British Science Minister Lord Sainsbury announced a GBP 9 million program to help United Kingdom companies exploit opportunities in the satellite communications industry. Under the three year SATCOM program, U.K. companies of all sized are eligible for help in exploring new ideas with significant market potential in a number of areas including satellite communications and navigation, multimedia and broadcast technology, and application development.

“Although satellite broadcasting is already a feature of everyday life, satellite communications can offer much more,” said Sainsbury. “The advent of fully interactive multimedia services by satellite, integrated with terrestrial services, will provide an essential building block for modern, efficient and effective business community. The SATCOM program will help position industry to take advantage of the commercial opportunities.”