The Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the Society of Satellite Professionals International will be hosting a brown bag lunch and briefing on the future of Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) now that the Federal Communications Commission affirmed its decision to allow satellite operators to integrate ancillary terrestrial components (ATC) to existing MSS systems. Among the topics to be covered during the briefing are the kinds of new applications that can be expected from the hybrid networks; how critical ATC is to competition among MSS providers; which markets will be the first to benefit from the FCC action; and how the networks will be deployed. The speakers at this briefing include Mobile Satellite Ventures Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Jennifer Manner, Iridium Vice President of Technical Regulatory Affairs Donna Murphy and Inmarsat Vice President of Business Development Edward Berger. Andrea Maleter, technical director at Futron Corp. will moderate the discussion.

The event will take place at the office of Coudert Brothers, which is located in the Army-Navy Building at 1627 I Street NW, Washington, D.C., on March 15 from 12:00 p.m. EST to 1:15 p.m. The cost of the event is $5 for SSPI members and $10 for non-members. For more information or to RSVP for the event, please contact La Rene Tondro via e-mail at [email protected]