HANK@barilvm.bitnet (Hank Nussbacher) (11/21/90)
The two major satellite companies are Intelsat and Intersputnik. Intersat is owned by 119 countries whereas Intersputnik is owned by 21 countries (Russia, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, Poland, East Germany, Cuba, Afganistan, Vietnam, Yemen, etc.) Recently there has been discussion of combining the two companies in order to achieve better use of the spectrum, unified global access, and ease of access for Russia to access Western databases. The expectations are that even before the end of 1990 the merger will take place. The major stumbling block is the cost of membership and having to pay in hard currency. In August, Russia joined Intelsat at a cost of $750,000. Previously in May, Poland and Hungary joined Intelsat. Hank Nussbacher Israel