Invitation to Tender for Telecommunication User Segment

The User Segment provides an additional dimension to the development capabilities of ESA Telecom which traditionally focuses on satellites rather than on ground equipment. This reflects recent changes in the satellite communication (satcom) sector. In a saturated TV market, operators and service providers are looking at ways to enlarge their product and service areas. The development of new applications and user terminals will enable this to happen.

The User Segment programme line promotes near-to-market development activities in the area of satellite communications directly affecting the user community. While other ESA Telecom programme lines such as Technology provide the environment for the development of stand-alone products and equipment, the User Segment focuses on key elements integrated in an end-to-end context. In particular this ITT focuses on integrated applications and user terminals which are crucial in determining the attractiveness of the system and in its eventual success in the market place.

Proposed services and applications must follow and include European/Canadian standards and systems (to the extend possible), and lead to fully operational, self-sustaining solutions.

The timeline for these ITTs is detailed in the following table, the ITT 1 now issued:

All details on AO 4394 can be found in EMITS.