There was a day, not too many years ago, when news film was rushed by airplane across the ocean so that a distant audience could see images of an important story. There was day when weather forecasts were based solely on ground observations or perhaps a pilot's report. Video conferences were unheard of. International business moved at the speed of the mail.
Communication satellites carry the bulk of regional and national television broadcasts.
Wide area paging services often use a satellite backbone. Doctors transmit images for diagnosis in specialized centers. Many of our finest teachers reach out to students even in remote areas via satellite. Credit cards and bank accounts are accessed via private satellite data networks. Businesses train workers over interactive networks and use this media to bring new employees into the company's culture.