Abstract
This paper addresses the opportunities provided by, and the economics relating to, a subset of satellite point-to-multipoint data services known as narrowcasting. The current status and some potential applications are described and an overview of a generalised system is provided. The issues relating to the economic viability of such services are then considered. Results generated by an economic model are included. Some criteria for ensuring the economic viability of a facsimile broadcast service as applied to electronic publishing applications are then identified.