ABOUT US

ITSO is an intergovernmental organization with 149-member states, that incorporates the principle set forth in Resolution 1721 (XVI) of the General Assembly of the United Nations, which established that communication by means of satellite should be available to the nations of the world as soon as practicable on a global and non-discriminatory basis. Originally established in 1973 as INTELSAT, the International Telecommunications Satellite Organization was restructured in 2001. The restructuring led to the creation of a private entity, Intelsat S.A. and to the continuation of the intergovernmental organization with a new acronym (ITSO). ITSO´s mission is to monitor the performance of Intelsat’s public service obligations and to safeguard the Parties’ Common Heritage.

ITSO: 146 MEMBERS

REGION A: AMERICAS / 26 MEMBERS

Argentina
Bahamas
Barbados
Bolivia
Brazil
Canada
Guatemala
Chile
Colombia
Costa Rica
Cuba
Dominican Republic
Ecuador

El Salvador
Guatemala
Haiti
Honduras
Jamaica
Mexico
Nicaragua
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Trinidad and Tobago
United States of America
Uruguay
Venezuela

REGION B: WESTERN EUROPE / 27 MEMBERS

Austria
Belgium
Croatia
Cyprus
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland

Italy
Liechtenstein
Luxembourg
Malta
MonacCo
Netherlands
Norway
Portugal
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
United Kingdom
Vatican

REGION C: EASTERN EUROPE & NORTHERN ASIA / 14 MEMBERS

Armenia
Azerbaijan
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Czech Republic
Georgia
Kazakhstan
Kyrgyzstan

Montenegro
Poland
Romania
Russia
Serbia
Tajikistan
Uzbekistan

REGION D: AFRICA / 45 MEMBERS

Algeria
Angola
Benin
Botswana
Burkina Faso
Cameroon
Cape Verde
Central African Republic
Chad
Comoros
Democratic Republic of Congo
Cote d Ivoire
Egypt
Equatorial Guinea
Ethiopia
Gabon
Gambia
Ghana
Guinea
Guinea Bissau
Kenya
Libya

Madagascar
Malawi
Mali
Mauritania
Mauritius
Morocco
Mozambique
Namibia
Niger
Nigeria
Republic of Congo
Rwanda
Senegal
Somalia
South Africa
Sudan
Swaziland
Tanzania
Togo
Tunisia
Uganda
Zambia
Zimbabwe

REGION E: ASIA & AUSTRALASIA / 37 MEMBERS

Afghanistan
Australia
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Bhutan
Brunei
China
Fiji
India
Federated States of Micronesia
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Israel
Japan
Jordan
Kuwait
Lebanon

Malaysia
Mongolia
Nepal
New Zealand
Oman
Pakistan
Qatar
Vietnam
Papua New Guinea
Philippines
Popular Democratic -
Republic of Korea
Saudi Arabia
Republic of Korea
Singapore
Sri Lanka
Syria
Thailand
United Arab Emirates
Yemen

MILESTONES

1973

Establishment of the International Telecommunications Satellite Organization (INTELSAT) with the mission to ensure the availability of international telecommunications services to all countries of the world on a non-discriminatory basis.
2001

INTELSAT's restructuring to reflect regulatory and competitive pressures while ensuring the ability to continue to meet its universal service and access commitments in the long term. The restructuring led to the creation of a private entity, Intelsat S.A and to the continuation of the intergovernmental organization with a new acronym (ITSO) and mission.
2010

Establishment of ITSO’s Capacity Building Initiative which offers member States the opportunity to enhance the necessary conditions for the improvement in ICT access and utilization while at the same time facilitating the development and effective use of international public telecommunications services.
2012

The 35^th Assembly of Parties decided that the performance by Intelsat of its Public Service Obligations remains as important as it was in 2001; that the ITSO Agreement plays a crucial role in ensuring that the principles, obligations, and objectives as defined during the restructuring continue to be adhered to and; that it is essential to continue to have a mechanism in place for upholding and protecting the Public Service Obligations as well as the Parties Common Heritage Assets.
2017

The Amendment to Article XII, Paragraph (c) (ii) of the ITSO Agreement entered into force on January 16.
2019

A good proportion of 2019 was spent on good faith negotiations between ITSO and Intelsat to secure funding for the fiscal years 2020 and 2021, in accordance with provisions of the ITSO Agreement. Due to the fact these negotiations ended up in an impasse, ITSO had no other option but to initiate an arbitration proceeding against Intelsat in November 2019 in accordance with the PSA.
2020

In May 2020, Intelsat filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to enable a financial restructuring process necessary for its long-term growth. Because of the bankruptcy proceeding, ITSO was not able to proceed with the arbitration against Intelsat.
It was of great concern that Intelsat’s filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection under U.S. law could prevent ITSO from carrying out its main mission by depriving it of the necessary funds provided for under the PSA.
A Settlement Agreement was finally reached in October 2020.
2022

The Assembly of Parties affirmed unanimously that ITSO should continue to exist and perform its full mission.
It was decided to establish two ad hoc working groups that in collaboration with the ITSO Advisory Committee will report to AP-41 on (1) measures necessary to secure the efficient and proper exchange of information between Intelsat and ITSO and secure appropriate funding arrangements on a going forward basis; and (2) measures necessary to enhance the protection of the Common Heritage including the possibility of increasing the number of Notifying Administrations.

THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION ITSO IS TO

Ensure the performance of Core Principles for the provision of international public telecommunications services, with high reliability and quality.
Promote international public telecommunications services to meet the needs of the information and communication society.
To protect the ITSO Parties’ Common Heritage.

THE CORE PRINCIPLES OF THE ORGANIZATION INCLUDE

Maintaining global connectivity and global coverage for any country or territory that desires to connect with any other country or territory within and between the five regions of America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Africa and Asia.
Providing public telecommunications services, including capacity and price protection guarantees, to customers identified as, and connecting with, “Lifeline Connectivity Obligation” (‘LCO’) customers.
Ensuring non-discriminatory access to Intelsat, Ltd.’s communications system.

In accord with its mission, the Organization encourages the creation of a favorable technical and regulatory environment for commercial satellite communications. The Organization coordinates its actions with other intergovernmental organizations such as the ITU, regional telecommunications organizations, as well as telecommunications operators and their associations.

ITSO AGREEMENT

The establishment of ITSO.
The main purpose and Core Principles of ITSO.
- Maintain global connectivity and global coverage.
- Serve lifeline connectivity customers.
- Provide non-discriminatory access to Intelsat’s system.
The supervisory role of ITSO to ensure that Intelsat carries out the performance of the Core Principles.
The protection of the Parties Common Heritage orbital locations and associated frequency assignments which are unique in their capability to ensure global coverage and to directly, instantly and reliably connect the countries around the world.

The structure of ITSO, which is comprised of the Assembly of Parties and an executive organ, headed by the Director General, responsible to the Assembly of Parties.
The role of the Director General.
The rights and obligations of the Parties; among others.
The dispute resolution mechanism.

Effective from January 16^th, 2017, the amended Article XII, Paragraph (c)(ii) of the ITSO Agreement ensures that if Intelsat or any future entity using the Common Heritage frequency assignments, waives such frequency assignment(s), uses such assignment(s) in ways other than those set forth in this Agreement, or declares bankruptcy, the Notifying Administrations shall authorize the use of such frequency assignment(s) only by entities that have signed a public services agreement, which will enable ITSO to ensure that the selected entities fulfill the Core Principles.

ITSO AGREEMENT

AMENDED ART. XII (C)(II)

GOALS & OBJECTIVES

(2008-2020)

At five previous Assembly of Parties meetings, namely; AP-32, AP-34, AP-35, AP-36 and AP-37, the Assembly considered the issue of ITSO’s Goals and Objectives and came to the conclusion that there was a need to focus on three key areas: