Insight 13: How The Satellite Industry is Unique They therefore avoid all the problems of intermedi-ary Satellite communications and broadcasting systems are extraordinary communication networks unlike any other for two main reasons: last-mile infrastructure which can give rise to a series of legal problems - under which circumstances can a public entities invest in distribution networks? Financial issues also abound - who should fund the investment, and who retains legal ownership? Who is entitled to the profi ts? As well as operational issues in terms of who should run the network, and who undertakes maintenance and pays insurance against damage or degradation. - Satellite communications are deployed in one ‘fell swoop’, as soon as the satellite reaches orbit and is operational - anyone in the coverage area has the ability to access satellite services instantaneously sim-ply by buying a terminal. This is a fundamental dif-ference with terrestrial networks, which are generally deployed progressively due to the civil engineering works needed - fi rst covering towns and cities, then urban peripheries; beyond these limits, returns on investment become more complex and less certain. All these issues simply do not arise in the case of sat-ellite communications. The “network” consists only of the satellite - the property of the operator - and the terminal - the property of the subscribers. The implications of these two key points are essential. With satellite communications, coverage is quite lit-erally - Satellite systems are also relatively simple, insofar as they comprise only two ‘links’: the satellite (the property of the operator which maintains and runs it) and the terminal, which is installed directly by the subscriber, under their ownership and responsibility. This terminal can be fi nanced either directly by the subscriber or through a subsidy, under a government policy to reduce the digital divide. ‘continental’. All households and fi rms located within the footprint can be served in an equal way – each one can potentially access the same quality of service, at the same time, under similar terms and conditions of service – terminal equipment is the only requirement, which can be very rapidly and 76