AbstractThis is Part One of a two‐part article on the current status of INTELSAT's leased services, a relatively unfamiliar subject when compared with INTELSAT's standard communications services.In Part One, domestic service and international television service will be covered. For both services, statistics on existing and planned levels of use will be provided. Key aspects of the terms and conditions governing the lease will be outlined, and the annual charges summarized. The variety of services possible when using these leases, and the earth station networks chosen by users to meet their communications goals are also described.A brief look at the future of these two services will be given, and the topics of Part Two. INTELSAT Business Service (IBS), and the low‐density telephony service (VISTA) will be introdu