Satellite Links

SNG (Satellite News Gathering) is one of the very latest ways of gathering information. For example, a team of cameramen is filming far from the television station and sends the material either live or after it has been quickly edited direct via satellite to the home receiver. A licence is required to operate SNG equipment.A Very Small Aperture terminal (VSAT) is a satellite receiver and a transmitter with antennas (aperture) for satellite-based communication. Differently than the stationary Small Aperture terminals of the satellite ground stations can be installed VSAT systems also mobile on truck or containers.

Application for a temporarily licence SNG / VSAT

The licence application can also be completed online:

Application for a satellite radiocommunication licence for own use, unlimited duration

Application for a satellite radiocommunication licence for the provision of telecommunications services

The licence application can also be completed online:

Coordination and notification of satellite systems

OFCOM is the ITU contact point for space projects using frequencies to be notified under the Swiss flag. Any exchange of information required to support a satellite project coordination and notification procedure (ITU Satellite Filing) must go through OFCOM.

For any space project, it is necessary to provide to the OFCOM a general description of the satellite project no earlier than seven years and preferably no later than two years before the planned date of the bringing into use. The characteristics to be provided for this purpose are set out in Appendix 4 of the ITU Radio Regulations.

The document below defines the role of OFCOM and satellite operators with regard to a space project. It is based on the Radio Regulations and the relevant national legal bases: Management of coordination and notification requests for satellite systems

Any operator wishing to submit a request for a space project must submit a request to OFCOM, which can be found in Appendix 1 of the aforementioned document.

Provision of telecommunications services

Transmission of the documents

In the case that you would prefer to fill out the form on paper, you can send the document to the following address:

Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM)
Zukunftstrasse 44
P.O. Box 252
2501 Biel

or by electronic way by one of the channels mentioned on the page:

Further information

OFCOM enacts technical and administrative requirements. It defines in particular the frequency bands which may be exempted from the licence obligation.

Specialist staff
Last modification 08.04.2025

Top of page

Contact

Section Radio Licences
kf-fk@bakom.admin.ch

Print contact

https://www.bakom.admin.ch/content/bakom/en/homepage/frequencies-and-antennas/frequency-use-with-or-without-licences/satellite-links.html