A broadcast/narrowcast dual mode satellite is capable of selectively providing narrowcast operations or broadcast operations. The dual-mode satellite includes a broadcast/narrowcast dual-mode receiving system that receives from one or more terrestrial transmitting stations one or more communication uplink signals that selectively correspond to one or more narrowcast communication signals or one or more broadcast communication signals. Narrowcast communication signals are typically distinct from each other and are directed to one or more narrowcast geographic cells. Broadcast communication signals are directed to one or more broadcast regions, each of which encompasses plural narrowcast geographic cells. The dual-mode satellite also includes a broadcast/narrowcast dual-mode transmitting system that transmits one or more communication downlink signals that selectively correspond to broadcast communication signals and narrowcast communication signals received by the receiving system. Dual-mode satellite is capable of operating in the narrowcast mode or the broadcast mode, either separately or simultaneously together.