GEOPOLITICS OF THE SATELLITE INDUSTRY

ABSTRACT

This paper situates the international satellite industry within three lines of contemporary geographic thought. Second, it reviews the industry's Cold War origins. Third, it explains changing international regulatory structures of satellites, particularly Intelsat, which control access to and use of the technology. Fourth, it summarises the changing role of satellites in the post-Cold War era, including the impacts of deregulation, rising competition between Intelsat and national and commercial providers, and the heated rivalry between satellites and fibre optic carriers. Throughout, it emphasises the ways in which terrestrial power relations alter access and applications to this sector.