Seamless integration of satellite and terrestrial networks

Satellite communications networks can be integral to the newly emerging national and global information infrastructures provided the issues of interoperability of satellite and terrestrial networks are resolved. This paper addresses the role of future communications satellites in specific newly emerging market segments, as well as the impediments to seamless integration of terrestrial and satellite components of these future telecommunications networks. Specific examples of interoperability problems and their solutions are presented for the narrowband integrated services digital network (ISDN), data communications, and the asynchronous transfer mode (ATM)