Interviewed by Hartley Lesser

After the most informative ISIS ’07 symposium in New York, the President of Satellite Services for Mobile Satellite Ventures, Mr. John Mattingly, was able to spend some time with SatMagazine and answer a few questions about the success his company has realized.


Some facts concerning Mobile Satellite Ventures are needed. Motient formed the company in June of 2000 with its goal to develop and test new approaches for providing mobile satellite services. The company is owned and controlled by Sky Terra Communications [OTCBB:SKYT] and is based in Reston, Virginia. Their satellite-based wireless communications network offers voice and data services across North America, the Caribbean, Hawaii and coastal waters. The company is currently developing the first FCC-licensed hybrid satellite-terrestrial communications network and they plan to provide wireless voice and high-speed data services to conventional handsets throughout the US and Canada beginning in the 2010 timeframe.

MSV owns two current generation satellites, MSAT-1 and MSAT-2 with plans to launch MSV-1 and MSV-2, which will offer multi spot-beam frequency as well as standard cell phone handset communication capabilities when out of terrestrial coverage areas. (See the sidebar)

HARTLEY
What is your background in this industry, Mr. Mattingly?

JOHN
I joined the satellite industry in 1982 with American Satellite. ASC was a domestic US fixed satellite operator responsible for many leading edge service developments in the area of satellite telecommunications networks in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. American Satellite became CONTEL ASC in the mid eighties and then, in 1991, merged into GTE Spacenet, another US fixed satellite operator. During this period of time, I filled a variety of positions, including general management during this time.

I moved on to Orion Network Systems, an International fixed satellite operator, which would later be acquired by Loral. Then, in 1994, I joined COMSAT Corporation and, in 1995, became the General Manager of COMSAT World Systems. I was responsible for COMSAT’s investment in Intelsat. In 1997, I was named President of Satellite Services and became responsible for COMSAT General Corporation, COMSAT Mobile Communications as well as COMSAT’s investment in Inmarsat. During the period from 1995 to 2001, I was involved in the privatization of both Inmarsat and Intelsat and the spin-off New Skies Satellites from Intelsat in cooperation with our partners from all over the world.

I worked for Lockheed Martin for two years after they acquired COMSAT in 2000. I left Lockheed Martin in the summer of 2002 and became a management consultant for the industry and a private investor.

In March of 2007, I joined Mobile Satellite Ventures (MSV) as President, Satellite Services. I can tell you this, the 25 years I have spent in the industry have been interesting and exciting times, all highlighted by the major business cycles that have marked the history of the industry.

HARTLEY
What is MSV’s role in the satellite communications industry?

JOHN
MSV is Redefining Wireless Communications. Unlike the traditional mobile satellite service (MSS) providers, MSV is going to target the mass consumer market and offer seamless and transparent satellite/terrestrial service that use conventional-sized handsets.

HARTLEY
What are the challenges to being the first to develop an integrated satellite communications network using conventional handsets? Who were the partners involved in this endeavor?
JOHN
This is a distinct industry competitive advantage for MSV in that we are the first to file and be recognized (via patents) for this technology. By being first and possessing the patents, any competitor wanting to deploy effectively a hybrid satellite terrestrial network would require a license from MSV to do so. However, this also presented some specific challenges. In example, being first, our service description, technology benefits and proof of concept had to be ‘air-tight’ to pass the FCC litmus tests.

HARTLEY
Exactly what is your definition of a hybrid network?

JOHN
A hybrid network, for us, is an integrated satellite and cellular communications network. With such, we can offer higher data speed, lower cast per bit, plus a wide range of applications and services. Simultaneously, the network must be transparent to the users. This is essential! Our hybrid network target will be the mass consumer market.

HARTLEY
Would you discuss some of the technology patents MSV possess?

JOHN
MSV began its developments on ATC spectrum reuse patents, and a host of other system enhancement patents, beginning in 2000. MSV’s patent portfolio includes 25 issued patents, and over 100 additional patents that have been filed, in the United States and in a multiple of other foreign jurisdictions. Among MSV’s 4,000 plus patent claims includes: interference cancellation, inter-system sharing of frequencies, mobility management methods for lower interference and improved link margins, use of two-way repeaters and advanced hybrid network methods (specialization, centralization), support of multiple air interfaces, transparency adaptations, extra capacity methods and multi-mode hybrid system architecture.

The most recently announced patents awarded in Canada and Australia reflects technology advances to support the seamless handover of communications between satellite and terrestrial systems. This is most beneficial as dropped calls are avoided and, thanks to MSV’s unique spectrum re-use techniques, end users will realize lower costs. The MSV domestic and international patent portfolio continues to expand.

HARTLEY
What are your company’s current services?

JOHN
MSV’s MSAT-1 and MSAT-2 current generation geostationary satellites deliver mobile wireless voice and data services, primarily for public safety, security, fleet management and asset tracking in the U.S. and Canada. We have wholesale and retail customers who operate approximately 300,000 terminals, all of them on our current-generation MSAT satellite network. MSV also offers two-way radio; voice telephony; circuit switched data; and fax and mobile data. Our current-generation of satellites will continue to operate even after the launch of our next generation MSV satellites. We have determined that existing fuel reserves on our MSATs will allow the satellites to operate in inclined orbits well into the next decade.

HARTLEY
MSV is building two satellites for North American coverage and they are expected to launch in 2009. Could you discuss these satellites, their capabilities, and what will be accomplished with their launch?

JOHN
MSV-1 and MSV-2 will be two of the largest and most power commercial satellite ever. They are currently on order and on schedule for their launches in 2009 and 2010. We anticipate our next-generation MSV satellites to begin operation in 2010. They will provide coverage for North America for both our hybrid satellite-terrestrial network.

Additionally, the satellites will support our recently announced Custom Capacity Service (CCS) that is designed to offer customers satellite capacity that can be fully customized according to bandwidth, satellite downlink power, and beam coverage. Furthermore, customers may contract such capacity for the life of the satellite system. This service represents a part of the future of the MSS market in which customers will realize maximum flexibility by reconfiguring satellite beams as needed during the life of the contract. In the past, satellite operators have not had the technical ability to segment their bandwidth and configure unique coverage beams in the manner in which MSV will be able to with its planned satellites. The power and flexibility of MSV’s next generation system, and especially the ability to do ground based beam forming, will enable MSV to respond uniquely to the needs and desires of customers with its satellite spectrum reuse capabilities.

MSV’s overall beam coverage includes the entire North American continent. CCS will permit commercial customers to focus their bandwidth and power on specific geographic areas that are of interest to them and not waste bandwidth or power on areas that are not part of their business plan. As their business plans change over time our customers will be able to modify their beam coverage. For government customers, MSV can provide near real time beam coverage changes throughout North America allowing authorities to focus their bandwidth and power on specific geographic areas of interest at any particular point in time.

The introduction of the CCS, however, is a complement to, not a replacement of, our planned hybrid satellite/terrestrial offerings. Both satellites will bring power and flexibility to typical cellular-sized devices, with the ability to seamlessly switch between satellite and terrestrial operation. With focused spot beams and the largest reflector ever deployed, these two next generation satellites will be the foundation for MSV’s entering and serving new markets with ATC deployment.

We are focused on development and enablement of our L-Band spectrum for the purpose of developing an integrated 4G terrestrial network in conjunction with our MSS capability. MSV is committed to bring satellite communications to millions of consumers with its hybrid terrestrial wireless and satellite service that will eliminate the white space of terrestrial wireless networks when the satellite capability is enabled. We understand that the terrestrial network will drive the overall network requirements and we are committed to delivering the network of tomorrow, not the network of yesterday or today. We know our vision of a very low cost satellite capability, added to a standard terrestrial handset, is very real. As you can see from this vision, MSV is redefining wireless communications™.

HARTLEY
What can you tell me about the recent agreement with Sprint to provide public safety communication solutions?

JOHN
By way of background, this is a strategic distribution alliance and may well be the first of its kind between a cellular service provider and satellite service provider. We will help provide wireless connectivity for public safety personnel in situations where the public switched telephone network (PSTN) becomes congested, damaged or totally non-existent.

Sprint has been a MSV customer using terminals to augment their disaster response services. Sprint’s ERT stands ready with personnel, equipment, and rapidly deployable infrastructure to restore communications during disaster response and recovery. Now, through an agreement with MSV, Sprint ERT now sells MSV’s push-to-talk radio services to governmental agencies. This business arrangement, which is non-exclusive, is an important milestone in advancing our reach to the public safety sector.

HARTLEY
Have any of the services been implemented with any agencies yet? If not, when do you see such occurring?

JOHN
MSV has hundreds of our push-to-talk units deployed across the United States and throughout North America. In the U.S. alone, MSV enables communications via satellite to numerous federal, state and local public safety, public service and emergency response organizations. Recently, we announced an initiative sponsored by the US Department of Justice and its Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for a satellite mutual aid radio talkgroup (designated SMART) on MSV’s nationwide push-to-talk satellite network. The SMART program allows law enforcement and public safety officials authorized by the DOJ to participate in a nationwide two-way satellite radio talkgroup. Each group member can join in conversation taking place over the talkgroup.

The addition of SMART greatly improves “practical” interoperability for first-responders and other government agencies, facilitating the ability to communicate and coordinate quickly and effectively in times of emergency. The SMART initiative validates our initiatives and the role MSV can play in the public safety arena. While the SMART initiative uses our current generation of satellites, we look forward to offering similar enhanced interoperable communications solutions with the launch of our next-generation of services.

HARTLEY
Would you run down all of the services MSV offers clients?

JOHN
Currently, MSV offers telephony voice calling to and from the PSTN as well as satellite two-way radio push-to-talk, enabling simultaneous communications within talkgroups for as many as 9,999 members. This is the only push-to-talk communications solution available on any mobile satellite system. It is important to note that our two-way radio service is interoperable with land-mobile radios. MSV also provides asset tracking and fleet management services for trucking, coastal fishing fleets, trains and so on.

For the next generation suite of products, expect telephony, data and video, all via traditional handheld devices. Additional features will include support for multimedia streaming, emergency management, conferencing, navigation and multiple IP applications.

HARTLEY
It’s quite apparent there is plenty to look forward to, both for MSV and for users. Thank you for your time, Mr. Mattingly.