 Under the International Telecommunication Union's rules, all amateur radio operations may only occur within of the Earth's surface.As such, the "Amateur Radio Service" is not permitted to engage in satellite operations; however, a sister radio service, called the Amateur Satellite Service, exists which allows satellite operations for the same purposes as the "Amateur Radio Service".In most countries, an amateur radio license conveys operating privileges in both services, and in practice, the legal distinction between the two services is transparent to the average licensee.