Memorandum submitted by BT (UKSA 18)
INTRODUCTION
1. BT has a continuing interest in a healthy
and competitive UK space industry as it relies on space to:
— provide satellite communication solutions
to extend reach for some of our business customers—such
as customised VSAT and mobile products; — provide satellite
broadband access in the UK and around the world where satellites
can offer our customers the best solution in terms of cost and
capability;
— provide new and innovative services that
use (and sometimes rely on) space capability eg resource tracking,
mobile data services, disaster recovery solutions and wide area
distribution of media content; and
— extend services to other countries which
rely on satellite communications for their international links.
2. While BT believes there are significant
growth opportunities in new space areas such as earth observation
and satellite navigation, it also considers that satellite communication
will continue to be the dominant growth area in terms of the value
of space to UK citizens, businesses and employment for many years
to come. It is, therefore, crucial that the UK Space Agency role's
fully reflects this in its allocation of scarce public resources.
The UK's satellite communications industry must be enabled to
innovate and thrive in an increasingly competitive international
environment.
3. BT notes that the UK Space Agency has
only recently been established and so is neither fully resourced
nor yet capable of discharging its mission. At this crucial phase
in its development it is important that it is set up with the
appropriate role and resources to achieve its stated mission,
and this should be done within an appropriately rapid time frame.
UK space strategy currently lacks a single, strong focal point
and funding often appears to be in ad-hoc manner. BT hopes
that the UK Space Agency will fulfil that role.
COMMENTS ON
SPECIFIC QUESTIONS
4. BT has limited visibility of progress
of the workings of the Agency over the last six months and hence
our comments concentrate on Questions 4 and 5.
Question 4—What should the UK Space Agency's
priorities be for the next five years?
5. A key priority to address the space growth
agenda is to fully support R&D through the ARTES programme
and a targeted national programme.
6. Within Government, the UK Space Agency
should champion the space industry in terms of regulation and
access to space spectrum which is under severe competitive pressure.
It must ensure that whatever regulation is imposed on the satellite
industry does not impede its growth and, instead, encourages innovation
and strengthens the UK's position on an increasingly competitive
international scene.
Question 5—Is the UK Space Agency adequately
funded?
7. The UK is leading in developing new services
and commercial models and this source of national advantage should
be encouraged. BT does not believe that Government funding should
be provided for major satellite communication infrastructure programmes
that could unduly distort the market from what end users need
and are prepared to purchase.
8. BT believes the UK Space Agency needs adequate
resources to deliver a "more muscular" approach to its
dealings with international organisations like the European Space
Agency and the European Union. The UK is often the voice of reason
in these organisations and its voice must be heard more effectively.
9. In order to discharge the regulatory
role outlined above, the UK Space Agency must have its own expertise
on these matters and work closely with those in industry who will
be willing to support with additional advice and expertise.
BT Group plc
August 2010
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