ITU Symposium on ICT’s, the
Environment and Climate Change
Montreal, Canada: 31st May 2012
A Multi-stakeholder Approach to
Emergency Telecommunications
Patrick Masambu
Deputy Director General and
Director of Technical Affairs
ESTABLISHMENT OF ITSO
1. INTRODUCTION
(a) Originally known by the acronym INTELSAT, the organization was established in 1964 to
implement a UN resolution on communications satellites and use of “Outer Space”. The
current membership of the organization is 150 countries.
(b) The then Organization underwent a major restructuring in 2001 in order to secure long
term sustainability. The decision to restructure was driven by:
(i) the need to provide a mechanism for infusion of private capital to meet the high
industry costs;
(ii) industry trends and competition pressures.
(c) The restructuring outcome was:
(i) establishment of Intelsat, the private company, headquartered in Bermuda then;
and now based in Luxembourg
(ii) change of the mandate of the Intergovernmental organization,
International Telecommunications Satellite Organization (ITSO) based in
Washington, D.C.
Role in Emergency Communications
2. ITSO’s Role
 Enabled by ITSO’s unique relationship with
governments as a result of the ITSO Agreement
 Strengthened by virtue of ITSO’s relationship with
Intelsat, which enhances specific negotiations that
take into account the global reach of Intelsat
footprint
 Important from technology point of view, noting
that satellite technology is: ubiquitous in coverage;
affords rapid deployment and is therefore ideal for
response to communication needs in emergency
situations.
Memorandum of UnderstandingITSO/ITU/Intelsat
3. Parties to MOU
 Signed between ITSO, ITU and Intelsat in March
2011 to enhance coordinated action by the three
institutions.
 Recognizes
 the need for mitigating effects of disasters, thru
facilitating implementation of Tampere Convention
the value of a multi-stakeholder approach to
partnerships, including the private sector
The need for effective and timely deployment of
telecom resources in countries under emergencies
for public protection
MOU Provisions
4. Arrangements Under the MOU
 Methodical information exchange and requests for
assistance from ITU member states in event of an
emergency
 Initiation of request by a member state to ITU and
then ITU to Intelsat
 Consultation between ITSO and Intelsat regarding
the request; capacity in question and Intelsat
decision
 If the need can be met, it is a free donation of
capacity for use for a specified time duration to
assist the country in crisis
MOU Provisions continued
 Although the agreement by Intelsat would be for a
specific time duration, a request for extension can
be considered, depending on the need and
circumstances.
 The Agreement is non- exclusive and other Parties
can contribute within an agreed framework with
the ITU.
CONCLUSION
Considering the fact that emergencies continue to
be a challenge to many countries, any coordinated
effort by stakeholders in the provision of
telecommunications during an emergency brings to
the table added value. And from this perspective,
we believe that the ITSO/ITU/Intelsat
Memorandum of Understanding should improve
on the various mitigation efforts already in place.