Total worldwide employment was nearly 1.1 million in 1999. The bankruptcies of Iridium and ICO, which both sought to provide global satellite phone service, had much less of an impact than some experts feared, he added. They now reaches 35 million customers worldwide, expanding at a rate of 150,000 new subscribers per month at a time when new cable subscriptions have remained flat, the report states. In the United States, DBS would constitute the nation s third largest cable operator. DBS companies are beginning to offer Internet services directly to consumers, competing with traditional suppliers.
Direct broadcast is seen as being more reliable than cable.
Digital Audio Radio, now being introduced in the United States, beams radio programming directly to receivers. In addition to radio programming, these satellites could also provide Internet access, interactive maps, and video services. Outside the United States, there are potentially 4 billion customers for digital audio services. The report also predicts major growth in satellite Internet services. The cost of providing these services by satellite is comparable to cable modems and DSLs, only with faster speed and higher reliability.