Belarus claimed the Radiocommunication Bureau is sending critical fax messages to a...

Belarus claimed the Radiocommunication Bureau is sending critical fax messages to a number not registered with the ministry of communications, it said in a submission to the ITU Radio Regulations Board meeting this week. The practice, dating back as far as nine months, has impaired the country’s legal rights, it said, referring to the change of notifying administration for satellite networks at 75 degrees east. The complaint is an indication of much deeper divisions between Belarus and Intersputnik. Intersputnik members see an effort by Belarus to remain the notifying agency for the three networks belonging to members of Intersputnik, we've learned. Intersputnik members had replaced Belarus with Russia as the notifying administration. Belarus wants to assign use of the frequencies to Belarsat Corp. Hundreds of millions of dollars are at risk, we've learned, if Belarus actions adversely impact Asia Broadcast Satellite plans and operations. Intersputnik members may pursue compensation for damages, we've learned. Belarus said it wanted to continue to fulfill the functions of notifying administration for the satellite networks Interbelar-2, Intersputnik-75E-Q and Intersputnik-75E-CK. Belarus and Russia in 2009 informed the BR that Russia would become the notifying administration for all networks, except the three that Belarus had previously notified on behalf of the Intersputnik International Organization of Space Communications. Twenty-five of the 26 countries on IOSC’s board in 2010 had agreed to also make Russia the notifying agency for the three networks.