Explain the causes and limitations of TCP in a satellites environment.

Discuss the following approaches to improving satellite network performance:

• Enhancements and modifications to TCP/IP
• Alternative satellite protocols
• Spoofing Protocol Gateways (TCP-PEP)
• Caching
• Data compression

Focus on protocol gateways and how they overcome the TCP limitations.

Discuss how multicast technology can be used to take advantage of the broadcast nature of satellite networks.

• Multicast vs. unicast and broadcast
• Multicast on the terrestrial network
• Solutions for reliable multicast
• Multicast Fan-Out

12:00 noon

Luncheon

1:00 pm

Workshop B: New Dimensions in Broadband Satellite Communications

Roger Rusch
President
TelAstra, Inc.

Broadband services will transform the world, but the telecommunications industry has encountered a major investment slowdown. Broadband satellite service is starting slower than expected. Satellite ventures are suspect after several business failures in the past few years. Some of the new broadband initiatives have excellent prospects, but are having difficulty-securing funding. Because of past difficulties it is more difficult to win investors for new initiatives. Several projects have paused and others have terminated. We must now consider new business models and build a case for investment in sound proposals. Investors can be impressed by the potential profit of the broadband projects, but the financial case must be credible and compelling.

The purpose of this workshop is to realistically examine the situation today and assemble techniques for preparing and evaluating satellite business plans. The day will begin with a look at the forces shaping the broadband satellite industry. We will discuss what has happened and what we must do to win over investors. Next, there will be a review of issues: Market demand predictions. Why have some estimates been highly inaccurate? What methods provide better predictions? Competitive Alternatives: Who is the customer? Is broadband satellite a stand-alone business or should it be part of television broadcasting? Regulatory issues. What rules or laws could limit profits?

This workshop will primarily deal with the practical elements of building a business case. The sessions provide tools and techniques for testing the validity or credibility of each element of the pro forma. It is designed to examine the defining elements of the program. Examples will be taken from current programs. Among the aspects which will be reviewed are:

Design Alternatives. Satellite constellations, service quality, link margins, rain fading, elevation angles, time delay (latency), and onboard processing. Computation of satellite capacity. How much capacity is needed for the average user? Capital cost estimates for satellites, launch vehicles, and insurance. What tools are available to estimate costs and anticipate overruns? Program development schedules. How long will it really take to build a system? Operational cost for satellite systems. What does it cost to operate satellites? How many satellites will need to be replaced due to failures? Service provider costs. What cost does the service provider have? How much of the retail revenue goes to the service provider and how much goes to the satellite operator? Expenses for equity and debt. What returns do equity partners expect? What interest rates are paid for project debt financing? Revenue ramp up. How rapidly will customers adopt the service? Earth terminal costs. What factors determine the terminals cost and acceptability?

Workshop Topics:

Market Vision

• Forces Shaping the Industry
• The Mobile Satellite Problem
• Satellite Market Segments
• Benefits of Satellite Services
• Value Added Chain

Growth & Demand Projections

Regulatory Access

System Architecture

Networking Break

Elements of the Pro Forma

• Capacity Calculations
• Capital Cost Estimates
• Program Development Schedules
• Operational Costs
• Service Provider Costs

Winning Customers

• Financing a Start-up Venture
• Service Pricing
• Revenue Ramp-up
• Sales & Distribution
• Equity markets

About Your Workshop Leader:

TelAstra, Inc. is a technical management-consulting firm dedicated to universal communications service. The company counsels service operators, system producers, and investors in business and financial aspects of the telecommunications industry. The firm has published comprehensive records of the cost, schedule, technical, and operational performance of all the communications satellites built and launched. The company has performed due diligence for clients and published four editions of Financial and Business Evaluation of New Multimedia Satellite Systems.

Roger Rusch is a pioneer in the satellite communications industry with 39 years of contributions to space technology. He has been responsible for the management of all aspects of satellite manufacturing including design, systems engineering, production, testing, and business development. He has held senior positions at Hughes Space and Communications Group, Space Systems / Loral (then Ford Aerospace), and TRW.

Who Should Attend:

The workshop has been prepared for a wide range of professions in the satellite communications industry including system sponsors, financial analysts, program managers, systems engineers, suppliers of components and earth terminals and other investors in satellite communications projects.