Improbable Distances Relay and Communications Satellites

How do they operate?

Improbable Distances Relay and Communications Satellites are an extensive network of satellites that sit in various locations across the Delta Space, allowing for a limited ability to send messages to people across long distances. They use a fairly standard communications array within their casing. Its operation works due primarily to the number of satellites positioned throughout Delta Space, giving the message relay points. And for its ability to store enormous amounts of messaging data per satellite allowing for a queuing system so that messages don't become intertwined or corrupted.
When a ship wishes to send a message it must first travel within a distance of one of the satellite's comms range, usually within a few light minutes. Then via its own onboard ship communications systems send a recorded message and instructions on where the message must be sent.
Once the message has been received, the satellite will calculate the appropriate route and send the message to its nearest satellite companion in its network, and that satellite will then send it to its nearest satellite companion in the direction of the request, and so on and so forth until it reaches the closest satellite in the destination of the message. Where it will then ping the requested recipient, usually someone on a planet or station, and notify them that they have a message to pick up.
Sending messages to moving ships in this manner is difficult though the satellites are capable of holding messages until the target arrives in the region if need be. Though there is an additional holding charge.
The Improbable Distances Relay and Communications Satellites were created and are managed by ExaBase Advanced Communications, a sister company of ExaBase Advance Travel which owns and operates many of the Probability Suspension Drive in the Delta Space. Individually these companies are powerhouses, but together their influence is unmatched in their industries as they control a massive amount of Delta Space’s convenient long-distance communication and travel abilities.
Typically, long-distance messaging is not possible via the cockpit of a ship, and never a live call. Without the use of these satellites, a ship's communications ability only allows it to send recorded messages to ships, stations, and planets within mid to high single-digit light-minutes. This is an exceedingly small distance considering the vastness of space. That is why the Improbable Distances Relay and Communications Satellites come at such a premium cost.

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Cost and Availability

The cost of use for the Improbable Distances Relay and Communications Satellites system is rather expensive for most people. Much like the Probability Suspension Drives the cost of use will depend on the travelled distance being required between the first satellite where the message is picked up and the last satellite in which the message is picked up by the recipient. Agreements can be made with an upfront cost paid by the sender, and a receiver cost being paid by the receiver. Though either the sender or receiver can pay in full but only before the message is sent. Typically it is the sender in this case.
The cost can be anywhere between a ten to twenty percent cut of an everyday hauler's weekly pay, for a short-distance message, to several weeks' pay for longer-distance messages like ones that require the passing of Territorial Governance's boundaries etc. This puts freelance haulers or independent travellers in difficult positions when they need to send messages, as it could cut severely into their profits and/or funds.
The availability of these satellites is fairly common within most regions of the Delta Space, though travellers will still have to go somewhat out of their way to get within range of the satellites if they wish to use them. However, the accessibility of these satellites becomes much less frequent when you enter into O.Sec F or the Hivemind Sentius Network's territory.
The former, in O.Sec F, is because of the remote and frequently chaotic nature of the region. O.Sec F is a frequent place of operations for pirates and criminals, and floating pieces of "free" technology are often snapped up by these bandits. Making the permanent installation of these satellites nearly impossible unless protection is hired on a full-time basis, which is rare and costly. The increased rates of Abnormality Events also make the management of satellites in O.Sec F much more dangerous and costly.
In the case of the Hivemind Sentius Network, the situation is far less complicated but nevertheless frustrating for companies and traders alike. The Hivemind simply won't allow for their installation preferring instead to use their own proprietary communications devices, which they have not shared the designs for with the greater population of the Delta Space. But this isn't overly surprising as the Hivemind Sentius Network is very strict with who they allow in their territory and is even more strict with communications and length of stay.

Summary

The Improbable Distances Relay and Communications Satellites are a network of satellites that allow for limited long-distance messaging across the Delta Space.
The messages must be fairly short, within a few minutes, and must be sent to a nearby satellite with specific destination instructions. The messages then jump from satellite to satellite until it reaches their destination.
The process can take anywhere from days to weeks depending on the distance, and the cost of the service is exorbitant. Live messaging is not possible using this method.

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ExaBase Advanced Communications/Travel

This MegaCorpo is the largest communications and long-distance travel corporation in the Delta Space. Currently, they own and operate the entire network of Improbable Distances Relay and Communications Satellites. And while others have tried to muscle in on the market, none have been able to do so on the same level as ExaBase has.
ExaBase also owns and operates roughly half of the Probability Suspension Drive and Improbable Distance Drives market. Constructing and managing all of the Probability Suspension Drive units on the market which gives them a large controlling share of the ability for travellers and traders to conveniently travel long distances in short amounts of time.
Their selection of the naming convention of 'Improbable Distances' for their communications devices seems to be a dig directly at one of their travel competitors, Improbable Adventures and Travel InTCo. who manage the use of Improbable Distance Drives. There has been an ongoing lawsuit for the use of the naming convention, which ExaBase argues that since their competitor does not work within the communications field they hence have no right over the naming convention.
ExaBase is currently being eyed by the Corporate Guidance Reformation for membership within its ranks. Membership within the group would give ExaBase an even larger control on the market in which it is already a juggernaut within.