PUBLIC NOTICE

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
1919 M STREET N.W.
WASHINGTON, DC  20554


                             News media Information  202/418-0500
    Fax-On_demand (202) 418-2830; Internet: http://www.fcc.gov (or ftp.fcc.gov)


Report No. SPB-149                                  March 4, 1999

                      INTERNATIONAL BUREAU
              SATELLITE POLICY BRANCH INFORMATION:
                                
          In the Matter of Application of AfriSpace Inc. for Authority to Launch and Operate
     a Satellite Sound Broadcasting Transmission System, File No. CSS-90-017 [IBFS
     File No. SAT-LOA-19900723-00002]; Amendment File No. SAT-AMD-19990125-
     00016 (Call Sign 52367)
                                
     On  January 22, 1999, AfriSpace, Inc. ("AfriSpace") filed an amendment to its application
for authority to construct, launch and operate its AfriStar system.  AfriStar is a subregional Africa
and Middle Eastern satellite sound broadcasting transmission system to operate in the 1467-1492
MHz frequency bands (L-Band).  AfriSpace states that this amendment updates the information in
its pending application and brings its requested orbital location into conformance with its
experimental license granted by the Commission in 1991.  AfriSpace also states that it seeks to
amend its application to include the use of the lower BSS(Sound) L-Band frequencies, 1452-1467
MHz, subject to the results of a competent ITU conference convened to plan BSS(Sound)
services in this portion of the band.     

     AfriSpace states that since its original application was filed and put on public notice as
tendered for filing, there have been several changes in its proposal. It asserts that it will offer
point-to-multipoint transmission capacity to customers on a non-common carrier basis but will
initially lease nearly all of the capacity to one customer, WorldSpace International Network, Inc.
(WIN), a British Virgin Islands corporation.  WIN will resell capacity to programmers in need of
BSS(Sound) transmission capacity in Africa and the Middle East.  AfriSpace proposes to operate
one geostationary satellite, associated ground control systems, associated network management
systems and feeder link stations.  AfriSpace proposes to control the satellite, to be located at 21o
W.L., out of sight of U.S. territory, through an Regional Operation Center located in Washington,
D.C. connected by dedicated telephone lines to two telemetry, control and range earth stations
located in India and Mauritius.  It plans to finance the space segment by means of a 12 year lease
agreement whereby it will lease its satellite system, AfriStar, from WorldSpace Satellite Company,
Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of WIN.  AfriSpace states that it is a U.S. company that is 100
percent owned by WorldSpace, Inc., a Maryland corporation.  It further states that in December
1996 WorldSpace, Inc. sold all of its non-AfriSpace assets to WIN in exchange for capital and a
16% equity stake in WIN.  The proceeds of this sale are being used to finance AfriSpace's current
operations.  Ownership information with respect to AfriSpace, WorldSpace International
Network, and WorldSpace, Inc. is provided as exhibits to the filed amendment.           

     Comments or petitions to deny may be filed on or before April 9, 1999.  Reply comments
or oppositions to petitions to deny may be filed on or before April 23, 1999.  responses may be
filed on or before May 3, 1999.

      Parties are also encouraged to file a copy of all pleadings on a 3.5 inch diskette in and
IBM-compatible format using WordPerfect 5.1 for Windows or Microsoft Word for Windows
software in a "read only" mode.  Diskette submissions would be in addition to, and not a
substitute for, the hard copy filing requirements reviewed above.  All diskettes should be clearly
labeled with: (1) the party's name; (2) the name of the proceeding and file number; (3) the type of
filing submitted (e.g., comments, reply comments); and (4) the date of submission.  The diskettes
should be accompanied by a cover letter and file with Magalie Roman Salas, Secretary, FCC, 445
12th Street, S.W., Washington D.C. 20554.  


     Ex Parte Status of this Proceeding.    We designate this application captioned above as a
"permit but disclose" proceeding pursuant to Section 1.1200(a) of the Commission's rules.  47
C.F.R.  1.1200(a), 1.1206 and 1.1208, Note 2.  We conclude that such treatment would best
serve the public interest, in light of the intricate international coordination issues and the
interrelated legal and technical issues involving U.S. digital audio radio systems and other related
satellite proposals that are raised by this application.  Accordingly ex parte presentations in this
proceeding are subject to the disclosure requirements set forth in Section 1.1206 of the
Commission's rules.  47 C.F.R.  1.1206.

     The application and related filings will be available for public inspection in the
International Reference Center, Room 102, 2000 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.  20554.

     For further information, contact Kathleen Campbell at (202) 418-0753.

                             - FCC -