Due to issues of space debris, the lack of reliable anti-satellite technology and negative world opinion, destruction of satellites will probably be used as a last resort during any foreseeable conflict. Therefore, an adversary may choose an economic Course of Action (COA) to lower the overall supply of available capability. For example, if competition from the fiber optic cable market forced SATCOM revenues to fall to a point where providers needed to increase cash flow, they may choose to sell “contracts” for the future use of today's limited bandwidth. If this contract came with a “first right of refusal” clause, the purchaser could deny potential customer the opportunity to use the selected bandwidth during the option period. This option would allow an adversary to decrease the supply of available SATCOM capabilities on the open market during surge operations and potentially hold the US hostage by dictating the “terms of use” of the bandwidth.

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Adkins, Larry D. "Space Superiority: Does the US Really Have It?." High Frontier Journal. Vol. 1, No. 3 (Winter 2005): 13-16. [ 2 quotes ] [ page 13 ]