Broadband satellite communications can connect users located anywhere. The open standard DVB-RCS contributes greatly to increased connectivity and its rising popularity is making an impact in the market. ESA supports a wide range of projects, which encourage adoption of the DVB-RCS standard, providing positive benefits for all.
Digital Video Broadcasting Return Channel via Satellite (DVB-RCS) is an open standard for bi-directional or two-way transmission of digital data. It employs satellite transmission using combinations of C, Ku and Ka bands with return bandwidth up to 2 Mbit/s. It takes full advantage of the benefits of satellite and is instrumental in efforts to bridge the digital divide.
Interoperability is one of the main advantages of DVB-RCS. Until DVB-RCS came along, customers of two-way broadband access via satellite had no choice except to commit to propriety systems, with all its inherent inflexibility and higher cost. Interoperability gives customers the choice of purchasing from one or several vendors throughout the lifetime of their systems. The result will be improved competition among vendors, reduced costs for users and accelerated enhancement of DVB-RCS equipment.
Launched in April 2005, the SatLabs Group (external links) is working to bring DVB-RCS to large scale adoption. Their main goal is to ensure interoperability between DVB-RCS terminals and systems and to achieve these low-cost solutions.
The User Support Office of ESA Telecom offers DVB-RCS access to projects in the applications program line. The service includes a 2-way satellite Broadband always-on Internet access service based on the DVB-RCS standard. Contact the USO on how to get access to this service.
