Personal messaging through INSAT-MSS

With the availability of Mobile Satellite Service (MSS) payload on the INSAT-2C satellite, launched-in December, 1995, introduction of one-way low bit rate Personal Messaging Service (PMS) from small hand-held terminals becomes feasible. The one way messaging service concept is the reverse of paging service. However, unlike terrestrial based paging service, which is limited to the local areas, the PMS via INSAT would be available across the country as the satellite footprints cover the entire country. The PMS can be introduced advantageously through the Reporting Service which is one of the proposed services of the INSAT-MSS system. Coupling the one-way PMS with terrestrial paging service and satellite data broadcast service can considerably enhance the value and versatility of this service. In this paper the proposed Reporting Service of INSAT-MSS is briefly described. The marginal modifications required to the Reporting Service configuration, which is essentially meant for enterprise communications, to introduce one-way PMS are identified.