TNAG-2857-FCO40-4110-Satellite-Licensing-and-Asia-Satellite-Telecommunications-Co-1993 — Page 22

UNCLASSIFIED

ROUTINE

direct access to the system (BT is the sole UK signatory).

Following pressure from a number of countries, including the UK,

INTELSAT has now agreed new arrangements under which

non-signatory operators will be allowed to deal directly with

INTELSAT for the satellite capacity they need. For affected

Dependent Territories, this means that their local operator, C&W, will have more freedom and flexibility, greater control over its

satellite capacity, and will no longer have to depend on the

decisions of a UK-based company which may have no direct interest

in the telecommunications needs of the area.

4. The new arrangements require that a non-signatory in any

•

country wishing to access INTELSAT capacity directly must be

authorised to do so by its national signatory. In addition, the

relevant authority of the administration in that country must undertake to assume responsibility for the proper operation of

the non-signatory operator's satellite earth stations. This

means that the administration would be willing and able to shut

down any earth station which is identified by INTELSAT as being

mis-operated and thereby causing interference or damage to the

satellite system. However, such action (if necessary) would not

(not) carry any financial liability for the national

administration. It should also be noted that the need for such

action is highly unlikely in practice.

5. C&W has informed us that it wishes to take full advantage of

the new arrangements in all the regions in which it operates.

Grateful therefore if you could advise by c.o.b. 10 December

whether (i) appropriate mechanisms currently exist within your

territory to enable the closure of a transmitting earth station,

if so requested, and (ii) your host authorities would, in

principle, be willing to enforce such a closure.

HURD