Licensing Requirements

The licencing process varies depending on the country and type of licence being applied for.

In the United States the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) govern the frequency coordination process and the use of imaging devices respectively.

The rest of the world typically operates by registering their satellites with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) for frequency coordination through their national telecommunications authority. A list of the ITU member states and the relevant local regulator can be found here: www.itu.int/online/mm/scripts/gensel8

For amateur satellites coordination with the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) is required in addition to an application to ITU (www.iaru.org/reference/satellites/).

Additional licences for onboard hardware such as camera may be state dependent. It is the customers responsibility to ensure they have the correct licences before their satellite is integrated to the launch vehicle.

The typical required documents include:

• A copy of your ITU application and API status.

• A letter from your local state telecommunications agency to confirm support for broadcasting in your county.

• A copy of the IARU frequency coordination letter (For amateur satellites only.)

• Confirmation of any other licences required.

  Please check with the country that you are licencing your satellite communication systems with as to the local procedures. Typically, it can take at least 6 months to fully licence a PocketQube satellite. It is recommended that you should start this process early, at the point of contract signature, to avoid any issues.

  Some further general information on the frequency coordination process can be found here:

  www.albaorbital.com/new-blog/2020/3/26/vyi928pm62ypwcgbrhv2z3cjqvckxn