NEWS
	Federal Communications Commission 1919 - M Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20554	News media information 202 / 418-0500 Fax-On-Demand 202 / 418-2830 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov ftp.fcc.gov
	This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).
	Report No. IN 97-31 INTERNATIONAL ACTION October 10, 1997
	INTERNATIONAL BUREAU GRANTS SATELLITE DIGITAL AUDIO RADIO AUTHORIZATION TO SATELLITE CD RADIO, INC.
	Today, the International Bureau issued an Order granting a satellite Digital Audio Radio ("SDARS") authorization to Satellite CD Radio, Inc. ("CD Radio"). The company is now eligible to launch and operate a SDARS system in the geostationary satellite orbit. By issuing this authorization, the Commission has completed the last step in the process of issuing a SDARS license to CD Radio. The American consumer can now look forward to an exciting new radio service. From April 1 through 2, 1997, the Commission conducted an auction for two SDARS authorizations of 12.5 MHz of spectrum located in the S-band at 2320-2345 MHz. CD Radio submitted a winning bid in the amount of $83,346,000.00 for the 2320-2332.5 MHz portion of the frequency band and American Mobile Radio Corporation submitted a winning bid in the amount of $89,888,888.00, for the 2332.5-2345 MHz portion of the band. CD Radio has paid the full balance of its bid to the Commission. This authorization will provide CD Radio with the opportunity to fulfill the promise of satellite DARS by providing continuous nationwide radio programming with compact disc quality sound. The new service has the potential to increase the variety of programming available to the listening public. As proposed, it will offer niche programming that will serve listeners with special interests. In addition, SDARS has the technological potential to provide a wide range of audio programming options to rural and mountainous sections of the country that have historically been underserved by terrestrial radio Action by the International Bureau October 10, 1997, by Order and Authorization (DA 97-2191). - FCC - News Media contact: Meribeth McCarrick at (202) 418-0256. International Bureau contacts: Rosalee Chiara at 418-0754 or Selina Khan at (202) 418-7282.