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12.
Hong Kong has so far not established a land earth
station (a radio station on land which utilises the
INMARSAT space segment). However, of the ships currently
registered in Hong Kong, 89 (as of March 1989) carry "ship
earth stations" (radio stations on ships which utilize the
INMARSAT space segment). When the amended Convention and
Operating Agreement come into force, it is expected that
some earth stations will be established in aircraft
registered in Hong Kong. Under the Operating Agreement
(Article XIV (1)), in order that earth stations may use the Organisation's space segment they must obtain the approval
of the Organisation. These developments illustrate the
growing importance to Hong Kong of the activities of the
Organisation.
13.
Agreement
By virtue of Article XIV (2) of the Operating
the application for approval of any earth
station on a Hong Kong registered ship must be submitted
to INMARSAT by the Party or Signatory of the Party under
whose authority that station is licensed. Prima facie
this means that such an application must be submitted
either by the UK or by BT. However with the concurrence
of the UK, BT and the INMARSAT Secretariat the Hong Kong
Telecommunications Authority (TA) began in November 1982
to act as
"routing organisation". In a document
entitled "Commissioning Procedures for INMARSAT Standard-A
Ship Earth Stations" published by INMARSAT under the
authority of the Council pursuant to Article 15(c) of the