. 24/7 Space News .
Orbcomm European Test Gateway Opens
Dulles - March 23, 1998 - Orbcomm which claims to be the world's first provider of commercial low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite data and messaging communications services, has opened its first the European Gateway in Italy.

The European Gateway will provide the terrestrial link that allows Orbcomm's satellite constellation to service subscribers in 42 countries across Europe. This opening marks the first Orbcomm satellite communications gateway available outside the United States, and is one of ten milestones in Orbcomm's ``Countdown to Global Service.''

The European Gateway is comprised of one Gateway Earth Station (GES) in Southern Italy at Telespazio Matera Space Center and a Gateway Control Center (GCC) in Northern Italy at Telespazio Lario Space Center. In the near future, mobile or fixed subscriber communicator customers in Europe will be able to send messages through Orbcomm's constellation of satellites to the GES, which then relays the messages via dedicated terrestrial lines to the GCC. The GCC then routes the message to the final addressee anywhere in the world via the Internet or dedicated telephone line. The European Gateway provides a signficant step in making Orbcomm data communications an attractive business solution for industries throughout Europe.

The Orbcomm European Gateway will be staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week by MCS Europe, the sole European telecommunications company offering Orbcomm services in Europe.

``The opening of the European Gateway is a watershed for Orbcomm, a key step towards bringing Orbcomm services to millions of potential customers across Europe,'' said Andre Halley, Managing Director of Orbcomm International. ``MCS Europe has proven to be the perfect partner to bring the unprecedented solution of Orbcomm to life in Europe.''

``MCS Europe and Orbcomm are working to reshape the communications landscape in Europe,'' explains Bartolo Mignosa, Chief Executive Officer of MCS Europe. ``The Orbcomm satellites will offer global tracking, remote two-way communication and enhanced asset management for European businesses. We are excited about the fact that the European Gateway is ready for pre-commercial testing and that MCS Europe is going to provide data communications services.''

MCS Europe is a telecommunications company providing worldwide data communication solutions and services. The company was founded in 1996. It is a joint venture of five leading satellite communications companies in Europe, and is led by Telespazio (Telecom Italia Group). The companies are: Telespazio (Telecom Italia Group) in Italy, INSA (Ingenieria y Servicios Aerospaciales S.A.) in Spain, OHB - System GmbH in Germany, SATCOM International PLC in the United Kingdom and SSC (Swedish Space Corp.) in Sweden. The headquarters of MCS Europe are located in Amsterdam.

  • OrbComm




    Thanks for being here;
     We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

    With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

    Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

    If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
    SpaceDaily Contributor
    $5 Billed Once

    credit card or paypal
         		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
    $5 Billed Monthly

    paypal only














    • The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2016 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement All images and articles appearing on Space Media Network have been edited or digitally altered in some way. Any requests to remove copyright material will be acted upon in a timely and appropriate manner. Any attempt to extort money from Space Media Network will be ignored and reported to Australian Law Enforcement Agencies as a potential case of financial fraud involving the use of a telephonic carriage device or postal service.