Regulatory, Organizational, and Financial Aspects

Abstract

Apart from the technical aspects, there are a number of other issues related to S-PCN systems which have to be solved before a system can successfully be operated: Frequency bands for the mobile and feeder links have to be allocated. For each system, a license must be granted for implementation and operation of the space segment. Further, a license for establishing a gateway station is required by the gateway operator from the respective country. A license for providing the service must be granted to the service provider by the respective country. Connection agreements with terrestrial fixed networks, and roaming agreements with terrestrial mobile networks, must be set up. A number of political issues between system proponents and various coun- tries must be cleared up concerning the cost of licenses and airtime, owner- ship of gateways, type approval and free circulation of terminals, and service accessibility. Finally, a huge amount of costs must be financed during system construc- tion. The service charging policy is an important instrument to penetrate the markets in developed and less developed countries.