THE TRANSITION TO SATELLITES
Both terrestrial and satellite services are finding their niche in the U.S. wireless marketplace and new technologies are being offered every day to consumers. Consumers are not necessarily switching from terrestrial to satellite services.
Satellite-based services may come down in price and increase in availability over time, but according to the FCC there doesn't seem to be a trend toward satellites replacing towers, especially in urban areas where there are other communications media available. In areas without service or under-served by terrestrial means [i.e. where it would be very expensive to run cable or put up facilities to serve a small population] satellites have much to offer. In reality, satellites are expected to complement, not replace, terrestrial services, with each company offering services that appeal to different users. |
