The Reform of International Satellite Organisations

Since the creation of international satellite organisations (ISOs), technology and institutions have changed. Fibre optic cable has greatly in creased connectivity. Satellites and ground stations have become more efficient. Private satellite systems have emerged. The almost uniform landscape of monopoly domestic public telecommunications operators (PTOs) has been transformed in many countries with the addition of corporatised PTOs and, in some countries, private competitive operators. As the environment for which ISOs were designed has changed, policymakers need to review the appropriateness of their status and structure. The purpose of this roundtable was to discuss alternative, pro-competitive structures of the international satellite organisations. ISOs have extensive effects on competition in domestic telecommunications and broadcast markets. The roundtable was a timely opportunity for competition authorities to come up with positions to influence the governments and representatives at the ISOs. This document comprises proceedings in the original languages of a roundtable on the Reform of International Satellite Organisations which was held by Working Party No. 2 of the Committee on Competition Law and Policy in November 1995. It is published as a general distribution document under the responsibility of the Secretary General of the OECD to bring information on this topic to the attention of a wider audience. This is the seventh compilation published in an OECD series named “Roundtables on Competition Policy”.