A method and system for a plurality of airplanes in flight to receive from
and send to a plurality of ground stations broadcast and communication
signals through a single or a plurality of geostationary satellites,
wherein at least the mobile link between said airplanes and said
satellite, uplink or downlink, uses the high frequency radio waves at 17
GHz or higher, such as Ka-band. The fixed link between said satellite and
said ground stations may use any radio frequencies below the frequencies
used to communicate between the satellite and the aircraft. The lower
frequencies tend to be less susceptible to rain attenuation and hence
suitable for closing the fixed broadcast and communication link.
Frequencies such as C-band or Ku-band, or even Ka-band, are applied
between satellite and ground such that the available link margin is
sufficient to overcome rain attenuation at said ground stations. Said
satellite carries a plurality of transponders that may include a
plurality of frequency converters to enable the conversion between
different frequencies. Said satellite generates a plurality of spot
beams, shaped or unshaped, which collectively cover the flight routes of
said airplanes, preferably the geodesic path between two highly populated
regions.