28% of GEO satellites launched since 2015 were used to register networks at other orbitals slots, ITU says

PARIS — Moving a satellite in geostationary orbit to another slot for a short-duration “bringing into use” (BIU) of the regulatory filing of one or more other satellites that, for whatever reason, are at risk of missing their own BIU deadlines has become common.

The International Telecommunication Union (IITU), which regulates access to orbital slots and broadcast frequencies, said 28% of the 778 GEO-orbit registrations made between Nov. 30, 2015, and Sept. 30, 2022 were for satellites that had been BIU’d at other orbital slots within three years.