DOTC

Department
Communications

Circular

No.

93-273:

Domestic

Satellite

Article III, section 4 of this circular states that Only enfranchised

telecommunications entities shall be allowed to apply for authority to install,
operate and maintain domestic satellite network and offer domestic satellite
communications services. This means that in order for an entity to operate a
domestic satellite and offer its services, he must first accomplish the entire needed
requirement prescribe in the existing implementing rules and regulations to become
a enfranchised telecommunications entity. Application for domestic satellite
communication services shall undergo quasi-judicial 1 process and be evaluated
based of its capability and feasibility of providing the service and economic viability
of the telecommunications sector. Applicants for private satellite networks shall
apply to the commission and submit required documents and evidences that it has
applied for the service from the authorized domestic satellite communications
service providers and same cannot be served. Satellite communications service
providers requiring interconnection to other public networks shall initiate discussion
on interconnection with the public network operators or vice-versa. The satellite
communication service providers shall adhere to the relevant service performance
and standards and the technical standards 2. Subscribers of public satellite network
shall be allowed to provide their own small aperture terminals (VSAT) 3. All satellite
earth stations including the very small aperture terminals, micro earth stations and
other earth stations that are provided within the customer premises shall be
covered by appropriate permits and licenses.

NTC Memorandum Circular No. 10-7-93: Implementing Guidelines on the

Domestic Satellite Communications4
This memorandum circular supports the Department Circular .93-273 of DOTC,
which the Domestic Satellite Communications. This memorandum circular defines
some important terms that will be used later on. This memorandum discusses about
the existing authorize operators and new applicant for the domestic satellite service
and the requirements they need to comply on after the effectivity of this
1 essentially judicial in character but not within the judicial power or function
especially as constitutionally defined
2 NTC MC 10-17-90 and NTC MC No 10- 16-90
3 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Very-small-aperture_terminal
4 DOTC DC No. 93-273, EO 546, Act No. 3846

memorandum as well as those who owns Private Domestic Satellite Networks.

Interconnection between public networks and satellite communication shall initiate
discussion with the other party and must comply with the provisions of EO 59 series
of 1993. All satellite terminals must be provided with license and permits before
operation. Before a broadcast operator obtain a space segment capacity, they must
first be authorized by the commission and this will be granted if the utilization of the
space segment is limited to the supply or expansion of their station signals within
their network or to other broadcast stations. Application will be evaluated on the
bases of applicants capability projects economic viability. This will also apply to
broadcast operators who may desire to provide additional news and entertainment
information services thru satellite facilities as part of their sub-carrier broadcasting
signals. In satellite television, the operation of a non-commercial TVRO station
requires a Registration Certificate from the commission while Commercial TVRO
requires TVRO station license. In order to protect the public, the commission shall
accredit dealers, suppliers and manufacturers and service centers of TVRO
equipment and accessories in accordance with NTC MC 2-05-88. For TVRO stations,
applicant shall apply a registration certificate or TVRO station license to the
Commission. Commission has a right to conduct inspection/investigation during
reasonable time of the day and has the right to suspend or revoke registration
certificate if found violating the rules and regulations of the commission. All duly
authorized broadcast and CATV operators shall see to it that their facilities are used
to promote integrity, interest and welfare of the nation

DOTC Dept. Cir. No. 94-277: International Satellite Communication Policy

Indicated in this Department Circular is that only enfranchised telecom
entities duly authorized by NTC to provide international telecom services shall be
allowed direct access to all international fixed satellite systems. Broadcast service
providers
shall
be
allowed
to
use
any
enfranchised
international
telecommunications entities duly authorized by the NTC to access international
fixed satellite systems to provide broadcast services. Direct access by the broadcast
service providers to international fixed satellite systems to provide broadcast
services may be allowed subject to the rules, regulations and authorizations issued
by the NTC. If a foreign news media organization requests permission to bring SNG 5
earth station into the Philippines, a special permit will be granted subject to the
procedures set by the NTC based on the principle of reciprocal SNG access for
Philippines news media organization. SNG access for news media organizations from
countries that do not allow reciprocal SNG access to Philippine news media
organizations may be allowed entry on a case to case basis after prior authorization
from the NTC.
5 Satellite News Gathering

NTC Memorandum Circular No. 10-7-93: Implementing Guidelines on the

International Satellite Communications
This supports the DOTC Dept. Cir. No. 94-277 series of 1994. It discusses the access
to international fixed satellites. All public telecom carriers enfranchise and certified
to operate international telecom systems and service shall be allowed to direct
access to any international fixed satellite systems. A duly enfranchised broadcast
operator may be allowed direct access to any international fixed satellite systems
upon prior authorization from the commission; this will be granted provided that the
utilization of the space segment is limited to broadcast media applications. All levels
of access will be subject to the approval of the commission. It also discusses the
access to international mobile satellite systems such as public telecom carriers
authorized to offer international maritime, aeronautical and land mobile services
maybe allowed by the commission direct access to any international mobile satellite
systems. The lease and rental of transponder 6 space shall be through a duly
enfranchised7 certificated public telecom carrier. Foreign news media may be issued
a special permit to use their own SNG provided that it also allow reciprocal
agreements on international SNG access for the Philippine news media, however if
the country do not have reciprocal agreement with the Philippines, they will be
allowed and be granted a special permit if they will provide clearance and
recommendation from the Department of Foreign Affairs prior to authorization from
the commission. Any duly enfranchised and certificated international public telecom
carrier shall apply to NTC for permit or license to install, operate and maintain earth
station for direct access to international fixed satellite. All earth station shall
conform to the technical and operating standards prescribed by INTELSAT 8,
INMARSAT9 or any separate satellite systems to which said station have direct
access and be licensed by NTC. Fees and charges were also indicated in the
memorandum circular.

NTC Memorandum Circular No. 8-6-96: Designation of PHILCOMSAT 10 as

Additional Accounting Authority
6 a device for receiving a radio signal and automatically transmitting a different
signal.
7 to grant a franchise to
8 http://www.intelsat.com/
9 http://www.inmarsat.com/

This memorandum circular only designates Philippine Communications Satellite

Corporation (PhilComSat) as a recognized private operating Agency or an
accounting authority in the Philippines for all INMARSAT communication traffic
arising from the use of Philippine registered INMARSAT terminal but subjected to
different terms. Philcomsat is assigned as PHO3 as its Accounting Authority
Identification Code (IAAC) for inclusion in the ITUs List of Ship Stations as well as in
Civil Aeronautics List of Ships Stations. All shipping and aeronautical companies
shall subscribe for the service of a duly authorized accounting authority only for the
settlement of maritime and aeronautical radio accounts. the commission shall
refuse to accept any application for new or renewal station license/permit from any
ship or aeronautical radio station of vessels used or to be used in the international
trade if the licensee has no agreement entered into with a duly authorized
accounting authority or has unpaid maritime or aeronautical radio accounts.
Philcomsat shall submit to these commission periodic reports on delinquent
accounts of shipping and aeronautical companies in its roster within the first week
of the month following every quarter the year and shall be subjected to the NTC MC
No. 04-2-82, 08-9-83 and 11-23-88.

DOTC Dept. Circular No. 97-01: Guidelines on the Procurement of Orbital

Slots and Frequency Registration of Philippine Satellites
The DOTC, the NTC, and the Satellite Operator shall be responsible for
undertaking the steps identified in the provisions of the Radio Regulations of the
International Telecommunications Union (ITU) for Philippine satellite(s),

Use of assigned, registered and/or coordinated Philippine slots;

Coordination of orbital slot(s); and,
Registration of frequency assignments.

The DOTC shall have the following responsibilities:

Review and approve all space segment submissions of the Satellite Operator,
including coordination agreements;
Send all necessary documentation to ITU and affected administrations;
Head the Philippine delegation to all official and formal coordination meetings

Aside from DOTC, responsibilities of NTC and Satellite operators were also discussed

NTC Memorandum Circular No. 04-03-99: Implementing Guidelines on the

International Satellite Communications
10 http://www.philcomsat.com.ph/

This memorandum circular promulgates the implementing guidelines on

international satellite communications. One of which is about the Access to
International Fixed Satellite Systems wherein all public telecom entities (PTE)
enfranchised certificate to install, operate and maintain international telecom
systems and services will be allowed to direct access to any international fixed
satellite provided that the international satellite operator has an existing reciprocal
agreement with the Philippines or when it has a commercial presence in the
country, and if Philippine satellite operator shall be given the preference to provide
the space segment capacity requirements of enfranchise telecom, entity. Also if the
entity engaged in research development, education, health, safety and rescue shall
be allowed direct access to international satellite systems designed and operated
safely for research development, education, health, safety and rescue. A duly
enfranchised broadcast operator shall be allowed to obtain space segment capacity
from space segment providers upon prior authorization from the Commission,
provided that utilization is limited to the supply or expansion of their station signals
within their network. The terms and condition which include levels of access to any
international fixed satellite system shall be submitted by the entities to the
commission. Another guideline is about access to international mobile satellite
systems. Public telecommunications entities (PTE) authorized to offer international
maritime, aeronautical services may be allowed direct access to any international
mobile satellite systems. Government entities, private individuals, companies or
corporations maybe allowed direct access to any international mobile satellite
systems subject to Section 1 Article 1 of this circular. The lease or rental of
transponder space shall be through a duly enfranchised and certificated PTE. Next is
about the International Satellite News gathering. Foreign news media may be issued
a special permit to use their own SNG provided that it also allow reciprocal
agreements on international SNG access for the Philippine news media, however if
the country do not have reciprocal agreement with the Philippines, they will be
allowed and be granted a special permit if they will provide clearance and
recommendation from the Department of Foreign Affairs prior to authorization from
the commission. Next is the Direct to Home TV Service, this was an additional article
and cannot be found in the NTC MC #17-10-94. This states that any entity organized
under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines may apply with the Commission for
authority to install, operate Direct-to-Home (DTH) TV system for the purpose of
offering a DTH service. Direct-to-Home satellite service refers to the distribution or
broadcasting of television programs direct to subscribers premises. The application
shall undergo quasi-judicial process and the requirements were also stated in the
memorandum circular. DTH system shall be operated in accordance with the criteria
and technical characteristics as recommended by the Final Acts of the WRC 11. Only
duly enfranchised and authorized DTH operators or their authorized distributors
shall engage in the supply and installation of satellite receivers/dishes and its
peripherals to DTH subscribers. Duly enfranchised and certificated international
11 https://www.itu.int/dms_pub/itu-r/opb/act/R-ACT-WRC.11-2015-PDF-E.pdf

telecommunications entity opting to use satellite systems shall apply to the

Commission for permit and/or license to install, operate and maintain earth
station(s) for direct access to international fixed satellite systems. Aside from the
fees stated in MC 17-10-94, A Radio station License fixed of 300/MHz was altered.
The fixed satellite earth stations shall be subject to the payment of the annual
spectrum user fees prescribed in NTC Memorandum Circular No. 10- 10-97. For
subscriber/end-user mobile and/or fixed satellite earth stations where there are no
systems gateways installed in the Philippines, the annual spectrum user fees per
subscriber/end-user earth station shall be PhP 1.00 per kilohertz of the bandwidth
required for the transmission of messages to the satellite systems.

DOTC Circular No. 98-01: Global Mobile Personal Communications by Satellite

(GMPCS) Policy
Duly enfranchised telecommunications entities having appropriate authorizations
from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), shall be allowed to offer
GMPCS services in the Philippines, subject to existing laws, rules and regulations. All
authorized GMPCS system shall be interconnected to other non-GMPCS
telecommunications network or terrestrial systems in the country, on a nondiscriminatory basis, in accordance with existing laws, rules and regulations.