IMPLEMENTING THE WSIS ACTION PLAN NAIROBI, 25-26 March 2004

1. IMPLEMENTING THE WSIS ACTION PLAN NAIROBI, 25-26 March 2004 Jose ToscanoDirector, External AffairsInternational Telecommunications Satellite Organization GLOBAL BROADBAND SATELLITE INFRASTRUCTURE (GBSI) Initiative: A way to implement the WSIS Objectives

2. The Organization International Telecommunications Satellite Organization (ITSO) • Created in 1964, previously known as “INTELSAT”. • Operates in accordance with the principle set forth in Resolution 1721 (XVI) of the General Assembly of the United Nations that stipulates: “communications by means of satellite should be available to the nations of the world …on a global and non-discriminatory basis.” • Historic decision of the 25th Assembly of Parties (November 2000) to restructure the Organization on 18 July 2001: • Continuation of intergovernmental organization, now abbreviated as “ITSO”, to supervise and monitor the public service obligations. • Creation of a new commercial entity (Intelsat, Ltd.).

3. The Organization • Mission: • to act as the supervisory authority of the commercial entity for public service obligations. • to maintain the continuity of international public telecommunications services, with high reliability and quality. • to promote international public telecommunications services to meet the needs of the Information and Communication Society. • Member States - currently 148 - meet every two years in the Assembly of Parties.

4. Global Broadband Satellite Infrastructure (GBSI) Initiative • Resolution 1721 (XVI) of the General Assembly of the United Nations • principle of the availability of satellite communications to the nations of the world on a global and non-discriminatory basis. • 69 countries, accounting for more than 60% of the world’s population, are fully satellite dependent for domestic and international telecommunications services. • Limited use by developing countries of space communications resources.

5. Global Broadband Satellite Infrastructure (GBSI) Initiative • The satellite industry already has developed the components needed for a global broadband satellite infrastructure. • But….we need to overcome three main obstacles: • User terminals are too expensive and cumbersome. • Bandwidth is expensive. • Regulations and national rules may be costly to comply with. • GBSI Initiative – contribution from the ITSO’s Director General to the preparatory process for the World Summit on the Information Society.

6. Global Broadband Satellite Infrastructure (GBSI) Initiative THE AIM • Significantly lower the price of connection to high-speed Internet services in particular for the developing world and remote and rural areas through an innovative public-private partnership.

7. Global Broadband Satellite Infrastructure (GBSI) Initiative THE APPROACH • European Global System for Mobile (GSM) Model • Universal technical standard for user terminals. • Harmonized radio frequency bands. • Minimal, harmonized and pro-competitive regulatory environment. KEY ELEMENT • Public-Private Partnership with the role of each partner clearly defined.

8. Global Broadband Satellite Infrastructure (GBSI) InitiativeRole of Governments • Development of attractive technical and regulatory framework: • Identification of frequency bands and satellite orbital positions on non-shared basis. • Establishment of a harmonized and minimal regulatory regime addressing: • Landing rights • Licensing • Fair competition • Interoperability • Government support where market conditions fail to meet specific needs.

9. Global Broadband Satellite Infrastructure (GBSI) InitiativeRole of Industry HOW TO CONTRIBUTE? • Agree to adopt, on a voluntary basis, a universal technical standard for user terminals for high-speed Internet connections. • Assist in identifying frequency bands dedicated to provision of high-speed connections. • Ensure interoperability.

10. Global Broadband Satellite Infrastructure (GBSI) InitiativeDevelopments ENCOURAGING REACTIONS • ITU Council (C03). • ITU Radiocommunications Assembly (RA03) - QUESTION ITU-R 269/4 • ITU World Radiocommunications Conference (WRC-03) - Point 1.19 of the agenda for WRC-07.

11. Global Broadband Satellite Infrastructure (GBSI) InitiativeDevelopments • World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) • WSIS Declaration of Principles – references specific elements of Initiative. • WSISPlan of Action – calls for specific actions that allow early implementation of the Initiative.

12. Global Broadband Satellite Infrastructure (GBSI) InitiativeDevelopments • European Union‘s new Space Policy (December 2003) • Importance of satellitebroadband. • Satellite as a remedy to fill the gap for broadband. • Dedicated fund. • Universalization of access to ICT applications. • National Satellite Initiative in Canada • Others….

13. Global Broadband Satellite Infrastructure (GBSI) InitiativeDevelopments • Facilitate coordination and cooperation: • Memorandum of Understanding (no legal or financial constraints). • Memorandum already signed by significant number of stakeholders.

14. ITSO Global Broadband Satellite Infrastructure (GBSI) InitiativeThe Role of CTO • Political Resolution • Support of the GBSI Initiative as an effective means of helping to bridge the “digital divide”. • Political Resolution in the CTO countries • Support of the GBSI Initiative as an effective means of helping the implementation of national ICT universalization policies. • Active role in ITU. • Active role in other regional organizations. • Memorandum of Understanding – signature as an organization and on an individual basis.

15. ITSO Global Broadband Satellite Infrastructure (GBSI) InitiativeConclusion • The Initiative is a means to overcome the “digital divide” by bringing low-cost, high-speed Internet connections -- particularly for developing countries and remote and rural areas in developed countries. • Opportunity for governments to implement their ICT strategies in a timely manner and at the lowest subsidy. • Tremendous business opportunity for the private sector – eagerly looking for new markets and easier access to global market.