ESA readies satellite for mobile multimedia messages

It is just 18 months until the European Space Agency launches its S-band-enabled W2A satellite from Thales Alenia Space to bring multimedia communications to mobile phones.

The proposed system will use satellites and Earth-based repeaters to ensure mobile phones will receive signals inside buildings.

S-band, which covers the spectrum from 2 to 4 GHz, provides frequencies optimised for wireless distribution of video and other services to mobile devices. These include phones, personal digital assistants, laptop computers and vehicle-mounted receivers.

The system will integrate into modern mobile telephone and vehicle-mounted receiver designs at very low cost, making it ideal for the mass market, ESA said.

SES Global and Eutelsat Communications have set up a joint venture company to operate and commercialise the S-band payload on Eutelsat's W2A satellite.

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