FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:        News Media contact:      
  October 29, 1999                   Rosemary Kimball at (202) 418-0500
  
      COMMISSION SIMPLIFIES PROCEDURES FOR NON-U.S.-LICENSED
         SATELLITES TO PROVIDE SERVICE TO THE U.S. MARKET
                                 
       In an Order adopted today, the Commission simplified the process by which authorized
  non-U.S. licensed "fixed" satellites may serve the U.S. market.  A fixed satellite system is a satellite
  system designed to transmit and receive messages from antennas fixed at one location on the
  earth's surface.  
  
       Today's Order establishes streamlined procedures that are beneficial in three ways.  First, a
  non-U.S.-licensed satellite provider may now seek, on its own initiative, and at any time,
  Commission authorization to provide service in the United States.  Upon approval, a foreign space
  station operator would be eligible to serve in the United States.  The name of that satellite would
  appear on a list that will be called the "Permitted Space Station" list.  This mechanism will be
  beneficial to a non-U.S. satellite operator on the Permitted Space Station list because, as a result,
  that operator could market its satellite services to potential earth station customers. 
  
       Second, the Order also is helpful to earth station providers.  It generally allows an earth
  station operator licensed by the Commission to access any satellite on the Permitted Space Station
  list.  In addition to authorized non-U.S. space stations, the list will include U.S.-licensed space
  station satellites that currently are treated as "ALSAT" satellites. This list will be maintained and
  updated, as necessary, on the Commission's website.
   
       Third, today's Order is valuable for satellite providers because it removes the existing
  requirement that an earth station licensee modify its license prior to accessing an authorized non-
  U.S. satellite.
   
       By streamlining the procedures governing non-U.S. entry into the U.S. market, the
  Commission seeks to stimulate competition in the U.S. market.  This will provide consumers with
  more choices in communications providers and services, and should help to reduce prices and
  facilitate technological innovation.  
  
       Action by the Commission October 28, 1999, by First Order on Reconsideration (FCC 99-
  325).  Chairman Kennard, Commissioners Ness, Furchtgott-Roth, Powell and Trisdani.
  
                             - FCC -
  
       For further information, please contact Steven Spaeth, International Bureau, Satellite and
  Radiocommunication Division, (202) 418-1539.
  
  IB Docket No. 96-111
  Report No. IN 99-33