Ka-band broadband satellite services could get a huge shot in the arm if Hughes Network Systems‘ SpaceWay shows signs of early success, observed Greg Caressi, research director of telecom services at Frost & Sullivan. He told a Thursday panel debating the merits of Ka-band services at SATELLITE 2003, “Spaceway has great importance as they are the first ones out there in terms of Ka-band.”

The optimism surrounding Ka-band seems to be returning. Robert Hedinger, executive vice president, business and product development and strategic planning at Loral Skynet, told the panel: “Ka-band is alive and well. We are moving forward. Why is Ka-band coming back? Ka-band technology offers VSAT operators a chance to compete with terrestrial economics with VSAT advantages of ubiquitous coverage and multicast economies.”

A more in-depth article looking at the prospects for Ka-band can be found in the March 12 issue of Interspace. For more information, check out our Web site at https://www.satellitetoday.com.