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The Future Impact of the ITU Regulatory Framework on Large Constellations of Satellites

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Legal Aspects Around Satellite Constellations

Part of the book series: Studies in Space Policy ((STUDSPACE,volume 19))

Abstract

This research will address the future impact of the ITU Radio Regulations and ITU-R Recommendation on large constellations of satellites. In particular, this research will analyze the latest findings related to the need for an improved ITU regulatory framework that will specifically address large constellations of satellites.

This research will bring clarification to the problem of bringing into use of frequency assignments to non-GSO systems by analyzing the work of the ITU-R about the implementation of a milestone-based approach system for the future deployment of large constellations of satellites in orbit. In this regard, this research will analyze the necessary legal framework proposed by the WP4A to be discussed at the WRC-19 to prevent the risk of speculative fillings and spectrum warehousing and avoid administrations to block spectrum for others. This research will also address the need for a new ITU-R Recommendation addressing the risk of space debris posed by large constellations of satellites in LEO. Reference will be made to mitigation and remediation of space debris from the ITU’s perspective. The role of the ITU will be analyzed also by referring to the Guidelines for the long-term sustainability of outer space activities.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    According to Article 2 (a) of the ITU Constitution, the ITU shall: effect allocation of bands of the radio-frequency spectrum, the allotment of radio frequencies and the registration of radio-frequency assignments and, for space services, of any associated orbital position in the geostationary-satellite orbit or of any associated characteristics of satellites in other orbits, in order to avoid harmful interference between radio stations of different countries.

  2. 2.

    ITU Constitution, Chapter VII, Article 44 Use of the Radio-Frequency Spectrum and of the Geostationary-Satellite and Other Satellite Orbits.

  3. 3.

    Lyall F, Larsen P.B., Space Law, A treatise, (Chapter 9-Unusual Problems, p. 240, ISBN: 978-1-4724-4782-1, 2nd Edition, Routledge, 2018).

  4. 4.

    Ibid. supra note 3, p. 244.

  5. 5.

    Matas Attila, “The ITU Space Regulation – A Key Element to Access Space”, [2018] IAC-18.E7.7-B3.8.6.x42748.

  6. 6.

    Ibid. supra note 5.

  7. 7.

    Matas Attila, Henri Yvon and Loo Chuen Chen, “The ITU Radio Regulations Related to Small Satellites” pp. 237–264, in Marboe Irmgard (ed), Small satellites: Regulatory challenges and chances (Lam edition, Brill Nijhoff, 2016).

  8. 8.

    ITU Addendum 1 to Document CMR15/ 4-E, Report of the Director on the Activities of the Radiocommunication Sector, 2 July 2015, pp. 6/75 in Chapter 2. Application of the Radio regulations for Space Services, 2.1. Introduction. <https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:wJ8OZvvEM-kJ:https://www.itu.int/md/dologin_md.asp%3Flang%3Den%26id%3DR15-WRC15-C-0004%2521A1%2521MSW-E+&cd=1&hl=ro&ct=clnk&gl=ro> accessed: 03.06.2018.

  9. 9.

    Article 9, No. 9.1 or 9.2, Chapter III, RR.

  10. 10.

    Article 9, No. 9.1A, Chapter III, RR.

  11. 11.

    No.11.44B RR “A frequency assignment to a space station in the geostationary-satellite orbit shall be considered as having been brought into use when a space station in the geostationary-satellite orbit with the capability of transmitting or receiving that frequency assignment has been deployed and maintained at the notified orbital position for a continuous period of 90 days. The notifying administration shall so inform the Bureau within 30 days from the end of the 90-day period. On receipt of the information sent under this provision, the Bureau shall make that information available on the ITU website as soon as possible and shall publish it in the BR IFIC. Resolution 40 (WRC-15) shall apply.”

  12. 12.

    Director, ITU Radiocommunication Bureau, Report of the CPM on operational and regulatory/ procedural matters. To the World Radiocommunication Conference 2015, (Chapter 5, Issue G, page 48, 2nd Session of the Conference Preparatory Meeting for WRC-15).

  13. 13.

    Document CPM19-1/1-E, “Director Radiocommunication Bureau – Structure of ITU-R Study Groups”, 24 November 2015.

  14. 14.

    WRC-19 Agenda Item 7: “to consider possible changes, and other options, in response to Resolution 86 (Rev. Marrakesh, 2002) of the Plenipotentiary Conference, an advance publication, coordination, notification and recording procedures for frequency assignments pertaining to satellite networks, in accordance with Resolution 86 (Rev.WRC-07), in order to facilitate rational, efficient and economical use of radio frequencies and any associated orbits, including the geostationary satellite orbit”.

  15. 15.

    Annex 22 to Document 4A/63-E.

  16. 16.

    Art. 11 of the Radio Regulations ITU edition 2016, regarding the Notification and recording of frequency assignments, WRC 2015.

  17. 17.

    Director, ITU Radiocommunication Bureau—Document CPM19-2/1-E, “Draft CPM Report, Conference Preparatory Meeting for WRC-19, Geneva, 18-28 February 2019” (Plenary Meeting, 17 September 2018).

  18. 18.

    Ibid. supra note 17, p. 28.

  19. 19.

    Ibid. supra note 17, p. 30.

  20. 20.

    Ibid. supra note 17, p. 28.

  21. 21.

    Document ITU 4A/TEMP/188, “Compilation Preliminary Draft CPM Text for WRC-19 Agenda Item 7 – Issue A”, [2018], Radiocommunication Study Groups.

    See also the latest document: supra note 17—Document CPM19-2/1-E, “Draft CPM Report, Conference Preparatory Meeting for WRC-19, Geneva, 18-28 February 2019” (Plenary Meeting, 17 September 2018).

  22. 22.

    Ibid. supra note 21.

  23. 23.

    Ibid. supra note 21.

  24. 24.

    Ibid. supra note 21.

  25. 25.

    Ibid. supra note 21.

    See also: Annex 6 to Document 4A/364-E, “Working Document Towards a Preliminary Draft New Report ITU-R S – NGSO_FSS_BIU”, 18 May 2017 and temporary Report 4A/TEMP/123-E issued 11 May 2017. Document 4A/364-E, 9 June 2017, Chairman, Working Party 4A, Report on the Meeting of WP4A 3-12 May; revised February 2018.

  26. 26.

    Ibid. supra note 21.

  27. 27.

    Ibid. supra note 21.

  28. 28.

    Ibid. supra note 21.

  29. 29.

    Ibid. supra note 21.

  30. 30.

    3/7/1.3.2.2.1 – Option 1, (…) For non-GSO systems with frequency assignments reaching the end of their seven-year regulatory period after a date to be set by the Conference, the commencement of the milestone period will be the actual date of the end of the seven-year regulatory period. For the non-GSO systems with a regulatory period that ends before the date to be set by the Conference, the commencement of the milestone process is based on that date. Options studied for the date to be set include 23 November 2019 (the first day after the end of the conference), 1 January 2021 and 1 January 2024.

  31. 31.

    3/7/1.3.2.2.2 – Option 2, (…) not only would there be a different reference point for the commencement of the milestone-based approach but the actual approach (i.e. associated timelines) would be different and would depend upon the date of the end of their seven-year regulatory period. Extra time would be granted to non-GSO systems for which the end of the seven-year regulatory period comes before the date of the commencement of the regular milestone-based approach (…).

  32. 32.

    See https://www.fcc.gov/engineering-technology/policy-and-rules-division/general/radio-spectrum-allocation.

  33. 33.

    FCC 17-77, 2017, Order and Declaratory Ruling, OneWeb NGSO FSS System.

  34. 34.

    FCC 18-38, 2018, IBFS File No. SAT-LOA-20161115-00118—Application for Approval for Orbital Deployment and Operating Authority for the SpaceX NGSO Satellite System. <https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-authorizes-spacex-provide-broadband-satellite-services> accessed 21.09.2018.

  35. 35.

    Part III, paragraph 7.

  36. 36.

    Part III, chapter 11.

  37. 37.

    Letter from William M. Wiltshire, Counsel to SpaceX, to Jose P. Albuquerque, Chief, Satellite Division (dated April 20, 2017).

  38. 38.

    FCC 17-122, Report and Order and further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking [2017].

  39. 39.

    Ibid. supra note 38, pp. 20–23.

  40. 40.

    Ibid. supra note 38, pp. 15–18.

  41. 41.

    Bender, R., Launching and Operating Satellites: Legal Issues, (pp. 54, Utrecht Studies in Air and Space Law - Vol. 18, The Hague, Boston: Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, 1998).

  42. 42.

    Tony Azzarelly, WSIS2018, Geneva, Room Popov 2, session 189, 19 March 2018.

  43. 43.

    See: http://www.oneweb.world/#rural-coverage-for-mobile-operators.

  44. 44.

    Yvette Ramos, WSIS2018, Geneva, Room Popov 2, session 189, 19 March 2018.

  45. 45.

    Ibid supra note 42.

  46. 46.

    Betty Bonnardel, WSIS2018, Geneva, Room Popov 2, session 189, 19 March 2018.

  47. 47.

    Senegal and Cote d’Ivoire, final discussions, WSIS2018, Room Popov 2, session 189, 19 March 2018.

  48. 48.

    Ibid. supra note 47.

  49. 49.

    See: https://news.itu.int/south-africa-smart-digital-transformation/.

  50. 50.

    Dr. Cissé Kane, President ACSIS-SCASI, WSIS2018, Room Popov 2, session 189, 19 March 2018.

  51. 51.

    Kofi Annan, ITU interview May 15, 2013, YouTube.

  52. 52.

    See: https://news.itu.int/technology-can-improve-the-state-of-the-world-kofi-annan/.

  53. 53.

    ITU, Measuring the Information Society Report 2017, Volume 1, pp. 13–18, ISBN 978-92-61-24511-5 (Paper version), <https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/Statistics/Documents/publications/misr2017/MISR2017_Volume1.pdf>.

  54. 54.

    Philippa Bigs (ed), “The State of Broadband 2018: Broadband Catalyzing Sustainable Development” (ITU, ISBN: 978-92-61-26431-4, pp. 6–10, September 2018) <https://www.itu.int/dms_pub/itu-s/opb/pol/S-POL-BROADBAND.19-2018-PDF-E.pdf> accessed: 23.10.2018.

  55. 55.

    Kemal Husenovic, Iqbal Bedi and Sofie Maddens (ed), “Setting the Scene for 5G: Opportunities & Challenges”, (ITU, ISBN: 978-92-61-27591-4, pp. 8–9; pp. 16–20, 2018) <https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/Documents/ITU_5G_REPORT-2018.pdf> accessed: 23.10.2018.

  56. 56.

    EMEA Satellite Operators Association (ESOA), “Open Skies Policy – Market Access Principles for Satellite Communications” (www.esoa.net; 2018).

  57. 57.

    Via E-mail – March 12, 2018, OneWeb position to Mrs. Yetunde Akinloye, Head, Legal and Regulatory Services Department, Nigerian Communications Commission.

  58. 58.

    Nigerian Communications Commission, “Commercial Satellite Communications Guidelines”, (2017) <https://www.ncc.gov.ng/documents/743-guidelines-on-commercial-satellite-communication-2017-draft/file> accessed: 19.10.2018.

  59. 59.

    “Given local service providers are duly licensed by NCC to provide services to public, and they are fully compliant with all relevant regulatory requirements; Landing Rights shall not be required for satellite operators who intends to wholesale capacity to local licensed service providers.”

  60. 60.

    Nigerian Communications Commission, “Report of the Public Inquiry on the Draft Guidelines on Commercial Satellite” (Article 6, p. 5, 30.04.2018) <https://www.ncc.gov.ng/documents/796-public-inquiry-on-the-draft-guidelines-on-commercial-satellite/file> accessed: 19.10.2018.

  61. 61.

    Ibid supra note 60, Article 20, p. 9.

  62. 62.

    EMEA Satellite Operators Association (ESOA), and Global VSAT Forum (GVF) “Comments on Draft Commercial Satellite Communications Guidelines” (12 March 2018): “ESOA and GVF understand that this would only be the case if a foreign space segment satellite operator plans to provide services directly to end-users in Nigeria. Otherwise, in case services are provided through local licensed service providers, such authorization would not be required. We would appreciate a confirmation from the NCC on this point.”

  63. 63.

    Ibid supra note 60, Article 15, p. 7.

  64. 64.

    Ibid supra note 62, pp. 2–3.

  65. 65.

    Ibid supra note 62, p. 2.

  66. 66.

    Ibid. supra note 56, pp. 4–6.

  67. 67.

    Ruth Pritchard-Kelly, Yvon Henri, “To Fully Bridge the Digital Divide by 2027, Making Internet Access Available and Affordable for Everyone - the non-GSO Constellation Response (Regulatory Best Practices)” [2018] IAC-18, E7,2,12,x46476.

  68. 68.

    Popova R., Schaus V., “The legal framework for Space Debris remediation as a tool for sustainability in outer space” [2018] <http://www.mdpi.com/2226-4310/5/2/55> accessed: 08.10.2018.

  69. 69.

    Lewis H.G., Radtke J, Rossi A., Becl J, Oswald M., Anderson P., Bastida Virgili B, Krag H, “Sensitivity of the Space Debris Environment to Large Constellations and Small Satellites” [2018], <https://conference.sdo.esoc.esa.int/proceedings/sdc7/paper/507/SDC7-paper507.pdf> accessed: 20.10.2018.

  70. 70.

    Ibid. supra note 3, p. 241.

  71. 71.

    ALLISON A. L., The ITU and Managing Satellite Orbital and Spectrum Resources in the 21st Century, (SpringerBriefs in Space Development. Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2014).

  72. 72.

    Doc. A/AC.105/L.315, Guidelines for the long-tern sustainability of outer space activities, 61th session of COPUOS in Vienna, 20–29 June 2018.

  73. 73.

    Ibid. supra note 72.

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  1. International Institute of Air and Space Law (IIASL), Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands

    Claudiu Mihai Tăiatu

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  1. European Space Policy Institute, Vienna, Austria

    Annette Froehlich

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Tăiatu, C.M. (2019). The Future Impact of the ITU Regulatory Framework on Large Constellations of Satellites. In: Froehlich, A. (eds) Legal Aspects Around Satellite Constellations. Studies in Space Policy, vol 19. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-06028-2_5

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