QuestionsQuestions (NTC MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 10-7-93)
A Satellite Earth Station is a station located on earth’s surface (or within a major portion of the earth’s atmosphere) intended for communications and can include terminals such as VSAT/micro-earth stations. The Space Segment is composed of the orbiting satellite and the associated equipment used to track, monitor, and control the satellite’s operation, and it does not include ground equipment like earth stations.
Only enfranchised telecommunications entities are allowed to apply for such authority.
Applications undergo a quasi-judicial process evaluated based on the applicant’s legal, financial, and technical capability, public need, technical feasibility of providing the service, and economic viability of the telecommunications sector.
They may apply for the service/s that can be offered within the capabilities of their existing systems, and/or for services that may be developed in the future, and/or for expansion, subject to the limitations of their franchises and their authorizations from NTC.
Among others: a technical description of the proposed service, proposed rates to be charged, and economic and financial feasibility studies, which will be evaluated based on legal, financial, and technical capabilities.
The applicant must apply to NTC and submit required documents/evidence showing that it applied for the service from authorized domestic satellite communications service providers and that the service cannot be served (i.e., the applicant is not able to obtain service from existing authorized providers).
They must initiate discussion on interconnection with the operators of the other public networks (or vice-versa).
They must comply with the provisions of EO 59 series of 1993 and its implementing guidelines.
They may provide their own very small aperture terminals (VSAT) and/or micro-earth stations provided these terminals are compatible with the public satellite network.
All satellite earth stations—including VSAT terminals, micro-earth stations, and other earth stations within the customer premises—must be covered by appropriate permits and licenses.
The broadcast operator may only obtain space segment capacity from space segment providers upon prior authorization from the Commission.
Utilization must be limited to the supply or expansion of their station signals within their network or to other broadcast stations.
NC-TVRO operation requires a Registration Certificate from the Commission, while C-TVRO operation requires a TVRO station license.
A one-time registration fee of P5,000.00 is required for both non-commercial and commercial TVRO stations. Additionally, a commercial TVRO operator pays an annual license fee of P2,000.00, renewable by filing an application at least 60 days prior to the license expiry.
The Commission shall register only equipment that are type approved/type accepted by the Commission.
NTC may conduct inspection/investigation during reasonable hours and may suspend or revoke the registration certificate of any TVRO station found in violation of NTC rules and regulations.
Section 19 provides that all duly authorized commercial TVRO operators must comply with existing laws and applicable laws hereafter promulgated relative to intellectual property rights (IPR).
Any individual, firm, company, or entity found to have violated the provisions of the circular shall be penalized in accordance with law.
It takes effect 15 days following completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation, and at least three (3) certified copies must be filed with the University of the Philippines Law Center.