Monday, June 23, 2025

Journey of Communication Technology - Satellite & Digital Communication (1960s–1980s) – The Global Connectivity Era


Journey of Communication Technology - Satellite & Digital Communication (1960s–1980s) – The Global Connectivity Era

This phase introduced real-time, global communication via satellites and began the digital transformation of signals, paving the way for the internet, mobile phones, and globalization.

πŸ›°️ 5.1 Satellite Communication

πŸ”Ή Key Milestones

1962: Launch of Telstar 1 – first active communication satellite (USA)

1965: First commercial satellite system (Intelsat I) begins international service

1975: India launches SITE (Satellite Instructional Television Experiment) with NASA

πŸ“‘ Features

Enabled long-distance TV, phone, and fax

Provided communication access in remote and rural regions

Used geostationary satellites for consistent global coverage

In India:


Year

Satellite Event

1975

SITE – televised education to Indian villages

1976

INSAT program begins planning

1982

INSAT-1A launched (first Indian multipurpose satellite)

1983

First satellite-based telecommunication services in India



πŸ’» 5.2 Digital Communication Technologies

πŸ”Ή What Changed:

Communication moved from analog signals (waves) to digital signals (bits)

Introduced error correction, encryption, and data compression

Basis for fax, email, digital TV, and eventually the Internet

πŸ”Ή Technologies Introduced:

Digital telephone exchanges – replacing analog switches

Modems – allowed computers to send/receive over telephone lines

Packet Switching – foundation of the internet (ARPANET started in 1969)

Early Fax Machines and Pagers

πŸ“ž 5.3 Mobile Communication Foundations

1973: First mobile phone call made by Martin Cooper (Motorola)

1983: First commercial mobile phone (Motorola DynaTAC 8000X)

India: Introduced mobile phones later, but landline networks expanded during this period

πŸ–₯️ 5.4 Computer Networking Begins

1969: ARPANET (precursor to the Internet) launches in the US

1980s: Local Area Networks (LANs) were used in universities, offices

Protocols: TCP/IP developed (foundation for all modern digital communication)

πŸ“Ί 5.5 Cable & TV Expansion

Satellite TV enabled:

Live global news coverage

Olympics, moon landing, and wars broadcast in real time

Growth of Doordarshan in India into a national broadcaster


🧠 Summary of Impact


Domain

Transformation

Global News

Real-time international coverage

Education

Satellite TV for rural literacy

Telecom

Digitized switching, clearer calls

Data Sharing

Foundations of email & the internet

Rural India

Access to TV via satellite (SITE)



πŸ”­ India’s Satellite Pioneering Projects


Project

Purpose

Outcome

SITE (1975)

TV-based rural education

Reached 2,400 villages

INSAT (1982)

Telecommunication, weather, TV

Backbone of Indian digital TV & telecom

NICNET (1980s)

Govt network over satellites

Boosted e-Governance and administration










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