Next generation multiservice VSAT networks

Very-small-aperture terminal (VSAT) satellite networks have so far been successful in the provision of specific communication services to geographically dispersed users. However, user demands are becoming more complex and VSAT networks are expected to provide a much wider range of services (voice, data and multimedia). This paper investigates how this service integration could be achieved and shows that performance improvements are possible if efficient multi-access protocols and speech compression with voice-activity-detection techniques are used. It also discusses the future role that VSATs could play in the provision of access to the integrated broadband communication network to remote users. It is shown that it could be possible to use VSATs for ATM service provision, but there are limitations on the system´s performance from the satellite delay and limited link capacity