Satellite Internet Forum 2002
Conference Agenda
Friday, December 6

8:00 am

Conference Begins
Chair's Opening Remarks

Steve Blum
President
Tellus Venture Associates

8:15 am

Satellite Internet for Consumers and the Enterprise

A number of satellite Internet systems have been proposed - several have dropped by the wayside, a few have been launched and some remain on the development board. What can be learned from those that have launched? What are the successes and what has worked in the marketplace? Can satellite-based Internet be profitable for the consumer or is the enterprise/service provider market (or segments within this market) the only place satellite can play successfully? Will Ka-band spot beam technology truly make a difference to the viability of these offerings? This session will look at what the industry must learn and do to be successful providing Internet access and services. And the areas and applications that are most in demand and are well-served by satellite will be examined.

10:00 am

Networking Break

10:15 am

Case Study: Satellite Banking and Broadband Internet

Banks are looking for new IP based networks where they can offer Internet access and commercial data services. After reviewing several options with which to update their older technology, some banks chose a satellite solution that can offer services to any branch or location independent of the existence or quality of terrestrial infrastructure. The chosen solution provided the flexibility that allowed the bank to offer their services to Internet access companies (ISPs and Cyber Cafes) and traditional data network users such as banks, financial institutions and businesses.

The case study focuses on the challenges faced by banks and financial services firms to provide banking services combined with other commercial services, and it examines the reasons for choosing a satellite-based solution. The following questions will be addressed:

- What does it take to operate a satellite based broadband network?

- How do you converge existing legacy networks with today's broadband applications?

- What value added services can be offered?

- What is the business model that makes this a viable business proposition?

11:00 am

Case Study: Satellite Internet for the Oil and Gas Industry

Satellite communications has been used in the oil and gas industry for their connectivity needs for over a decade. It has been used in all aspects of the business, from exploration and production, at the pipeline, and even at the gas pump point of sale. Satellite communications offers the ability to operate in some of the most remote and inhospitable locations around the world. Whether exploring from ships and platforms at sea or in remote tropical forests, connectivity of voice, data and video between work sites and corporate operations centers is vital to maintaining efficiency and schedules. New all-digital, IP-centric satcom networks offer the flexibility, portability and ruggedness required for worldwide operations. As new applications and technologies emerge allowing the oil and gas industry to improve production and exploration efficiencies, these will also impact the requirements on the satellite communication technology. Ms. Keefe will present the current state of satellite communications as used in this industry for exploration and production of oil and gas, and discuss the application of new satellite communication technologies to meet the needs of the industry moving forward.

11:45 am

Luncheon

12:00 noon

Keynote Address

12:45 pm

Video On Demand and Internet Streaming

Satellite and Cable Television growth is now being driven by a new pre-convergence generation of video-on-demand and Internet streaming offerings positioned to serve cable users via their TVs or separately via their PCs. Services such as Cablevision's MagRack and ESPN Broadband are leading the way but many cable programmers are entering the fray. What is the role of satellite in delivering such services? Will these services increase the momentum toward true convergence? We'll explore current developments and opportunities with representatives of major cable programmers, cable operators and satellite carriers. The session will review new developments in VOD and broadband streaming applications specific to the cable/satellite industry. The goal of the session is to benchmark current applications and to determine future trends and opportunities. Panelists will very briefly present an overview of their current activities to be followed by a round table discussion with audience participation exploring developments, plans and possibilities.

2:00 pm

Networking Break

2:30 pm

Securing Satellite Communications

Network security is increasingly important in this era of terrorist threats and cyber crime. Security has long been the achilles heel of e-commerce, with the fear of identity theft and/or credit card fraud keeping many consumers from taking advantage of the speed and power of the Web. Virus and worm creators have cost businesses, governments and consumers billions of dollars in lost productivity, data loss and network damage. Now we can add cyber terrorism to the list of potential security threats: President Bush's cybersecurity advisor, Richard Clarke, admitted recently that several of our enemies are capable of cyber attacks via the Internet. How can we secure satellite links to prevent the increasing risk of these threats? What technologies and processes can reduce or eliminate the possibility of networks being compromised?

3:45 pm

Close of Conference