Economic methods of spectrum/orbit management for satellite networks

Satellite systems continue to play an important role in developing of telecommunication and broadcasting services market by offering an effective technical solution for the transmission and dissemination of various types of information to mobile and fixed subscriber receivers. This trend is raising demand for the spectrum-orbit resource (SOR) which provides the operation of any radio-electronic system and this leads to a shortage of this valuable resource. The inter- national administrative management system, based on technical and normative principles and procedures set in the Radio Regulations, which successfully coped with its tasks of SOR distribution under conditions when several satellite nations have an insignificant number of satellites in the geostationary orbit, under conditions of current loading, shows its inefficiency. The procedure of obtaining authorization to use the resource involves considerable expenditure of time and material resources raising transaction costs on development of satellite projects and increasing financial risks, which makes investment in satellite projects less attractive. In this regard there is a question of the necessity of stimu- lating rational use of SOR methods introduction. We are considering the possibility of introducing economic methods into the international SOR management system as an additional tool to encourage the rational use of the resource. An analysis of the existing approaches of contempo- rary economic theory has identified some basic options for applying economic methods to the SOR management system. For the planned frequency bands, distributed for satellite services, the introduction of national assignments rent system is offered. For unplanned frequency bands, the introduction of payments for the SOR use is being considered. On the basis of electromagnetic compatibility of satellite communication systems assessment analysis, the methods to deter- mine payments for SOR based on assessments of a satellite system aggressivity in terms of creating interference and of its sensitivity to interference from other systems are offered.