Summary

The shift from network-oriented to user-oriented services in the 80s and early 90s has increased the penetration of satellite services into the user community. Parallel to this, worldwide interest has arisen in Personal Communication Services (PCS), where satellites play a crucial role in the provision of PCS all over the world. Satellite Personal Communication Networks (S-PCN) are extremely attractive because they can serve a significant sector of the rapidly growing cellular market. This publication presents market perspectives and technological aspects in relation to satellite mobile and personal communication services. Papers were written by some of the most acclaimed European specialists in PCS. They present basic concepts and the latest research results.