and Latin America, respectively.” With the capacity of a terrestrial solar power receiving station for distributing such energy, vast areas of the Third World might acquire access to electricity on a much wider scale. As electrical systems are generally more fully established in the developed countries, the effects of solar power inputs would be less marked. One study has indicated that to add one solar power satellite to the electrical system in a country such as the United States, its capacity would be changed by two percent, whereas to add one solar power satellite in India would increase India’s electrical capacity by 40%. Since no single nation possesses the combination of resources and commitment essential for the establishment of a satellite system, such a system could be considered only in the context of an international programme based on a large proportion of the cost and technological capability being provided by the developed countries. This in itself would pose a major problem as the developed countries would require convincing that such tremendous investment would actually have a corresponding return. The developing countries, in contrast, have the least to contribute and the most to gain. However, a clearer view of a possible arrangement is provided by the example of INTELSAT, the international satellite communications organization founded in 1964. Since its inception, INTELSAT has grown from a cooperative of eleven interested countries to a total in 1980 of 102 members. The successful functioning of the organisation is based upon each member holding “an investment share based upon its use of the system” (subject to a minimum share of 0.15%). The revenues of the system are derived from utilization charges and, after the deduction of operating costs, are distributed to members in proportion to their investment share as amortization of their investment and as compensation for the use of capital. The major advantage and safeguard of an international organisation such as INTELSAT is the dual role of members as both owners and users. Through INTELSAT, many developing nations which could not afford the initial technological cost of satellite communications have now become active users. Not only has their participation afforded them access to an advanced field of space technology, they are receiving the considerable benefits of satellite communications in their development process. Information access is presently of major concern to the developing countries. Through INTELSAT such information is being supplied. Though the developing countries have profited significantly from the INTELSAT arrangement, the developed countries have also realized substantial benefits. First and most basic, these countries now share in a communications network of dimensions far beyond those that a single country could have afforded. These countries, just as the developing countries, are also enjoying the decreasing costs of a system which can provide economies of scale and the most advanced technology. For example, the annual cost of INTELSAT telephone circuit in 1965 was $64,000. In 1980, that cost had declined to $10,080. Further, INTELSAT provided those countries already possessing some technical know-how with the opportunity for additional research and development on a major scale. INTELSAT has thus provided substantial benefits to both developed and developing countries. Although the technology and much of the initial cost was provided by developed countries, the functioning of the system ensured them an adequate return on their investment. The growth of INTELSAT membership provides the clearest possible evidence that its potential is being realized to the benefit of both developed and developing countries.
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