World Space

This is part of an article entitled “How Satellite Radio Works” written by Kevin Bonsor. The author uses this section to talk about World Space, another satellite radio system that is going global. Bonsor explains that World Space is currently leading the satellite radio industry by launching two of its three satellites before either XM or Sirius – AfriStar and AsiaStar launched in October 1998 and March 2000. The third satellite, AmeriStar, has yet to launch but will eventually cover South America, as well as, Mexico. The United States will not be covered. However, because World Space invested in XM, it has a deal to share technology. Each of the satellites transmits three signal beams capable of delivering over 50 channels with clarity. Users of World Space also have the choice of various multimedia programs.

Bonsor explains that within the global uplink beam is a centralized hub site or an individual feeder link station where broadcasters can uplink their signals to one of the three satellites. Like XM and Sirius, World Space also uses receivers. Their receivers are capable of retrieving the signals at a pace of 128 kilobits per second through an antenna. The chips used in these receivers are manufactured by the same company as XM.

After reading this section of the article, I think World Space has the best chance of lasting in the satellite radio industry because it is going global. With so much coverage, they have more potential listeners than XM and Sirius. However, because it does not cover the United States, it seems irrelevant.

INTRODUCTION:

• According to Kevin Bonsor in “How Satellite Radio Works,” World Space is the leader of satellite radio and has “a potential audience of about 4.6 billion listeners spanning five continents.”
• World Space intends on utilizing three satellites with two already in geostationary orbit: AfriStar and AsiaStar.
• AfriStar and AsiaStar launched in October 1998 and March 2000 before either one of the XM and Sirius satellites.
• The third satellite, AmeriStar, will cover South America and Mexico but not the United States.
• World Space invested money in XM Satellite Radio so they share similar technologies.
• Like XM and Sirius, World Space uses receivers to retrieve signals.

RELATIVE ADVANTAGE:

• World Space can cover areas that cannot be reached by conventional radio. (398)