***Satellite Journal International Vol 2 No 6 for Internet***
Gary Torrens
International
A Fortnightly News Journal
March 17 1994
Volume 2 Issue 6
(c) COPYRIGHT
SJI is distributed in 5 versions
-------------------------------
Newsletter Printed Version-Subscription
ASCII Edited Version (English)-Free [This Version]
Windows Write Version (English)-Free[CIS Only]
ASCII Edited Version (French)-Free [Minitel Only]
Windows Help Format-Free [CIS Only]
=================================
ENGLISH ELECTRONIC VERSION
INTERNET-COMPUSERVE-NIFTYSERVE-GENIE-CIX-FIDONET-LOCAL BBSs
=====================================
WITH CORESPONDENTS IN:
DALLAS-LONDON-PARIS-TOKYO
PLEASE DO NOT RELEASE BEFORE MAR 21. 1994 MIDNIGHT GMT
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
In Vol. 2 No 6 Desk Top Published Version:
----Satellite Journal TV Transponder Listings (North America,
Europe or Asia)
----Shufflebird (The latest changes in the Clarke Belt
(See end of file for subscription information)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
NOTICE:
The information contained in Satellite Journal International may not
be republished or redistributed without the prior written authority
of Satellite Journal International.(see end of file for contact
information)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
HOUSEKEEPING NOTES:
Starting in April the subscription rate to the printed version of
SJI will increase. This is reflect the increase in coverage and
increases in production cost. Those who wish to take advantage of
the current rates should subscribe before the end of March.
A reminder to Omega Radio listeners that you can support FNL with a
subscription to SJI.
SJI also now has a forum on Compuserve that we call "home"
(GO CIS:UKFORUM Sec 17).If you need to download previous issues all
our files will be in that sections' library.
We also welcome anyone wishing to discuss satellite topics to post
messages to that section.
The Windows format will officially start with the next issue,
however, Compuserve members will find this issue in the Help format
in the UKFORUM Sec 17 library. We would appreciate feedback on this
format, what you like-what you don't like etc.
NOTICE TO READERS WITH AN INTERNET MAIL BOX:
Satellite Journal is available without delay to any Internet mailbox
by subscribing to the printed version. An UUENCODED,ZIPPED,full
ASCII version will be sent the same day as the printed version is
mailed. For rates please contact 00063...@mcimail.com
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
SAUDI ARABIA BANS SATELLITE DISHES
----------------------------------
Saudi Arabia is putting in place a $200 million wireless cable
television system to standardise reception of foreign television
broadcasts in line with the country's religious and social values.
A royal decree announced on Thursday said the country was banning
the use or manufacture of any other means for receiving and
distributing foreign television programming broadcast by satellite.
An authoritative source said the government announcement follows
an award already given to the company ARA International of Riyadh in
association with General Instrument Corp. to develop, install and
operate a wireless cable system (MMDS).
ARA is the parent company of the satellite television network
Middle East Broadcasting Centre Ltd., which is based in London. MBC
is among the investors in United Press International.
The source, who asked not to be named, said the contract will be
worth more than $200 million to cover the cost of setting up more
than 40 distribution and broadcasting centres throughout the
kingdom.
The Saudi Council of Ministers said the decision to regularise
reception of foreign television channels was reached because of the
constant increase in satellite television broadcasts.
The use of satellite dishes has been growing in the kingdom,
where viewers can tune in programming including Arabic-language MBC,
Star Television from Hong Kong, Cable News Network International and
the British Broadcasting Corporation.
"The Information Ministry will shoulder the responsibility of
implementing a reception scheme for foreign television telecasts
through international space channels and delivering them to the
viewers via a cable system in the kingdom matching with its
religious and social values," the cabinet decree said.
The decree also prohibits subscription delivery of satellite
broadcasts and includes a penalty of between 100,000 and 500,000
riyals ($26,666 to $133,333) and confiscation of equipment for
violations.
SPIEGEL AND TIME WARNER CHOSE MARKETS
-------------------------------------
Spiegel, Inc. and Time Warner Entertainment said that four markets
have been chosen for the debut of "Catalog 1:" Rochester, N.Y.;
suburban Milwaukee, Wis.; Nashua, N.H. (Boston area); and Columbus,
Ohio. Catalog 1, the nation's first catalogue-based cable
television shopping network, is scheduled to debut March 28.
The companies also announced that The Bombay Company will join
the premier catalogue network's exclusive roster of participating
catalogue companies. The other participants to date are Spiegel,
Eddie Bauer, Neiman Marcus, Crate & Barrel, Williams Sonoma, The
Sharper Image, The Nature Company and Viewer's Edge.
E. Thayer Bigelow, president of Time Warner Cable Programming,
said "The first four markets selected for Catalog 1's premiere
represent a broad cross-section of subscribers whom we believe will
provide an enthusiastic audience for the quality merchandise and
entertaining, informative television featured on Catalog 1."
John J. Shea, vice chairman, president and chief executive
officer of Spiegel, Inc., added, "We are very pleased with the
addition of The Bombay Company to the prestigious list of companies
participating in Catalog 1. Bombay's outstanding products, along
with its highly recognisable name, will be an excellent complement
to the fine group of brands we have assembled."
JONES TO LAUNCH DIGITAL SERVICES
--------------------------------
With its selection of General Instrument Corp.'s DigiCipher
technology for the digital compression, Jones International Ltd.
announced the launch of its "Education Constellation." DigiCipher
will be deployed on SatCom C-3/ 20 which joins Jones transponders on
SatCom C-4 and Galaxy V satellites in transporting such networks as
Mind Extension University (ME/U): The Education Network, JCN, the
Jones Computer Network, and new health and language networks.
"Digital compression is here today, and it is already
transforming the limited spectrum of geostationary satellites into a
galaxy of choices for the delivery of entertainment and
information," stated Glenn R. Jones, chief executive officer of
Jones International. "Going Digital on C-3, one of the three
satellites we use, marks a critical step in our plans for an
'education constellation' that will link universities, libraries and
other resources from around the world with the lifelong learners who
have an increasing need for the information and ideas they contain."
"DigiCipher's selection reflects our intention to move ahead with
an established compression technology to meet current needs while
maintaining a commitment to support the industry's development of an
open system, MPEG 2, that will fully accommodate our future plans,"
explained Chris Bowick, group vice president/technology for Jones.
Jones plans to upgrade to MPEG 2 when it becomes available in 1995.
JCN, the Jones Computer Network, will launch as a full-time
network on the compressed C-3 transponder later this year. JCN is
currently a nightly four-hour programming block on Jones' Mind
Extension University (ME/U): The Education Network. The company
will also use SatCom C-3 to launch two educational networks, devoted
to languages and health, currently under development.
"General Instrument's DigiCipher will enable us to roll out JCN
and future networks in digital form, avoiding the issue of launching
JCN in analogue and then having to retrofit its affiliates when the
language and health networks are launched," explained Gregory J.
Liptak, president of Jones Spacelink Ltd. "By going with GI, we are
also taking advantage of its unparalleled experience in digital
compression technology, as evidenced by the other cable programming
networks that are also using DigiCipher."
"Having Jones International, a respected leader in the use of
cutting edge technologies, select DigiCipher represents our
increasing role in the industry's shift to digital delivery," stated
Hal Krisbergh, president of General Instrument's GI Communications
Division. "We're looking forward to working with Jones on the
development of its Education Constellation."
RIMSAT ACQUIRES LICENSES FOR SATELLITE SLOTS OVER THE INDIAN AND
PACIFIC OCEANS
Rimsat, Ltd., Fort Wayne, Ind., has licensed two additional
geostationary satellite positions over the Pacific and Indian Oceans
from the Kingdom of Tonga, the company announced.
"These new licensing agreements represent another solid step in
Rimsat's development and a testament to the positive relationship
the company has with the Kingdom of Tonga," according to James
Simon, Rimsat's managing director. The licenses are for a 30-year
period.
"Adding the positions at 70 degrees East and 170.75 degrees East to
the three positions Rimsat already holds over Papua New Guinea will
permit the company to provide satellite service covering most of
Africa and Europe through to the Western United States," Michael
Sternberg said.
Sternberg, Rimsat's chief operating officer, noted that, "We
anticipate we will fill those slots with a new generation of Express
satellites that Rimsat will acquire and launch from Russia in 1995."
The company already is operating two Gorizont communications
satellites acquired from Russia and will launch a third Gorizont
from Baikinour, Kazakhstan in April of this year.
MEXICO'S LARGEST CABLE CONSORTIUM LAUNCHES DIGITAL TV WITH
DIGICIPHER SYSTEM
General Instrument Corporation announced that PCTV (Productora y
Comercializadora de Television, SA de CV), Mexico's cable
programming consortium that reaches the largest base of cable
customers in Mexico, launched its digital TV on February 1,
employing the DigiCipher(R) digital compression system.
"We're very pleased that PCTV selected GI's DigiCipher digital
compression system to make the transition to digital television,"
said Hal M. Krisbergh, president of General Instrument's GI
Communications Division. "The launch of PCTV's four channels brings
the total number of digital TV channels in Mexico to 16, with more
than 24 additional channels currently set to launch by the middle of
the year."
Alejandro Alvarez Guerrero, PCTV chairman of the board, said,
"DigiCipher plays a key role in expanding PCTV's programming
offerings throughout the footprint of the Solidaridad and Morelos
satellites. We're very pleased to be making the transition to
DigiCipher as we enter the digital era."
PCTV currently covers cable systems located in 190 cities throughout
the interior of Mexico, serving over 800,000 households.
INDIA ENTRUSTS ARIANESPACE WITH ITS TWO NEW SATELLITES
------------------------------------------------------
Europe's Ariane Launcher Will Place INSAT 2C and 2D Into Orbit in
the Second Half of 1995 and 1996, Respectively
Arianespace announced that on March 4th, in Paris, Professor U.R.
Rao, Secretary, Department of Space and Chairman, Indian Space
Research Organisation (ISRO), and Charles Bigot, Chairman and CEO of
Arianespace, signed a launch contract for the two second-generation
satellites, INSAT 2C and INSAT 2D. These are the fourth and fifth
Indian satellites entrusted to Arianespace.
Underscoring the importance of this contract, Charles Bigot said: "I
would like to thank the Indian Government for their loyalty to
Arianespace, having once again chosen the European Ariane launcher
after a closely fought opposition from our new competitors. The
selection of Ariane by one of today's leading space nations
indicates the sustained confidence in our launch system."
INSAT 2C and INSAT 2D are the third and fourth second-generation
satellites in the Indian Government space department Insat program.
Built in Bangalore by ISRO, these multipurpose satellites will weigh
approximately 2,000 kg (4,400 lb.) each at lift-off. They will
provide telecommunications, search and rescue (SAR) as well as
educational services for India's domestic needs.
With these contracts, the third and fourth of the year, the
ARIANESPACE order book now stands at 39 satellites to be launched,
worth a total of 18.3 billion French francs (i.e. U.S. $3
billion).
THREE-HOUR, LIVE VIDEOCONFERENCE TO EXPLORE HOW ...
---------------------------------------------------
The information superhighway and its impact on
corporate-communications management will be the focus of "Corporate
Communications in the Digital Age," a live, interactive
videoconference. The videoconference will originate from the GTE
VisNet studios and be available nationally by subscription via
satellite from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. EST on March 30.
Produced by The Blackwell Corp., Washington, D.C., in association
with GTE VisNet, the program will help participants understand where
technology companies currently stand in the development of the
information superhighway and how this technology will affect
corporate communicators over the next 18 months.
The three-hour program will feature two panel discussions with a
question and answer period after each session. Program segments
will be highlighted by pre-taped commentary from: Commerce Secretary
Ron Brown; author/futurist Alvin Toffler; Larry Irving,
administrator of the National Telecommunications & Information
Administration; John Malone, president and chief executive officer
of Tele-Communications Inc. (TCI); Bert Roberts, chairman and chief
executive officer of MCI; and, Stanley Hubbard, chairman of U.S.
Satellite Broadcasting Inc.
"The unparalleled advances in digital technology will change the
way America works, and the corporate-communications function is not
exempt," said William C. Bowles, director-visual communications
network for GTE VisNet. "This videoconference is a 'must see' for
all communications professionals who want to stay on the cutting
edge of their profession."
Panels Discuss Digital Innovations and Career Development
The first panel will discuss current and future digital innovations
in corporate communications. Panellists include: Jay Grossman,
director of corporate and financial public relations for Bell
Atlantic; William Griffin, GTE Laboratories; Peter Huber, a leading
analyst of technology trends and Forbes columnist; Michael Schrage
of the Los Angeles Times; Steven Levy, author of Insanely Great: The
Life and Times of Macintosh; and, Gregory Fairnak, president of Owl
Software.
The second panel will deal with career development and team-based
management and will include: Brigadier General Richard Mallion
(retired), chief executive officer of Information Technology and
Strategic Planning (ITSP); Lucie Fjeldstad, consultant and former
executive vice president of IBM Corp.; Janet Ashley, principal of
Ashley & Butterfield, a technology recruitment and consulting firm;
Ted Christensen, head of GW Television, the business and education
network of The George Washington University; and, Tom Edgar, a
consultant specialising in personnel and technology integration
issues.
"We have designed this videoconference to demystify the
information superhighway and assess its impact on the skill sets
required by employees and management to work in its environment,"
said Neal B. Freeman, chairman and CEO of the Blackwell Corp.
The videoconference subscription fee is $450 per downlink
location. For additional information on how to subscribe to the
videoconference, contact John Mucci of GTE VisNet at 1-800-828-3465.
HOME & GARDEN TELEVISION TEAMS UP WITH YOUNG ...
-----------------------------------------------
The six television stations owned by New York-based Young
Broadcasting Inc. will become broadcast affiliates of The Home &
Garden Television Network (HGTV) under an agreement.
The transaction means access to another 878,000 potential
subscribers for HGTV, a 24-hour cable channel scheduled for launch
in late 1994.
As affiliates, Young's stations will ask their local cable
systems to carry HGTV in exchange for permission to continue
carrying the stations' broadcast signals. The six stations
committed to marketing HGTV to local cable operators include WKRN,
Nashville, Tenn.; WTEN, Albany, N.Y.; WLNS, Lansing, Mich.; WKBT,
LaCrosse-Eau Claire, Wis.; KLFY, Lafayette, La.; and WTVO, Rockford,
Ill.
"We look forward to working with the cable operators in our
affiliated cities to bring quality entertainment and information
programming to television viewers," said Ron Kwasnick, president of
Young Broadcasting. "HGTV provides an excellent opportunity for all
of us."
The Home & Garden Television Network has been in development for
two years. It will originate from Knoxville, Tenn., with facilities
to be constructed adjacent to Cinetel Productions, the largest
independent producer of cable programming in America. HGTV's
parent, Scripps Howard Broadcasting, a subsidiary of The E.W.
Scripps Company, announced last month an agreement to acquire
Cinetel.
Ken Lowe, HGTV's president, said the network is particularly
attractive to cable operators because of its broad audience appeal
and its ability to attract new advertisers to cable. "We are
especially pleased to be affiliated with Young Broadcasting," he
said. "Its well- established stations represent a geographic
diversity that verifies the widespread appeal of HGTV."
The addition of the six Young stations brings the number of HGTV
broadcast affiliates to 30, including stations owned by Lee
Enterprises, Inc., Nationwide Communications and HGTV's parent
company, Scripps.
In addition, multiple system cable operators that have agreed to
carry the network in exchange for permission to carry the
affiliates' broadcast signals include Time Warner Cable, Continental
Cablevision, Times Mirror Cable Television, Rifkin & Associates,
Inc. and Triax Communications.
The Home & Garden Television Network will feature 24 hours of
daily programming focusing on home repair, home decorating, lawn and
garden and consumer electronics-retail categories in which consumers
spent more than $200 billion in 1992.
Lowe said research indicates that interest in the network is
spread evenly across all demographic groups. "By attracting such a
diverse cross-section of viewers, we believe HGTV will be a magnet
for a huge reservoir of home-related advertising dollars that are
not currently spent on cable television."
Microsoft and TCI to create new programming channel
---------------------------------------------------
Microsoft Corp. and Tele-Communications Inc. announced the
companies have agreed in principle to form a joint venture to de
develop and market a new cable television network targeted to the
growing consumer market for personal computer hardware, software and
accessories.
The companies have signed a letter of understanding to organise
this new joint venture, in which they will be equal partners. "The
home market for personal computing is expanding rapidly," said Bill
Gates, chairman and chief executive officer of Microsoft. "This new
network of PC-oriented programming, which will be available to cable
customers, will make it easier for consumers to access a broad range
of personal computer information, goods and services from the home."
"With more than 30 million homes now equipped with PCs, the
opportunity to serve that market is compelling," said John Malone,
president and chief executive officer of TCI. "With Microsoft's
strength in PC software and TCI's ability to deliver
special-interest programming, we think this new programming network
of PC information will be appealing to the growing number of cable
and PC customers."
The cable network will be dedicated to personal computing,
including magazine-format shows and home shopping. TCI will deliver
the network using digital compression technology and set-top digital
devices. However, cable companies will have the option of carrying
the network over their current analogue systems.
The joint venture also will deliver a range of interactive
services to PCs using the latest PC cable-modem technology. This
technology enables PCs to access personal computer information and
services directly from the cable system.
The subsequent development of full-service, interactive broadband
networks -- such as the recently announced technology and marketing
test of interactive television to be conducted by TCI and Microsoft
in Seattle and Denver -- ultimately will provide more comprehensive
and robust interactive services.
WILBUR L. PRITCHARD NAMED TONGASAT MANAGING DIRECTOR
----------------------------------------------------
Wilbur Pritchard has been named managing director of TongaSat, Ltd.,
the satellite communications authority of the Kingdom of Tonga,
following the resignation of Mats Nilson to pursue other interests.
Mr. Pritchard will continue as president of W.L. Pritchard &
Co., Inc., Bethesda, Md. His firm specialises in satellite system
engineering and assessment, as well as market analysis and strategic
planning for organisations such as the European Space Agency, GTE
Spacenet, Afrispace, Viacom and Westinghouse.
He formerly served as chairman and chief executive officer of SSE
Telecom, Inc., which he founded in 1974. Mr. Pritchard directed
the development of the United States' first military satellite
system and the United Kingdom's Skynet System while with Aerospace
Corporation. He also served as the first director of research and
development laboratories as a vice president for Comsat Corporation.
"The Board has welcomed Mr. Pritchard's insights and seasoned
understanding of a complex and rapidly changing industry in our
earlier work. We are pleased that a man of his stature and
extensive expertise has accepted responsibility for overseeing the
operation and development of TongaSat," Princess Salote-Pilolevu
Tuita, chairperson of TongaSat, said today.
"I am looking forward to this challenging responsibility," Mr.
Pritchard said. "I appreciate TongaSat's trust and confidence in my
ability. These next years promise to be some of the most
interesting, intriguing times in my career."
TongaSat was established in 1988 to oversee the utilisation of
seven geostationary satellite positions that the International
Frequency Registration Board allocated to The Kingdom of Tonga that
same year.
In 1992, Tonga granted 30-year licenses for three positions to
Rimsat, Ltd., Fort Wayne, Ind. Rimsat initiated service in 1993
utilising two Gorizont communication satellites it acquired from
Russia. Rimsat plans to launch a third Gorizont in April of this
year.
JONES COMPUTER NETWORK RESPONDS TO TCI -- ...
------------------------------------------
Glenn R. Jones, chief executive officer of Jones International Ltd.
parent company of the Jones Computer Network (JCN), issued the
following statement concerning the announcement by
TeleCommunications Inc. and Microsoft Corp.
"We have a high degree of respect for TCI and Microsoft and we
expect that they will have a superb cable channel. When we
announced Jones Computer Network nearly one year ago, it was with
the anticipation that we would be joined by other cable programming
networks.
"The goal for Jones Computer Network is to inform and excite
television viewers about emerging computer and new media
technologies, and ultimately, enable them to sample, purchase and
receive these products on demand. Since last May, we have
established relationships with a variety of players in the
information technology field. That list continues to grow as we
prepare for JCN's launch as a separate cable channel."
JCN is currently a nightly four-hour programming block on Mind
Extension University (ME/U) a sister cable channel that reaches
approximately 26 million TV households. JCN will use General
Instruments DigiCipher digital compression technology when it
launches as a full-time cable channel on the Satcom C3 satellite
during the third quarter of this year.
StarSight-equipped Zenith TVs in field trial; TVs ...
-------------------------------------------------------
In step with this summer's national launch of StarSight-equipped
Zenith colour TV sets, the first TVs integrating StarSight Telecast
Inc.'s patented, interactive technology have been placed in consumer
homes, it was announced by Brian Klosterman, StarSight Telecast's
senior vice president of consumer electronics marketing.
A limited number of initial production models have been placed in
homes across the country as part of this real-world field trial.
These StarSight-equipped television sets parallel the much-awaited
completion of StarSight Telecast's nation-wide data transmission
network via the Public Broadcasting System. As of March 7,
StarSight's broadcast footprint covers more than 90 percent of the
United States. Unlike other announced interactive navigational
tools for the upcoming information superhighway, StarSight is the
only service of its kind that is on-line and fully operational
today.
Thus far, the in-market test results confirm that StarSight
Telecast's original product direction is meeting consumer needs.
During extensive product research conducted before the company
developed StarSight, consumers overwhelmingly reported that they
wanted an easy way to: 1) find out what was on television and, 2) to
be able to quickly and simply record a program. Building on this
consumer feedback, StarSight Telecast then developed its interactive
program guide with one-button VCR recording capability. Research
regarding StarSight's most used features and the impact the
interactive service has on consumer viewing habits is also being
collected.
"After years of consumer research and product development, it is
extremely exciting to see StarSight being used in a real-world
setting," commented Klosterman. "Based on initial feedback, we are
confident that consumers will find StarSight to be simple and quick
to use, as well as a lot of fun. We're very much looking forward to
the nation-wide roll-out of the StarSight-equipped Zenith TV sets
this summer."
Consumers purchasing the StarSight-equipped Zenith televisions
will be able to display descriptions of television programs,
conveniently tune to programs of their choice by either title or
channel, see lists of programs grouped by themes and set their VCRs
to record their favourite programming with just the touch of one
button.
SCIENTIFIC-ATLANTA AND TIME WARNER CABLE ANNOUNCE ...
------------------------------------------------------
Time Warner Cable has entered into a three year purchase agreement
with Scientific-Atlanta for up to 1 million 8600x(TM) home
communications terminals. Time Warner has signed a firm purchase
order for 500,000 units over the next two years. The remaining
terms and conditions were not disclosed.
The 8600x terminal will be deployed broadly over the next three
years across many parts of the country served by Time Warner
including several top 100 cable systems.
"Through the 8600x terminal, Time Warner has chosen a migration
path which starts with analogue services and can gradually add more
advanced services as they become available," said Gary Trimm,
president of Scientific-Atlanta's Subscriber Systems Division. "The
easy-to-use 8600x will increase customers' satisfaction with their
cable service."
According to Jim Chiddix, senior vice president of engineering
and technology for Time Warner Cable, "Our core business requires an
ongoing investment in home terminals and we want our customers to
have one that will enhance their experience with cable television.
The 8600x provides us with a cost-effective way to do that."
CRTC PROPOSAL TO EXEMPT CANADIAN DTH PROVIDERS ...TEE-COMM APPLAUDS
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Canada's telecommunications regulatory agency (CRTC) is calling
for for public comment on a proposal to exempt Canadian DTH
satellite service distributors from having a
licence.
"Exempting DTH distributors from detailed regulation should
encourage the growth of this alternative source of programming
delivery for individual dish owners," said CRTC Chairman Keith
Spicer in the current televised hearings.
Hailing it as a victory for its vision to provide a Canadian
alternative to U.S. Death Stars, Tee-Comm Electronics has expressed
its support for the CRTC's proposal that Direct To Home (DTH)
satellite service distributors be exempted from detailed regulation.
"This will have a major impact on the future of Canadian
television. It means that Canadians will not have to depend on
foreign sources for the small-dish DBS television programming of the
future. There's been a lot of talk about the U.S. Death Stars;
this news breathes life into our plan to offer up to 150 channels of
Canadian Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) television programming in
1994," said Al Bahnman, Tee-Comm's chairman and chief executive
officer.
Commenting on Tee-Comm's unique competitive position, Bahnman
said "everything's coming together for Tee-Comm's strategy -- we
have the digital video technology, we have options on the Telesat
satellite transponders, we are Canada's leading manufacturer of
satellite dishes and receivers, we have over 33,000 DTH subscribers,
and now we have a clear sense that the remaining regulatory hurdle
will be cleared."
INTERACTIVE NETWORK FILES $20 MILLION SUIT AGAINST NTN
-------------------------------------------------------
Interactive Network, Inc. filed a $20 million damage suit alleging
malicious prosecution against NTN Communications, Inc. The suit
follows a final judgement in U.S. District Court on January 26
dismissing patent litigation brought earlier by NTN against
Interactive Network.
The Interactive Network complaint alleges that NTN principals Dan
and Pat Downs, in connection with an NTN fund raising program,
deliberately circulated deposition testimony stating that they and
others -- specifically not Interactive Network chairman and CEO
David B. Lockton -- had invented certain patented technology in the
early 1980s to enable unlimited numbers of players to interact
competitively with real time television programming.
The complaint further states that NTN knew at the time that this
testimony was not true and in fact, made a binding stipulation in
1987 that the technology patented by Interactive Network was
conceived independently of the Downs brothers or anyone else at NTN.
The complaint also alleges that the deposition testimony used to
assist in NTN's fund raising program was deliberately and widely
circulated within the financial community to damage Interactive
Network's own fund raising activity.
"NTN has commenced litigation against us four times and has never
won," Mr. Lockton said. "Our malicious prosecution suit concerns
NTN's re-alleging in the patent litigation that our interactive game
patent was obtained by fraud. NTN already knew and had admitted
this was false in 1987."
"NTN has used baseless litigation as a competitive weapon to
influence the investing public's perception of the relative value of
the NTN and Interactive Network technologies. Such activity is
prohibited by law. We intend to see that the law is enforced to the
fullest extent," Mr. Lockton asserted, "We are accordingly seeking
reimbursements for $246,000 in attorney's fees and expenses in
addition to our malicious prosecution demands."
The January 26 final judgement followed an earlier decision of
the court, which held that NTN had previously conceded the
inventorship issue in the 1987 settlement. In addition, the court
dismissed NTN's claim that the Interactive Network patent was
invalid and unenforceable.
According to Interactive Network, NTN currently offers only one
interactive game in the United States in connection with a live
televised event without continuous use of a phone line, QB1, which
is offered under patent license from Interactive Network.
Failed Bell Atlantic/TCI merger: teaming for ...
-------------------------------------------------
A soon-to-be- released study from Killen & Associates concludes that
multimedia companies will form a small number of global teams to
compete in the new marketplace.
"Bell Atlantic and TCI may have failed to form a team in their
pursuit of multimedia markets," said Michael Killen, president of
the research firm, "but the message is clear: More and more
companies recognise the need to combine into teams to enhance their
capabilities and gain market share.
"There are perhaps 4 to 6 multimedia teams that make strategic
sense," Killen continued. "With 250 key players vying for strategic
position, the challenge is not only to sign up on the right team,
but to sign up quickly, before the positions are filled. Companies
in broadcasting, cable services, entertainment, telephone services
and equipment, computers, software, systems integration, and related
markets need to team up with suppliers of complementary products and
services to play in the multimedia market. This is the only way to
provide the feature-rich services customers want."
FM CUBED NEWS
-------------
SpaceCom Systems Inc. has finalised its agreement with U.K.-based
Kingston Communications (Hull) PLC, which grants Kingston Satellite
Services the exclusive right to market SpaceCom's proprietary FM
Cubed transmission technology in Europe.
The agreement also enables SpaceCom to provide its U.S. clients
additional satellite distribution into Europe. Kingston Satellite
Services, in return, will be able to provide satellite transmission
service to European clients who want to expand into North America
via SpaceCom's operations in the United States. Both companies will
continue to market FM Cubed transmission services in their
respective territories.
Kingston Satellite Services is a joint venture between Kingston
Communications and British Aerospace.
According to Al Stem, SpaceCom's vice president and general
manager, the Kingston agreement supports SpaceCom's current
expansion trends. "We've experienced tremendous growth in the U.S.
over the last two years, and have been anxious to begin distribution
in Europe," Stem says. "We are now proceeding quickly.
"The agreement not only opens up a new market in which to sell
our satellite equipment and expertise," Stem explains, "it provides
SpaceCom's clients the ability to obtain satellite distribution on
two continents using identical technology."
Kingston Communications is one of the United Kingdom's longest-
established public telephone service providers. Over the last
decade it has expanded and diversified to include a business systems
division, a communications testing laboratory, a world-wide
communications software company, and directory publishing as well as
satellite services. Kingston Satellite Services will provide FM
Cubed service on Europe's Eutelsat II satellite, uplinking the
service from their Stevenage teleport facility north of London.
"We're pleased with the arrangement with SpaceCom," says David
Nicholson, general manager of Kingston Satellite Services. "The
agreement allows for us to fortify our position as a leading
provider of voice and data services in the UK and continental
Europe. We now have the rights to a cutting-edge satellite
technology that no other European communications company can offer,
and that gives us a tremendous competitive advantage."
FM Cubed is an advanced satellite transmission technology
developed by SpaceCom in 1991. FM Cubed is based upon SpaceCom's
breakthroughs in frequency modulation techniques for satellite
transmissions. FM Cubed significantly improved upon FM Squared, the
previous industry standard for audio and data transmission via
satellite. Currently operating on the Galaxy IV satellite (Ku-Band)
and uplinked from the company's Chicago International Teleport,
SpaceCom's FM Cubed technology achieves higher reliability and
allows more flexibility than its predecessor FM Squared. FM Cubed
also allows additional features such as addressability and remote
upgrade capabilities that were previously unavailable with FM
Squared.
The power delivered by FM Cubed also enables end-users to
reliably receive the satellite signal with small satellite dishes,
which cost less than conventional satellite reception equipment.
These satellite dishes are 29 inches in diameter, and the total
hardware cost (including satellite dish, receiver unit and cable)
for FM Cubed reception equipment is less than $800 per site.
IDB AND MAXAT
-------------
IDB Communications Group Inc. announced that IDB SYSTEMS,
has reached an agreement with Maxat Limited in London for the
provision of a 7.2-meter data earth station.
The agreement will be IDB's first system for Maxat, a wholly owned
subsidiary of FCR (France Cables at Radio, part of the France
Telecom Group).
The system will be built at Maxat's new Brookman's Park teleport,
located outside London, and will be used primarily as a VSAT data
hub initially utilising the Eutelsat II F4 Satellite at 7 degrees
east.
The system will be completed in the summer of 1994. This will be
IDB's third installation at the Brookman's Park site.
The Maxat agreement was completed after just three weeks of
discussions and negotiations. "This project demonstrates the
responsiveness of IDB SYSTEMS to our customers," said John Ahrens,
vice president of sales and marketing for IDB SYSTEMS. "In order to
meet the critical time scales for Maxat, we dedicated to the project
all the resources required."
"IDB offered the best solution to our specifications, in terms of
both their rapid response to our requirements and the design of the
earth station," said Michael Derosaire, head of engineering and
operations at Maxat. "We look forward to working with them on this
project."
TV/COM AND NOKIA SIGN AGREEMENT
-------------------------------
TV/COM International, manufacturer of digital compression and
analogue encryption systems for the cable and satellite industry,
announced that it has reached a multi-million dollar manufacturing
and distribution agreement with Nokia Consumer Electronics of
Finland.
The agreement calls for TV/COM to license its Compression
NetWORKS(tm) digital technology to Nokia so the two companies can
co-develop consumer set top satellite receiver and cable converter
systems for Nokia to manufacture for the European marketplace.
The non-exclusive agreement, which follows on the heels of an
announcement made several months ago in which the two companies
agreed to explore such a relationship, is considered a coup for
TV/COM in Europe, which has over 140 million television households.
According to Henk Hanselaar, president and chief executive
officer of TV/COM International, the Nokia agreement is a strong
endorsement of the strength and promise of TV/COM's digital
compression system.
"With Nokia's existing European distribution network, its led
like computer software it opens up totally new possibilities. Nokia
intends to be one of the major players in this new area and we'll
offer flexible and user-friendly digital TV decoders at an
affordable price," said Dr. Helmut Stein, vice president, R&D,
Nokia Consumer Electronics.
TV/COM's Compression NetWORKS is a family of products designed to
handle compression, decompression and control for cable and
satellite with maximum efficiency and flexibility.
"TV/COM's Compression NetWORKS system is the most flexible system
for Europe. Satellite carrying capacity can be optimised in
real-time for any transponder, and any mix of video, audio and data
services can be optimally combined to fill transponder capacity.
"Receivers can operate on full- or partial-satellite transponders
and the system offers centralised or distributed network and
conditional control. The system is also fully MPEG-2 Main Profile
Main Level compliant.
"The Nokia agreement exemplifies TV/COM's openness to partnership
arrangements which enhance the company's philosophy of multiple
vendor sourcing and open architectures for the benefit of
compression users," said Todd Easterling, director of marketing for
TV/COM.
CONTINENTAL CABLEVISION HOOKS TO THE INTERNET
---------------------------------------------
Continental Cablevision and Performance Systems International (PSI)
linked CAMBRIDGE, MASS a city of 95,000 directly to the
Information Superhighway as they launched the first commercially
available service offering high-speed connection to the global
Internet via cable TV's high-capacity system.
Using Continental's broadband cable "pipeline" and the PSINet(R)
national network, Cambridge businesses, organisations and
individuals subscribing to the new service, dubbed PSICable(SM),
will have access to the vast world-wide data services of the
Internet at speeds hundreds of times faster than using conventional
telephone lines.
Continental and PSI are offering PSICable Internet service on a
commercial basis to Cambridge businesses and organisations with many
computers linked in a Local Area Network.
Beginning next month, they will extend the service to home and
small business personal computer users, bringing high-speed Internet
transmission of data and multimedia applications within the reach of
individuals for the first time ever.
By the end of the second quarter of 1994, Continental and PSI
expect to begin offering PSICable Internet service to the eastern
Massachusetts suburbs of Arlington, Burlington, Needham, Newton,
Wellesley and Woburn.
"With the launch of this service, we are providing communication
and programming services to computers for the first time. This is
an important step in the continuing convergence of the television
set and the home computer, " said David M. Fellows, Senior Vice
President for Engineering and Technology at Continental Cablevision.
"Like the telephone system, our network of fibre and cable is a
pipeline that can reach virtually every home and business in the
communities we serve.
And with the broadband capacity inherent in our system, we're
capable of bringing a wide variety of Information Superhighway
services, along with the video channels, to anyone within reach of
our cable TV service," Fellows said.
"The technology is now in place, or soon will be, for PSI to
deliver Internet over many cable TV systems across the country,"
said William L. Schrader, President and CEO of PSI. "In addition,
our work on both hardware and software platforms for cable will soon
bring even more advanced services, such as multimedia, conferencing
and telecommuting."
William I. Richmond, Continental's New England Director of
Business Development, noted that PSICable affordably unlocks
untapped potential of the Internet.
"Whether at the corporate, small business or individual level,
users now will have access to a high-speed 'on ramp' to the Internet
that will allow vastly improved productivity for a variety of
creative new applications," Richmond said. "Continental's New
England fibre optic network is the high-capacity electronic roadway
bringing this and other Information Superhighway services to
communities in Greater Boston."
Martin L. Schoffstall, Vice President and Chief Technical Officer
of PSI noted that "as talk of the Information Superhighway turns to
real-life options, the market soon realises that the extensive and
growing graphical, multimedia and interactive applications available
or coming soon will not work fast enough through the traditional
phone system."
"Cable offers the inexpensive and widely available bandwidth that
is hundreds of times faster than the best switched services offered
by the telephone companies," Schoffstall said. "PSICable takes
advantage of this natural need for high-performance Internet access
by the individual."
The new PSICable service is being provided through a Metropolitan
Area Network on Continental's fibre optic trunk lines that loop
around Boston.
Initial customer connections are available through shared
multi-megabit per second cable segments via a bi-directional
unidirectional channel linked to the fibre backbone, and from there
are connected to the PSINet national wide-area network, and to the
global Internet.
Information traffic is managed by "routers" PSI has placed in
Continental signal hubs, or "headends," along the fibre backbone.
Subscribers to the new service will use special PSI modems connected
to their computers and cable TV outlet.
TCI-KBLCOM ORDER DIGITAL AUDIO RECEIVER
---------------------------------------
Tele-Communications Inc. (TCI) and KBLCOM/Paragon Communications
have joined International Cablecasting Technologies Inc. (ICT(R))'s
DMX for Business, in placing an initial order for 55,000 units of
the industry's first 120-channel capacity, DBS digital audio
receiver. The total order is worth $22 million.
The receiver, which was commissioned exclusively for ICT's
premier commercial digital audio service, DMX for Business, is made
by San Diego-based ComStream, a division of Spar Aerospace Ltd.
The purchase will allow the companies to significantly expand
their existing base of DMX for Business subscribers.
The ComStream receiver's proprietary digital technology will
allow ICT commercial digital audio subscribers to receive up to 120
different channels of stereo music.
"The size of this initial tuner order is a strong indicator of
the success of our expanded commercial music service and will
increase our subscriber base significantly over the near term," said
Jerry Rubinstein, ICT's chairman and chief executive officer.
Barry Marshall, chief operating officer of TCI Cable Management
Division, said, "The introduction of DBS technology makes DMX for
Business a particularly attractive business opportunity for us.
Subscribers now have the option of receiving their service over
cable or by satellite, so our revenue opportunities are greatly
expanded."
General Manager Lee Whittaker of KBLCOM/Paragon Communications
commercial subsidiary, Paragon Business Systems, said, "The advent
of DBS will significantly enhance our commercial DMX distribution
within our franchise area." Paragon Business Systems currently has
237 cable- delivered commercial customers.
DMX for Business, the only service offering digital CD-quality,
commercial-free stereo music to business establishments, currently
offers subscribers 30 different channels of music. The service will
expand its line-up to 60 channels with the introduction of DBS
technology, which began testing in February and is scheduled for
rollout in June. Slated expansion to 90 formats is anticipated for
early 1995 with 120 to follow soon thereafter.
This announcement followed news in mid-January that ICT will be
the first commercial user of the AC-3 multichannel stereo encoders
developed by Dolby Laboratories. The AC-3 technology was recently
chosen as the audio format for future high definition television
(HDTV) systems in the United States. The AC-3 process can encode up
to six separate audio channels in less than half the space required
for a single channel on a compact disc.
SEGA SIGNS ADELPHIA
-------------------
Sega Channel announced the signing of Adelphia Communications Corp.
as a launch partner for the new interactive video game channel.
"We are very pleased to have Adelphia join our group of charter
affiliates," said Stanley B. Thomas, president and CEO of Sega
Channel. "The early commitment of Adelphia is a testimony to the
Channel's future success."
Sega Channel is the cable industry's first interactive service,
providing Sega Genesis(TM) video games on-demand, 24 hours a day.
Sega Channel subscribers will choose from a wide selection of
popular games, special versions of soon-to-be-released titles,
gameplay tips, news, contests and promotions. The programming will
be updated monthly to keep it new and exciting. Sega Channel will
be priced in the range of most premium subscription services.
MCDONNELL DOUGLAS DELTA II ROCKET LAUNCHES 24TH GLOBAL POSITIONING
SATELLITE
A Douglas Delta II 7925 rocket launched the 24th Block II NAVSTAR
Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) for the U.S. Air Force. The
launch completes the NAVSTAR constellation and brings the GPS system
to full operational capability.
The Delta II rocket launched the first GPS satellite on Feb. 14,
1989. Four more followed in that year, and another five were added
in 1990. Only one satellite was placed in orbit in 1991; however
the pace quickened in the next two years, with six launches in both
1992 and 1993.
"McDonnell Douglas is proud to have played an important role in the
implementation of the GPS system," said Rick Arvesen, McDonnell
Douglas' U. S. Air Force program manager. "The Delta launch vehicle
has placed all 24 Block II satellites into orbit without a failure,
and credit goes to every member of the team."
GPS satellites form a space-based radio navigation system with both
military and commercial applications, providing precise position and
velocity information to users anywhere in the world.
The rocket carried a secondary payload, the Small Expendable-tether
Deployer System (SEDS-2) for NASA. The SEDS project is designed to
demonstrate an economical way of delivering smaller payloads, such
as micro-satellites, to higher orbits or downward toward Earth's
atmosphere. The first SEDS was launched as a secondary payload
aboard a Delta vehicle on March 29, 1993.
For the past 16 years and 92 launches, the Delta vehicle has
maintained a 98.9 percent success rate. Over its 33-year life span,
the Delta holds a success record of 94.6 percent.
TURKEY TO LAUNCH NEW SATELLITE
------------------------------
Turkey announced that Turksat 1B will be launched in July by
Arianspace.
The TURKSAT 1B, Which is being built in France, is similar in design
to TURKSAT 1A, Turkey's first satellite which was lost in January.
The new satellite will be transported to French Guiana by the end of
May.
Turkey's transportation minister described the loss of the first
satellite as "unlucky".
PROBE TO INVESTIGATE GENERAL INSTRUMENT
----------------------------------------
The U.S. Justice Department's antitrust division is
investigating whether General Instrument Corp, may have a
stranglehold on the delivery of advanced video services.
The Justice Department has requested that G.I. provide
a wide range of information about its past relationships in the cable
industry and about its relationship with digital technology
companies planning to deliver interactive television and the 500
channel universe.
Stock of General Instrument Corp. fell on the word of the
federal antitrust investigation.
MACLEAN HUNTER APPROVES BID
----------------------------
Maclean Hunter Ltd. have approved the $2.28 billion take-over
bid by Rogers Cable pending approval by the shareholders, the CRTC
and FCC. Rogers has already filed with the FCC and CRTC for
approval of its bid.
The whole process, however, will take at least a year and faces
a tough approval process. In Canada the deal will be reviewed by
both the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission
and Canada's Competition Tribunal.
Shortly, the CRTC will request written submissions from interested
individuals, groups or companies. Then they will hold public
hearings before coming to a final decision.
Rogers is the largest cable operator in Canada, with cable
systems in British Columbia and Ontario. It also owns radio
stations across Canada, the Cantel cellular telephone network
and Unitel Communications, the major competitor in the Canadian
long-distance telephone market. The two cable channels, Movie Network
and First Choice, and a chain of video rental stores across Canada.
Maclean Hunter has a controlling interest in the Toronto Sun
Publishing Corp., publisher of the Financial Post and the Sun
newspapers in Toronto, Ottawa, Edmonton and Calgary.
Maclean Hunter also owns cable systems in Ontario, New Jersey,
Michigan, Florida and the U.K. and radio stations in the Atlantic
provinces, Ontario and in Western Canada.
ANOTHER INJURED PARTY ON THE INFORMATION HIGHWAY. MAYBE!
--------------------------------------------------------
Cox Enterprises Inc said in the light of the FCC's government's
recent seven percent rollback on cable-television rates it may
reconsider its planned $4.9 billion venture with Southwestern
Bell. However, an official spokesman emphasised that project is on
track.
AROUND THE WORLD IN 5K OR LESS
-------------------------------
.....The U.S. FCC's Advisory Committee on Advanced Television Service
has approved the construction of the final element of prototype
hardware for the U.S. HDTV standard.
.....Morelos I has been taken out of operation after more than eight
years of service. It will remain at its present location as an
in-orbit spare until 1995.
.....Spar Aerospace Ltd has won the contract from Alcatel Espace to
supply communications antennae for the fourth
satellite of France Telecom's Telecom 2 communications satellite
series and is scheduled for delivery by mid-1995.
.....U.S. network ABC, announced it plans to buy a further 20
percent interest in Unique Broadcasting, an independent U.K.radio
production company.
......C-SPAN aired the first of a six-part series on the role of the
Supreme Court during the Civil War. Five more shows, each shown the
Sunday after taping, will be introduced in turn by Justices Sandra
Day O'Connor, David Souter, Anthony Kennedy, Clarence Thomas and
Harry Blackmun.
.....The 24th and final Navstar satellite, blasted into orbit
aboard a Delta 2 rocket this fortnight. A guidance anomaly caused a
eight minute delay in take-off. The Navstar satellite will
eventually be in an orbit 11,500 above the earth.
.....Groupe Videotron Ltee has received a license to extend its fibre
optic network in order to offer public telecommunication services in
Westminster and the London business district. The license also allows
Videotron to offer its Videoway multimedia, cable and interactive
television services to the two districts.
.....The Jamaican government will sign an intellectual property
accord with the United States to protect satellite broadcasts. The
accord covers the commercial use or sale of material broadcast via
satellite.
AsiaWatch
---------
HDTV DEBATE CONTINUES
--------------------
The 11 big electronics makers in Japan are pressing the Japanese
government to promote the Muse analogue HDTV system.
Tadahiro Sekimoto, chairman of EIAJ said, "We had an assurance
from the ministry that the current HDTV broadcasting will not be
terminated after 2007 (when Japan plans to launch a new satellite)."
However, in another report, the Japanese Ministry of Posts and
Telecommunications said it will set up an advisory group to discuss
how to proceed with HDTV and will decide by next April whether to
replace the Muse analogue high-definition television (HDTV) system
with a digital system.
INFLUX OF SATELLITE CHANNELS WORRIES SOME
-----------------------------------------
Although Asia is considered a major growth area for satellite
television it cannot support all the television operations planned
for the region, according to Australia Television's chief David
Hill. He told a luncheon in Sydney "The pan-Asian advertising
market is very small," and was not big enough to support all the
present and proposed operators in the area.
EuroWatch ....
What's making news across Europe's skies
By Martyn Williams in London,
additional reporting by Joel Wirstzel in Paris.
Britain's ITV companies, plan a "grand alliance" with cable
television companies to bid for key programming rights. The CTA
will meet with an group of ITV represenatives to discuss shared
programming initiatives and cooperation on the purchase of sporting
and entertainment TV rights.
Canale France International (CFI) television network and Australia's
Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) announced a programme sharing
agreement.
"This agreement will result in the exchange of programmes between
the two networks including news, current affairs and documentaries,"
CFI chairman Fouad Benhalla and SBS television head Lloyd James said
in a joint statement.
The Euopean Commission released figures as part of a review of
the EU's "Television Without Frontiers" directive. The report
showed that of the 11 French staions only "Canal Jimmy" fell short
of the target.The British channels that did not meet the target were
non-national satellite channels such as Japan Satellite TV which
targets a specialised audience.
The report did not cover the London-based TNT & Cartoon
Network, which is primarilly American content, because it was
launched after the period covered by the report. Overall 67 percent
of of 105 channels surveyed met the requirements, including all
those in Portugal, Ireland, Denmark and the Netherlands.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Philips Media and United International Holdings Inc of Denver
have agreed to set up a European cable television operation. "The
joint venture will be the largest privately owned multi-channel
subscription TV company in Europe," Philips said in a statement.
Philips will consolidate its cable TV interest in Germany, Belgium,
France, Austria and the Netherlands with UIH's in Norway, Sweden,
Ireland, Hungary, Malta and Israel.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Satellite Journal
International
Volume 2 Issue 6
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
------The DTP version is mailed via air or First Class and has
product information, reviews and other items not in the electronic
version.
U.S.A. $45.00 U.S. Dollars
Canada $55.00 Canadian Dollars
(Discount for FNL/OMEGA listeners)
UK 55.00 Sterling
Other rates are in U.S. funds
Europe $75.00
Rest of World $85.00
------For information or to subscribe please contact Satellite
Journal International at:
71165...@Compuserve.com or
PO Box 2065
Burleson Texas
76097-2065 U.S.A.
------------------------------------------------------------------
***** (New service for Compuserve readers only) *****
If you wish to receive Satellite Journal Itl.
via Compuserve Mail, send a message to 71165,2032. We will send
each issue _collect_. The average monthly cost would be $1 of your
mail allowance (standard plan). Issues will be in your mailbox
every other Monday morning. Each issue will be sent zipped using
PKZIP v2 and in EITHER ASCII or Write format (please indicate). If
you are currently receiving the ASCII version and would prefer the
write version let us know.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Satellite Journal International is a fortnightly (every two weeks)
news journal for satellite enthusiasts and is produced in Burleson,
Texas. _Comments_ or_ news_ items_ may be sent via Internet to
00063...@MCIMAIL.COM or 71165...@Compuserve.com, through
Compuserve directly, 71165,2032 or to P.O. Box 2065 Burleson Texas
76097-2065 U.S.A. The deadline for inclusion of news items is 5
days before the issue date.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Satellite Journal (electronic version) may be found on:
Compuserve:
-----------
CEFORUM Lib 8 Satellites
UKFORUM Lib 17 Entertainment
TELECOM Lib 12 Satellites
BPFORUM Lib 1 Television
Nifty-Serve: TVFORUM Lib 2 Satellite TV
Internet: Homesat news group
Internet users with access to a World-Wide Web client such as Mosaic
or Lynx can retrieve back issues of SJI using the following URL:
http://itre.uncecs.edu/misc/sj/sj.html
To retrieve back issues of SJI via ftp, ftp to itre.uncecs.edu and
look in the directory /pub/satellite/sj
Minitel (France)
-----------------
3615 SURPIN(French/English versions)
Genie: Satellite RoundTable
Fidonet: TVRO Echo
CIX: Skyguide/Journal
Transworld BBS Bristol U.K.
GWN TVRO BBS Marquette MI (bird)
Direct-Line
Online System London U.K.
--------------------------------------------------------------