By David C. Russell, Satellite Business Systems
Innovative communications satellite networks appearing in the early 1980's have the capability of providing, for the first time,.a switched wide-band system for integrated business networks offering voice, data, image, and teleconferencing service. This paper considers the current business communications environment, and it describes the architecture of integrated business networks employing satellite backbone and regional distribution networks to interconnect local user networks, local hosts, PBX's, and teleconferencing facilities. Business communication opportunities involving cable TV systems as the regional component of integrated business networks are outlined. Also discussed is a forthcoming local-data-distribution experiment involving integrated cable and satellite transmission links between users in San Francisco and New York City.