International Internet Connectivity

ITU-T Study Group 3, Recommendation  D.50 on International Internet Connection (ICC)

European Commission, DG Information Society: The international Internet Connectivity Discussions in the ITU. 

On the problem of the high cost of international Internet connectivity in developing and least developed countries, and on how to help smaller networks with limited traffic to improve their cost management for accessing the Internet see:

C. Shacketon (New Zealand) "International Internet Connections via 2-way satellite" 

Jacques Seini (Burkina Faso), "Connectivite Internet International: Cas de l'ONATEL"

A. Akue-Kpakpo (Togo) "Problems for the development of the Internet in developing countries" (in French)

VSAT system

IP Connectivity Between Regions (Mbit/s)

Source: Packet Geography 2001

Satellite service providers:

New Skies NV, IPsys® Internet access services

Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd.: global data, Internet, voice and video services via satellite, in particular using VSAT technology

Starband: A joint venture of Gilat, EchoStar, Microsoft and ING Furman Selz Investments. StarBand was launched in 2000

Intelsat: global satellite services provider

PanAmSat: provides a bundled package for ISPs, telecommunication companies and corporations (SPOTbytes)

EuropeStar: satellite owner-operator; a joint venture between Alcatel Space and Loral Space & Communications

Eutelsat: provider of satellite communications resources and expertise on a global basis

Tachyon: delivers two-way broadband IP services via satellite

Internet diffusion statistics and surveys:

Distribution of Top-Level Domain Names by Host Count (Jan. 2002), Internet Software Consortium (ISC)

ISP Statistics, ISP World

Global Diffusion of the Internet Project, Mosaic

SSL Server Survey, Netcraft

Internet Domain Survey (Host count stats), Internet Software Consortium (ISC)

News and information on satellite-based Internet:

The London Satellite Exchange (SAX): marketplace for satellite bandwidth; publishes Index of satellite transponder prices, which tracks per-MHz prices in the Ku and C bands

VSAT technology explained, Quantum Prime Communications 

S-CDMA flexible broadband return channel concept for fixed access networks, J. Enssle, H. Halbauer, J. Otterbach & G. Schwoerer, Alcatel

Global Bandwidth: Feast or Famine?, T. Stronge & G. Finnie,  Network Magazine

How Satellites Prosper in the Fiber Optic Age, Telegeography

Product Application note: Asymmetric Internet Over Satellite, PanAmSat 

The Case for Alternative Bandwidth Management to Help Bridge the Digital Divide, Volunteers in Technical Assistance (VITA), G. Schrffenberger

VITAsat: Low Cost Communication and Information Services for Remote Areas, VITA