Regional African Satellite Communications Organisation (RASCOM)

HISTORY AND PRESENT STATUS

RASCOM, established in 1993, is an intergovernmental treaty-based organization which has as its prime objective the provision, on a commercial basis, of the satellite capacity required for national and international public telecommunications services, including sound and television broadcasting in Africa. Currently the organization operates by pooling and optimizing space resources leased mainly from INTELSAT. The ultimate aim is to have a dedicated Africa-owned regional satellite system.

South Africa was approached by RASCOM to join the organization in mid 1995. South Africa signed the RASCOM convention on 18 February 1997. The Convention was ratified by the South African Parliament on 22 May 1997.

OTHER DEPARTMENTS AND COOPERATING ORGANISATIONS

Department of Communications
Telkom