|
Maritime Communications Services Pte Ltd ('MCS') has been officially appointed a Inmarsat Point of Service Activation (PSA) with effect from October 2002.
About Point of Service Activation (PSA)
After 15 April 1999, Inmarsat Ltd as a private company is not governed by the Inmarsat Convention and Operating Agreement. Inmarsat Ltd. is now responsible for authorising user access to the Inmarsat space segment.
Inmarsat Ltd shall assign this responsibility to a number of Points of Service Activation, or PSAs, subject to a number of conditions.
The Point of Service Activation or PSA is an entity that is contracted to Inmarsat to accept and process applications for Mobile Earth Station (MES) service activation, assign Inmarsat Mobile Number (IMN) and to transmit customer service activation information to Inmarsat Customer Activation Group (CAG)
and appropriate national bodies.
The PSA shall perform the role similar to that previously provided by the Routing Organisation (RO), however, unlike the Routing Organisation
, a PSA will be contracted by Inmarsat to provide a defined level of service.
A PSA may be an Inmarsat Service Provider (ISP), an Accounting Authority (AA), a Land Earth Station Operator (LESO), an MES
Manufacturer or any entity that the Company, in its judgment, deems to have met its selection criteria.
Functions of a PSA
The PSA has seven major functions:
- to facilitate the transmission of service activation information of valid applications into Electronic Service Activation System (ESAS);
- to ensure by periodic follow-up that such information is kept up-to-date;
- to respond directly to customer queries on service activation in particular, and Inmarsat systems and services in general;
- to assist in the prevention and resolution of fraud and fraudulent activities within the Inmarsat system.
- to provide necessary information relating to distress and safety.
- provide necessary information to flag state administrations as required.
- to ensure that MES owner/operators sign the company's Terms and Conditions for the Utilization of the Inmarsat Space Segment.
The PSA concept is not part of any national law. However, the function of the PSA as an 'activator' is an activity that may be subject to national regulations on service provision.
In some countries, an entity such as the PSA may be required to obtain authorisation to activate MESs on land, maritime and aeronautical installations that are registered or licensed by these countries' national administration. Other countries such as UK, Hongkong and the Scandinavian countries have issued an 'exemption' to the effect that any PSA is automatically allowed to activate any MESs that are registered or licensed in these countries. There are also regulators that have issued authorisations subject to the PSA meeting the regulator's requirements, such as notifying the national regulators of all MESs that have been activated for the regulator's country.
Other countries may not require the PSA to be authorised nor for its National Regulatory Authority to be notified, if the entity (such as Accounting Authorities, Inmarsat Service Providers, Land Earth Station Operators, Service Resellers, Equipment Dealers) has been previously authorised to provide Inmarsat services. In any case Inmarsat will need proof that the NRA has been informed.
The PSA application may be processed by Inmarsat prior to obtaining the NRA's authorisation or confirmation, but the PSA will not be allowed to activate any MES until a copy of either the authorisation or notification from the NRA has been provided to Inmarsat.
Inmarsat, however, will require the Applicant, prior to its application as a PSA, to be registered as a legal commercial entity, i.e., it must have a licence to operate as a company, in the same manner as that of other commercial companies.
The PSA will need to act in a manner consistent with all applicable national laws and regulations, and if necessary, meet any national licensing requirements relating to its activities as a PSA. The onus is on the PSA to check the requirements with the NRA of the country where the PSA is located.
|
