Global VSAT Forum

Report & Accounts 1999 - 2001

 G L O B A L V S AT F O R U M

M I S S I O N S TAT E M E N T

T
o act in an independent manner for the general
promotion of the global VSAT industry, whether
this be technology or service based. The Global
VSAT Forum will represent the best interests of its
membership at relevant industry symposia, regulatory and
legal consultations and form a single point of contact for
any suppliers to the industry or any users of VSAT
equipment or services. The Global VSAT Forum’s actions
will always be consistent with the promotion and growth of
the VSAT industry and its membership.

REGISTERED IN ENGLAND NO. 3414971, a company limited by guarantee

REGISTERED OFFICE: 42 HOLYWELL HILL, ST ALBANS, HERTS, AL1 1BX, U.K.
 C O N TAC T S
GVF Secretariat:
Global VSAT Forum
2 Victoria Square
Victoria Street
St. Albans, Herts, AL1 3TF, U.K.
Tel: +44(0)1727 884 739, 513
Fax: +44(0)1727 884 839
Email: david.hartshorn@gvf.org
martin.jarrold@gvf.org

GVF Correspondent Offices:

Brasil Mexico
UNISAT The Mexican Satellite Industry Association
Rua Mexico, 21-Sala 1402-B-Centro Blvd. Manuel Avila Camacho No. 36, Piso 10
CEP. 20031-144-Rio de Janeiro - RJ - Brasil Col. Lomas de Chapultepec 11000
Tel/Fax: +55 21 2532 5123 / 2533 9540 Mexico, D.F.
Email: cristovam@unisat.com.br Tel: +52 55 284 2534
Contact: José Cristóvam Nascimento Fax: +52 55 284 2223
Email: ewallsten@satelitron.com.mx
Canada Contact: Ing. Erik R. Wallsten O.
John T. Feneley Consulting
18 Fredmir Dollard Des Ormeaux Russia
Quebec, Canada H9A 2R2 National Assembly of Satellite Communication
Tel +1 514 684 7026 Bolyshoj Kozlovskij, per., 5, RSCC, for NASC
Email: jfeneley@attcanada.ca Moscow, 123242 - Russia
Contact: John T. Feneley Tel: +7 095 921 3733, ext. 238
Fax: +7 095 923 4933
India Email: AlexanderM@bsh.ru
VSAT Service Association of India Contact: Alexander Matveev
103 Ashoka Estate, Barakhamba Rd
New Delhi - 110001 - India Sub-Sahara
Tel: +91 11 335 0633 Geoffrey Daniell Telecoms Consulting
Fax: +91 11 372 3909 PO Box 70179, The Willows
Email: bbhalla@luthra.com Pretoria, 0041, S. Africa
Contact: Wg. Cdr. B.G. Bhalla (Retd.) VSM Tel: +27 12 807 0482
Fax: +27 83 310 3332
Indonesia Email: daniellgr@inds.co.za
The Indonesian Satellite Association Contact: Geoffrey Daniell
d/a PT. Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk
JI. Cisanggarung No.2, 2nd Floor, Rm 34 West Africa
Bandung 40115, Indonesia Gilbert Adanusa Communications
Tel: +62 22 452 1659 PO Box AN 8051, Accra, Ghana
Fax: +62 22 422 0610 Tel: +233 21 772 233
Email: arifin_nugroho@attglobal.net Fax: +233 21 224 797
Contact: Dr. Arifin Nugroho Email: gadanusa@ghana.com
Contact: Gilbert Adanusa

GVF Auditor:
MacIntyre Hudson
Euro House
1394 High Road
London N20 9YZ
Tel: +44(020) 8446 0922
Fax: +44(020) 8446 7686

GVF Legal Counsel:

Squire, Sanders & Dempsey
Royex House, 17th Floor
Aldermanbury Square
London EC2V 7HR, U.K.
Tel: +44(020) 8446 0922
Fax: +44(020) 8446 7686
 CONTENTS

PAGE

Contents 1

Achievements at a Glance 2

The Members 4

Chairman’s Introduction 5

Secretary General’s Report 6

Board of Directors 8

Working Groups 10

Membership 12

Representation 14

Deregulation 16

Promotions 20

Financial Statements 22

1

MARCH 1999
GVF steps up efforts to
promote reforms that would
permit streamlined VSAT
licensing in 43 European
countries.
JULY 1999
GVF Regulatory Working
Group establishes VSAT
policy guidelines for
international regulatory
community.
NOVEMBER 1999
GVF establishes India
Correspondent Office in
conjunction with VSAT
Service Providers Association
of India.
JANUARY 2000
GVF establishes Russia
Correspondent Office in
conjunction with National
Assembly of Satellite
Communications.
APRIL 1999
SATA, a sub-group of the
Southern Africa Transport
and Telecoms Commission,
invites the GVF to support
VSAT-related reform plans in
the region.
SEPTEMBER 1999
GVF Multimedia Working
Group launched to define and
promote role of next-
generation satellite-based
solutions.
DECEMBER 1999
Europe adopts GVF-
supported policy deregulating
VSATs.
FEBRUARY 2000
GVF Membership surpasses
80 organisations in every
major world region.
GVF co-ordinates signing of
international multi-lateral
policy agreement.
2
1999 & 2000 A
JUNE 1999
MAY 1999
The Russian government
GVF Mutual Recognition officially recognises the GVF
Arrangement is finalised, as key source on regulatory
enabling faster, less costly
reform.
satellite-operator type
approvals.
OCTOBER 1999
GVF begins distribution of
OCTOBER 1999 second-edition ‘Global VSAT
Business’ industry
GVF provides VSAT policy supplement.
seminar for Brazilian
regulatory agency.
JANUARY 2000
GVF efforts thwart
protectionism in Eastern
DECEMBER 1999 Europe.
GVF-supported landing-
ETSI and GVF develop rights reforms are
Memorandum of implemented in India.
Understanding.
FEBRUARY 2000 MARCH 2000
UNISAT appointed to lead
GVF’s Brazil Correspondent European nations move to
Office. adopt streamlined licensing
Reform-minded Argentine of interactive VSATs.
regulator requests GVF
seminar.
GVF plans Latin America
VSAT conference.
AT A G L A N C E
APRIL 2000
GVF urges Indian
government to initiate further
reforms of VSAT sector.
AUGUST 2000
GVF appoints Asociacion de
la Industria Satelital
Mexicana (ASISAT) to serve
as GVF Mexico
Correspondent.
NOVEMBER 2000
GVF website traffic climbs to
~3,000 hits per day.
MARCH 2001
South, Central and North
American governments
unanimously agree to
promote co-operation in
GVF-supported VSAT
licensing procedures
throughout the region.
MAY 2000
Middle Eastern
administrations seek GVF
inputs regarding potential
liberalisation of
VSAT sector.
SEPTEMBER 2000
International VSAT Policy
Declaration made available in
English, French, Spanish, and
Russian through GVF website,
providing access for every
government in
the world.
DECEMBER 2000
GVF Membership reaches
113 companies from 34
countries.
MARCH 2001
GVF hosts Chinese
delegation to Washington DC
and organises high-level
Ministry of Information
Industry meeting with US
Federal Communications
Commission.
JUNE 2000
GVF stages Latin America
VSAT Conference and JULY 2000
Regional Membership
Meeting in Miami Beach, European Commission
Florida.
Information Society DG
GVF Global Regulatory invites GVF members to
Survey is released to
Full Members meetings on measures to
of the GVF. improve the business
environment in Russia
and China.
OCTOBER 2000
GVF General Assembly
convenes in Amsterdam, and
L-band Interface Standard OCTOBER 2000
(LBIS) Sub-Group formed.
COMESA members establish GVF Mexico Correspondent
regulatory authority in organises VSAT Regulatory
sub-Saharan Africa, Seminar for incoming
invite GVF support. Mexican administration.
JANUARY 2001
FEBRUARY 2001
GVF runs IP Satellite
Workshop in conjunction GVF moderates VSAT
with China Telecom regulatory dialogue involving
conference, Honolulu, South African Ministry and
Hawaii. local industry representatives.
GVF appoints Geoff Daniell
to serve as GVF
Correspondent in South
Africa.
MARCH 2001 MARCH 2001
GVF begins planning for Southern Asia
Telecommunications
Arab & African States VSAT Regulatory Commission invites
Summit to be held in Dubai, GVF participation in
United Arab Emirates. regulatory meeting, Bhutan.
Indian government agrees
to implement new round
of GVF-backed
VSAT reforms.
3
LIST OF MEMBERSHIP*

AAE Systems MTN

Advantech Multipoint Communications
Aetheric Engineering National Assembly of Satellite Communication - Russia**
AFSAT ND Satcom
Agilis Communication Technologies NEC
Alcatel NERA
Anacom NeTrue Vipersat
Andrew New Skies Satellites
Arabsat Nordic Satellite
ARY group / CMC Engineering Norsat International
Asia Pacific Satellite Magazine NSI Communications
Asiasat NSN Network Services
ASISAT (Mexican Satellite Industry Association)** OmniSpectrum
ASSI (Indonesian Satellite Industry Association)** Optus
Astrium Pacific Century Matrix
Astrolink International PanAmSat
Astro Works/AstroExpo.com Paradigm
Boeing Paradise Datacom
Broadband Satellite Magazine ParaGea Communications
BT Patriot Antenna Systems
Cable & Wireless Planet Communications Asia
CapRock/IWL Communications Pradeshta
Channel Master Prodelin
Clear Channel Pronet
Codan Raven Manufacturing
CommCarrier SatNews.com
Communications Center Saudi Inteltec
Communication Concepts SES Americom
CompassRose International SES Global
COMSYS Shiron Satellite Communications
Comtech / EF Data Sierracom
Cyberstar Signal Mountain Networks
Data Marine Systems Singapore Telecom
Datasat Communications SNEF Groupe
EDGE Communications SONEMA
Emperion SpaceBridge Semiconductor
Ericsson Componedex Spacenet
Euroconsult Star One
EUTELSAT Stellat
FhG-Fokus. Satcom STM Wireless
Flash Networks Strategis
General Dynamics Stratos
Geoff Daniell Communications** Tachyon
Gilat Satellite Networks TeleDanmark
Gilbert Adanusa Consulting** Teledesic
Global Convergence Technology Teleglobe Communications Corp.
Global Net Telenor Satellite Services
Global Satellite Exchange TELEPORT Bulgaria
Globecomm Systems Telespazio
GS Telecom Telstra V-Comm
Gulfsat The London Satellite Exchange
High Capabilities Technologies Titan Wireless
Hughes Network Systems Transcom
Hutchison Corporate Access Transtel
iDirect Triaton
INTELSAT Tripoint Global
Invacom UNISAT**
INVSAT United Telesys
Irwin Communications University of York
Kingston inmedia Verestar
Latham & Watkins Vertex
Latinet Via Satellite Magazine/PBI Media
Lockheed Martin Global Telecommunications Viasat Satellite Networks
Loral Skynet Vicom
L-3 Communications Satellite Networks VSAT Service Providers Association of India**
MasterWorks Communications WB Walton Enterprises
Microspace Communications Worldcom
Mindsprout Technologies Xantic
Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
Notes: * Full members appear in bold
**Asterisk denotes GVF Correspondents
Membership as at 1 February, 2002
4
 CHAIRMAN’S INTRODUCTION

“Competition is a very good thing, but competition and

co-operation are better.”

I
think that everyone reading these opening remarks will
agree with the first part of this statement; after all,
competition is the engine of good business. But what do I
mean by the second part? I am, of course, referring to the kind
of co-operation that occurs day-by-day between the companies
who, during the last four years, have become members of the
Global VSAT Forum.

On 4 June 1997 representatives of 25 companies, all

commercial competitors, congregated in London to decide if
Andrew Werth, they were all willing to work together to promote the use of
Hughes Network Systems advanced communications network solutions provided via Very
Small Aperture Terminals (VSATs).

Four years later, the Global VSAT Forum has more than 130
organisations in membership, representing 37 countries on all
the populated continents. Membership continues to grow, with
new members joining from all the industry sectors represented
by the Forum: satellite operators, VSAT network operators,
manufacturers, system integrators, value added and enhanced
service providers, carriers, and users. We’re pleased to have
lawyers, consultants and publishers in membership, too.

So, what is the nature of this co-operation? What has that

willingness to work together actually meant? What has been
achieved?

Over those four years, the Forum has been the unified voice of
the global satellite industry and has succeeded in setting the
agenda for discussion with international organisations, national
governments and regulatory authorities at a national, regional
and global level in matters of licensing, type approvals and
conformance.

The Board of Directors, which I have the honour and pleasure

of chairing, is supported by representatives of member
companies that regularly participate in the activities of the
Forum’s various Working Groups: covering Regulatory matters,
the Mutual Recognition Arrangement (on equipment type
approvals), Multimedia, Membership and Promotions.
Summaries from each of these Working Groups appear in the
later pages of this annual report.

Co-operation among member companies has yielded many

tangible results. Beyond the major policy gains obtained from
working in partnership with modernising regulators, the Global
VSAT Forum is positioned as the central point of contact for
information both about the industry and for the industry. Its
work as an industry watchdog and as a representative body is
complemented by major educational and promotional initiatives
launched all around the world, and designed to encourage
greater awareness of the benefits of satellite communications
and especially networks featuring VSAT technology.

I have great pleasure in presenting you with this record of the

most recent achievements of the Global VSAT Forum and invite
you to consider how you might in the future also contribute to
our industry’s unified voice.

5
S E C R E TA RY G E N E R A L’ S R E P O RT

ever say never.....with some exceptions. Like never

N underestimate what is possible through the combined

efforts of a global industry. Take the satellite
communications industry, for example. As of 29 March, 1998,
there was still no unified non-partisan voice to represent the
industry throughout the world. The industry had not “combined
its efforts”. And the results were painfully apparent:

• Most nations’ regulations unnecessarily hindered – and in

many cases prevented - the industry’s best efforts to provide
essential communications solutions.

David Hartshorn, GVF • For governments interested in regulatory reform of the

satellite sector, there was no industry consensus to clearly
advise them how to proceed.

• And for administrations that still saw no reason to encourage

the use of satellite-based services, there was no non-profit
organisation with the mandate, credibility or resources to
convince them otherwise.

That was just the regulatory front. In global forums, such as the
UN, WTO and ITU, or in regional groups like the CEPT,
SATTC, APEC, CITEL and others, there was no global industry
representation. As a result, key decisions were being made in
the absence of unified industry inputs.

The same held true on matters relating to technical co-

ordination and standards. And for those who had an interest in
simply learning about the virtues of VSAT-based solutions –
whether they were a potential end user, a would-be service
provider, or a government agency – there was too often no
phone number to call.

All that changed on 30 March, 1998. That’s when the industry

said never again. That’s when 27 leading organisations launched
the Global VSAT Forum. That’s when the industry began to
realise a new level of success.

The first gains came faster than anyone expected, including

myself. What we quickly realised was that the primary hurdle to
regulatory reform was not always protectionism. Rather, the
problem was often that government agencies were simply
overwhelmed regarding how best to address satellite
communications in the context of trends such as convergence,
IP, and broadband.

When the Global VSAT Forum offered to provide a clear

guideline on what regulatory refinements were needed to
facilitate service provision – and thereby help governments
achieve vital policy objectives – many administrations were
delighted. More than a few governments immediately began
adapting policies and regulations. The word spread and
regulators from literally every major region of the world began
contacting the Global VSAT Forum for inputs.

6
 S E C R E TA RY G E N E R A L’ S R E P O RT
“[Two years ago], we
recorded an average of 2,000
hits per day on the
association’s website; today,
that figure is closer to 9,000.”
7
As regards the more conservative administrations, the GVF
stepped up its interventions and launched a programme
designed to highlight best regulatory practices around the
world. A global survey of regulatory regimes was conducted,
and this resource has proven instrumental to administrations
interested in applying best-practise approaches.
Similar breakthroughs were realised in the technical arena.
When a solution was needed to streamline satellite-operator
type approvals, a technical framework – now known as the
Mutual Recognition Arrangement - was established through the
Global VSAT Forum. By consensus. In a room full of
competitors. Since then, the MRA framework has also begun to
be offered to governments as a way of streamlining their type-
approvals processes.
Promotional and educational initiatives, meanwhile, took off
like a shot. In the GVF’s previous Report & Accounts, we
recorded an average of 2,000 hits per day on the association’s
website; today, that figure is closer to 9,000.
In addition, the GVF message reaches approximately 20,000-
30,000 readers of international publications per month. GVF
representatives speak before hundreds of government, industry
and end-user conference delegates each month. The GVF hosts
or supports a seminar or workshop nearly every month and in
every region of the world. And the GVF stages informative
exhibits in every major region of the world, every year.
The workforce, as it were, is the GVF Membership, which
doubled in the first year and doubled again in the second year.
Today, the GVF Membership consists of more than 130 leading
companies from 37 countries in every major region of the
world, and every industry sector.
The strength in our numbers has enabled the global industry to
combine expertise drawn from many disciplines – from carriers
to manufacturers, from operators to value-added service
providers, and from lawyers to publishers to consultants. This
expert resource has then been applied through the dedication of
the Board (see page 8), the commitment of the GVF Working
Groups (see page 10), and the frequent-flyer miles of the
Secretariat to help advance the industry agenda. Or to put it
more directly, to help people obtain access to communications.
Whether it’s tele-medicine for public health, distance learning
for education, rural links for universal access, or IP-based
broadband for Internet Service Providers, banks, stock
exchanges, oil & gas concerns, automotive dealers, movie
theatres, petrol stations, mining operations, or a host of other
applications, these are the reasons why this global industry
should never be underestimated. Ever.
T H E B OA R D O F D I R E C T O R S *

he directors of the company are delighted with the progress that has been achieved by the Global

T VSAT Forum. In particular, the association has been successful in representing and advancing the
VSAT industry’s interests in every region of the world. It is strongly expected that this success will
continue well into the future.

George Jusaites, Channel Master (Elected 2 November, 1999)

Broadband Beckons: “By 2004, analysts predict that the global satellite broadband market will reach 9 million
residential end-users and almost 3 million enterprise sites. This represents astounding growth for the satellite
industry in just a few short years. Whether or not you agree with the analysts’ projections, I’m sure we all can
agree that broadband is coming. Some satellite platform providers are preparing program launches as early as
the 2002-2003 time frame. What this means to our industry is a myriad of both business opportunities and the
George Jusaites problems associated with change. Powerful telecom switches in the sky will provide end-users with a multitude
of new services that will cross global borders, replace existing technology with new platforms, and require a
volume of manufacturing and equipment installation never before seen in our industry’s history. The GVF
recognizes that there is much work to be done. With the help of our membership, working groups and strong
industry presence we will heed the call to assist in making satellite broadband a success.”

Olga Madruga-Forti, Cyberstar (Elected 24 October, 2000)

Policy Progress: “The Global VSAT Forum’s International VSAT Policy Declaration (IVPD) was, and
continues to be, a major landmark in the recent history of telecommunications regulatory reform around the
world. It created a framework within which the more recent regulatory reform work of the Forum was set.
Since the publication of the IVPD, the Forum has produced the VSAT Global Regulatory Survey which sets
out the prevailing regulatory conditions in each nation around the globe and draws comparison between this
Olga Madruga- data and the best-practice guidelines that feature in the IVPD. The detailed research data in the Regulatory
Forti Survey, building on the ideal-type policy framework set out in the IVPD, constitutes a resource which has
been instrumental in giving regulatory administrations a clearer understanding of the shape and direction of
regulatory reform trends. Moreover, this information has constituted the basis on which many of these
administrations have moved forward with their own reforms. In this, and other, aspects of regulatory policy
reform, the Global VSAT Forum continues to be an indispensable partner in its collaboration with industry
and governments around the globe.”

Andrew Stimson, INTELSAT (Appointed as replacement, 1 January, 1999; Re-elected 24 October, 2000)
Information and Application: “The Global VSAT Forum works for the benefit of the entire
VSAT community – end users, solution providers, and policy makers. One aspect of that role is the collection
and dissemination of information, from the data comprising a global regulatory database through to market
intelligence on communications industry trends. Using diverse means of delivery, from media like the Web
and printed publications, through to workshops delivered and meetings attended around the world, the GVF
Andrew Stimson brings this information to bear on one of its other roles, that of promoting and facilitating the use of VSAT-
based communications solutions.
“Information informs dialogue, facilitates progress. Some form of dialogue affecting the VSAT industry is
taking place around the clock, somewhere around the globe: at the World Trade Organisation or the
International Telecommunication Union; within regional regulatory organisations; or between national
authorities, end-users and their potential service providers. Directed at, and used collaboratively with these
forums, this information – and how it is applied – has contributed to the efficacy of this unified voice of the
VSAT community.”

8
 T H E B OA R D O F D I R E C T O R S

Larry Whitmeyer, Lockheed Martin Global Telecommunications (Elected 2 November, 1999)

Point of Presence: “In the same way that VSATs facilitate point-of-presence links between widely separated
geographic locations, the Global VSAT Forum functions as a worldwide point of presence for its Membership.
By enabling its Members to be continually at the forefront of their industry’s developments on many fronts,
the GVF ensures that an individual Member’s concerns receive the collective presence and backing of the
association. Members know that regardless of their physical location on the globe, they can rely on the GVF
Larry Whitmeyer to represent their interests with its continual presence at industry events and through energetic sponsorship of
key initiatives.”

Angela Myhre, Telenor Satellite Services (Elected 30 March, 1998; Re-elected 24 October, 2000)
Education and Promotion: “The GVF continues to foster understanding of the role that VSAT-based services
play in the telecommunications industry, and promotes approaches to advance the availability of these services
to consumers, and commercial and government enterprises. Through education and promotion, the GVF has
advocated regulatory and trade principles, and raised the awareness of the industry in political circles, the
press, user groups and associated industries, including IT and Internet. By continuing to advance these
Angela Myhre
principles, access to vital services will be significantly enhanced at national, regional and global levels -
benefiting administrations, end users and service providers alike. All GVF Members share this educational
and promotional responsibility and commitment.”

Michael DeWan, WorldCom (Elected 30 March 1998; Re-elected 2 November, 1999)

The Industry Voice: “The VSAT industry competes on a worldwide basis with other telecommunications
technologies and, as with any competitive industry, it is vital that the industry’s message gets out to the public
and to those who can have an impact on our ability to deliver products and services. Communication of the
industry position on deregulation, technology, and the suitability of this technology for business and consumer
applications can only be influential in the world community if there is a unified voice supported by a
Michael DeWan significant membership. The GVF fills this industry need. Before the establishment of the GVF, regulators
would receive unsolicited comments for regulatory relief from individual firms within the industry. As
individual players, these requests failed to receive significant attention, because they did not carry the collective
weight of an industry with unified goals.
“Today the environment is much different thanks to the prominent position established by the GVF, our
Secretary General and a very active membership. Recognition of the GVF throughout the world and
acknowledgement of the membership’s unity has been borne out by the numerous requests the GVF receives to
assist in helping regulators define goals and address country-specific regulatory issues. The GVF enjoys this
respect because we are seen as a group willing to cooperate to achieve shared goals. We provide an
authoritative voice for the industry and we can provide expertise to all segments of the industry. Great progress
has been achieved but much remains to be done. The GVF can continue to successfully pursue the removal of
regulatory barriers only if our membership remains actively engaged in the GVF.”

* Directors sitting on the Board as at or before 31 March, 2001

9
WO R K I N G G RO U P S

he Chairs of the Global VSAT Forum Working Groups are pleased to report some of the achievements

T made on behalf of the GVF and the industry at large, in their respective areas of responsibility. Their
statements are a testimony to the continuing dedication of the GVF Membership as they support the
industry agenda throughout the world.

Regulatory Working Group

“While each company views its regulatory know-how and expertise in various countries as part of its competitive
edge, the GVF Members have realized the benefits of working together and joining forces on issues of regulatory
concern. The competitive strength of the VSAT industry is increased by a common approach. In negotiations with
regulators the voice of the GVF can have much more impact and a stronger stand than that of an individual
company.
“About once a month the regulatory experts of the GVF Member companies discuss market-access hurdles and
Annette Purves, possible GVF actions in a conference call, where updates are also provided on the latest regulatory developments.
New Skies “One of the most important recent projects has been to update and extend the GVF Global Regulatory Database.
Satellites Originally this database was established in order to allow for a global policy comparison based on the principles
of the GVF’s “International VSAT Policy Declaration”. The GVF Regulatory Working Group then decided that it
wanted to use this tool also for market access information and to provide for the possibility to create reports based
on certain criteria. Many companies are participating in the effort to assess the regulatory situation in every
country of the world.
“Regulatory Workshops that the GVF holds in various countries of the world form an excellent forum for
industry, customers and regulators to exchange their views, concerns and experiences and to advocate best-
practice principles. Optimum regulatory approaches were promoted during workshops held in countries such as
India, Brazil, Russia and Argentina, and they have resulted in substantial improvements in the VSAT regulations.
Regulatory advances made in one country or region can then be described and discussed with regulators in other
regions with a view toward adoption.
“Last, but not least, the GVF-RWG has continued to react on short notice to requests for action or intervention by
individual member companies or organizations. This activity is ongoing and, based on past GVF successes in
every region of the world, promises to gain in importance to the global VSAT community.”

Publicity and Promotions Working Group

“On a daily basis, the Global VSAT Forum message is heard around the world. Simply put, that message contains
a unified industry statement that VSAT-based satellite networks can provide a cost-effective solution for the
delivery of Internet, video, voice and data services to millions of end-users worldwide.
“The GVF Publicity and Promotions Working Group has been effectively communicating our message by
targeting the publications, speaking venues, workshops, trade shows and conferences where the decision makers
are present. During this past year, the GVF participated in more than 30 industry events on a local, national,
Susan Gordon, regional and global basis. Our new Regional Correspondents keep a finger on the pulse of activity, participating
INTELSAT one-on-one with the local governments, regulators and end-users. In addition, numerous magazines, newspapers
and newsletters have brought the GVF members’ message home with articles appearing in millions of editions
distributed worldwide in a myriad of languages.
“Through strategic linking, the GVF website has tripled the number of hits-per-day to over 8,000 and the GVF site
is now listed as one of the top sites by the major Internet search engines. Located at www.gvf.org, this useful
industry tool not only provides our members with special benefits, but also serves as a valuable reference and
information center for governments, regulators, potential customers, journalists and educators alike to learn about
the global VSAT advantage.”

Mutual Recognition Arrangement Working Group

“The MRA Working Group charter is to define procedures and standards for earth station equipment type
approvals issued by satellite operators. The group maintains an email discussion list with approximately 50
participants and holds meetings several times per year.
“At an October 2000 meeting in Amsterdam, for example, it was announced that Channel Master had become the
first to use the MRA procedure for multiple type approvals using a single test data package. Also during the
meeting, final edits to revision C of the MRA procedure (GVF-101) were debated and agreed upon. Revision C
Ralph Brooker, was subsequently ratified by the GVF board of directors and is in effect. The document is available to the public
Andrew Corp. for download at www.gvf.org.

10
 WO R K I N G G RO U P S

“Meanwhile, establishment of an L-band Interface Standard (LBIS) has been identified as a priority, and an MRA
sub-group has been established to set an industry standard for the interface between L-band modems and outdoor
block IF upconverter/SSPA’s. An email discussion list and web site have been created, and a draft standard is under
review.
“The MRA Working Group’s work also is being applied to regulatory agency type approvals. The GVF has begun
to recommend that regional and national governments use the MRA to streamline homologation procedures.
Meetings held with the regulatory agencies of India and the U.S. have set the stage for an expanded introduction of
the concept throughout the world.
“The group has other ongoing objectives, including convergence of performance standards and the effective
treatment of type approvals in the context of Ka-band services. On this latter point, the MRA Working Group most
recently held a meeting at the 7th Ka-Band Utilization Conference in Santa Margherita Ligure, Italy. As next-
generation VSAT systems are readied for launch, this dialogue will gain in importance, paving the way for more
efficient deployment of services.”

Multimedia Working Group

“The rapid introduction of digital technologies has repositioned satellites as a viable complement – and in some
cases alternative - to terrestrial technologies providing video and multimedia services to businesses and
consumers. As the number of Internet users and applications continues to grow, the telecommunications
infrastructure is struggling to provide sufficient bandwidth. Although terrestrial technologies are being deployed,
it is most likely that there will be many areas without broadband access. As a result significant investment will
be required to upgrade networks to support the new demands. The VSAT industry expects broadband, IP-based
Angela Myhre, satellite solutions for Internet, intranet and multimedia applications for customers to represent an increasing
Telenor Satellite proportion of the market in future years.
Services “The future VSAT industry will use broadband, IP-based satellite solutions to reach and service its clients and
customers. For the VSAT industry, broadband also represents a new playing field, with an increasing number of
competitors and an ever-decreasing margin on traditional VSAT services as the inevitable result.
“The GVF Multimedia Working Group monitors these trends, with an eye for regulatory implications and
educational awareness needs. During year 2000, the GVF Multimedia Working Group identified four interest
groups - IT industry, Regulatory, Media/Press and Internet - which we believe would benefit from an educational
awareness programme. The objective of the programme is to address the interest group's concerns with respect to
broadband, IP-based satellite solutions. White papers were drafted and are now under review. In the coming
year, the Working Group, in co-operation with the Publicity and Promotions Working Group, plans to use the
'Industry Voice' to make sure our message is heard, and to secure our role in the evolving broadband business.”

Membership Working Group

“Expanded GVF Membership and the enhancement of Member benefits were the Membership Working Group’s
(MWG’s) two primary efforts over this past year. Recognizing that more Members were desired from the key
growth regions of Asia, Latin America and Middle East/Africa, MWG and GVF staff energy was focused on
reaching potential Members from these areas and spreading understanding about the GVF’s role and function in
the satellite industry. Potential Members were personally contacted by working group members, GVF Affiliate
Members in the regions, and/or the GVF staff, with invitations to join ranks with their industry colleagues.
Larry Whitmeyer, “Key industry events in each of these regions were targeted in order to maximize GVF exposure. As an example,
Lockheed Martin during Telexpo Brasil 2001 in São Paulo, an invitational dinner (sponsored by LMGT) was held to educate
Global selected companies about the GVF, and to hear their concerns regarding the VSAT business. These efforts resulted
Telecommunications in an overall increase in GVF Membership from last year. Even so, near-term focus on these regions will continue.
“At the same time, the MWG worked with the GVF staff and Board of Directors in searching for initiatives that
could enhance value of GVF Membership. These efforts resulted in the adoption and implementation of several
items, including: annual fee discounts for sponsoring a new Member or upgrading from Associate to Full
Membership, creation of a ‘Member Spotlight’ feature on the GVF website for Full Members, development of a
GVF Membership Directory to be published annually, and instituting special workshop awareness/focus on
specific VSAT-related issues through solicitation from Members. Another key development was the establishment
of a special Affiliate Member category to encourage Members of GVF Correspondent associations to join the
GVF.
“Of course, endeavors such as these are merely a part of the continuous growth process that an active organization
such as the GVF experiences. Through Member input and feedback, the Membership Working Group will
continue to work in concert with the GVF staff to expand and strengthen the organization’s reach and impact
globally.”

11
M E M B E R S H I P B Y C O M PA N Y

F
our years ago, a group of less than 30 satellite industry
MEMBERS leaders had a vision. They realised that they had an
opportunity to address the regulatory and market-access
pressures that both service and product providers were facing
98 99 00 01 throughout the world. An organisation established to draw
130 upon the combined strengths of the industry, and that would
120 provide a single, unified voice for the satellite communications
110
community would be a bold and innovative move – and they
100
90
did it.
80 At mid-July 2001 the Membership had reached 121
70 organisations from 35 countries in every major region of the
60
world. By the fourth quarter of 2001, the Membership was 130
50
companies, and counting.
40
30 That the industry’s resolve to stand together had an immediate
20 effect was noted in the previous Annual Report, and this effect
10 continues on ever broader and deeper levels. An increased
0 Membership has combined in an even greater body of expertise
MARCH MARCH SEPT DEC from right across the range of the VSAT community, an
expertise manifest in all the varied facets of the Forum’s work
and as described in this Report.
Our newest Members join the established ones in enjoying an
enhanced range of Membership benefits identified by the
Secretariat and the Membership Working Group. These
benefits are presented in more detail in the report of the
Chairman of the Membership Working Group within this
Report, and include membership fee discounts, GVF “trial
memberships”, special focus groups, a new “Affiliate
Membership” category, discounts for membership in GVF
Correspondent Associations, and an annual Membership
Directory.
The Global VSAT Forum is now firmly recognised as the VSAT
industry representative voice at the tables of various national,
regional and international satellite communications authorities,
as a successful collaboration of previously unfocussed interests.
But, more than for just the record, it is important to highlight
the Founder Members, who continue to support the GVF’s
shared vision:
BT Full Founder
Cable & Wireless Full Founder
COMSYS Associate Founder
Cyberstar Full Founder
EUTELSAT Full Founder
Gilat Satellite Networks Full Founder
Gulfsat Full Founder
Hughes Network Systems Full Founder
INTELSAT Full Founder
Lockheed Martin Full Founder
Global Telecommunications
NEC Full Founder
SES-Global Full Founder
SNEF Groupe Associate Founder
Spacenet Inc. Associate Founder
STM Wireless Full Founder
Telenor Satellite Services Full Founder
Telstra V-Comm Full Founder
Triaton Associate Founder
ViaSat Full Founder
VSAI of India Associate Founder
Worldcom Full Founder
* Founders as at 1 February, 2002

12
 M E M B E R S H I P B Y C O U N T RY

lobal – worldwide, wide-ranging, all embracing, all

COUNTRIES
98 99 00 01
G good definitions of this too easily over-worked
adjective, but in this spirit the Global VSAT Forum is
wholly true to its name, as intended by its Founding Members.
40
The original group derived from 11 countries across five
35 regions of the globe; already an international organisation, the
30
objective was to assert and to maintain its non-partisan and
non-aligned status.
25

20 As it has grown in size and in influence, the Global VSAT

Forum has consistently maintained this status, regarded not only
15
as an essential adjunct to its global presence, but vital because
10 so much of that presence is manifest in the form of the
individual member companies.
5

0 Over and above the work done around the globe by the Forum’s
MARCH MARCH SEPT DEC
Secretariat, many initiatives have been developed by, and a
great deal of effort expended by, those with local credentials
and local expertise. Those companies would only choose to be
associated with an organisation that was recognised to have no
regional or national alignments or bias. That the work of these
local companies in advancing regulatory reform and in
promoting VSAT-based solutions has been recognised as
successful is further testament to the universal
acknowledgement the GVF’s global status.

Collaboration with our Correspondent Members - in Brazil,

India, Indonesia, Mexico, South Africa, and Russia - together
with the efforts of those individual organisations on the ground
within their own national and regional contexts, has given even
greater weight to the efforts of the Forum. Their input has
contributed even greater leverage to the work of introducing
greater liberalisation to the telcoms sector in these major world
regions.

All of this reflects the true and central strength of the Global
VSAT Forum. As new Members join the Forum, either from
nations already represented or as the first to represent their
respective national market, the level of regional participation
grows broader, providing progressively further enhancement to
our ability to provide solutions that make sense on a national,
regional or global level.

13
 R E P R E S E N TAT I O N ome form of activity that is likely to shape the VSAT industry’s future is taking place in pu

S – globally, regionally and nationally. One of the top objectives of the Global VSAT Forum
GVF also updates the Membership on key developments, co-ordinates the provision of ind
representation established by the GVF are noted below.

BELGIUM
Made substantial contributions to
Comprehensive Satellite Initiative in
co-ordination with SAP-REG group to
promote implementation of CEPT reforms in
Europe. Also participated regularly in SAP-
REG meetings and addressed other EC
regulatory events.

UNITED STATES PORTUGAL

GVF fought to preserve VSAT spectrum
Government approached
from advances made by terrestrial wireless
lobby at Federal Communications regarding Portugal’s imposition
Commission. Also began working with FCC of extremely high VSAT
regarding endorsement of GVF MRA to licensing fees.
streamline VSAT type-approvals processes.

AMERICAS EASTERN CARIBBEAN

Having supported CITEL’s establishment of a Supplied examples of best-practice
VSAT licensing database for the region, served as regulation and overview of global
catalyst during meetings in Panama and Ottawa to reform trends to newly-formed ECTEL
advance harmonisation of VSAT regulations group, charged with national-level
throughout South, Central and North America. reform throughout the region.

MEXICO GREECE
GVF’s Mexico Correspondent, Asociacion de la Industria Satelital GVF submitted comments
Mexicana, held VSAT Regulatory Workshop for incoming related to improvements
government to promote deregulation. Mexico has begun needed in VSAT regulatory
opening its market to foreign satellite operators. regime.

COSTA RICA NIGERIA

Confirmed Member of Costa Rican legislature as Following dialogue with GVF,
keynote speaker to open the GVF 2000 – national regulatory agency
Latin America Conference. The theme: partially deregulated use of
VSAT reform in Central America. satellites by ISP sector.

VENEZUELA
In response to call for GVF comments, provided consensus-based
guidelines on reforms needed to ensure effective
ZAMBIA
GVF staged VSAT seminar in
VSAT-based services in Venezuela. New
legislation enacted. conjunction with COMESA-
BRAZIL EU communications
As follow-up to successful 1999 GVF VSAT Regulatory conference.
LATIN AMERICA Workshop with Brazilian regulator, provided detailed data related
GVF launched regional VSAT
to how other administrations have implemented blanket licensing.
conference in Miami involving Brazil has now begun issuing blanket licenses for VSATs. BOTSWANA
government officials, service providers
GVF provided industry input on
and end users. Event served as key ARGENTINA regional satellite spectrum policy and
forum for business and regulatory Conducted Regulatory VSAT Workshop for the regulatory-reform trends to SATTC.
dialogue. Argentine regulatory agency, CNC; provided inputs to Plans underway to hold VSAT
CNC’s Secretary of Communications urging adoption of regulatory seminar.
blanket-licensing and relaxed landing-rights regulations
to facilitate VSAT service provision. Thereafter, CNC
implemented partial reform.
14
 blic- and private-sector forums almost continually. These dialogues are underway at every level R E P R E S E N TAT I O N
has been to establish and maintain representation for the industry in all such gatherings. The
dustry-related data, and involves companies with relevant expertise. A few examples of

DENMARK
Having encouraged establishment of One Stop Shop satellite licensing facility by ETO
(www.eto.dk), the GVF promoted implementation by administrations of legislation needed to
activate Combined Application Form.
RUSSIA
FINLAND Russian VSAT Seminar organised for government/industry
Participated in – and was major contributor of documentation for – CEPT together with local GVF Correspondent, National
meeting related to regional licensing reform for interactive VSATs. It has Assembly of Satellite Communications. Expedited VSAT
now been adopted by CEPT and implemented by Austria, Czech licensing process implemented thereafter.
Republic, Denmark, Finland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway,
Switzerland. Others are pending.

PAKISTAN
Meetings and dialogue held
with government relating to
Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
planned liberalisation of
VSAT sector, including
introduction of international
SAUDI ARABIA VoIP via satellite.
Supplied data related to best-practice VSAT regulation
implemented by other administrations around the
world. Licensees have been short-listed to provide
SOUTH KOREA
first competitive VSAT services in nation’s history.
Jointly signed memorandum
Independent regulator established.
with APSCC to advocate VSAT-related policy
reform. Thereafter, began co-ordinating
promotion of Open Skies for VSATs in Asia
Pacific.

CHINA
Meetings held with MII in Beijing regarding
BHUTAN regulatory reform. Hosted MII delegation to
Addressed SATRC regulatory group Washington, where joint meeting was held at
Ne regarding national- and regional-level FCC. Plans underway to hold follow-up VSAT
pal
VSAT reform trends. regulatory seminar for MII in Beijing.
UNITED ARAB
EMIRATES
Initiated planning for Arab & MYANMAR
African States VSAT Summit, Provided regulatory guidelines to government.
to be held in Dubai.
THAILAND
JORDAN In meetings and official presentations, proposed
Provided information
development of VSAT licensing database by Asia
related to liberalisation of
Pacific Telecommunity.
VSAT sector. Jordanian
government expects to SINGAPORE
implement new Telecom Encouraged government advocacy of VSAT services,
Law providing for partial which was followed by issuance of new licenses.
liberalisation of VSAT
sector.
INDIA
Meetings, seminar and other
contact with DoT, TRAI and
ISRO related to implementation
of direct-satellite-access policy
for ISPs, that was implemented
in 2000. Subsequent round of
dialogue related to fees, data
rates and interconnection
resulted in implementation of
KENYA further reforms.
Regulatory guidelines provided to
goverment. Partial liberalization enacted
in 2001.

SOUTH AFRICA
Regulatory Workshop held in Midrand involving
Ministry. Joint public/private-sector consensus
achieved regarding deregulatory action plan. Follow-
up continues.
African States VSAT Summit held during ITU Africa
in 2001. 15
D E R E G U L AT I O N - E U R O P E

T
he Global VSAT Forum’s approach in Europe has
evolved. Whereas the association’s top priority was
advancement of pan-European satellite policy principles -
several of which are now successfully adopted - the GVF has
turned more attention to advocating implementation of those
principles by national administrations.
This advocacy has facilitated unprecedented progress: When
the GVF was first launched in 1998, streamlined licensing of
VSAT services was not implemented anywhere in Europe; as
this publication went to press, a dozen countries had
implemented streamlined licensing regimes for VSATs, either
for receive-only terminals, interactive systems, or both.
These licensing gains followed the adoption in 2000 of regional
policy principles by the European Conference of Posts &
Telecommunications (CEPT). They are divided into four
“Decisions”, which have been implemented in the following
countries, as follows:
• Receive-Only Earth Stations ("ROES" Decision):
Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France,
Ireland, Latvia, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, and the U.K.
• Ku-band Interactive Earth Stations ("VSAT" Decision):
Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Luxembourg, the
Netherlands, and Norway.
• Ka-band Interactive Earth Stations ("SITs" and “SUTs”
Decisions): Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland,
Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, and Switzerland.
As European administrations have been implementing improved
licensing regimes, the GVF has been advising governments in
Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa and the Middle East
on how to take advantage of similar “light-touch” approaches to
VSAT regulation.
A key part of this process has involved arranging VSAT
regulatory meetings between European regulators and their
counterparts in other regions. High-level officials from the
European Commission, CEPT and national administrations
have been integrated into GVF regulatory programs in Beijing,
Brasilia, Buenos Aires, Miami, Moscow, and Washington, D.C.,
where progressive reform was advanced.
The current implementation status of satellite-related CEPT
Decisions and Recommendations can be seen at www.eto.dk
where, in addition to updates, an information bank has now
been established for One Stop Shop access to VSAT licensing
information relating to many of the 43 European CEPT
administrations.
The same web site also includes a Combined Application Form
that will enable a VSAT license applicant to file electronically
to any combination of European regulatory administrations
with a single form. The GVF is urging European
administrations to take the steps necessary to implement this
valuable system.
Meanwhile, in large part due to the energies of the GVF’s
Russia Correspondent, Alexander Matveev, Moscow has
implemented an expedited VSAT licensing procedure for
VSATs used in conjunction with the Express satellite
constellation. Matveev, who also serves as Executive Director
of Russia’s National Assembly of Satellite Communications, is
working with the GVF to have expedited licensing applied
more broadly.

16
D E R E G U L AT I O N - M I D D L E E A S T & A F R I C A

olitical instability, monopolistic practices, insufficient

P financing… despite the seeming intractability of these and

other Middle Eastern and African barriers, the Global
VSAT Forum’s Annual Report for 1998-99 noted tremendous
potential for regulatory progress in both regions.

We haven’t been disappointed. National administrations have

continued to gradually remove regulatory responsibility from the
PTTs and commercialisation of the telecom sector has stimulated
further market opening. This has helped drive Middle Eastern
and African demand for VSAT-based services, both from the
private and public sectors. And that, in turn, is driving the new
regulatory agenda.

“We are interested in liberalising the VSAT sector. What do you

suggest?”

That’s what representatives of several Middle Eastern and

African governments asked during calls made to the Global
VSAT Forum. Several months later, one such government had
short-listed five VSAT licensees – the first ever to provide
competitive VSAT service in the country - and created an
independent regulator.

Are they an isolated case? Not hardly. In North Africa, Morocco

awarded several VSAT licenses to operators, initiating the first
VSAT-based competition in that nation’s history. And as this
report went to press, the Jordanian government – which also co-
ordinated closely with the GVF - confirmed that they have
completed a draft Telecom Law that includes new provisions for
VSAT-based competition.

Further south, in markets like Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique,

Swaziland, Uganda and Zambia, the governments have
implemented partial deregulation of the VSAT sector, permitting
local service provision by national and international players. And
in South Africa – where the GVF has appointed Geoff Daniell to
serve as local Correspondent – the administration has created an
independent regulator.

Meanwhile, the GVF has been working hard and fast to facilitate
further gains in both regions. A sampling of activity:

• Pan-Africa & the Middle East: The GVF began planning

the Arab & African States VSAT Summit to be held in Dubai.
The complimentary event will serve as a forum for end users,
industry and governments from throughout both regions to
embrace the use of satellite-based services.
• West Africa: The GVF began working with the West African
Telecommunications Regulators’ Authority (WATRA), which
was recently created to co-ordinate regulatory and policy
issues.
• Sub-Saharan Africa: GVF regulatory meetings and seminars
were held at the COMESA Trade Fair in Lusaka, Zambia;
Johannesburg, South Africa; and Nairobi, Kenya. The GVF
continued its support of the Southern Africa Transport and
Communications Commission.

17
D E R E G U L AT I O N - A S I A

hink global, act local. The truth of this truism was

T put to the test in Asia during 1999/2001, with local

industry groups increasingly serving as the Global
VSAT Forum’s standard bearers at the national level.

First among these has been the VSAT Services Association

of India (VSAI) which, in addition to its long-standing
position as a Founding Member of the Global VSAT
Forum, was appointed to serve as the GVF’s India
Correspondent. In this role, VSAI served as a primary
liaison between the GVF and the Indian government on key
regulatory initiatives.

In Southeast Asia, meanwhile, the Indonesian Satellite

Association (ASSI) was appointed to serve as the GVF’s
local Correspondent and, further north, a similar strategic
relationship was established with the newly-formed China
Satellite Forum in Beijing.

The value of local presence became readily apparent in

January 2000, when the Indian government implemented a
GVF-supported policy that – for the first time in the
nation’s history – permitted Internet Service Providers with
international gateway licenses to directly access any
satellite in the orbital arc, and allowed provisional use of
non-Indian satellite capacity to address local demand for
VSAT services.

Implementation of the policy, which was first drafted with

the government 18 months prior during a regulatory
workshop organised jointly by VSAI and the GVF, resulted
in immediate provision of new services throughout the
country. (Indeed, as this report went to press, another
contract was signed by a major satellite operator.)

But that’s just one example. Since then, the GVF

Regulatory Working Group has been involved in numerous
interventions, delegations, and meetings with the Indian –
and indeed, with numerous national and regional Asian
regulatory organisations, including:

• China: The GVF organised a delegation from China’s

Ministry of Information Industry, which held a high-
level meeting with the U.S. Federal Communications
Commission in Washington, D.C. The agenda:
Regulatory reform of the VSAT sector, particularly as it
relates to the World Trade Organisation’s Telecom Trade
Agreement.

• India: Following the above-noted breakthrough in India,

New Delhi responded favourably to further GVF/VSAI
interventions, announcing that it would: Elevate the
ceiling on VSAT data rates from 64 Kbps to 512 Kbps;
permit interconnection of VSAT-based closed-user-group
networks; and provide for licensing-fee reductions.

• Pan-Asia: The GVF has led the establishment of a

consensus amongst satellite operators active in the Asian
region to jointly advocate national-level Open Skies
policies for domestic and international VSAT services.

18
 D E R E G U L AT I O N - A M E R I C A S

eregulation within the Americas poses a striking

D
“
dichotomy.”

So ran the opening sentence in this section of the 1998-1999

Annual Report, emphasising the distinction between the “light
touch” of North American regulation and the burdensome
restrictions on the use of VSAT-based solutions in certain Latin
American nations. But even then, the rules were beginning to be
redrawn.

More recently, the regional group of regulators serving South,

Central and North America - the Inter-American
Telecommunication Commission (CITEL) - has taken ground-
breaking steps towards GVF-supported harmonisation of VSAT
regulation throughout the two American continents.

As this publication went to press, a CITEL sub-group was

finalising a report that recommends the implementation of a
comprehensive VSAT programme for the region, with the
objective of facilitating earth station licensing in each country.
The draft report was supported by GVF involvement in Panama-
and Ottawa-based CITEL meetings, and it is to be formally
presented at a CITEL gathering in Mexico.

This initiative expands upon another GVF-supported CITEL

programme that was implemented in year 2000: the
establishment of a regional VSAT licensing database
administered by the Organisation of American States, in which
numerous countries have provided direct access to their
regulatory requirements. This on-line facility has enhanced
transparency throughout the region and enables industry to more
effectively provide VSAT-based communications. (Interested
parties are welcome to visit the site at
www.citel.oas.org/pcc3/vsat/vsat_information_of_licensing.htm)

Important strides also were taken at the national level:

• Brazil: Following a GVF Regulatory Seminar held for

Anatel - Brazil’s regulatory agency - blanket licensing of
VSATs has been implemented in the country. The new
regulation, which applies to Ku-band services, is a major step
forward for Brazil and sets an important example for other
administrations throughout the region. The GVF’s Brazil
Correspondent, UNISAT, played an important role in
co-ordinating with Anatel.

• Mexico: During an event hosted by the GVF’s Mexico

Correspondent, Asociacion de la Industria Satelital Mexicana
(ASISAT), the incoming administration of Mexico learned of
the strategic contributions that the satellite industry makes in
the national and international arenas. ASISAT, which is
Mexico’s non-profit satellite industry association, organised
presentations and a key speech from the GVF Secretary
General for local industry and leading government officials -
who recently issued licenses to foreign-owned satellite
service providers.

• Venezuela: The GVF Regulatory Working Group provided a

consensus-based document to the Venezuelan government,
advising them of constructive VSAT regulatory approaches,
which were taken on board in the nation’s reform process.

19
P R O M O T I O NA L P R O G R A M M E S

n more than three years of operations - during a period of

I tremendous change in the VSAT industry and throughout the

telecommunications sector - the promotional work undertaken
by the Global VSAT Forum has grown significantly.
Reflecting this, and the consequent expanding workload of the
Publicity and Promotions Working Group, the P&PWG now has
two co-Chairs, with George Jusaites of Channel Master having
joined forces with Susan Gordon of Intelsat at the helm in the third
quarter of 2001. A report from Susan Gordon features separately
in this Report (see p.10).
The Web
Amongst its other efforts, the Working Group is presently focusing
most closely on GVF event branding, the new Membership
Directory, and the GVF web site.
In respect of the latter, the web site is now receiving in excess of
8,000 hits per day with some individual member organisations
receiving thousands of hits linked from www.gvf.org. Followed by
the home page, most hits are received by the GVF Membership List
(hotlinked to Members’ web sites), closely followed by the
Communications Solutions section, comprising VSAT case studies
submitted by member organisations.
The increase in traffic to www.gvf.org has been strengthened by
seeding the site at many of the world’s most frequently consulted
search engines. These include: Excite, AoL, Google, Lycos,
Webcrawler, GoTo, AltaVista, Looksmart, MSN and Netscape.
Meanwhile, the P&PWG is concentrating on new web site features
and means by which “eyeball traffic” can be increased yet further.
GVF Members are invited to submit their ideas on this initiative to
the Working Group via the Secretariat.
GVF Membership Directory
At time of writing, a major new GVF publishing venture was firmly
underway in co-operation with Satnews Publishers. The Global
VSAT Forum Members Directory follows on from the published
editions of Global VSAT Business in 1998/99 and 2000, but will
feature more member organisation information, thereby becoming
a substantial data resource both for members and for GVF industry
promotions.
Other Publications
The Secretary General - and now also the Director for International
Programme Development - continues to secure additional regular
feature columns in publications around the globe. Articles written
by the Secretariat complement those produced by Member
organisations, and anyone interested in contributing articles for
possible submission to these publications under the GVF banner
should contact David Hartshorn or Martin Jarrold.
All Around the World
The GVF now stages industry events in every major region, every
year. For example, with the current regulatory and business
climates in the African region continuing to improve, much of the
GVF’s promotional efforts associated with events were focused on
launching the African States VSAT Summit in Johannesburg,
during ITU Africa in November 2001.
The Summit attracted strong attendance from a wide range of
public and private sector executives, including diplomats,
regulators, NGOs, satellite service and system providers, Internet
professionals, end users and a host of others from Africa, the
Middle East, Asia, North America, and Europe.
During the Africa Computing & Telecommunications (ACT 2001)
Conference and Exhibition in Pretoria, as well as conducting two
scheduled workshops, Martin Jarrold, the GVF’s new Director of
International Programme Development, was interviewed for
Summit TV, a pan-African satellite business channel. As well as
general promotion of the VSAT industry, the then upcoming GVF
African States Summit featured strongly in the discussion that was
broadcast both during and after ACT.

20
 P R O M O T I O NA L P R O G R A M M E S

As for the Middle East, plans relating to an Arab States VSAT

Summit had been unveiled to key communications organisations in
Casablanca on 17th April 2001, during the Annual Meeting of
Arabsat. The event is tentatively scheduled for the fourth quarter
of 2002 in Dubai, in conjunction with the GITEX Conference and
Exhibition.
Other conference and exhibition activity for the period August
2000 through to June 2001 is listed below, but worthy of significant
note is the CommunicAsia event in Singapore. The GVF was joint
organiser of a two-day satellite conference with Singapore
Exhibition Services (SES). This is a major event in the Asia Pacific
calendar and we will again be working closely with SES for the
show in 2002, to include GVF workshops and the main conference.
As well as jointly organising such events, the GVF continues to
endorse conferences and exhibitions run by specialists in the field,
including Telexpo Brasil, Satellite 2002, China Satellite,
Convergence India, SatCom Africa and many others.
A sampling GVF-supported Conferences and Meetings from
August 2000 to June 2001 is as follows:

Europe ET-SAG, Sophia

Broadband 2000, Paris
GVF Government Meetings, Satellite
Russia, Moscow
Broadband Via Satellite, Amsterdam
SAP-REG Meeting, Brussels Sviaz, Moscow
Mediacast, London
VSAT 2001, London
JPT-SAT Meeting, Bergen
EU Legal Conference,
Brussels Satellite Broadband Conference

M. E. & Africa African Telecoms & Broadcast, Sun City

GVF Africa VSAT Workshop, Sun City
Satcom World Africa, Johannesburg
EU-COMESA Co-operation Week, Lusaka
Cairo Telecomp, Cairo
GVF Africa VSAT Workshop, SatCom Africa,
Midrand
Middle East Telecoms, Dubai
Arabsat Annual Meeting, Casablanca

Asia Rural Telephony 2000, New Delhi

India Telecom, New Delhi
China Satellite 2000, Shenzhen
ITU Asia, Hong Kong
APSCC, Seoul
GVF China VSAT Workshop, Honolulu
Regional Regulators’ Meeting, Bhutan
Convergence India, Delhi
GVF Government Meetings, Delhi
VSAT-Internet India, Mumbai
CommunicAsia, Singapore
Asia Pacific Satellite Communication
Conference, Singapore

Americas Telelink 2000, Sao Paulo

CITEL Regulatory Meeting, Panama
GVF Industry Dinner, Telexpo, Sao Paulo
GVF Conference Sessions, Satellite 2001,
Washington DC
Supercomm, Atlanta
Americom Global Meeting, San Diego
Satellite Internet Conference, Arlington
CITEL PCCCIII Meeting, Ottawa

21
GLOBAL VSAT FORUM
SUMMARISED ACCOUNTS
REVENUE ACCOUNT

YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2000

Year to Year to
Note 31 Dec 00 31 Dec 99
£ £

INCOME 2 297,947 261,026

Administration expenses 268,742 205,523

OPERATING SURPLUS 3 29,205 55,503

Interest Receivable 3,169 48

SURPLUS ON ORDINARY ACTIVITIES

BEFORE TAXATION 32,374 55,551
Tax on surplus on ordinary activities 4 405 95

RETAINED SURPLUS FOR THE FINANCIAL

PERIOD 31,969 55,456

BALANCE SHEET
31 December 1999 Note 2000 1999
£ £ £ £
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible assets 5 3,153 2,263

CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors 6 325,133 71,031
Cash at bank and in hand 213,417 51,828
_______ _______
538,550 122,859

CREDITORS: Amounts falling due

within one year 7 (433,967) (49,355)

NET CURRENT ASSETS 104,583 73,504

TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 107,736 75,767

RESERVES 11
Accumulated Surplus 107,736 75,767
_______
MEMBERS' FUNDS 107,736 75,767

These summarised accounts were approved on 28th September 2001 on behalf of the directors by
MR A.L. STIMSON
These accounts set out on pages 22-26 are a summary of information extracted from full accounts approved by the directors on 28 September 2001 which have been audited and submitted to the
Registrar of Companies (company number 3414971). These summarised accounts may not contain sufficient information to allow a full understanding of the financial affairs of the Global VSAT
Forum. For further information, the full accounts, the auditors’ report and the directors’ report should be consulted. Copies of these can be obtained from Global VSAT Forum, Fountain Court, 2
Victoria Square, Victoria Street, St Albans, Herts AL1 3TF, UK.

22
 GLOBAL VSAT FORUM
SUMMARISED ACCOUNTS
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2000

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of accounting
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in
accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (effective March 2000).

Income
The income shown in the revenue account is the amount in respect of membership fees due for the
year ended 31 December 2000, exclusive of Value Added Tax.

Depreciation
Depreciation is calculated so as to write off the cost of an asset, less its estimated residual value
over the useful economic life of that asset as follows:

Equipment -331/3% straight line

Operating lease agreements

Rentals applicable to operating leases where substantially all of the benefits and risks of
ownership remain with the lessor are charged against surplus as incurred.

Foreign currencies
Assets and liabilities in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the rate of exchange
ruling at the balance sheet date. Transactions in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at
the rate of exchange ruling at the date of the transactions. Exchange differences are taken into
account in arriving at the operating surplus.

2. INCOME

The income and surplus before tax are attributed to the one principal activity of the company.

An analysis of income is given below:

Year to Year to
31 Dec 00 31 Dec 99

£ £

United Kingdom 68,100 26,540

Other EU Countries 64,471 47,771
Rest of World 165,376 186,715

297,947 261,026

23
GLOBAL VSAT FORUM
SUMMARISED ACCOUNTS
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2000

3. OPERATING SURPLUS

Operating surplus is stated after charging / (crediting):

Year to Year to
31 Dec 00 31 Dec 99

£ £

Depreciation 2,444 1,332

Auditors' fees 1,750 1,750
Net (surplus)/deficit on foreign currency (2,222) (2,527)

4. TAX ON SURPLUS ON ORDINARY ACTIVITIES

Year to Year to
31 Dec 00 31 Dec 99

£ £
In respect of the year:
Corporation tax 405 95

5. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

Equipment
£
COST
At 1 January 2000 3,997
Additions 3,334

At 31 December 2000 7,331

DEPRECIATION
At 1 January 2000 1,734
Charge for the year 2,444

At 31 December 2000 4,178

NET BOOK VALUE

At 31 December 2000 3,153

At 31 December 1999 2,263

24
 GLOBAL VSAT FORUM
SUMMARISED ACCOUNTS
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2000

6. DEBTORS
2000 1999
£ £

Trade Debtors 319,545 59,443

VAT recoverable - 1,641
Other debtors 4,228 8,664
Prepayments and accrued income 1,360 1,283

325,133 71,031

7. CREDITORS: Amounts falling due within one year

2000 1999
£ £

Trade Creditors 6,802 1,600

Other taxation and social security 17,090 16,924
Other creditors 9,597 2,231
Accruals and deferred income 400,478 28,600

433,967 49,355

8. COMMITMENTS UNDER OPERATING LEASES

At 31 December 2000 the company had aggregate annual commitments under non-cancellable
operating leases as set out below.
2000 1999
£ £
Operating leases which expire:
Within 1 year 5,440 5,132

9. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

No ultimate controlling party has been identified.

Other than the payment of subscriptions, no other transactions with related parties were
undertaken such as are required to be disclosed under Financial Reporting Standard 8.

10. COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE

Each member of the company has guaranteed to contribute £1 in the event of a winding up.

25
GLOBAL VSAT FORUM
SUMMARISED ACCOUNTS
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2000

11. RESERVES

Income
and
Expenditure
Account
£

Opening balance 75,767

Surplus for the year 31,969

Balance carried forward 107,736

12. STATUTORY AUDITED ACCOUNTS

These are not the company's statutory accounts for the period ended 31 December 2000. The
statutory accounts for that period have been prepared and abbreviated accounts have been
delivered to the Registrar of Companies.

The company's auditors reported on the statutory accounts for the period and the audit report was
unqualified.

26
 Global VSAT Forum
2 Victoria Square
Victoria Street
St. Albans
Hertfordshire
AL1 3TF
United Kingdom

Tel: +44 (0)1727 884739, 513

Fax: +44 (0)1727 884839
E-mail: david.hartshorn@gvf.org
martin.jarrold@gvf.org
Website: www.gvf.org