Satellite Operators Could Benefit From Loosened Cuban Restrictions

Satellite operators will be among those benefitting from the Obama Administration's decision to loosen restrictions on U.S. relations-personal and business with Cuba.

In a directive to Secretaries of Commerce, Treasury and State, Obama instructed them to do what it takes to lift a host of restrictions.

Under the telecommunications heading, U.S. networks will be allowed to enter into agreements to link the U.S. and Cuba via fiber optic or satellite links.

On the TV and radio front, U.S. companies will be able to provide satellite TV, radio and telecommunications services themselves or through third parties to Cuban individuals with the exception of "ceratin senior Communist Party and Cuban government officials."

And for those without satellite receivers, there will an exception from restriction on technology imports for satellite recievers, as well as computers, software, and mobile phone systems. U.S. companies can also now enter into roaming service agreements with Cuban telecommunications providers.

John Eggerton

Contributing editor John Eggerton has been an editor and/or writer on media regulation, legislation and policy for over four decades, including covering the FCC, FTC, Congress, the major media trade associations, and the federal courts. In addition to Multichannel News and Broadcasting + Cable, his work has appeared in Radio World, TV Technology, TV Fax, This Week in Consumer Electronics, Variety and the Encyclopedia Britannica.