The United Nations communications agency has informed the National Broadband Network Company (NBN Co) that its current plan to launch two satellites is following the correct approval process.

 

The NBN Co received the advice from the International Telecommunications Union (ITU( finds that the company is not following an unduly risky process by purchasing satellites before finalising orbital positioning works.

 

"It is possible for a company to purchase a satellite in advance of it being put into use and the orbital slots being finalised,” the ITU said in a statement.

 

"In order to secure those slots the notifying authority, which in Australia is the Australian Communications and Media Authority, needs to (a) initialise the registration procedure with the ITU, and (b) resolve any major compatibility issues with operators of neighbouring satellites."

 

NBN Co has been proactively pursuing the ITU international frequency coordination process since August 2010.

 

The advice comes after NBN Co commissioned Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) to manufacture two Ka-band satellites to deliver services to the 3 per cent of the Australian population who will not be serviced with fixed wireless or fibre services.