According to independent research just released, the Isle of Man now ranks as the third biggest player in the world, behind only the UK and the USA, as the jurisdiction of choice for commercial geostationary satellite operators.
Among British Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories, the Isle of Man holds first place, ahead of jurisdictions including Jersey, Gibraltar, Bermuda, and the Cayman Islands.
Of note is that the Island is the only centre to conduct its satellite filing management through an outsourced commercial provider. Most other governments utilise an in-house process, and it is believed that this is the crucial market differentiator that has made the difference in winning this continuing business for the Isle of Man.
The Island, whose satellite filings are made by ManSat Limited under contract with the Isle of Man Government's Communications Commission, presently has five commercial geostationary satellite operators working with ManSat for their filing needs. The USA has nine, and the UK seven. France, China, and Russia tie for fourth with four customers each.
All of the 193 Member States of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) are eligible to make satellite filings and presently 79 have actually done so (up from 62 in 2008). Of these 79 nations active in satellite filing, 24 conduct filings with no commercial users. Of the 55 active commercially, the vast majority have only one customer. To have more than one is rare; to have five like the Isle of Man is noteworthy.
The rankings were compiled by noted industry leader Boston-based Northern Sky Research, which used public records, data from the International Telecommunication Union, and research by Lubos Perek of the Astronomical Institute Academy of Sciences to compare the records of satellite filing countries.
NSR President Christopher Baugh said: “The hard data are there, drawn from public domain sources, and the data speaks for itself. That the Isle of Man ranks third behind the UK and the USA as a centre for commercial geostationary filings is impressive, especially when you consider the Island’s unique commercial approach via its outsourced provider ManSat, and further given they only entered this space in 2000.
“For commercial GSO filings, the Isle of Man ranks number one amongst the British Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories conducting filings. Of note is that if you add the Isle of Man’s numbers to those of the UK in addition to the other British islands, the UK now surpasses the USA as the choice for commercial geostationary filing. We found the results of the study fascinating, but this is exactly why you look to market research experts like Northern Sky Research.”
ManSat Chairman, CEO, and founder Chris Stott added: “ManSat is Manx exceptionalism at its best. We apply commercial efficiencies to a complex legal, technical, and regulatory process, literal rocket science, in a field dominated by traditional government practice, and the results speak for themselves.
“I must say that we are also fortunate to be working with some of the finest satellite companies in the world as clients, all of whom now have Isle of Man subsidiaries, and also with one of the finest executive and Board teams in the industry of noted experts all supporting ManSat and the Isle of Man in this ongoing endeavour.
“Our work is unique in that as an outsource provider we are able to ring fence the Isle of Man Government from the cost and technical and legal risks of the process, while also contributing to the financial health of the Island in these critical times in the form of our Annual Fee which we pay to the Government.”
Isle of Man Chief Minister Allan Bell MHK said: “A few eyebrows were raised when the Isle of Man first announced its intention to become a serious player in the international space industry. However, Government has worked in partnership with ManSat to establish a flourishing sector that is making a significant contribution to the Island’s economy. Today we have a cluster of companies dealing with the financing, insuring, leasing and legal aspects of space assets in addition to commercial satellite filing.”
He added: “The Island’s nimble, responsive and business-focused environment, world-class infrastructure and strong international reputation have been instrumental in developing business opportunities in emerging sectors.”
Photo - Top three satellite filing countries in the world.
