Stars in their eyes: take a PC, add a satellite dish. The result? We'll see

Article Abstract:

Hughes Electronics' DirectTV service is finalizing work on a 'data broadcast' technology expected to transmit digital information such as TV pictures or Internet pages at speeds up to 30 Mbps, or 1,000 to 2,000 times the speed of a standard phone modem. Subscribers will need to connect satellite-TV dishes to their PCs. By doing so, they will obtain fast access to a selection of thousands of Web sites. Data broadcast has drawbacks. For example, used by itself, it only communicates in one direction. Such an arrangement is similar to a satellite-to-home TV service, which lets users order movies by calling in over phone lines. Meanwhile, alternative technologies for combining digital video information with high-speed Internet content are appearing. For example, WebTV Networks offers products that deliver Internet content via TV sets, eliminating the need for a PC. Some industry observers regard data broadcasting as an interim solution, for early adopters. They say data broadcast could be used to provide fast access to a limited number of Web sites, pending the arrival of arrangements such as high-speed cable.

Company service introduction, Service introduction, Communications technology, Telecommunications, Data communications, Telecommunications transmission technologies

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AOL bets big (over $1 billion) on satellites

Article Abstract:

America Online Inc. plans to invest $1.5 billion in Hughes Electronics Corp. to help market satellite delivery of Internet services. The move is seen as a vote of confidence in the future of satellites as a consumer broadband technology, despite that at present only around 40,000 U.S. consumers receive their access to the World Wide Web through Hughes' satellites, compared to about 750,000 on cable-modem systems. The companies plan to market a variety of satellite services, including Hughes' DirecTV satellite-television service. They will also market a satellite version of AOL's planned AOL Plus high-speed Internet service, which AOL also plans to launch using digital subscriber line broadband service through telephone lines this summer. Hughes plans to use much of AOL's investment to pay for satellite dishes and installation costs for its new subscribers. The deal should benefit both firms. AOL will get to promote its services to Hughes' seven million DirecTV subscribers, while Hughes will try to sign up some of AOL's 16 million customers to its satellite TV.

United States, On-Line Information Services, Use of services, Videotex & Teletext, Telegraph & other communications, New orders received, Internet, Online services, Internet services, America Online Inc., AOL, Contracts, Securities, Satellite industry, Contract agreement, Direct broadcast satellite television industry, DIRECTV Inc.

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France plans TV network, in 'battle of footage'

Article Abstract:

French President Jacques Chirac has called for France to build a satellite TV network that would convey the French point of view to a larger audience. Radio France International and France Television will bid for the all-news channel which might inevitably be broadcast in English, Spanish and Arabic, as well as French. Because of the country's strong position against war in Iraq, France took a beating in the U.S. and British press and wants to have fair footing to air its point of view.

Government domestic functions, Joint ventures, France, Financial management, Public affairs, International politics, Satellite TV Communications, Telecommunications regulations, Company investment, Economic policy, International relations, Media coverage, Government communications regulation, Company joint venture, French foreign relations, Chirac, Jacques, Foreign policy, Iraq War, 2003-, Telecommunications policy, Radio France Internationale

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