The 7th Eilene M. Galloway Symposium on Critical Issues in Space Law. Global and Regional Space Organizations and the Law

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1 The 7th Eilene M. Galloway Symposium on Critical Issues in Space Law Global and Regional Space Organizations and the Law INTERSPUTNIK INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF SPACE COMMUNICATIONS December 6, 2012 Cosmos Club, Washington D.C.

2 GENERAL INFORMATION & LEGAL STATUS! Intersputnik International Organization of Space Communications international intergovernmental organization 1971! Headquartered in Moscow, Russia! Established in 1971 within the framework of the Socialist Bloc in response to the establishment of Intelsat in the West! Founded by 9 Member states the Soviet Union, Poland, Czechoslovakia, the German Democratic Republic, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Mongolia, and Cuba! Mission: to contribute to the consolidation of economic, scientific, technological and cultural relations among its Member states using satellite telecommunications, video and audio broadcasting, and to support cooperation in procuring and operating an international satellite telecommunications system! Universal organization open for new Members! Today, Intersputnik has 26 Member states

3 MEMBER STATES Kyrgyz Republic Lao People s Democratic Republic Mongolia Republic of Nicaragua Republic of Poland Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Republic of Azerbaijan Republic of Belarus Republic of Bulgaria Republic of Cuba Czech Republic Federal Republic of Germany Georgia Hungary Republic of India Republic of Kazakhstan Democratic People s Republic of Korea Romania Russian Federation Syrian Arab Republic Republic of Tajikistan Turkmenistan Ukraine Socialist Republic of Vietnam Republic of Yemen Somali Republic

4 CONSTRUCTIVE DOCUMENTS Agreement of Nov. 15, 1971 on the Establishment of the Intersputnik International System and Organization of Space Protocol of Nov. 4, 2002 on Amendments to the Agreement on the Establishment of Intersputnik Agreement of of Sept., 20, 1976 on the Legal Capacity, Privileges and Immunities of Intersputnik multilateral international agreements Communications Agreement of Sept. 15, 1977 bilateral international agreement on the Settlement of Issues Related to the Seat of Intersputnik Operating Agreement of Febr. 4, 2003 international inter-agency agreement in the USSR

5 IMPLEMENTED REFORM Before the reform: Protocol of Nov. 4, 2002 on Amendments to the Agreement on the Establishment of Intersputnik After the reform:! Two types of Intersputnik parties: Members and Signatories! Three-level management structure: Board, Operations Committee, Directorate! Financial issues (share capital, contributions, dividends) dealt by the Signatories! One type of Intersputnik parties: Members! Two-level management structure: Board and Directorate! Financial issues (share capital, contributions, dividends) dealt by the Members Operating Agreement of Febr. 4, 2003

6 MEMBERS AND SIGNATORIES Members Signatories National governmental bodies National telecommunications entities! Telecommunications administrations or other industry ministries or agencies! 1 state = 1 Member! 26 Members as of 2012! Government institutions or private companies! Appointed by Members! 1 Member = 1 or more Signatories! License/approval required! 22 Signatories as of 2012

7 THREE-LEVEL MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE BOARD OPERATIONS COMMITTEE DIRECTORATE! Highest management body, holds annual sessions! Consists of all Intersputnik Members, 1 Member = 1 vote! Makes decisions on most important issues related to Intersputnik s long-term goals, general policy and business prospects! Holds meetings twice a year! Consists of all Intersputnik Signatories, 1 Signatory = 1 vote! Responsible for prompt consideration and decisionmaking on the issues concerning operation of the Intersputnik international system of satellite communications, financing policy, annual budgets, and other current issues! Permanent executive and administrative body! Headed by the Director General and staffed by citizens of Intersputnik Member states! Deals with day-to-day activities

8 PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES! Inviolability of premises! Immunity of property, assets and documents from administrative and judicial intervention Organization! Exemption from direct dues and taxes! Exemption from customs duties, export and import limitations on articles for official use! Finances not subject to control Officers and representatives! Immunity from administrative and judicial jurisdiction! Exemption from personal services, direct dues and taxes in respect of their salaries! Exemption from customs duties on articles for personal use The same status is granted under Convention of December 5, 1980 on Legal Status, Privileges and Immunities of Intergovernmental Economic Organizations Operating in Designated Areas of Co-operation

9 DEVELOPMENT STAGES Intersputnik has gone through three stages in developing and upgrading its international communications system:! Stage 1 ( ): Testing Intersputnik Members earth stations using telecommunications channels made available by the Soviet Union free of charge! Stage 2 ( ): Intersputnik international communications system was placed in service using telecommunications channels leased on satellites of Intersputnik Members! Stage 3 (1982 till now): Commercial usage of the Intersputnik international communications system communications system based on Intersputnik s own or leased space segment Intersputnik managed to avoid privatization and keep its status of an international intergovernmental organization, and combine both international and commercial types of activity

10 FUNDING OF INTERSPUTNIK Intersputnik is a self-supporting organization:! No membership fees payable by Intersputnik Members and Signatories! Intersputnik s operations are financed out of its business revenues! Intersputnik annually pays dividends to its Members and Signatories! Intersputnik s share capital consists mainly of its own funds! All Intersputnik parties have their shares in the Intersputnik s share capital! Minimum contribution to the share capital is only required when a new Signatory is appointed 39% Intersputnik's Share Capital 61% Russian Satellite Communications Company Other Members and Signatories

11 INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION! Intersputnik is a permanent observer to the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, Radiocommunication Sector of the International Telecommunication Union, Asia-Pacific Satellite Communications Council, Global VSAT Forum, Regional Commonwealth in the Field of Communications! Intersputnik takes part in the events held by the International Institute of Space Law, the International Academy of Astronautics, the London-based International Bar Association, and the Russian Association of International Law

12 SATELLITE CAPACITY Intersputnik grants its Members and Signatories access to such resource on preferential and most favorable conditions.

13 ORBIT AND FREQUENCY RESOURCE With its own orbit and frequency resource, Intersputnik is able to participate in international and domestic satellite projects together with its member states and third parties for the purpose of launching telecommunication satellites.

14 BUSINESS AREAS Making geostationary satellite capacity available to interested customers Implementation of joint satellite projects using orbit and frequency resource Cooperation with space systems companies under international projects aimed at building telecommunications satellites

15 INTERSPUTNIK GROUP OF COMPANIES In 2005 there was established Intersputnik s wholly-owned subsidiary Intersputnik Holding Ltd., - which is an international group of telecommunications operators incorporated and doing business in interested Intersputnik Member states. Today, these companies operate in Russia, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Kyrgyz Republic Russian Federation Republic of Tajikistan

16 CONTACT POINTS INTERSPUTNIK International Organization of Space Communications Headquarters in Moscow: Russia, Moscow 2 nd Smolensky per. 1/4 Tel.: +7 (499) Fax: +7 (499) dir@intersputnik.com Web: