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Annual Report 2025
16 MARCH 2026
TO: ALL PARTIES TO THE AGREEMENT RELATING TO THE INTERNATIONAL
TELECOMMUNICATIONS SATELLITE ORGANIZATION
SUBJECT: ITSO ANNUAL REPORT 2025
The Director General of the International Telecommunications Satellite
Organization (ITSO), Dr. Renata Brazil-David, presents her compliments and
has the honor to attach a report on the activities of the Organization for
2025, in accordance with Article XIX of the ITSO Treaty Agreement and
consistent with the U.N. Resolution 1721.
The attached report highlights ITSO’s major activities in 2025, including
the preparatory work for the 42nd Assembly of Parties, and it briefly
describes SES and its network.
Kind Regards,
ITSO Secretariat
________________
Attachment
Annual Report 2025
________________________
_________________________
16 MARS 2026
DESTINATAIRES : TOUTES LES PARTIES À L’ACCORD RELATIF À L’ORGANISATION
INTERNATIONALE DE TÉLÉCOMMUNICATIONS PAR SATELLITES
OBJET : RAPPORT ANNUEL DE L'ITSO POUR 2025
La Directrice générale de l’Organisation internationale des
télécommunications par satellite (ITSO), Mme Renata Brazil-David, vous
présente ses compliments et a l’honneur de joindre ci-joint un rapport sur
les activités de l’Organisation pour l’année 2025, conformément à l’article
XIX de l’Accord constitutif de l’ITSO et en conformité avec la résolution
1721 des Nations Unies.
Le rapport ci-joint met en évidence les principales activités de l'ITSO en
2025, y compris les travaux préparatoires de la 42e Assemblée des Parties,
et décrit brièvement SES et son réseau.
Cordialement,
Secrétariat de l'ITSO
________________
Pièce jointe
Rapport annuel 2025
_________________________
_________________________
16 MARS 2026
DESTINATAIRES : TOUTES LES PARTIES À L’ACCORD RELATIF À L’ORGANISATION
INTERNATIONALE DE TÉLÉCOMMUNICATIONS PAR SATELLITES
OBJET : RAPPORT ANNUEL DE L'ITSO POUR 2025
La Directora General de la Organización Internacional de Telecomunicaciones
por Satélite (ITSO), Sra. Renata Brazil-David, le saluda atentamente y tiene
el honor de adjuntar un informe sobre las actividades de la Organización
durante el año 2025, de conformidad con el artículo XIX del Acuerdo
Constitutivo de la ITSO y con la resolución 1721 de las Naciones Unidas.
El informe adjunto destaca las principales actividades de la ITSO en 2025,
incluidos los trabajos preparatorios de la 42.ª Asamblea de las Partes, y
describe brevemente a SES y su red.
Atentamente,
Secretaría de la ITSO
________________
Anexo
Informe anual 2025
ITSO
4400 Jenifer St NW Ste 333, 20015, Washington
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INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS SATELLITE ORGANIZATION
ANNUAL REPORT
2025
ANNUAL REPORT
2025
ACRONYMS LIST
AP Assembly of Parties
AUWCL American University Washington College of Law
EUTELSAT IGO European Telecommunications Satellite Organization
FCC U.S. Federal Communications Commission
FWP Frequency Working Party
GSO Geostationary Satellite Orbit
IAC ITSO Advisory Committee
ICT Information and Communications Technology
IMSO International Mobile Satellite Organization
IGO Intergovernmental Organization
ITSO International Telecommunications Satellite Organization
ITU International Telecommunication Union
LCO Lifeline Connectivity Obligations
MEO Medium-Earth orbit
NGSO Non-Geostationary Satellite Orbit
PSA Public Services Agreement
RA Radiocommunication Assembly
SES Société Européenne des Satellites
ANNUAL REPORT
2025
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
1. THE ORGANIZATION AND ITS MISSION .................................................................. 1
1.1. ITSO’s mission ................................................................................. 1
1.2. Supervisory role ............................................................................... 1
1.3. Protection of the Common Heritage ..................................................... 2
2. ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION ...................................................................... 3
2.1. Supervisory Functions ....................................................................... 3
2.2 Major developments in 2025 .............................................................. 3
2.3 Protection of the Parties’ Common Heritage Orbital Locations and
Associated Frequency Assignments...................................................... 6
2.4 ITSO Frequency Working Party ........................................................... 7
2.5 ITSO’s Working Group ....................................................................... 7
2.6 Preparation for the Forty-Second Assembly of Parties ............................. 8
2.7 Regulatory Activities ......................................................................... 9
2.8 Capacity Building Program ............................................................... 10
2.9 Tripartite meeting with EUTELSAT IGO, IMSO, and ITSO ....................... 10
3. SES AND ITS NETWORK ................................................................................. 12
3.1. SES and the Public Service Obligations ............................................... 12
3.2. SES’s Performance.......................................................................... 12
3.3. SES’s Network and Operations .......................................................... 13
1. THE ORGANIZATION AND ITS MISSION
1.1. ITSO’s mission Article XII (c)(ii) further protects the integrity
of the Parties’ Common Heritage and
The International Telecommunications enables ITSO to enter into Public Services
Satellite Organization (ITSO) is an Agreements with entities other than
intergovernmental organization with 149 Intelsat.
Member States, that incorporates the
ITSO has been responsible for overseeing
principle set forth in Resolution 1721 (XVI) of
Intelsat’s compliance with its public service
the General Assembly of the United Nations,
obligations—a role that now extends to SES,
which establishes that communication by
following SES acquisition of Intelsat in July
means of satellite should be available to the
2025. ITSO’s mission is to ensure
nations of the world as soon as practicable
SES/Intelsat's successful performance of its
on a global and non-discriminatory basis.
public service obligations and to safeguard
ITSO was formerly abbreviated and the Parties’ Common Heritage.
referred to as INTELSAT and is the
continuation of the intergovernmental
organization (IGO) established by treaty in 1.2. Supervisory role
1973. On 18 July 2001, the satellite fleet, The Core Principles established under
customer contracts and other operational Article III of the Agreement are reflected
assets previously held by INTELSAT were under the PSA and govern SES/Intelsat’s
transferred to Intelsat, S.A. (referred to as provision of services, under which Intelsat is
“Intelsat” or the “Company”), a new private required to:
company initially registered in Bermuda but
• Maintain global connectivity and
now registered in Luxembourg.
global coverage for any country or
The supervisory mission of ITSO, as set territory that desires to connect
forth in Article III of the ITSO Agreement, is with any other country or territory
to ensure, through the Public Services within and between the five regions
Agreement (PSA) entered into between ITSO of the Americas, Western Europe,
and Intelsat, that Intelsat provides, on a Eastern Europe, Africa and Asia;
commercial basis, international public
• Serve its lifeline connectivity
telecommunications services, in order to
customers; and
ensure the performance of the three Core
Principles identified in the ITSO Agreement, • Provide non-discriminatory access
namely (i) to maintain global connectivity to Intelsat, S.A.’s communications
and global coverage; (ii) to serve its lifeline system.
connectivity customers; and (iii) to provide
Adherence to these Core Principles was
non-discriminatory access to the Intelsat
of such fundamental importance to the
system. Additionally, consistent with the
privatization of ITSO’s satellite assets that
mandate provided by Articles IX(d)(ix) and
the transfer of operating assets to Intelsat
X(j) of the ITSO Agreement, ITSO shall
was conditioned on Intelsat’s ongoing
consider all issues related to the Parties’
adherence to the PSA. The PSA stipulates
Common Heritage. The amendment of
that Intelsat’s performance of these
(AR-25) December 2025
Page 1
obligations (Public Service Obligations), requires the Assembly of Parties to consider
which incorporate the Core Principles, issues pertaining to the Parties’ Common
represents the consideration provided by Heritage. In addition, in Article XII (e), the
ITSO for the transfer of its assets and right to Agreement imposes specific obligations on
use the Parties’ Common Heritage orbital each Party selected to act as a Notifying
locations and associated frequency Administration. These obligations include, in
assignments to Intelsat. particular, reporting to the Director General
of ITSO on, at least, an annual basis; seeking
the Director General’s views regarding
1.3. Protection of the Common Heritage
actions required to implement the
The Parties’ Common Heritage orbital Company’s fulfillment of the Core Principles;
locations and associated frequency and notifying and consulting with the
assignments are crucial resources of ITSO Director General on the ITU satellite system
Parties and are recorded in the International coordination to assure that global
Telecommunication Union (ITU) database connectivity and coverage are maintained
under the corresponding remarks associated and access to lifeline countries is expanded.
to USA and UK Notifying Administrations.
The Assembly of Parties approved an
They provide the capability for meeting the
Amendment to Article XII (c)(ii) of the ITSO
global coverage and connectivity targets.
Agreement in order to better protect the
The Parties’ Common Heritage is under Parties’ Common Heritage orbital locations
the jurisdiction of two Notifying and associated frequency assignments. The
Administrations: amended Article XII (c)(ii) allows satellite
• the United States with respect to operators other than Intelsat to utilize the
orbital locations utilizing frequency Common Heritage frequency assignments
assignments in the C band and Ku associated with orbital locations, in case of
band, and Intelsat’s bankruptcy or when those
resources are not being utilized by Intelsat,
• the United Kingdom with respect to subject to the commitment of those satellite
orbital locations utilizing frequency operators to utilize the Common Heritage in
assignments in the Ku band, mostly a manner consistent with the Core
in the planned BSS bands. Principles. The amended Article XII (c)(ii)
In turn, these orbital locations and offers increased protection to the Parties’
associated frequency assignments are Common Heritage by allowing the ITSO
licensed for use to Intelsat by the two Parties to ensure the continued availability
Notifying Administrations. of the space segment required for
international public telecommunications
In this respect, Article X (j) of the ITSO services of high quality and reliability
Agreement states that, “the Director necessary to support the Core Principles of
General, on behalf of ITSO, shall consider all global coverage, global connectivity, non-
issues arising from the Parties’ Common discriminatory access and protection of
Heritage and shall communicate the views of lifeline connectivity and users.
the Parties to the Notifying
Administrations”. Further, Article IX (d)(ix)
(AR-25) December 2025
Page 2
2. ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION
Since SES acquired Intelsat in July 2025,
2.1. Supervisory Functions ITSO’s supervisory functions now extend to
SES. In light of more collaborative
Under Article 3.03 of the PSA, Intelsat,
relationship developing with SES, as well as
inter alia, shall: “provide ITSO with annual or
the changing satellite environment in which
more frequent as necessary, reports
SES now operates as a multi-orbit provider,
containing sufficient information to
the Director General is coordinating with SES
demonstrate that Intelsat is meeting its
to more clearly determine the information
global connectivity and coverage, non-
that SES is required to provide under Article
discriminatory access and Lifeline
3 of the PSA going forward.
Connectivity Obligations (LCO)”.
The overall supervision of the
2.2 Major developments in 2025
performance by Intelsat of the Core
Principles is governed by the Public Services 2.2.1 SES Acquisition of Intelsat: A Historic
Agreement (PSA) that was signed between New Era for ITSO
ITSO and Intelsat in 2001. In accordance with On April 30, 2024, SES announced its
the requirement of the PSA, Intelsat is proposed acquisition of Intelsat. Following
required to submit reports to ITSO on a comprehensive reviews by competition,
regular basis detailing the actions regulatory, and national security authorities,
undertaken by the company to fulfill the including the U.S. Federal Communications
Core Principles. As previously agreed by Commission (FCC) and the relevant U.S.
Intelsat following consideration of this national security review bodies, the
matter at the 30th meeting of the ITSO
transaction received all required approvals
Assembly of Parties in 2006, these reports
and was formally completed on July 17,
should cover a number of subjects, including
2025.
network plans, deployment and service
offerings; customer base and growth; This marks a truly historic moment for
revenue, earnings and projections; and ITSO and the beginning of a new era in the
quality of service. Organization’s relationship with the
Company. With SES, ITSO is now working
More recently, Intelsat had stopped
with one of the world’s largest and most
providing all the required information that it innovative global satellite operators,
previously agreed to provide, and which is bringing greater scale, financial strength,
necessary for ITSO to review in order to technical expertise, and multi-orbit
properly assess Intelsat’s compliance with its capabilities to our shared mission of global
Public Service Obligations, nor the adequate connectivity.
funding required to operate the
Organization. During the regulatory review process,
ITSO submitted comments emphasizing the
As such, based on the limited importance of safeguarding the Core
information provided by Intelsat in 2025 Principles of the ITSO Agreement and
ITSO was unable to assess whether Intelsat protecting the Parties’ Common Heritage
had fully met its Public Service Obligations. orbital and frequency resources. In its July
(AR-25) December 2025
Page 3
13, 2025, decision approving the (ITSO) for an initial four-year term extending
transaction, the FCC confirmed that the through July 2029. She was nominated by
acquisition does not alter Intelsat’s the Party of Brazil and was elected by the
obligations under the Public Services ITSO Parties at the Forty-First Assembly of
Agreement (PSA), nor the ITSO-related Parties (AP-41) held in Washington, D.C.,
licensing conditions applicable to the reflecting the full confidence of the
Common Heritage resources. SES, as membership in her leadership and vision for
successor in interest to Intelsat, remains the Organization.
fully bound by the Core Principles set forth A Brazilian national, Dr. Brazil-David
in the ITSO Agreement. brings more than a decade of senior
The transaction presents both significant leadership experience within ITSO, having
opportunities and clear responsibilities. It previously served as Deputy Director
creates new potential for expanded global General, Director of International and
coverage, strengthened resilience, and Regulatory Affairs, and Director of Legal
continued innovation in satellite services. At Affairs. In these roles, she played a central
the same time, it reinforces the obligation to part in advancing ITSO’s mandate,
ensure that the PSA commitments and Core strengthening engagement with Parties, and
Principles, including global connectivity, navigating complex regulatory and
non-discriminatory access, and protection of institutional challenges. Her in-depth
the Common Heritage, remain fully knowledge of the ITSO Agreement, the
respected. Public Services Agreement (PSA), and all
ITSO matters uniquely positioned her to
Following completion of the transaction,
guide the Organization in a period of
the Director General engaged proactively
transformation in the global satellite sector.
with SES to re-establish a constructive and
cooperative relationship. Subsequent Beyond ITSO, Dr. Brazil-David has
developments, including the conclusion of a held senior positions in both the private and
multi-year funding agreement, have academic sectors. She served as Director of
provided a more stable and predictable Regulatory Policy at Inmarsat (now part of
foundation for ITSO to carry out its ViaSat), gaining direct industry experience in
supervisory responsibilities effectively, while global satellite operations and regulatory
supporting the continued commercial strategy. She has also contributed to
viability and success of the Company. academia as an adjunct professor and as
Associate Director of the Program on Brazil–
The Director General will continue to
U.S. Comparative Law at American
work closely with SES and the Parties to
University Washington College of Law. She
safeguard the Common Heritage and uphold
holds a Master of Laws from the University
the Core Principles, while advancing a
of Essex, a Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D.)
positive and forward-looking partnership in
from American University.
this new chapter for ITSO.
Her election represents a historic
2.2.2 New Director General of ITSO
milestone, as she becomes the first woman
On July 18, 2025, Dr. Renata Brazil- to serve as Director General of ITSO. Under
David officially assumed office as Director her leadership, ITSO continues to advance its
General of the International core mission: ensuring non-discriminatory
Telecommunications Satellite Organization access to global satellite communications
(AR-25) December 2025
Page 4
services, safeguarding the Parties’ Common In mid-2025, shortly before the
Heritage orbital and spectrum resources, completion of the SES acquisition, a funding
and supporting universal and meaningful agreement was concluded by the previous
connectivity in alignment with the broader Director General with Intelsat. That
global ICT development agenda. arrangement did not fully reflect the
budgetary requirements approved by the
2.2.3 Funding Agreement Developments
Assembly of Parties and fell short of
Following the 2001 restructuring of providing the level of financial predictability
INTELSAT, the Assembly of Parties (AP-25) and sustainability necessary for the
established a funding mechanism to ensure Organization’s long-term planning and
ITSO’s financial stability for an initial twelve- effective discharge of its mandate.
year period. The Public Services Agreement
Following the completion of the
(PSA) further provided that, if ITSO
acquisition, the new Director General
continued beyond that period, the Company
engaged proactively with the leadership of
would fund ITSO annually through good faith
SES to convey the concerns of the Parties
negotiations between the Director General
and to seek a more stable and forward-
and the Company’s Chief Executive Officer.
looking funding framework. These
After the Assembly decided in 2012 that
discussions were conducted in a
ITSO should continue its mandate, multi-
constructive and cooperative spirit and
year funding agreements were successfully
resulted in the conclusion of a new multi-
concluded for 2013–2016 and 2016–2019 in
year funding agreement with SES, replacing
line with Assembly-approved budgets,
the previous one and extending it until the
providing stability and predictability.
end of fiscal year 2028.
Beginning in 2019, however, the
The new agreement represents a
relationship between ITSO and Intelsat
significant and positive turning point for
entered a period of significant strain when
ITSO. It restores predictability, improves the
Intelsat refused to provide funding to ITSO.
overall funding framework, and provides
Negotiations on funding for 2020 and 2021
ITSO with the financial stability necessary to
failed, prompting ITSO to initiate arbitration
carry out its supervisory responsibilities
under the PSA, including over the Company’s
effectively and confidently between
obligation to provide essential performance
Assembly meetings. It also reflects SES’s
and network data necessary for ITSO’s
commitment to building a constructive
supervisory functions. Intelsat’s subsequent
partnership with ITSO, respecting the ITSO
Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing further
Parties and supporting the Organization’s
complicated matters, suspending the
unique role in safeguarding the Core
arbitration and resulting in a series of short-
Principles and the Parties’ Common
term settlement arrangements. Funding
Heritage.
became intermittent and uncertain,
requiring repeated ad hoc agreements to Overall, the conclusion of the new
sustain ITSO’s operations and Assembly multi-year agreement marks an important
meetings. This period imposed considerable step toward a more stable, cooperative, and
financial hardship and institutional sustainable relationship between ITSO and
uncertainty on the Organization. the Company, strengthening the foundation
for ITSO’s work in the years ahead.
(AR-25) December 2025
Page 5
2.3 Protection of the Parties’ Common affordable, non-discriminatory public
Heritage Orbital Locations and Associated telecommunications satellite services.
Frequency Assignments In protecting the Parties’ Common
The Parties’ Common Heritage resources Heritage and associated frequencies, in
are quite unique in their capability to enable accordance with Articles IX, X and XII of the
global coverage and direct, instantaneous Agreement, the Director General has
and reliable connectivity amongst countries continued to define actions to ensure that
around the world. While other satellite these assets are preserved to the maximum
operators also offer global coverage, none of extent possible to support the public
them have made the type of commitment to services, Core Principles and facilitate access
assure the continued availability of that to new services.
capacity to meet the requirements of lifeline The Assembly of Parties approved an
users in the same fashion as SES/Intelsat is amendment to the ITSO Agreement Article
obligated to do pursuant to the terms of the XII (c)(ii) to protect the Parties’ Common
ITSO Agreement and the PSA. It is also worth
Heritage orbital locations and associated
noting that it took INTELSAT considerable frequency assignments in case of adverse or
effort over time to secure these orbital unforeseen situations, which entered into
locations and associated frequency force on 16 January 2017.
assignments as recorded in the ITU
database. In June 2022, at ITSO’s 40th Assembly of
Parties, the Parties expressed concern about
In recognition of the critical role these
the potential loss of Common Heritage
prime locations in the geostationary orbital
orbital locations and the absence of timely
arc played in assuring fulfillment of Public
information from Intelsat in accordance with
Service Obligations by Intelsat and now SES,
the PSA regarding their ongoing status. They
all Member States of ITSO had allowed the
decided to establish a Working Group to
INTELSAT system to establish priority over
examine and make recommendations on
their own national and regional satellite how to improve protection of the Parties’
systems. In the prevailing business climate of Common Heritage and the
the current satellite telecommunications recommendations of the Working Groups
sector, the continuing value of these orbital were approved by the 41st Assembly of
slots and associated frequency spectrum for Parties.1 At AP-41, the Parties established a
assuring global connectivity and coverage new Ad Hoc Working Group (WG) to build on
has remained high. the work initiated at AP-40 and to develop
For ITSO, any significant reduction in strategic recommendations aimed at the
these orbital locations and frequency protection of the Parties’ Common Heritage,
spectrum would not only be irreversible but among others. See 2.5 below for additional
could also have negative consequences in information on the WG.
respect to the obligations embodied in
ITSO’s Core Principles and the unfettered
access of the international community to
1 See section 2.5 for further information on the Working Groups
and Section 2.6 for further information on the 41st Assembly of
Parties.
(AR-25) December 2025
Page 6
2.4 ITSO Frequency Working Party institutional, legal, financial, and operational
challenges facing ITSO in a rapidly evolving
The Frequency Working Party (FWP) was
satellite environment and to formulate
created at the 33rd meeting of the Assembly
concrete proposals for consideration by
of Parties (AP-33), with the objective of
AP-42.
advising the Director General on matters
relating to the implementation of Article XII Throughout 2025, the Working Group
(e) (iv) of the ITSO Agreement 2. The FWP is met six times, supported by two meetings of
made up of one frequency expert from each its Management Team and the ITSO
of the five ITU regions. Additional frequency Secretariat. Participation was broad and
experts can also participate in the work of geographically balanced, including
the FWP. ITSO and FWP Member States representatives from all ITSO regions, the
submit documents to ITU Working Parties Notifying Administrations, and the Director
meetings, regional and World General. The discussions reflected the
Radiocommunication Conference (WRC), as dynamic context of 2025, marked by major
well as Radiocommunication Assembly (RA) developments in the satellite sector,
preparatory meetings in order to maintain including industry consolidation, the
Resolution ITU-R 69 3. transition from Intelsat to SES, the growth of
multi-orbit systems, and increasing
The FWP met twice in 2025. FWP-15 was
attention to the governance and protection
held on 10 June, 2025 and FWP-16 was held
of orbital and spectrum resources.
on November 25, 2025. The FWP provided
advice to the Director General concerning Under its Terms of Reference, the WG
the Parties’ Common Heritage, the examined a wide range of issues, including:
outcomes of RA-23 and WRC-23, • ITSO’s institutional strengths,
preparation for WRC-27 as well as advice on weaknesses, and opportunities,
the work of the ITSO Working Group. ITSO including mechanisms to ensure
and FWP Member States will keep working adequate and sustainable funding;
to address all issues arising from the Parties’
Common Heritage and collect the views of • Enhanced collaboration between
the Parties. ITSO and the Notifying
Administrations in support of Article
XII(c) of the ITSO Agreement;
2.5 ITSO’s Working Group
• Possible improvements to the Public
At its Forty-First Assembly of Parties (AP- Services Agreement (PSA) to foster
41), the Parties established a new Ad Hoc better cooperation with the
Working Group (WG) to build on the work Company or any future operator;
initiated at AP-40 and to develop strategic
recommendations aimed at strengthening • Processes and mechanisms for the
ITSO’s long-term resilience, effectiveness, assignment, management, and
and protection of the Parties’ Common protection of the Common Heritage;
Heritage. The WG was mandated to assess • Procedures to address potential
2 The Article XII (e) reads as follow: “Each Party selected to act as 3 Resolution ITU-R 69 (RA-15) continues to serve as a guidance
a Notifying Administration […] shall: […] (iv) notify and consult to studies and activities carried out in both ITU-R and ITU-D
with the Director General on ITU satellite system co-ordinations concerning the development and deployment of international
that are undertaken on behalf of the Company to assure that public telecommunications via satellite in developing countries.
global connectivity and service to lifeline users are maintained”.
(AR-25) December 2025
Page 7
scenarios such as mergers, changes 2.6 Preparation for the Forty-Second
of ownership, bankruptcy, or the Assembly of Parties
suppression and reassignment of The Forty-Second Assembly of Parties
unused Common Heritage orbital (AP-42) will take place in Washington, D.C.,
resources; and from 30 September to 2 October 2026. The
• Options to strengthen alignment Assembly will consider a comprehensive
between ITSO’s supervisory role and agenda reflecting the evolving relationship
evolving regulatory and market between ITSO and SES following the July
realities. 2025 acquisition of Intelsat, as well as key
governance and strategic matters for the
The WG prepared a consolidated
Organization.
background report and a Draft Report
containing provisional recommendations The AP-42 agenda includes consideration
approved by consensus. The Draft Report of financial matters and the multi-year
will be submitted to the Advisory Committee funding agreement with SES; reports on the
(IAC) for advice, with a view to finalizing SES acquisition of Intelsat and SES’s financial
recommendations for submission to the position; review of the ITSO Working Group
Forty-Second Assembly of Parties (AP-42). work; and discussions on the Public Services
Agreement, including possible revisions and
While the mandate of the AP-41 Working
a template PSA for other entities. The
Group was developed during a period of
Assembly will also address matters relating
uncertainty, particularly in relation to the
to the Parties’ Common Heritage, satellite
SES acquisition and prior funding challenges,
industry developments, implementation of
significant progress has subsequently been
Article XII provisions, and the Strategic Plan
achieved during 2025 on many of the
for 2026–2028. In addition, AP-42 will
subjects addressed by the AP-41 Working
consider Article IV(b) applications, review
Group. The conclusion of new funding and
the implementation of AP-41 decisions, and
cooperation arrangements with SES,
designate an Acting Director General to
mentioned above, have created a more
ensure institutional continuity.
stable and constructive environment. These
developments provide a more positive and Through these agenda items, AP-42 will
forward-looking framework for addressing consolidate ITSO’s renewed partnership
and refining the WG’s recommendations as with SES, strengthen its supervisory
appropriate in order to further strengthen framework, and reinforce the Organization’s
ITSO’s ability to safeguard the Common role in safeguarding the Core Principles and
Heritage and effectively discharge its the Parties’ Common Heritage in a rapidly
supervisory responsibilities in the years evolving satellite environment.
ahead.
As a pre-event to AP-42, an ITSO
Symposium will take place on 29 September
2026. The Symposium will address satellite
industry developments and topics of interest
to ITSO Parties, providing a forward-looking
platform for dialogue on evolving multi-orbit
technologies, regulatory considerations, and
public service objectives.
(AR-25) December 2025
Page 8
2.7 Regulatory Activities accessible satellite connectivity in support of
national development and socio-economic
The satellite communications sector
growth.
continues to evolve rapidly, driven by
technological innovation, new commercial Regulatory activities undertaken by ITSO
models, and the large-scale deployment of in 2025 included, among others, ITSO’s
non-geostationary constellations. Low Earth involvement and participation in several
orbit (LEO) systems are expanding high-level international events, amplifying
broadband access, enabling low-latency the Organization’s voice in global discussions
services and new integration with terrestrial on universal access, space sustainability, and
networks, including direct-to-device the future of satellite communications. The
solutions. At the same time, geostationary Director General also held bilateral meetings
(GSO) satellites remain essential for ensuring with several ITSO Parties to listen to their
stable, efficient, and universal coverage, concerns, seek their advice, and work
particularly in countries with vast or remote toward common objectives.
territories. This dynamic multi-orbit ITSO regularly collaborates with the ITU
environment is expanding global and its Telecommunication Development
connectivity opportunities while increasing Bureau (BDT) to raise policymakers’ and
the need for effective spectrum and orbital regulators’ awareness of the importance of
resource management. satellite connectivity (especially broadband)
for driving economic growth and achieving
In this context, the acquisition of
Intelsat by SES has created a strengthened universal access. In 2025, ITSO submitted an
global operator combining GSO and informative contribution to the World
medium-Earth orbit (MEO) capabilities to Telecommunications Development
support digital inclusion, communications in Conference of the ITU (WTDC-25)
motion, and secure government services. emphasizing the relevance of ITU-R
However, the rapid growth of LEO, MEO, and Resolution 69-2 to the work of ITU-D,
advanced GSO systems also introduces particularly in promoting satellite
greater regulatory complexity. connectivity as a key enabler of universal
access in remote and underserved regions.
Satellite services thus need to be ITSO highlighted the importance of
enabled and promoted through appropriate strengthening policy and regulatory
regulatory practices. ITSO’s activities alignment, fostering capacity-building and
include, among others, collaborating with knowledge-sharing on satellite technologies,
partner organizations and the satellite and enhancing cooperation among
industry to create awareness about governments, operators, and international
regulatory practices that enhance the organizations. These objectives were
availability of affordable, competitive reflected in the outcomes of WTDC-25,
satellite communications. including references to Resolution 69-2 in
In addition, ITSO will continue to work Resolution 37 (Rev. Baku, 2025) on “Bridging
closely with SES, the ITU, Notifying the Digital Divide,” the updated Study Group
Administrations, and its Parties to safeguard 1 work program addressing satellite-based
the Common Heritage, ensure compliance broadband access and capacity-building, and
with public service obligations, and promote Resolution ITU-D 77 on broadband
non-discriminatory and universally technologies, thereby reinforcing the role of
(AR-25) December 2025
Page 9
satellite connectivity in advancing universal International Communications Regulation
and meaningful connectivity. and Policy 4.
ITSO and SES are also working together
2.8 Capacity Building Program on a webinar for the ITSO Parties. In
addition, ITSO is organizing a half-day
ITSO ‘s Capacity Building Program aims
seminar the day before AP-42 on satellite
to assist Member States in creating the
issues.
necessary conditions for the effective use of
satellite-based international public
telecommunication services in line with their 2.9 Tripartite meeting with EUTELSAT IGO,
ICT goals and policies, and in furtherance of IMSO, and ITSO
SES/Intelsat’s ability to satisfy its Public The heads of the three
Service Obligations. The Program is being intergovernmental satellite organizations –
implemented in partnership with a number
the European Telecommunications Satellite
of international organizations. Organization (EUTELSAT IGO), International
These partnerships provide a framework Mobile Satellite Organization (IMSO), and
for cooperation in implementing and the International Telecommunications
delivering the Capacity Building Initiative. Satellite Organization (ITSO) meet on an
One major amendment to the resolution annual basis to exchange views on their
ITU-R 69 approved during RA-19 and revised activities, to explore potential cooperation
during RA-23 was to record the cooperation areas and discuss their participation in
between ITU-D, ITU-R and ITSO on capacity international forums and the preparatory
building initiatives. process related to agenda items requiring
ITSO and ITU, through its Centers of mutual consideration.
Excellence, have collaborated successfully in The Sixteenth Tripartite Meeting of the
organizing multiple events throughout the Heads of EUTELSAT IGO, the IMSO and ITSO,
years. took place on 4 December 2025 at EUTELSAT
The satellite industry has been extremely IGO Headquarters in Paris, France. Hosted by
supportive through their contributions of Mr. Piotr Dmochowski-Lipski, Executive
expertise to deliver some of the courses’ Secretary of EUTELSAT IGO, the meeting was
content. Since the establishment of the attended by Mr. Laurent Parenté, Director
General of IMSO, and by Dr. Renata Brazil-
program in 2010, more than 2,700
David, Director General of ITSO, who
participants have been trained.
participated remotely. During the meeting,
Due to several internal organizational the Heads of the three organizations
constraints, no event was organized in 2025. reviewed their respective developments,
The Director General is having challenges, and successes since their last
discussions with SES and some of the encounter in November 2024 in Washington
partners to reestablish the capacity building DC (USA). Views were exchanged on the
program, including online programs similar evolving satellite telecommunications
to the ITSO/AUWCL Program on sector, which comprises the rise of LEO
4
ITSO Member States.
As part of this program, the self-paced 12-week online course on
“Basic Principles of International Communications Regulation and
Policy” was offered 6 times, drawing 514 students from 72 different
(AR-25) December 2025
Page 10
constellations, the development of multi- funding and the institutional levers at their
orbit solutions and the generalized use of AI disposal to ensure compliance with the
solutions in space. These developments international treaties that underpin their
have significantly restructured the mandates. Considering the international
competitive environment in which the geopolitical context on the one hand and the
satellite companies operate, accelerated the differing global vs regional reach of each
consolidation of the entire sector and inter-governmental entity on the other, the
contributed to a redefinition of the three Heads agreed that despite these
relationships between the companies and differences, strong synergies remained
the international satellite organizations. The including their role vis-a-vis their Member
discussions highlighted that, despite a States to safeguard the public interest of
shared historical background, a partially satellite connectivity and the need to
overlapping membership, and several continue to explore areas of cooperation in
converging interests, the three order to contribute to the advancement and
intergovernmental organizations remain growth of satellite technology in a
institutionally distinct. The differences are sustainable manner. The next Tripartite
not only related to their respective missions, Meeting will take place in London, United
which have been gradually adjusted to the Kingdom, at the invitation of IMSO during
recent changes faced by the companies they the second half of 2026.
oversee, but also to the sources of their
(AR-25) December 2025
Page 11
3. SES AND ITS NETWORK
obligations continue to guide ITSO’s
3.1. SES and the Public Service
supervisory role and underscore the
Obligations
importance of ensuring that satellite
Following the completion of the connectivity remains universally accessible,
acquisition of Intelsat on 17 July 2025, SES, equitable, and aligned with the Parties’
as successor in interest to Intelsat, operates Common Heritage and the ITSO Agreement.
as a leading global multi-orbit satellite SES’s strengthened multi-orbit capabilities,
communications provider, with an growing global footprint, and continued
integrated network of more than 120 GSO innovation position the Company to
and MEO satellites, further enhanced by contribute meaningfully to universal
strategic access to NGSO constellations such connectivity while meeting its obligations
as LEO through partnerships. SES’s under the PSA.
infrastructure delivers broadband
connectivity, video distribution, mobile
backhaul, and data services worldwide, 3.2. SES’s Performance
helping rural and remote communities gain In 2025, Intelsat operated independently
reliable access and supporting broadcasters, during the first half of the year and, following
cloud and internet service providers, mobile the completion of the acquisition by SES on
network operators, governments, and July 17, 2025, became part of the SES group.
institutions. In 2025, SES continued to The Company continued to operate in a
expand its O3b mPOWER MEO constellation competitive and evolving satellite market
with new satellite launches that increase environment marked by industry
capacity, throughput, and low-latency consolidation, increasing demand for multi-
performance for high-value applications, orbit solutions, and continued investment in
while extending connectivity solutions next-generation capabilities.
across diverse sectors. The Company has
The integration into SES has
also pursued strategic partnerships,
strengthened the Company’s financial and
including advancing direct-to-device satellite
operational profile, combining
services to extend coverage to unconnected
complementary fleets, expanded ground
mobile users and expanding aviation and
infrastructure, and enhanced innovation
government connectivity solutions,
capacity. The transaction positions the
reinforcing its role as a trusted provider of
combined entity as a leading global multi-
comprehensive and resilient global
orbit operator with increased scale,
connectivity.
resiliency, and ability to invest in future
Under the PSA with ITSO, SES remains technologies.
obligated to fulfill the established Public
In 2025, SES delivered robust financial
Service Obligations inherited from Intelsat,
and operational performance, strengthened
namely to (i) maintain global connectivity
by the strategic acquisition of Intelsat. This
and coverage; (ii) serve lifeline connectivity
milestone created one of the largest multi-
customers; and (iii) provide non-
orbit satellite operators in the world,
discriminatory access to SES’s system. These
(AR-25) December 2025
Page 12
combining complementary GSO and MEO markets worldwide.
capabilities to support diversified global In 2025, SES continued scaling its O3b
services across media, mobility, mPOWER system, enhancing capacity and
government, and enterprise markets. performance while advancing next-
For the first nine months of 2025 5, generation capabilities that integrate
including full consolidation of Intelsat post- satellite and terrestrial networks, including
acquisition, SES achieved approximately 5G-enabled solutions. The broader satellite
€1.75 billion in revenue, reflecting nearly industry environment was marked by
20 % year-on-year growth, with Adjusted increasing demand for seamless multi-orbit
EBITDA of about €849 million, up 11% year- connectivity, digitalization, and the growing
on-year. The company secured significant use of artificial intelligence in network
new business and contract renewals, with a management and service optimization. The
combined backlog of over €7 billion, combination of SES and Intelsat has
underscoring strong demand and customer accelerated the development of integrated,
confidence in SES’s expanded offerings. high-performance connectivity solutions
designed to meet these evolving market
SES’s leverage increased with the Intelsat
requirements.
acquisition to 3.7x Adjusted debt/Adjusted
EBITDA with €6 billion of debt as of 30 The Company continued to serve
September 2025. SES plans to reduce its customers across media, network services,
leverage to 3.0X or below. mobility, government, and enterprise
sectors, expanding partnerships to deliver
SES projects its full year 2025 revenues in
connectivity in remote and underserved
the range of €2.6-2.7 billion and Adjusted
regions. Strategic initiatives included
EBITDA in the range of €1.17-1.21 billion.
deployment of multi-orbit solutions for
aviation, maritime, land mobility,
3.3. SES’s Network and Operations agriculture, and enterprise services;
As of 2025, SES operates one of the collaboration on satellite-enabled 5G
world’s most extensive and diverse satellite integration; and continued investment in
communications networks, integrating more satellite life-extension and in-orbit servicing
than 70 satellites across GSO and NGSO, technologies.
including its flagship O3b mPOWER MEO Overall, the integration into SES marks a
constellation. Following the acquisition of significant strengthening of the Company’s
Intelsat in July 2025, the combined fleet and global footprint, operational resilience, and
ground infrastructure significantly expanded innovation capacity. As successor in interest
SES’s global coverage, redundancy, and to Intelsat, SES remains bound by the Core
service flexibility. The integration of Principles and obligations under the PSA,
complementary GSO and MEO capabilities, reinforcing its role as a trusted provider of
together with a broad network of teleports global satellite connectivity while operating
and ground systems, enables highly resilient, as a leading multi-orbit operator in a rapidly
multi-orbit solutions serving commercial, evolving sector.
government, mobility, media, and enterprise
5
https://www.ses.com/press-release/ses-delivers-solid-9-
months-and-q3-2025-results
(AR-25) December 2025
Page 13
During 2025, SES continued to serve its mPOWER MEO network, with K2 Space’s
customers in the network services, media engineering capabilities to co-develop
and government sectors on a global scale. future network infrastructure and
Following, are some of the SES’s highlights in technologies.
2025, since its acquisition of Intelsat:
• September 2025 – Rural Connectivity
• 17 July 2025 – Completion of Expansion in West Africa
Acquisition of Intelsat SES announced a network upgrade
SES completed the acquisition of partnership to expand mobile backhaul
Intelsat, creating a strengthened global and broadband connectivity in West
multi-orbit satellite operator with Africa, supporting rural 4G and
expanded GSO and MEO capabilities, broadband deployments and enhancing
enhanced global ground infrastructure, digital inclusion efforts.
and broader commercial reach across
• October 2025 – Enterprise and Cloud
Government, Mobility, Media, and
Connectivity Partnerships
Enterprise markets.
SES strengthened partnerships with
• 24 July 2025 – Expanded Government global cloud and enterprise service
Services Integration providers to integrate multi-orbit
Following the acquisition, SES satellite connectivity into hybrid cloud
announced integration initiatives to and edge computing architectures,
combine SES Government Solutions and supporting digital transformation
Intelsat General capabilities, initiatives across remote and
strengthening secure, multi-orbit underserved markets.
communications services for U.S. and
• November 2025 – Services
allied government customers.
agreement with Relativity Space
• August 2025 – Direct-to-Device SES signed an extended multi-year,
(D2D) Collaboration with Lynk Global
multi-launch services agreement with
SES advanced its partnership with Lynk Relativity Space, the aerospace company
Global to support development of building the Terran R rocket, a reusable
satellite-to-mobile (direct-to-device) launch vehicle, that will bring the
connectivity solutions, combining Lynk’s selected SES satellites to their final
LEO innovation with SES’s global multi- orbital position.
orbit infrastructure to enable resilient,
• December 2025 – Continued Multi-
complementary mobile coverage
Orbit Integration and Innovation
solutions.
Initiatives
• September 2025 – Development of SES confirmed continued deployment of
SES’s future MEO network
integrated GSO-MEO solutions and
SES announced a strategic collaboration further investment in network
with K2 Space, an innovative new space virtualization, software-defined
technology firm, to advance the infrastructure, and satellite life-
development of SES’s future MEO extension services, reinforcing its role as
network, combining SES global multi- a resilient and innovation-driven global
orbit networks, including its O3b operator.
(AR-25) December 2025
Page 14
SES launched with Abra Group a fast and
reliable multi-orbit inflight connectivity
service on the first of more than 100
aircraft, solidifying SES’ position as a
leading provider of satellite-powered
broadband inflight service in the
Americas.
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