Subspace transceivers were standard devices used for instantaneous, faster-than-light communications between nearby systems. Starships carried these units to broadcast distress signals and other important messages. They used subspace as the communications medium. The subspace transceiver of an Imperial Star destroyer had a range of 100 light-years.
Use
Many planetary governments, large corporations, and wealthy individuals maintained private subspace transceivers. Most planets were integrated into local subspace networks that used transceivers aboard deep-space satellites to link dozens of worlds in an instantaneous and continuous flow of data. These networks normally handled news, sports, entertainment, and educational programming. Individuals and corporations purchased broadcast time for private messages, with fees running anywhere from one to twenty credits per ten seconds of transmission time.
Hundreds of subspace networks were scattered across the Galaxy, so a message could theoretically be sent across the Galaxy by bouncing it across multiple networks. While this process was much more affordable than the HoloNet, messages could be delayed for hours or days as they were routed through different networks. Because each network had different communication protocols, messages could be corrupted or lost, and so it was often cheaper and safer to send long-distance messages by courier ships.
Models
- Frequency Agile Subspace Transceiver
- Sprite subspace transmitter
- Ranger transciever