Exploring the Unknown - NASA's History Office

148
THE HISTORY OF SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS
Focus of Report
The filing of U.S.-based satellite system applications with the FCC prompted action by
the Executive branch, which has special responsibilities in this field under the
Communications Satellite Act of 1962, as amended (47 U.S.C. 701 et seq.) including the
responsibility to determine whether additional U.S. international satellite systems are
“required in the national interest.” The Senior Interagency Group on International
Communication and Information Policy (SIG) reviewed U.S. international satellite policy
to determine whether, and under what conditions, authorizing satellite systems and services
in addition to INTELSAT would be: (a) consistent with prevailing U.S. law, practice,
and international treaty obligations; (b) compatible with sound foreign policy and
telecommunications policy goals; and, (c) in the U.S. national interest. 1
[2] The Executive agencies represented on the SIG undertook a study and reached a
unanimous position in favor of new entry, subject to certain limitations. A recommendation
subsequently was made to the President by the Secretaries of State and Commerce.
The President determined on November 29, 1984, that international satellite systems separate
from INTELSAT were required in the U.S. national interest, subject to certain conditions.
Specific criteria relating to the President’s determination were then forwarded to
the FCC by the Secretaries of Commerce and State jointly. See Appendixes A and B.
This report provides background information regarding the President’s determination,
and it also provides information on important regulatory and other parallel measures
which are desirable to ensure that the Executive branch’s fundamental policy
goal—an efficient and responsive international communications environment—is
achieved. The discussion here focuses on the major communications and information policy
issues raised by the applications before the FCC. It addresses commercial, trade, and
legal matters, and also examines major U.S. foreign policy interests and concerns.
This report does not seek to resolve all of the questions that have been raised regarding
new international satellite systems nor to direct action by the FCC on specific pending
applications. It does, however, consolidate much of the extensive analysis that has been
undertaken by the Executive branch and sets forth the requirements applicable to any system
the FCC may eventually authorize.
The Executive branch has concluded, in brief, that it is technically feasible, economically
desirable, and in the national interest to allow new entry by U.S. firms into the international
satellite field. Customers should be afforded both the new service options and
the benefits of competition among customized service providers that new entry promises.
This can be accomplished, moreover, while maintaining the technical integrity of the
INTELSAT global system and avoiding significant economic harm to that system. U.S. foreign
policy, and international communications and information policy, require a continued
strong national commitment to INTELSAT as “a single global commercial
telecommunications satellite [3] system as part of an improved global telecommunications
network.” 2 But our national commitment to INTELSAT and other important goals
can be accommodated, provided that new international satellite systems and services are
authorized and regulated along the lines discussed in this report.
1. The SIG is composed of representatives of the Departments of State, Justice, Defense, and
Commerce; the Offices of Management and Budget, Science and Technology Policy, Policy Development, and
the U.S. Trade Representative; the National Security Council; the Central Intelligence Agency; the U.S.
Information Agency (USIA); the Board for International Broadcasting; the Agency for International
Development; and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Commerce and State co-chair the SIG
and USIA serves as vice chair.
2. Preamble, Agreement Relating to the International Telecommunications Satellite Organization
“INTELSAT,” TIAS 7532, 23 UST 3813, 3814 (1973).