[LINK] Europe to get new broadband satellite(s)

[David Boxall]

On 28/11/2010 9:06 AM, Jan Whitaker wrote:
> At 09:00 AM 28/11/2010, Fernando Cassia wrote:
>> The transponders have only oh-so-many bandwidth. Once you max out the
>> available transponders, you're out of luck, you have to lift another
>> satellite. Not to mention maintenance costs of keeping the satellite
>> in orbit and in position (systems monitoring, orbit adjustments, etc).
>
> I wonder if there is a truth in advertising
> aspect to this alternative provision in the NBN
> Co.'s communication to the public. Surely the
> ACCC will be looking at this as should ACMA.
> Perhaps this is part of the hidden information in
> the business plan. Mustn't scare the rural horses, so to speak.
> ...
The "rural horses" are well aware of the limitations of satellite (and 
wireless/mobile, for that matter). That's why the Coalition is doing 
itself no favours on this front. They really need to get on the front 
foot; to come up with credible plans for ongoing extension of fibre. 
Satellite and fixed wireless are only stopgaps.

-- 
David Boxall                    |  When a distinguished but elderly
                                |  scientist states that something is
http://david.boxall.id.au       |  possible, he is almost certainly
                                |  right. When he states that
                                |  something is impossible, he is
                                |  very probably wrong.
                                                  --Arthur C. Clarke