Relevant Policies of Airborne Satellite Communications

Airborne SATCOM mainly involves several aspects: onboard earth stations, satellite communication network operators, and satellite operators.

1. Onboard earth stations for airborne SATCOM

Onboard earth stations include mobile earth stations and mobile platform earth stations.

Mobile earth stations refer to civil aircraft onboard terminals that use satellite mobile service frequencies in satellite mobile communication systems.

Currently, the available mobile earth stations for civil aviation in China are the "Inmarsat" communication system earth station and the "Iridium" satellite communication system earth station.

According to the "Radio Frequency Division Regulations of the People's Republic of China," the frequencies used by these two systems are both allocated in the satellite mobile service frequency band and are in a dominant position. Therefore, they are suitable for communication in the front and rear cabins of aircraft.

For temporary use of mobile earth stations, which involves using unauthorized satellite mobile communication systems or satellite mobile service frequencies, an application should be submitted to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology for approval. After approval and obtaining a radio license, they can be used.

As the frequency coordination work between the "Iridium" satellite communication system and the Chinese satellite system has not been completed, the national radio management agency only approves the temporary use of the system frequency by Chinese civil aviation for communication in the front cabin of the aircraft.

Ⅱ. SATCOM VSAT network operators

Satellite communication network operators can provide operational services to aircraft operators or passengers on board when the following conditions are met:

1. Holding a telecommunications business operating license (except for providing services for communication in the front cabin of the aircraft);

2. The operated satellite communication network should be approved;

3. The frequencies used should comply with China's radio frequency allocation regulations;

4. If the space radio station used is domestic, it should be approved or have obtained a radio license. If it is foreign, it should have completed frequency coordination with China's satellite network space radio station and ground radio station, and its technical characteristics should meet the agreement requirements between the two supervisory authorities;

5. The ground station in the network should obtain a radio license;

6. The equipment should obtain a "Radio Transmitting Equipment Model License."

As a satellite communication network operator, effective management of the mobile platform earth stations in the network should be carried out. If any violations are found, they should be reminded, warned, and the transmission signal should be shut down.

Ⅲ. Operator of airborne SATCOM

Satellite operators refer to the providers of satellite transponder resources. The satellite they operate should be approved or have obtained a space radio station license. The space radio station used should complete frequency coordination with the relevant Chinese satellite network space radio station and ground radio station before it can provide satellite transponder resources to users.

In the contract or agreement with users, the satellite operator should clearly set the specific requirements and limitations for using mobile platform earth stations and establishing the associated satellite communication network.