Broadcast Satellite Service (BSS)

Broadcast satellite networks transmit broadcast and television signals from a large central Earth station, via a satellite to relatively simple receive-only Earth stations. Broadcast satellite receive stations are either distribution heads for cable television or are in homes.

When BSS signals are delivered directly to individual households, the service is commonly referred to as direct-to-home (DTH) broadcasting or direct-broadcast satellite (DBS) service. DBS/DTH systems typically use high satellite transmit powers and focused coverage beams to enable reception with small, low-cost user antennas, most often operating in Ku-band. The service model is optimized for one-way distribution of content to large audiences rather than two-way communications.