JANUS: Joint Academic Network Using Satellite. Brief Description of Project. IET Papers on Broadcasting: No. 287.

The JANUS (Joint Academic Network Using Satellite) satellite network is being planned to link European institutions wishing to jointly produce distance teaching materials. Earth stations with capabilities for transmit/receive functions, voice/data functions, two 64 kbs channels, and connection to local telephone exchange and computer networks will be located at each institution. Initially the European Association of Distance Teaching Universities (EADTU) will form the core of the system, but the network is expected to grow to include enterprises concerned with distance training. JANUS will have several functions: (1) two-way communication between sites; (2) audio-conferencing; (3) electronic mail; (4) computer conferencing; and (5) experimental video-conferencing. JANUS is being designed to reduce travel costs and time, reduce communication costs, speed up joint course production, secure external funding, and improve user-friendliness of electronic messaging and data transfer. Although most functions could be provided by existing services (face-to-face meetings, public telephone systems, public switched packet networks, private data networks, and VSAT satellite networks), there are problems with the cost and quality of service. Issues to be resolved before JANUS becomes operational include earth station design, location of a suitable satellite, development of user-friendly procedures, funding, and regulation of telecommunications services. (MES)