Euteltracs: the European mobile satellite service

Euteltracs is Europe´s first commercially operated mobile satellite service. Under the overall network operation of Eutelsat, the European Telecommunications Satellite Organisation, Euteltracs provides an integrated message exchange and position-reporting service for the European transportation industry with the aim of increasing cost-effectiveness, radically improving efficiency and security and enhancing business flexibility. This paper describes the architecture of the system and the message exchange and position-reporting service, and gives an overview of the commercial deployment of Euteltracs and of the current regulatory situation for its operation within Europe. It also provides an insight into some new applications for Euteltracs outside of its original target market, including specialised aeronautical and maritime services