JPRS-TTP-89-0031: West Europe Telecommunications and Satellite Developments

This document, issued by the Joint Publications Research Service on March 8, 1989, provides a compilation of press reports regarding telecommunications and satellite developments in Western Europe and the Soviet Union. The first section details the activities of the Italian company Telettra, which successfully implemented telecommunications systems in the Tula region of the USSR and maintained a significant market presence in Europe. It also notes the expansion of Philips' telecommunications products in Italy. The second section focuses on Spain's satellite television project for 1992, intended to coincide with the Seville World Fair and the 500th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's voyage. The National Institute of Aerospace Technology (INTA) managed the selection of manufacturers, involving international cooperation with companies such as Aerospatiale, Alcatel Espace, Selenia Spazio, and Hughes Aircraft. Technical specifications for the satellite's capabilities, including direct TV and civil communications, are provided in a table. The final section covers the United Kingdom's military satellite program, specifically the Skynet 4 series. It discusses the launch of Skynet 4B and the planned Skynet 4A, noting the Ministry of Defence's strategic requirements for maintaining communication with naval ships. Additionally, the document includes a brief overview of the UK's online information market, highlighting the dominance of British service providers in the European sector.