New Registry to Provide Satellite Facilities Through Geostationary Systems

The Argentine Innovation, Science, and Technology Secretariat issued Resolution 12/2024, published in the Official Gazette on May 15, 2024, creating the Registry for the Provision of Satellite Facilities Through Geostationary Systems within the scope of the Argentine Communications Agency (ENACOM).

The Resolution follows the provisions of article 34 of the Argentina Digital Law 27078, as amended by Emergency Decree 70/2023, which had determined that satellite facilities were to be provided for free and that owners of satellite communications systems needed to register to operate them.

Pursuant to the Resolution, satellite operators must request their registration in the Registry solely to coordinate the use of radio frequencies and avoid interference with other systems. The request for orbital relocation or replacement of a registered satellite will have to be done through a new registration, fulfilling the Resolution’s requirements. Likewise, operators must notify ENACOM if the registered satellite undergoes any modification of its orbital position or technical parameters in the registered orbital position. Earth stations in Argentina that are part of the satellite system still require authorization.

To be registered, applicants must submit before ENACOM:

• an affidavit of application for registration
• a list of coordination procedures—completed or in process—with systems notified by the Argentine Administration
• its satellite system and orbital parameters
• geographic coverage
• the frequency and polarization plan

If after 30 calendar days there are no observations (or if any observation has been resolved), the registration will be considered complete and the agency will issue a certificate of registration for the provision of satellite facilities. The registration to provide satellite facilities will remain in force unless the holder requests its cancellation.

Finally, the Resolution establishes that these regulations must be amended within 60 calendar days:

1. Part I of the Satellite Management and Services Regulations referring to the “Provision of Satellite Facilities by Geostationary Satellites in the Fixed and Broadcasting Satellite Service,”
2. Part II of the General Satellite Management and Services Regulations referring to the “Provision of Global Satellite Communications Services through Non-Geostationary Orbit Satellite Constellations”.

Both must be adapted to the regime provided in Emergency Decree 70/2023.