SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS REFORM TRENDS IDENTIFIED THROUGH INTERNATIONAL VSAT REGULATORY SURVEY
(PRWEB) November 2, 2000
Global VSAT Forum Compiles Survey Results In Database to be Used as
Industry Resource and Policy-Making Tool for Regulatory Community
30 October, 2000
LONDON – Satellite communications have been elevated on the international regulatory community's agenda, and policy makers increasingly are moving to facilitate the provision of state-of-the-art VSAT solutions through ground-breaking reforms.
This was a key finding of a survey conducted recently by the Global VSAT Forum (GVF), the international non-profit association of the VSAT industry, which has compiled the results in an international regulatory VSAT database.
"Most of the regulatory community now recognizes the role that VSATs play in delivering cost-effective Internet, voice, fax, and multimedia services," said David Hartshorn, Secretary General of the GVF. "What remains is to translate that recognition into implemented reforms."
The database, which is the culmination of a year of research by the GVF Regulatory Working Group (GVF-RWG), is part of a project that involves an ongoing review of VSAT regulatory regimes in most countries of the world. It is designed to serve not only as an industry resource, but also as a foundation for global policy comparison.
"The survey has made clear that 'light-touch' regulatory approaches are the trend for VSAT service provision," said Olga Madruga-Forti, Chair of the GVF-RWG. "In many cases this is being driven by demand for Internet and other broadband services."
But Madruga-Forti adds that the trend is just beginning. "The survey also shows that much work remains to be done by regulators around the world. Scanning the database reveals that most regimes can be categorised into one of three frameworks:
1. Fully liberalised regimes with “Open Skies” policies;
2. Partially reformed regimes consisting of a combination of licensing and satellite-access approaches;
3. Closed regimes."
The number of 'Closed Skies' regimes is being reduced, Madruga-Forti said, largely because industry and regulators share the same goals: Enforcement of radio frequency allocation policies; ensuring that licensees are protected against unreasonable interference; and encouraging VSAT uses that advance the public interest, economy and social welfare of the country.
The GVF-RWG will continue to work closely with regulators undertaking policy transitions to foster understanding of the essential role that VSATs play in telecommunications infrastructure and to promote the optimum regulatory approach that will support service requirements and economic growth.
Editor's Note:
VSATs – a term that refers to communications services delivered via satellite-based Very Small Aperture Terminal earth stations – are rapidly being adopted throughout the world as a cost-effective means of providing Internet, voice, fax, data, and multi-media services to corporations, governments and consumers.
The GVF is the U. K.-based independent, non-partisan and non-profit organization representing every major world region and every sector of the Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) industry, including satellite operators, VSAT network operators, VSAT manufacturers, system integrators, value added and enhanced service providers, telecom carriers, and users. The GVF has more than 100 members from 34 countries and serves as the unified voice of the industry in regulatory, policy and trade fora. The association coordinates regulatory and policy solutions at the national, regional and global level, and supports educational and promotional programs in every nation of the world
Contacts:
David Hartshorn
Secretary General
Global VSAT Forum
London, U. K.
Tel: +44 1727 884739
Fax +44 1727-884839
Email - david. hartshorn@gvf. org
Gillian Croucher
Assistant to the Secretary General
Global VSAT Forum
London, U. K.
Tel: +44 1727 884513
Fax: +44 1727 884839
E-mail: gillian. croucher@gvf. org
