High Resolution Telescope and Spectrograph (HRTS 2)

This research is directed toward understanding the behavior of the magnetohydrodynamically controlled atmosphere, especially as it responds to the sun through unknown mechanisms. This knowledge is crucial to the performance of communication systems especially in the Arctic. Ultraviolet measurements are not only used to understand the environment and to support systems needs, but also have potential for surveillance and detection. The HRTS experiment on Spacelab 2 in July 1985 investigated the energy transport and mass balance of the temperature minimum, chromosphere, transition zone and corona in the quiet sun, plages and sunspots. Also, data on structure and dynamics of spicules in the ultraviolet spectrum and on the structure and dynamics of prominences were obtained. Measurements were made with a new High Resolution Telescope and Spectrograph. This ultraviolet sensing instrument produces H-alpha images of segments of the sun and spectroheliographs. The project was jointly undertaken by NASA and DOD (Naval Research Laboratory) with participation by Japan, Norway and U.K.

North Atlantic Ocean Station (NAOS) Program

The WMO NAOS Board reached agreement in August 1985 to continue the WMO Ocean Station Program into 1986 and beyond. In spite of withdrawal from the agreement at the end of 1985 of five of the present parties to the agreement (the U.S. had withdrawn earlier, but maintains an interest), sufficient concessions were made by the operating parties to permit the continued operation of three stations throughout 1986. The fixed stations which make ocean and atmospheric observations have several uses, including in sea and air navigation, weather forecasting, and ocean and atmospheric research and monitoring. These stations are part of WMO's World Weather Watch. The cost for the three stations in 1986 will be close to 3 1/2 million pounds sterling, less than half the 1985 budget, contributed by Norway, U.K., U.S.S.R., F.R.G., Iceland, Ireland, Italy and Spain. The U.S. will contribute to the system through its program of meteorological satellites, drifting buoys, its land-based observing network, and participation in the evaluation activities of a new international committee for the North Atlantic under WMO auspices.

Chapter 11 Telecommunications

Establishment of International Communications and Information

Policy Bureau, Department of State

Recognizing the fundamental impact of the rapid

technological developments in computers, communications and information on our broad national interests, the Department of State on June 4, 1985 created the Bureau of International Communications and Information Policy in order to develop long-range policies in communications and information and to ensure that these are integrated with other U.S. foreign policy goals. This Bureau serves as a focal point for the development and coordination of international policy in communications and information, except in the area of trade, working with other Government agencies, the Congress and private industry.

In

In its foreign policy role, the Department of State has engaged a number of other countries in bilateral discussions on a broad range of telecommunications and information issues. FY 1985 the U.S. Coordinator and Director of the Bureau of International Communications and Information Policy led interagency delegations in discussions with Japan, Mexico, Italy and the UK, and held bilateral discussions with many other countries and international organizations, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, France, Korea and the EC. These covered areas of mutual interest such as future conferences of the ITU, international satellite policy, transborder data flows, and methods of responding to the communications development needs of the developing countries. State also led a series of bilaterals specifically devoted to preparation for the Space WARC conference in August, 1985.

U.S. foreign policy objectives in the field of international communications and information policy were enumerated by Secretary of State Shultz on September 11, 1985. These are to: enhance the free flow of information and ideas among nations; promote free competition for the new technologies in the global marketplace, while protecting our security; support international cooperation to develop cost-effective and flexible international communications networks; expand the economic and social benefits of

communications and information throughout the world, especially to developing nations; promote the continued effectiveness of American industry internationally in the fields of

communications and information, and strengthen national defense through communications and information policy to promote international peace and security.

International Telecommunication Union (ITU)

World Administrative Radio Conference on Space (Space WARC)

September

The first session of the World Administrative Radio Conference on Space (Space WARC) was held August 8 16, 1985 to review portions of the international radio regulations and consider new procedures for the coordinated use of the geostationary satellite orbit and the associated radio frequencies used for satellite communications. The conference originated from concerns of developing countries that they would be precluded from future access to readily available orbit positions and associated frequencies, because of

saturation by early users. These countries sought a guarantee that they will be able to have access when they are ready for it.

The U.S. put forth concrete proposals in order to provide for equitable sharing of resources. A compromise emerged in which international regulation of satellite communications will have two new elements: a limited amount of planning to provide the guarantee of access sought by the developing countries, and flexible regulatory procedures for the portions of the radio spectrum where most communication satellites currently operate. Thus, the interests of developing countries were accommodated, while the U.S. maintained the flexibility necessary to protect our national security interests and expand commercial possibilities for communication satellite applications.

Work will continue on these and other issues. during the intersessional period preceding the second session of Space WARC in 1988.

World Administrative Telegraph and Telephone Conference

Preparations are underway for the World Administrative Telegraph and Telephone Conference to be held in 1988, which will revise the international regulations governing telegraph and telephone matters. Such revisions will serve as a forum for indepth discussions of the U.S. regulatory philosophy and that of the international regulatory system.

The purpose of the revisions is to reflect the evolution of international communication services from what had been essentially only telegraph and telephone to the many new services that are already defined and being provided. The revised regulations are intended to be broad enough to encompass the essential elements of new services which are expected to be developed in the future and to lay down basic telecommunications principles. Detailed technical, operating and tariff questions will be left to recommendations of the ITU's International Telegraph and Telephone Consultative Committee (CCITT).

The U.S. will use the conference as an opportunity to advance our deregulatory philosophy and seek to have the rewritten regulations cast in a manner which minimizes the scope and substance of their "regulatory" effect, in order to accommodate what is hoped will be a trend toward deregulation in most major international telecommunications markets. In contrast, the overriding philosophy of the other countries, particularly members of the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunication Administrations (CEPT), is expected to manifest itself in proposed revisions which will attempt to expressly delineate as many distinct services as possible in the body of the rewritten regulations.

In February 1985 the first preparatory meeting for the Conference was held to define the general structure and the content of the new regulations and to consider the list of services that might appropriately be included. The United States viewed this as an opportunity to establish the U.S. philosophies as the basis for discussion and submitted a contribution to the CCITT for consideration at the preparatory meeting. The U.S. contribution served as the primary basis of discussion at the meeting and as the basis for the draft working document for future meetings.

Center for Telecommunications Development

The United States has agreed to participate in the Center for Telecommunications Development, which is being established in Geneva pursuant to a decision taken by the ITU Administrative Council in July 1985. The Center's efforts will be devoted primarily to providing pre-investment assistance to developing countries in the development of telecommunications infrastructure projects. A joint initiative of government and private sectors, the Center will be staffed by private sector representatives from both developed and developing countries and will be funded by voluntary, governmental and private contributions. The U.S. is a member of the Advisory Board of the Center.

The U.S. recognizes that the development of telecommunications infrastructure is a key factor in promoting economic development. The U.S. Government and private sector are prepared to support the Center so long as we can insure that its activities will not duplicate those of existing organizations and that it will operate in an open and fair manner that will provide opportunities to companies from all countries on an equal basis.

High-Definition Television (HDTV)

Advanced television systems have been the subject of considerable interest within the private sector as well as the U.S. Government. In order to take full advantage of modern technology and to make substantial improvements for the viewing public, dramatic new standards are being studied for the studio/production system, the delivery systems, and the receiver/display system. The most advanced of these new systems, high definition television (HDTV), will make possible a significant improvement in picture quality, with respect to detail, resolution, richness of color, picture stability and projection size.

Developmental work on HDTV technology has been underway in the U.S. and other countries for more than ten years. The Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC), a voluntary industry organization, was established in 1983 to consider all forms of advanced television techniques. In early 1985 the ATSC developed and adopted a recommendation for a worldwide HDTV standard for the studio and for international program exchange. There are potential technical and economic benefits to the adoption of a single worldwide electronic medium, such as facilitating the international exchange of video programs. The appropriate body for such agreement is the International Radio Consultative Committee (CCIR) of the ITU. The Department of State formally submitted the ATSC's draft recommendation to the CCIR, which has taken the first step toward international adoption. Formal approval will be considered at the CCIR Plenary Assembly in May 1986.

Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN)

The potential for an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) within the next decade is among the most significant recent technological developments affecting the use of telecommunications and computers. An ISDN would combine various existing networks and provide almost all telecommunications services - voice and non-voice -- using digital technology. The assimilative character of an ISDN, however, while providing significant cost reductions and

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operating efficiencies, also raises important social and political issues in both domestic and international arenas.

These potential problems are compounded by the fact that the U.S. follows a telecommunications regulatory philosophy different from most other countries of the world. The realization that most other countries do not generally embrace the U.S. deregulatory and pro-competitive philosophy creates a sensitivity on the part of the United States in viewing recommendations of the International Telegraph and Telephone Consultative Committee (CCITT) on ISDN.

The crux of the potential difficulty is the U.S. characterization of certain kinds of activities, which had historically been viewed as regulated common carrier activities, as non-common carrier activities pursuant to the FCC's Computer II decision. For example, under the decision, certain kinds of enhanced services are treated as non-common carrier activities which are therefore outside the scope of the FCC Common Carrier Rules and Regulations. The application of this domestic regulatory distinction to the joint services of international carriers and their foreign correspondents raises many potential policy problems involving the recognized status of the U.S. partner as a Recognized Private Operating Agency (RPOA), the traditional limitation of liability afforded by operative tariffs, and the application of the U.S. Government's uniform settlements policy. The rapid development and implementation of ISDN networks within European countries, internationally, and with the United States will highlight these regulatory differences.

The

Many issues and questions which are now attributed to the development of ISDN are key to the agenda of the CCITT. CCITT is the international body with responsibility for assessing and developing telecommunications standards on ISDN. The position of the United States in international fora is to argue for flexibility and to press for international standards which allow for optimum competition.

International Communications Satellite Organization (INTELSAT)

In 1985 the U.S. reached a decision to authorize the establishment of international satellite systems separate from INTELSAT for business, video and other private purposes, following a lengthy review of our international satellite policy. The review was prompted by applications filed with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) by private companies seeking permission to establish separate international satellite systems.

On November 28, 1984 the President determined that international communications satellite systems separate from INTELSAT are required in the national interest." The FCC reached its decision on July 25, 1985 to authorize separate systems with two restrictions: (1) the systems could not be interconnected with public-switched networks (telephone, telex or telegram systems), and (2) one or more foreign authorities has to authorize the use of each system and enter into joint consultations with INTELSAT under the INTELSAT Agreement.

The FCC concluded in its Order and Report released September 3, 1985 that establishment of separate systems will result in substantial benefits to U.S. users of international satellite communications services by providing currently unavailable means of packaging and transmitting information