Commercial SATCOM Interoperability Issues

The following is quoted from the Commercial Satellite Survivability Report to the National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee (NSTAC). "Satellite communications systems have a strong role to play in the day to day operations of our nation\´s telecommunications. They offer a means to quickly restore communications to isolated sections of the country. Under the most stressful conditions of a national emergency, satellite communications, in concert with other telecommunications systems, would aid the maintenance and recovery of the economic, political and social structure of the United States." Government and industry have been working together to bring about the realization of this capability. We believe it can be achieved through a joint cooperative effort, with both government and industry fulfilling their roles to serve the national interest. This paper discusses how interoperability serves as a means to enhance the survivability of the national communications capability and meets the NSTAC charter.