Satellite Interconnection Agreement

Interconnection in the PRSS entails certain rights and responsibilities for those who wish to use the system to receive public radio programs. Financial responsibility for the PRSS is vested in the Participating Stations, and all interconnected stations share in the costs of operation.

Each station or other public telecommunications entity that owns or controls a distinct point of interconnection to the satellite system is obligated to sign a Satellite Interconnection Agreement. A "distinct point of interconnection" is defined as one or more commonly located demodulators under the independent control of an end user public telecommunications entity, which is used to access the PRSS for public radio purposes.

A separate agreement is required for each point of interconnection. This agreement authorizes the station to use its earth terminal facilities to access the public radio satellite transponders in order to receive programming, DACS messages, and other transmissions related to the operation of the satellite system. Under the agreement, NPR Distribution commits to providing certain support services (e.g., scheduling, marketing, equipment maintenance and repair, technical center operations, etc.).

Note: While the Satellite Interconnection Agreement entitles stations to access the system and receive distributed programs, it does not address program usage rights or pricing. These matters are the domain of the program producer or supplier, and it is the responsibility of each station to contact program sources regarding usage rights and payments, if any, for specific programs.