I need information on setting up a large scale video teleconference. 
Basically individuals need to be able to communicate and see each
other and I am talking about at least 50 stations - (ie. a
communication point).  There are several constraints though.  The
conference stations will be targeting rural area citizens so high
speed internet is out of the question.
1) What technologies would solve this? I'm thinking some sort of
satellite communication.
2) and What companies specialize in this sort of work? and can aid me
in setting up this large scale project?

Greetings!  In my opinion (and because you basically ruled out
Internet connections) I believe your project will require the services
of a firm specializing in satellite video teleconferencing.  However,
if this proves cost-prohibitive, you might check into DSL connections
in rural areas because they operate off phone lines.

In the matter of satellite teleconferencing, the firm(s) you use may
be determined by the areas in which this type of link is required. 
For example, Coastal Satellite, Inc. is based in Los Angeles and
serves the South Western United States. Their address is P.O. Box
8751, Calabasas, CA 91372 and the phone numnbers are: 888/570-LIVE;
818/225-1399; fax: 818/707-8699. To contact Bob Adler, a
representative of these services, email bob@coastalsatellite.com. The
company probably works in conjunction with other teleconferencing
providers or will know who serves other parts of the county.

Another firm I found was is near Chicago, Illinois, and their
corporate statement was as follows:

"Satellite Communication Systems (SCS) is committed to providing its
broadcast, corporate, educational and professional clients with
worldwide video communication solutions through the use of satellite
uplinks trucks, video production services, videoconferencing (ie:
teleconferencing), satellite time, satellite media tours (SMTs), and
video news releases (VNRs). Our professional communication consultants
make use of our Chicago satellite uplinks trucks as well as other
services around the world to meet our clients’ needs. Nearly 25 years
of experience make it possible for Satellite Communication Systems
(SCS) to assist our clients with their needs for satellite
videoconferencing, providing satellite uplinks trucks and video
production services around the world. Video News Releases (VNRs) and
Satellite Media Tours (SMTs) are integral elements of our clients’
marketing plans. The ability to call one company for services around
the world, particularly in the Midwest, including Chicago satellite
uplinks trucks and Illinois satellite uplinks trucks, Milwaukee
satellite uplinks trucks and Wisconsin satellite uplinks trucks, not
to mention video production services and videoconferencing services,
enables clients to spend less time dealing with multiple vendors.
Videoconference rooms located around the world make it easy for
clients to participate in ISDN videoconferences without the expense of
equipment used for such videoconferences. Experts in teleconferencing/
videoconferencing, satellite media tours (SMTs), video news releases
(VNRs), and purveyors of satellite time, video production services,
and satellite uplinks trucks – Satellite Communication Systems is the
only resource you need for all your video communication needs."

As you see, they mention the midwest, so I think that satellite
services may be area specific, to a degree.  The telephone number for
SCS is 1-800-USA-LINK ext. 201 (800-872-5465) and their website is
located at http://www.satellite-commsys.com/

If this is an educational project, there are a variety of universities
that offer the services, but only for educational purposes, and some
only for the universities' educational purposes.  Should that be your
need, please ask for clarification of answer and I will add additional
research for that area.


To locate Coastal Satellite I used the phrase "satellite
teleconferencing firm" on Google search engine, it returned
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=satellite+teleconferencing+firm

PR services database, where the Coastal Satellite link was found
http://www.odwyerpr.com/pr_services_database/teleconferencing.htm

Coastal Satellite
www.coastalsatellite.com 


To find Satellite Communications Systems (SCS) I searched the phrase
"satellite teleconferencing services" which returned the following
page at Google search:
://www.google.com/search?q=satellite+teleconferencing+services&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&start=10&sa=N

On that search page was the SCS link
http://www.satellite-commsys.com/

SCS videoconferencing information
http://www.satellite-commsys.com/v-c_new.htm

SCS upliks and downlinks information
http://www.satellite-commsys.com/satellite_uplinks_and_downlink.htm


I hope this information proves of assistance in your quest.  You may
also be able to contact a satellite television provider in your area
that may have information as well.  Again, should you need
clarification, please ask.

---

Clarification of Answer by journalist-ga on 24 Jul 2002 18:51 PDT

Dear Grimnoth:

Thank you for your generous rating of my research and I hope you are
able to schedule your teleconference with success.  If my research may
be of assistance in the future, please feel free to request my
services at Google Answers.

I run a large two way interactive videoconference network in
Southeastern Wisconsin, and have experience with MANY forms of
videoconferencing. To see what we do, visit www.swing.k12.wi.us.

Your question leaves me with a lot of questions: 

Generally, when up to 50 sites are involved, there is very little
interaction to those sites. What level of interaction are you
expecting? Voice and video, voice only, one way audio and video, with
a chat room back? Will only one site be the 'presentation' center for
all programs?

What is the total 'footprint' you're hoping to achieve? Are these
communities all within the same state? Within the same company? Would
you be willing to use someone else's facilities (like schools) or do
you want to build out your own system? Satellite is extremely
expensive, and generally NOT the best choice unless you need broadcast
quality.

What is your long range plan for this? 1 broadcast? A trial period of
10 broadcasts? 2 years? 7 years? What you might use for a 1 time
program would probably be too labor intensive for ongoing support, but
a 7 year system would cost more...

What kind of a budget are you planning on? Systems can run from a few
hundred dollars, but require a VERY high amount of attention and
ongoing support costs...

What kind of content are you hoping to broadcast? Heart surgery will
require a different set of details than say a talking head conference
with sales staff on this months marketing strategy...