By Nick Mitsis

Mobile connectivity is nothing new for the satellite communications industry, but its near-term growth with new service offerings is poised to be nothing but monumental. If you are not yet paying attention to on-demand services, you soon may not have a choice.

In fact, there is a tremendous growth surge for interactive content applications, ushering in a convergence of communication technologies. From consumer services to corporate communications, satellite-enabled offerings transcending fixed locations technologies are emerging. One of the main questions, however, remains: How significant of a role will satellite technology play in this application?

The pioneer of such services is South Korea, which launched satellite-based mobile television after it materialized the mobile television business that has begun to engulf Asia. In fact, operators like Takeout TV and SK Telecom in South Korea broadcast channels to handsets that are equipped with antennae that can receive the broadcasting signals. Recently, India joined the few countries around the world experimenting with live or near-real time mobile broadcasting.

But this movement is not confined to just Asia. Europe, the Middle East and the United States are all in various degrees of rollout with so called DVB-S (Digital Video Broadcast-Satellite) technologies that have killer application written all over them. In fact, the United Kingdom’s BBC has already termed 2006 as the year of the mobile TV. Likewise, Triagnosys, a Bavarian satellite communications company, and 3Way Networks, a U.K. equipment maker, have announced a new 3G picocell, or small-scale cellular base station, which can serve mobile devices and connect them with public networks via satellite. The device is scheduled for release next month. With such service advancements entering the marketplace and creating enthusiasm mong consumers, many analysts believe this technology of will live up to its promise. Likewise, exploiting exciting new market opportunities by combining the technology and service characteristics of satellite-cable/fiber and satellite-GSM, satellite-Wi-Fi is essential in today’s business arena. Just how these new synergies will be identified, deployed and set on the business path of reliable investment return remains to be seen.

One of the topics discussed last month at SATELLITE 2006 was how a mobile satellite service provider and a programmer could continue to grow business partnership and provide the necessary means for a new wireless, satellite-enabled offering before the end of the decade.

Such a scenario is not that far fetched. Solid business indicators for such services succeeding are found everywhere. From hardware already enabled and content being customized to regulations being revised and consumer demand growing, DVB-S has all the makings of a multibillion market niche.

According to industry analysts, new, more advanced satellites will allow customers to use small, low-cost handsets for mobile services. However, satellite services companies will need to partner with larger players, both for funding and mass-market distribution channels.

Mobile communications are gaining more momentum in a variety of commercial services markets. The time has come for industry experts to examine the profitable businesses and which satellite-enabled services are leading these next generation trends.