Title 47, Telegraphs, Telephones, and RadiotelegraphsRelease 119-102

§763c Space Segment Capacity of the Gmdss

Title 47 › CHAPTER 6 — COMMUNICATIONS SATELLITE SYSTEM › SUBCHAPTER VI — COMMUNICATIONS COMPETITION AND PRIVATIZATION › Part B — Federal Communications Commission Licensing Criteria: Privatization Criteria › § 763c

Last updated Aug 21, 2026|Official source

Summary

The United States must keep satellite capacity for the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) available. Doing so will not change how GMDSS is treated under U.S. law or International Telecommunication Union rules about radio spectrum, satellite positions, or other operations, and it must not block competition in providing GMDSS services.

Full Legal Text

Title 47, §763c

Telegraphs, Telephones, and Radiotelegraphs, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

The United States shall preserve the space segment capacity of the GMDSS. This section is not intended to alter the status that the GMDSS would otherwise have under United States laws and regulations of the International Telecommunication Union with respect to spectrum, orbital locations, or other operational parameters, or to be a barrier to competition for the provision of GMDSS services.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2005—Pub. L. 109–34 amended section catchline and text generally, substituting provisions relating to space segment capacity of the GMDSS for provisions relating to specific criteria for Inmarsat privatization.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

47 U.S.C. § 763c

Title 47, Telegraphs, Telephones, and Radiotelegraphs

Last Updated

Aug 21, 2026

Release point: 119-102