Pursuant to the provisions of the 1974 Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention concerning radio communication for the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), Act 3846, Act 3396, E.O. 546, the global trend in the telecommunications and to address the requirements of a Point of Service Activation (PSA) Entity who will then accept and process request for Mobile Earth Station service activation, assign Inmarsat mobile number and who shall perform the role of a routing organization, the following guidelines for the grant of recognition is hereby promulgated:

I
Definition/Glossary

1.1       PSA - The Point of Service Activation is an entity that is contracted by Inmarsat to accept and process applications for Mobile Earth Station, assign IMN (Inmarsat Mobile Number ) and shall transmit service activation information to customers and appropriate national regulatory bodies.

1.2       Earth Station - A station located either on the earth ™s surface or within the major portion of the earth ™s atmosphere and intended for communication with one or more space stations, or with one or more stations of the same kind by means of one or more reflecting satellites or other objects in space.

1.3       ESAS - Electronic Service Activation System

1.4       GMDSS - Global Maritime Distress and Safety System

1.5       IMN - Inmarsat Mobile Number

1.6       NTC or Commission - refers to the National Telecommunications Commission.

1.7       SES - Ship Earth Station, a mobile earth station in the maritime mobile satellite service located on board ship.

II
Functions of PSA

2.1       To facilitate the transmission of service activation information of valid applications into ESAS;

2.2       To ensure by periodic follow-up that such information is kept up-to-date;

2.3       To respond directly to customer service queries on service activation in particular, and Inmarsat systems and services in general;

2.4       To assist in the prevention and resolution of fraud and fraudulent activities within the Inmarsat system;

2.5       Must provide all the necessary information and to submit a written report to the Commission every first week of each month without delay;

2.6       Must see to it that all Earth Station terminals applied are coordinated/licensed with the Commission.

III
Requirements for the Grant of PSA Authorization

3.1       Favorable endorsement from Inmarsat;

3.2       Must have sufficient knowledge of radio laws and licensing regulations in the country;

3.3       Must have direct experience in Inmarsat systems and services for at least one (1) year;

3.4       Must have facilities for handling customer inquiries and customer assistance promptly;

3.5       Letter of intent signed by the president of the corporation or any authorized person together with application and supporting documents to the Radio Regulation and Licensing Department of the Commission;

3.6       Entity organized under Philippine laws to engage in satellite terminal service activation and must have valid Business Permit;

3.7       Must have proof of financial viability.

IV
Schedule of Fees and Charges

4.1       License Fees

4.1.1        Filing Fee - PHP 500.00

4.1.2        License Fee/year - PHP 5,000.00

4.2       Fines and Penalties

4.2.1        A penalty of fine in the amount of PHP 5,000.00 shall be charged for each and every offense of any applicable laws violated.

V
General Provisions

5.1       No person or entity shall be allowed to act as Inmarsat PSA without valid authority from the Commission.

5.2       Authority shall be subject to renewal every year unless earlier suspended or revoked for justifiable cause.

V
Administrative Sanctions/Penal Provisions

Violation of any of the provisions of this circular or any other relevant international or national laws, rules and regulations shall be dealt with in accordance with existing laws after compliance with the administrative due process of notice and hearing.

VI
Repealing/Effectivity Clause

This Circular takes effect immediately and supersedes any existing NTC order, circular, instruction, memorandum or part thereof found inconsistent herewith.

Adopted: 17 Nov. 2000

(SGD.) AURELIO M. UMALI
Deputy Commissioner

(SGD.) NESTOR C. DACANAY
Deputy Commissioner

(SGD.) JOSEPH A. SANTIAGO
Commissioner