Open-market Reorganization for the Betterment of International Telecommunications Act (ORBIT Act) 2000

'The Open-market Reorganization for the Betterment of International Telecommunications Act was enacted on March 17, 2000, to promote competition and privatization in satellite communications. The Act aims to fully privatize intergovernmental satellite organizations INTELSAT and Inmarsat, ensuring a pro-competitive global market for satellite communication services. It sets deadlines for privatization and requires successor entities or separated entities created from INTELSAT or Inmarsat to operate as independent commercial entities with a pro-competitive ownership structure. The Act also limits the expansion of services by INTELSAT and Inmarsat during the transition period, denies them new orbital locations, and prohibits their exclusive handling of telecommunications services for any country. Additionally, it eliminates procurement preferences for satellite space segment provided by INTELSAT, Inmarsat, or successor entities.'