Satellite based telephony system for eastern Europe

A line switched communication system is presented which is well suited to close the gaps in the provision of access to the public switched telephone network (PSTN). As an example this is done with a system adapted to the needs of countries with weak terrestrial networks which can only be extended and renewed by very high investment and long time periods. Trade and industrial enterprises as well as governmental agencies require a communication infrastructure, providing telephony, fax and data circuits for national and international communication, one of the substantial requirements for a boom of the political economy. The satellite based communication system described has been put into operation together with the Deutsche Bundespost Telkom on 12 November 1992 between Russia, Ukraine, Bellorussia, the Baltic Republics, parts of Kazakhstan and Germany and is operated via the INTELSAT 604/60° east space segment