I recently attended a summit that, in part, brought to the discussion floor the topic of corporate and government distance learning networks and where the next-generation trends and uses are headed. I was surprised by what the industry analysts had to say: The future minimally involves satellite.

This surprised me not because I am the editor of this publication, which covers the business benefits a satellite-enabled network brings to those who use it, but because of the growth of rich media content, especially that used for training and development. Such content continues to surface among users of distance learning networks, and it can be more economically beneficial if transmitted through a hybrid, satellite-enabled network.

A case study presented at the summit showcased the U.S. Social Security Administration. This user already has more than 1,500 satellite receive sites in place and uses its system for organization-wide training. The head of training, however, is being told that satellite training is obsolete and that Web-based training is the future.

Before satellite is dismissed for such purposes, consider the benefits satellite-enabled Web casting offers: A Web cache retrieves and stores information from the Internet close to the user, be it in a single site or multiple sites. This dramatically improves the speed at which the user views the information. Quicker education means quicker implementation and faster returns on investment. Web casting also enables ISPs to directly receive satellite-delivered updates to their Web cache. This improves the efficiency of the backbone connection. Likewise, ISPs located in remote regions of the world look to this content delivery service as an economical means of providing information quickly and easily without requiring significant bandwidth. In other words, it is a win-win situation for both the network manager and the corporate trainer.

In addition to Web casting, there also are benefits to satellite-enabled media streaming, which for the most part, is a new global concept. End users in regions of the world where the Internet still is fairly new have yet to experience the diversity involved with live media. There are content managers and satellite service providers out there that can stream audio, video and data. Ask any corporate trainer and they will say such applications are what they want to implement into their training sessions.

The truth is that satellites are becoming more sophisticated, more efficient and are providing higher power. Advanced broadband systems are in service, cost-effective return channels are available and satellite hubs with WiFi and WiMax for last-mile efficiencies are available.

With so many offerings and solid benefits, satellite-enabled distance learning deserves a second look.

–Nick Mitsis