or geographic regions and/or global service offerings. Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSAT) networks are used primarily by corporations for intracorporate data, video, and voice communications such as point-of-sale credit authorization, and inventory control among multiple remote locations. Automotive, retail, and financial service industries are particularly heavy VSAT users. Originally, North American domestic satellites were mostly used for long-distance telephone communications. Home Box Office distribution of satellite programming in 1975 began a move by major television networks to distribute regular programming and special events to affiliates using satellite based communications services. Television Receive Only (TVRO) began initially using home satellite dishes to provide service to rural areas which were difficult to connect via cable infrastructure. The use of digital compression technology and high power Ku-Band satellites permit Direct Broadcast Services (DBS) to end users requiring small, 18-inch, antennas. DBS not only provides services to rural users not connected to cable, but also is becoming a strong competitor to cable in urban areas. Low-Earth Orbiting (LEO) systems presently in operation, deployment, and development provide worldwide personal, portable, and mobile telephony, messaging, and data communications services. Little-LEO service providers offer global mobile data, messaging, and position determination services. Big-LEO telephony systems provide mobile voice, fax, messaging, and limited data rate services. Big-LEO and geostationary (GEO) fixed station systems will provide worldwide broadband, high-speed digital communications and multimedia services. Global trade in satellite-based telecommunications is expected to escalate rapidly in the next few years due to the launch of LEO constellations and networks, MEO satellites, and continued growth in geostationary resources. The International Telecommunications Union (ITU), which regulates all of this activity, predicts that the ultimate 