ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the reasons for the change in United States (US) policy from one of global monopoly to one of global competition, the reactions of the other major players to this change, and some of the effects that the policy shift might have on satellite communications in the future. International Telecommunications Satellite Organization (INTELSAT) is the organization with the most at stake in the evolution of US international satellite policy. The emergence of other common-user satellite systems in the early 1980s has already given INTELSAT a taste of competition. The membership of other global and regional satellite communication systems is comprised of states, most of which are also members of INTELSAT and as a consequence have an interest in its continued success. INTELSAT regards resource-based pricing as a means to optimize system use and promote “economic efficiency to sustain INTELSAT in the current and foreseeable industry environment".
