No. 32/98
Date: 20 February 1998
GIBRALTAR LICENSES FOR THE FIRST TIME THE LAUNCH AND OPERATION OF A SATELLITE
Gibraltar has issued its first ever licence for the launch and operation of a satellite in outer space. The licence has been granted by the Wireless Officer to GE Capital Satellites (Gibral tar) Ltd under the Outer Space Act of the United Kingdom which was extended to Gibraltar in 1966.
The satellite that has been licensed is the first of a number that GE Capital Satellites (Gibraltar) Ltd will operate from a satellite control facility to be established in Gibraltar. This satellite, to be known as GE Satcom AI, will provide analogue and digital video, audio and data services within its coverage areas in the Asia-Pacific region.
In assessing the application for this Outer Space Act licence, Gibraltar has been greatly assisted by the British National Space Centre in London who have carried out all the technical investigations and have been in close contact with the Gibraltar authorities for many months while the application was being processed.
The grant of the Outer Space Act licence follows from the Heads of Agreement which the Government of Gibraltar signed in March last year with GE Capital Satellites (Gibraltar) Ltd, a subsidi ary of GE American Communications Inc. regarding a proposed Gibraltar-based satellite network. That agreement detailed the relationship between GE Capital Satellites (Gibraltar) Ltd and the Government regarding filings made to the International Tele communication Union (ITU) for use by GE of orbital locations to serve Europe, Africa and the Asia-Pacific regions. Commenting on the grant of the Outer Space Act licence, the Minister for Trade & Industry, Peter Montegriffo, said he was delighted that this important first had been achieved for a project that would devel op a new industry for Gibraltar. The Minister added that he looked forward with confidence to the start of the operation in Gibraltar that would involve significant investment and the creation of jobs.
GE American Communications Inc have been in business since 1973 and have pioneered the satellite distribution of video entertain ment programming. They are one of the world's largest satellite entertainment providers.