Using Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) satellite technology, MCS can rapidly deliver Internet, telephone, and video services virtually anywhere in the world. Working with the leading equipment manufacturers in the satellite industry, Harris MCS selects the most reliable and cost-effective components for specific customer applications, and then integrates the components into a compact earth station package which can be rapidly deployed in the most demanding environments. The VSAT satellite antennas range in size from 1 to 5 M in diameter, depending upon operational requirements.

The VSAT installations provide data bandwidth at levels of 64 kbps to several Mbps. Bandwidth at a VSAT site can be shared efficiently between data, voice, and video applications. When voice service is required, the necessary bandwidth is dynamically allocated to a voice/data multiplexer which delivers clear voice circuits, as well as facsimile capability. Voice and facsimile circuits can be connected directly to telephone sets and fax machines, or can be connected to a PABX or Key System.

Available bandwidth from unused voice circuits is automatically allocated to Internet and other data and video applications. A small router supplied with the VSAT allows for Internet connectivity with either a single workstation or a Local Area Network (LAN). This high speed Internet connectivity is suitable for applications such as electronic mail and web browsing.

When required, a portion of VSAT bandwidth can be allocated to support video applications (such as teleconferencing, telemedicine, distance learning, etc.). Data rates for video applications can be set at 128 kbps, or higher, depending upon the specific site requirements. When video is not required, the allocated bandwidth will automatically support data and voice applications.

As a comprehensive service provider, Harris MCS engineers not only integrate and install the VSAT equipment, we also provide space segment and operational services. At our Network Management Center (NMC) located in Melbourne, Florida (USA), Harris satellite circuits are monitored and interconnected with the worldwide Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and the Internet backbone. This lets Harris MCS VSAT customers initiate and receive telephone calls and connect with the Internet as reliably as if they were located in the USA. Terrestrial circuits can also be established between the Harris NMC and customer locations worldwide.