The potential demand for the satellite component of the Universal Mobile Telecommunication System

The definition of the 'third generation' Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) is currently in progress. The UMTS will consist of both terrestrial and space components. The satellite component is expected to operate alongside that of the terrestrial component and provide a complementary rather than a competitive service. In this paper, initially the role of the satellite component of the UMTS is established, from which potential different satellite-UMTS user groups are identified. The number of users for each user group is then derived, taking into account the gross potential market, the penetration rate of the identified services and the profitability of providing such services via satellite.