FPLMTS satellite component: Service roles

Recent advances in satellite techniques have allowed FPLMTS to incorporate a personal pocket satellite terminal into its configuration. The forms of FPLMTS, both terrestrial and satellite, are described and analysed in network and service terms. The latter analysis is used to show how the hybrid terrestrial/satellite pocket terminal provides a new role for the satellite mode of FPLMTS which will act as an enabler, or pathfinder, for subsequent exploitation by the terrestrial mode. Outline discussion is given on the implications of this for the technical design of FPLMTS and the commercial/regulatory arrangements necessary for its running