6.8 Management of satellite communication network operations
Efficient management of satellite communication network operations is essential for the proper
utilization of the high investment costs involved in satellite systems and for maintenance of the vital
long-distance communications provided by these systems. In international and regional satellite
systems such as INTELSAT, INTERSPUTNIK, ARABSAT and EUTELSAT, the space segment is
generally owned and operated by the international or regional organization established by the
member countries and the ground segment is managed by various entities in the respective countries.
The use of the space segment is subject to certain entry conditions and its tariffs are decided by the
international organization. In the case of national satellite systems, the management structure
depends on government policy, the existing set up of telecommunication entities and user agencies,
and varies considerably depending on whether these entities are government or privately owned. As
typical examples, the management of an international system (INTELSAT) is described in the
following sections.
6.8.1 Management of international satellite communication network (INTELSAT)
operations
In the INTELSAT system the space segment is owned, operated and maintained by the INTELSAT
organization, while earth stations are owned and operated by telecommunication entities in the