Once launched, iPSTAR-1 satellite will be one of the largest communications satellites ever built, with a massive bandwidth capacity of 45 Gbps, almost equivalent to all satellites serving Asia today.

iPSTAR-1 Satellite is a Geostationary orbit satellite utilizing Ku-band spectrum for user applications. Ku-band spectrum provides the optimal solution for services in the Asia-Pacific region with a high Link-Availability (Margin) for user applications using a small user antenna size.

Proprietary waveforms are used for air interface between a user terminal and iPSTAR gateway. The access methods can be selected by gateway Network Management System (NMS) to match application bit rate and traffic density requirement for web browsing and other bursty traffic. Every mode will employ advanced error correction coding which will allow the uplink to use small antennas and power amplifiers even for high-speed uplink data rates.

The Satellite is a bent-pipe satellite achieving unprecedented capacity and functionality with no on-board regenerative payload. This eliminates the need for low reliability, heavy and power consuming on-board processor. Therefore, the Satellite will be as reliable as any conventional communications satellites and will certainly be more reliable than any broadband satellite that employs on-board processors. All intelligence, switching and routing capability will be put on the ground at gateway and network control centers. This will allow the future upgrade of all electronics and software, which have been evolving with more capability and cost effectiveness at a very rapid pace.

The Satellite will have the capability to allocate its precious on-board resources (Dynamic Power Management and Dynamic Bandwidth Management) appropriately according to the actual need, to maintain communication links at the highest level possible.

Key Technology Features:

|USpot Beam Coverage: Traditional satellite technology utilizes a broad single beam to cover entire continents and regions. With the introduction of multiple narrowly focused spot beams and frequency reuse, iPSTAR is now capable of maximizing the available frequency for transmissions. Increasing bandwidth 20 times more than traditional Ku-band satellites translates into a more efficient satellite.

|UDynamic Power Allocation: This new technology optimizes the use of power among beams and allocates a power reserve of 20% to be allocated to beams that may be affected by rain fade, thus maintaining the link.

iPSTAR user terminal will be a low-cost, flexible and high performance two-way satellite terminal that works in conjunction with the Satellite and the Gateway. Air interface employing advanced waveforms on forward and return channels are optimized for the overall system efficiency.

The waveform for forward channel is based on TDM-OFDM technology that utilizes bandwidth and power more efficiently. The forward channel is optimized to accommodate multiple data rates, a variable number of users of different modulation formats and forward error correction coding. On the other hand, the return channel is based on MF-TDMA technology for bursty traffic and dedicated allocation for high data rate applications.

The waveform is fixed to a more robust modulation to ensure link-availability at low transmission power. However, if higher transmission bit rates are required, the return channel can be configured to dedicated allocation, behaving like a SCPC-Like (pre-assigned TDMA) channel that can support higher transmit data rates up to 4.0 Mbps at the expense of required additional transmit power from the user terminal.

The terminal and gateway incorporate the proprietary modulation and coding technologies, and transmission architecture optimized for the iPSTAR satellite system. The interface for the terminal and gateway to any device or network will be based on the industry standard Internet Protocol, to ensure a seamless integration to the existing system, software, hardware, applications, services and networks.

The iPSTAR network configuration is based on Gateway STAR topology. A user terminal will receive and transmit signals from/to a Beam, which connects with a gateway. The gateway in turn connects to other networks such as the Internet backbone, telephone network, corporate headquarters and other iPSTAR Gateways. Most countries under iPSTAROs service would have one or multiple Gateways. This allows efficient integration of iPSTAROs users to the terrestrial networks for various applications. There are a total of 18 gateways planned for iPSTAR services.

The terminal and gateway incorporate the proprietary modulation and coding technologies, and transmission architecture optimized for the iPSTAR satellite system. The interface for the terminal and gateway to any device or network will be based on the industry standard Internet Protocol, to ensure a seamless integration to the existing system, software, hardware, applications, services and networks.

The iPSTAR network configuration is based on Gateway STAR topology. A user terminal will receive and transmit signals from/to a Beam, which connects with a gateway. The gateway in turn connects to other networks such as the Internet backbone, telephone network, corporate headquarters and other iPSTAR Gateways. Most countries under iPSTAROs service would have one or multiple Gateways. This allows efficient integration of iPSTAROs users to the terrestrial networks for various applications. There are a total of 18 gateways planned for iPSTAR services.

Considering the nature of the gateway network configuration and iPSTAROs asymmetric ratio of uplink and downlink capacity, the most reasonable future services with the best-optimized resource utilization will be Asymmetric Internet traffic. In addition, there will be dedicated Regional Broadcast Beams that will provide cost effective, high quality broadcast services to seven regions within the coverage area. This dual use of the available spectrum for narrowcast services (Internet, data, or two-way communications) and broadcast services on the same platform represents the highest efficiency and flexibility in service provisions possible.

This revolutionary satellite-based Last Mile broadband Internet service can serve all kinds of multimedia contents (video, audio, voice, data) and services (Internet access, video/audio/data broadcasting, corporate VPN, transactional VSAT, telephony, etc). Its seamless integration into public, corporate and individual networks, software, and hardware systems will enable fast and widespread adoption of this broadband service. As iPSTAR is designed for two-way broadband communication over the IP platform, it can support normal Internet connection and other applications over the IP platform, such as Mass Broadband Access Service (MTU/MDU/Hotspots), Video Conferencing (VDC), iPSTAROs VoIP/FoIP, and Virtual Private Network (VPN) over iPSTAR.

Summary

The ultimate design of iPSTAROs system, both for Satellite and Ground Systems, make iPSTAR the elite system for future broadband IP solutions. iPSTAR technology and platform will enable a US$1,000 terminal (5-10 times reduction over existing ground technology), a US$1,000 per Mbps per month bandwidth cost (10 times reduction over existing ground and satellite technology), and a 40 Gbps satellite (40 times increase over existing ground and satellite technology). Shin Satellite expects to offer its services at competitive prices relative to other competing satellite based technologies. The combination of high capacity and low cost will create a broad range of services at affordable prices for consumers. This low cost, high capacity system will provide solutions to Internet and other data application traffic problems throughout the Asia-Pacific region. This dramatic reduction in transmission costs to service operators will spur Internet and other multimedia activities in the region, as more information will be transmitted at higher speeds with lower costs.

Mr. Pramook Chaiwongwutthikul
Space Operation Director
Shin Satellite

We have all heard or read of this: that IP offers opportunities of convergence of data, video and voice on the same network. Most IP-related ventures, however, were badly hit by the infamous Internet bubble in 2001. Where is true convergence heading? Is it anywhere in sight?

One of the most disappointing developments leveraging on convergence through IP and the power of vast geographical coverage of satellites in the satellite market in the last 2 years, is clearly the satellite IP multicast and content distribution market. There is no shortage of failed ventures: NET-36 from PanAmSat, for example, failed primarily because of high infrastructure costs that did not commensurate with adequate levels of IP or streaming revenue. Most streaming or video distribution endeavors from satellite service providers are faced with no significant streaming or content distribution revenue. Despite IPOs promise of convergence and cost efficiencies, loading video onto core IP infrastructure networks is still taboo because of the bandwidth- hungry nature of video transmission.

Where are we today?

To help us better understand where convergence may be heading, it is helpful for us to take stock of where we are today. Focusing on the Asia Pacific markets, let¡?s first have a look at where the staple of most satellite service providers, namely, the satellite/cable TV market is, and then explore a little of the first truly successful IP market for satellite service providers: the satellite ISP backbone market.

Since the beginning of 2003, there has been interesting news around the Asia Pacific satellite/cable TV markets:

In Singapore, the Singapore Government plans to license a second pay-TV operator by mid 2003. Starhub Cable Vision, the monopoly pay-TV service provider, will lose its seven years long monopoly status with this initiative. SingTel is currently waiting for the Media Development Authority (MDA), the regulatory body overseeing media development in Singapore, to release the details of the framework for the pay-TV license that it hopes embraces a converged offering, such as a mix of scheduling programming, electronic programme guides (EPG), video on demand (VoD), content from Internet Access, Interactive Advertising and shopping across various convergent devices.in the running as a licensee.

In India, a nationwide Conditional Access System will be made mandatory by end 2003. An initial rollout is expected in July 2003. As one of the largest cable TV markets in the Asia Pacific, this initiative is set to ignite a fresh round of consolidation among cable head-end operators, content providers, satellite service providers and pay-TV operators.

In Taiwan, with AsiaOs highest rate of penetration for satellite/cable TV market (at 81%), the second and third of three digitally tiered cable TV and broadband offerings are launching in 2003. Cable is no longer just cable in Taiwan as major MSOOs gradually move away from their infrastructure-heavy and utility-based past to a consumer-focused and content-based future with the rollout of new services, including an array of analog and digital video programming tiers, high-speed Internet access and interactive TV. Compelling interactive services are also on the menu for consumers. The core revenue generators, however, remain traditional video subscription and advertising. Significant revenue contribution for interactive programming will not be expected soon and can only assume significance in revenue contribution in time.

We explore the US$765 million satellite IP backbone market next.

The growth of the Internet and lack of reliable terrestrial infrastructure, particularly in Asia, created a need for direct links between remote ISPs and the Internet backbone. Because of the inherent capability of satellites to cover a wide geographical area, they were aptly deployed to serve this ISP backbone market.

The satellite ISP backbone market, however, is suffering. The biggest threat is fiber. High levels of churn in favor of fiber greatly reduced per Mbps pricing. The burst of the Internet bubble also did not help the situation. Limited by market size as a result of consolidation and slower growth of ISPs, the market is shrinking much faster than most satellite service operators expected. The result is a large number of players vying for a shrinking pie.

To manage this threat from a transmission medium capable of carrying terabytes, as opposed to satellites which are adept in handling megabytes of data, it is important for satellite service providers to focus on the inherent strengths of satellites for mass geographical coverage. There are markets, particularly in less developed countries, where it will take a long while before reliable terrestrial infrastructure will be developed to connect them. Therein lays a captive market for satellite service providers. There are other trends. According to Northern Sky Research, ISP content distribution models continue to fail. Caching, streaming and content distribution to ISPs were the supposed Onext generationO business models in the ISP sector. However, value-added content/caching approach did not proved to be successful even during the heydays of the satellite ISP backbone market.

Perhaps the clearest trend according to Northern Sky Research is that there is no killer application for satellite IP multicasting and content distribution that will generate impressive market growth.

SingTel Optus ?

What do we have ?

SingTel Optus is one of the rising stars in the market place. Second only after Asiasat in Asia Pacific, SingTel Optus is ranked as one of the top 20 commercial providers of Fixed Satellite Services (FSS) worldwide.

SingTel offers four key product groups to serve the demand for FSS in Asia. These four product groups are namely Telecast, VSAT, DVB-IP, and LSB (Leased Satellite Bandwidth).

Our Telecast Service serves primarily the satellite/cable TV market. SingTel has positioned itself as a satellite TV broadcasting hub, and has managed to attract many regional as well as international broadcasters to our network.

Our DVB-IP and VSAT Services serve primarily the enterprise and satellite IP backbone market. Noting that our markets are in less developed countries, we leverage these services to become our vehicle for satisfying the demands of these less developed countries. For example, SingTel is the first foreign operator to receive a VSAT license in Bangladesh, a country filled with opportunities for infrastructure development. Liberalization in markets such as India, Indonesia and Nepal has resulted in intense competition, but also created opportunities for other operators to enter these countries to address their market demands.

Our Leased Satellite Bandwidth (LSB) Service serves primarily the satellite capacity market. Some bandwidth capacity is allocated for solution offerings through our Telecast, DVB-IP and VSAT services. The balance is sold as raw satellite capacity. We have recently increased our satellite capacity bank with a number of end-of-life lease APT-V transponders.

Going forward, SingTel will continue to increase the frontier of the markets being addressed, to leverage on the strength of satellites to reach mass geographical areas.

Conclusion

So is true convergence in sight? To the man on the street, the true sign of convergence will be when people really start to watch televised programmes using PCs; when people really start to surf the Internet using a TV set, and the TV and the PC becomes an inseparable whole. The rest of us in the satellite industry soldier on.

References

[1] Broadband Satellite Markets 2002 (July 2002), Northern Sky Research : Orlando.
[2] Emerging Satellite Applications Markets (2002), Frost & Sullivan : San Jose.
[3] Silverstein, S & Selding, P.B. (2002) Top 20 Fixed Satellite Operators [http://www.space.com/ spacenews/]
[4] Davies, S.T.,OConditions ready for a great leap forwardO, Asian Broadcaster, April 2003, 18-19.
[5] Chung, P. (2002), OTaiwan Cable TV Summit 2002O. Media partners Asia : Hong Kong.
[6] SingTel(2002) SingTel receives VSAT service provider licence from new telecoms regulator in Bangladesh [http://home.singtel. com/news_center/news_releases/2002_07_26.asp]

Lee Yan Kit
Deputy Director
Regional Satellite Marketing
SingTel

The ASTRO-E2 X-Ray Telescopes, using thin foil mirrors, provide a light-weighed X-ray imaging system with a large collecting area over a broad energy range. By replication of gold surfaces over smooth glass, the angular resolutions of these mirrors are much improved from their predecessors. Continual effort is being made to further improve the resolution to keep up with the more demanding needs in further astronomical observations. On the other front, major development has been made recently to extend the imaging capability to even higher energy, to tens of keV. This is accomplished coating multi-layers of materials on thin foil mirrors.

The fabrication of such mirror consists of the following process:

* Preparation of the flat aluminum foil from sheets.
* Forming of flat aluminum foil into conical sections.
* Spatter thin layer of gold onto glass mandrels.
* Coupling of the aluminum foil with the gold-coated glass mandrel.
* Removal of replicated foils from mandrels.

The Mirror Laboratory of the LHEA X-Ray Astrophysics Branch of NASA GSFC researches and develops the mirror systems for astronomical X-ray telescopes. Thin-foil X-ray optics are pioneered and developed in the laboratory. These X-ray mirrors provide light-weight, broad band and low cost telescopes for astronomical X-ray imaging.

Dr. Yong M. Cho, President
of Mentor Technologies, Inc.
7404 Executive Place,
Suite 100, Lanham,
Maryland 20706,
301-809-0740(O)

Voice and video were the earliest applications for satellite communications. Till 1988, when the first trans-Atlantic fiber optic cable (TAT-8) came on line, satellites were the preferred medium of choice for trunk telephony. Since then satellites have been used by carriers to supplement terrestrial infrastructure, primarily for backup or to extend the reach of the PSTN to meet their universal service obligation (USO). However, due to the fast pace of development in the emerging economies like India and China, the number of transponders supporting long haul telephony circuit has increased. For instance in India the number of voice circuits via satellite increased from 1,430 in 1991 to 11,409 in 2000.

The same degree of success enjoyed by satellites in the long haul telephony business is missing from the mobile world. The mobile satellite service (MSS) market is littered with spectacular business failures, which have eroded investor confidence in the satellite communications industry. At best this can be described as a niche market dominated by ship-to-shore type of connectivity. According to some estimates there are approximately 1 million terminals worldwide in use today.

By selecting satellites as the transmission medium, the service provider has the ability to provide uniform service to wide coverage areas using the available bandwidth in the C-Band and Ku-Band frequency spectrum and future bandwidth in the Ka-Band frequency spectrum. Satellites avoid the traditional last mile bottlenecks by delivering services directly to multiple users thereby forming an overlay network. Similarly, choosing satellites as the transmission medium makes more economic sense since the time and expense required to add additional sites is significantly less than terrestrial alternatives.

The broadcast nature of satellites is ideal for establishing broadband multimedia networks based on Internet Protocol (IP) multicasting. Since 1997 IP traffic has emerged as a substantial, profitable and rapidly growing market for satellite operators. All indications are that Broadband in some form or the other is here to stay.

According to DTT Consulting there has been a phenomenal increase in the satellite transponder lease revenues for Internet trunk links. It is estimated that satellites carry over 1300 M bit/s of Internet backbone traffic. The position of TV broadcasting, the main revenue earner for satellite operators (some analysts attribute 70% of satellite sector revenues to sales of transponders to TV broadcasters) has been challenged by the utilization of satellite transponders for providing Internet connectivity to backbone, access & enterprise networks. The period between 1998-2000 has registered a phenomenal growth of 958% globally in satellite-based Internet services. The transponders being used for ISP links are projected to increase to 17% in 2009.

According to a study conducted by the ABN AMRO Telecom Research Group 9% of the transponders available over Asia-Pacific in 2000 are used for ISP links as compared to the 7% capacity being used for Video Feeds. The transponder demand share by application in 2000 and estimates for 2009 are as follows.

All indications are that satellite communications will continue to play an important part in the telecommuni-cations infrastructure of the Asia-Pacific region.

DVStation represents a totally new broadcast paradigm for measuring signal quality, program integrity and information reporting. Rather than adapt older designs of test and monitoring equipment created for R&D activities, Pixelmetrix designed a unique system from the ground up to acquire, process and present network data in the clearest, most accessible way. Through a unique set of plug-in modules and a powerful parallel processing architecture, DVStation is the only all-in-one solution available that can simultaneously monitor the global health of a network on multiple layers.

DVStation-Remote four-port remote monitoring solution

DVStation-Remote, a four-module version of the DVStation, is the ideal monitoring solution for remote locations or small broadcast facilities. A self-contained system that is controlled via personal computer through a LAN or dial-up phone connection, DVStation-Remote consists of from one to four book-sized Pod modules and a single 1U rack-mounted Remote Controller. The DVStation-Remote was designed for either the facility that might not need the full 21-module capability of the DVStation, or a complex digital network that requires simple, single source monitoring at multiple locations. It provides the same level of in-depth signal monitoring and analysis as the full DVStation at a more affordable price. In addition to remote PC control, local operation is available at the Remote Controller by plugging in a customer-provided VGA computer display and mouse.

DVStation-Pod One-port troubleshooting tool

The Pod is a one-port, book-sized box which connects to a laptop via standard Ethernet. The small size and portability make the Pod ideal for commissioning, installation, and troubleshooting applications. Since the laptop uses the standard DVStation easy-to-use user interface, training and familiarization is optimized across the product line. Additionally, the standard 96 MB capture capability of all TSP cards is also available in the Pod, allowing you to capture a transport stream in the field for later playback and analysis.

Signal integrity

It is important for an operator to monitor the critical parameters of signals across the whole broadcast network. With an advanced monitoring system that can detect problems and automatically notify you of them, you can catch errors before they degrade into digital video impairments.

* Real-time Error detection for multi-layer protocols using dedicated processor based analysis
* COFDM, QPSK, QAM, OC-3c/STM-1 ATM, ASI/SMPTE-310
* RF Constellation analysis, RF Impulse Response, Bit Error Ratio, EVM, MER, SNR
* Transport Stream analysis: ETR290, PID/BW by Services, PCR Jitter, PID Interval, SI table decode and compliance check
* MHP (Multimedia Home Platform)
* 96 MB Transport Stream Capture

Service integrity

Simply ensuring that the signals are correctly sent will not guarantee that your Video Quality will be delivered successfully to its target audience. Some service information profiles may already be modified during encoding, multiplexing and even when decoding, re-encoding and re-multiplexing. All the service parameters, such as the languages or sub-titles, may not be configured properly anymore.

To ensure service integrity, you must not only be able to check picture quality and sound, but the entire service information in your transport stream. With the addition of such intelligence inside a monitoring solution, you can now be assured that any services that are aired will be validated in real-time.

* Automated On-Air Program Content Validation
* P Datacasting for Unicast and Multicast Monitoring
* Objective Picture Quality assessment with embedded Audio analysis
* Freeze Frame, Blackout detection

Remote monitoring

Digital Broadcasting also brought about the trend to integrate remote operations to a central location providing a cost-effective strategy. It presents a significant opportunity to your overall broadcast operations. However it requires a change in the monitoring approach, since unmanned sites reduce your visibility and proximity of the content you deliver to your target audience. Having a remote system that can monitor all the regional sites from a single location is therefore essential. Moreover this system ought to provide both Signal and Service Integrity to help you provide corrective actions upon broadcast alarm detection.

* Remote Control Via X-Windows, VNC, or HTML
* SNMP and HTML Internet Protocol support
* GPS time synchronization |UNetwork Time Protocol support (NTP)
* Open CORBA based architecture |UConfigurable Alarm management
* Performance logging and reporting

Pixelmetrix has focused on creating a single self-contained monitoring station that can analyze thousands of parameters within hundreds of digital television signals. Through the use of plug-in modules and parallel processing, we monitor all these parameters in real time, simultaneously and continuously. Whether monitoring for compliance of an RF carrier, MPEG transport stream, picture quality, or program content, we've targeted our development efforts to insure the quality of the signal, the integrity of the program service and the delivery of essential technical information to the right people in a timely and meaningful manner.

The DVStation-Remote is a smaller version of the flagship DVStation. Consisting of one to four book-sized Pod modules and a single 1U rack-mounted Remote Controller, the DVStation Pod-Remote system is operated through a LAN or dial up telephone, allowing database or user access from a personal computer. The DVStation-Remote was designed for either the smaller facility that might not need the full 21-module capability of the DVStation, or a complex digital network that requires simple single source monitoring at multiple locations. In either application, the DVStation Pod-Remote provides the same level of in-depth signal monitoring and analysis as the full DVStation at a more affordable price.

As a low-cost tool to analyze and troubleshoot digital broadcast signals, Pixelmetrix also has the DVStation-Pod. Light and so portable it easily slips into a tool case, DVStation Pod borrows most of the advanced features of the full DVStation including its extraordinary user-friendly interface, on-board transport stream capture, internal playback and analysis, and error and measurement logging.

The Pixelmetrix DVStation-IP, a world first of its kind provides advanced video and content analysis and monitoring functionality for IP networks. The compact 1RU form features a multi-speed 10, 100, and 1000 Mb/s interface (gigabit Ethernet).

Hideki Takahashi
VP Marketing
Pixelmetrix

Right now, we have successfully launched the first generation of iPSTAR service using the advanced iPSTAR ground system together with conventional satellites in countries such as Thailand, Myanmar, and Malaysia. We are also preparing to launch in countries such as India and Australia very soon. The iPSTAR ground system consists of the highly functional and advanced gateway system (hub) together with the iPSTAR User Terminals. Presently, we have commercialized the Enterprise, Professional and Voice Series terminals.

Our plans for the upcoming period is continual R&D and preparation for the Second Generation iPSTAR Service when the iPSTAR-1 satellite is launched in 2004.

2. What is your view on the current broadband market in the Asia Pacific region ?

We are very confident about the broadband market in this region. Presently, the lack of infrastructure in many parts of the region provides us with great opportunities, both in the vertical and mass markets, and the scale and economics of the iPSTAR system should be very attractive to many countries in the region. We have developed the iPSTAR system to be the most cost-effective broadband solution ever and it will be the largest broadband satellite platform in Asia.

3. How does iPSTAR fulfill users' needs in the area of broadband service ?

iPSTAR has been designed based on the standard TCP/IP internet protocol therefore it will fully integrate with standard Internet protocols and interfaces today. We recognize and understand the importance to develop and demonstrate various broadband driven applications and the company has put in a lot of resources into this field. We have been successful in developing applications such as VoIP, video conferencing, e-Learning and Broadband Hotspot. We believe that applications will be the driver for usage of broadband and we are dedicated to developing and promoting broadband applications that are made more attractive with the iPSTAR system.

4. No doubt that we have seen the continuous growth of broadband service in Asia Pacific region. Do you think such a growth will have an impact on conventional satellite communication ?

We believe so, but conventional satellites will also have their place in point-to-multi-point, and in the direct broadcasting (DTH) area. But we believe that point-to-point VSAT type services will migrate to IP due to the more attractive cost structure. With the advent of iPSTAR service, we already see this happening.

5. What do you plan to do to increase business market in this year in the Asia-Pacific ?

In 2003, we are moving forward with the first generation iPSTAR services in some key countries and more importantly, we are preparing to deploy the Second Generation iPSTAR infrastructure throughout the Asia-Pacific before the iPSTAR-1 satellite is launched in 2004.

6. How do you see ThaicomOs future ?

The three Thaicom satellites have been very successful satellites and will also be important assets for us. We feel that, with the emergence of the iPSTAR broadband satellite, it will change the satellite industry altogether as iPSTAR will be able to offer very cost-effective, high-performance broadband solutions for Asia. As mentioned, conventional satellites, such as the Thaicom series, will still play a vital role in point-to- multi-point and in the satellite DTH.

7. Which technologies have enabled iPSTAR to improve its transponder capacity ?

The iPSTAR system employs some unique and cutting edge technologies which enables the satellite to achieve a maximum of approximately 40 Gbps throughout. Firstly, the iPSTAR-1 satellite was designed with Ku-band spot beams, which enables frequency reuse. We have chosen to make the satellite a Obent pipeO and have utilized advanced Turbo Product Coding techniques together with advanced features such as Dynamic Link Allocation (DLA). DLA is able to adjust the userOs modulation and coding Oon-the-flyO on an individual basis therefore adding significant availability during rain.

8. When will iPSTAR-1 start providing service to the Asia Pacific region ?

Right now, the iPSTAR-1 satelliteOs construction at Space Systems/Loral, USA is progressing as planned and we are planning to launch the satellite and service by the first half of 2004.