A recent Strategy Analytics (News - Alert) report on radio frequency (RF) and wireless component technologies strategies presented information about the outlook — both positive and negative — for proposed networks that would combine satellites and terrestrial base stations.

 

These hybrid networks, Space Daily said in an April 1 report, potentially tie together the advantages of terrestrial and satellite coverage. The question is whether these technologies can be combined in a way that will lead to success for operators.

 

Among the potential advantages of such hybrid networks, Space Daily said, are decreased operating costs and stronger signal.

 

The Space Daily report quoted Chris Taylor, an analyst at Strategy Analytics, as saying that TerreStar, MSV and several other mobile satellite service (MSS) providers are pretty well positioned to provide the satellite infrastructure needed to run hybrid satellite-cellular phone services. Such networks would support handsets that switch over to satellite connectivity in areas where terrestrial coverage is thin.

 

A careful approach is needed to embracing such hybrid networks, Space Daily said, citing concerns from other analysts about the potential of combining these technologies.

 

For example, another analyst at Strategy Analytics, Stephen Entwistle, was quoted in the report as saying that, the convergence of satellite and cellular handsets makes perfect sense but, in order to work, new satellites must be launched — adding substantial cost and risk to the building of hybrid networks.