This page provides information on applications requesting consent to the transfer of control of licenses and authorizations held by GE American Communications, Inc. (GE Americom) or its subsidiary Columbia Communications Corporation (Columbia) to SES Global S.A. (SES Global). GE Americom and Columbia hold various space station, earth station and microwave licenses and Section 214 authority.

Copies of documents in the record may be obtained for a fee from FCC's duplicating contractor Qualex International, or may be viewed and/or copied at the FCC Reference Center.

Timeline

Completed 10/2/01 - Day 166

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Below is a list of record documents in reverse chronological order.

10/26/01
Supplemental Order to 10/2/01 Order and Authorization

10/10/01
Notice of Ex Parte presentation from SES Global S.A.

10/10/01
Letter/Response to FCC October 5, 2001 Request for Further Information from SES Global S.A.

10/5/01
Letter from Anna Gomez, Deputy Chief, International Bureau, to Phillip L. Spector et al., Counsels for Applicants

10/2/01
Order and Authorization, By the Chief, International Bureau and the Chief, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau

9/17/01
Letter/Response to FCC October 5, 2001 Request for Further Information from SES Global S.A.

9/17/01
Letter/Response to FCC Request for Further Information from SES Global S.A.

9/12/01
SES Global Articles of Incorporation from SES Global S.A.

9/12/01
License Agreement between The State of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and Societe Europeenne des Satellites S.A. from SES Global S.A.

9/12/01
Letter/Response to FCC Request for Further Information from SES Global S.A.

8/29/01
Letter from The Honorable W.J. "Billy" Tauzin, Chairman, Committee on Energy and Commerce to The Honorable Michael K. Powell, Chairman, FCC

8/28/01
Letter/Response to FCC Request for Further Information from SES Global S.A.

6/26/01
Correspondence with the Department of Justice on law enforcement/national security issues filed by GE American Communications, Inc.

Relinquishment of International Section 214 Authority on the U.S.-Luxembourg Route filed by GE American Communications, Inc.

04/20/01
Public Notice, Report No. SAT-00071, Satellite Policy Branch Information, GE American Communications, Inc. - Application for Transfer of Control to SES Global S.A.

04/02/01
Application For Consent to Transfer of Control filed by General Electric Capital Corporation and SES Global S.A., Transmittal Letter

Satellite Space Stations:

Satellite Earth Stations:

VSAT Earth Stations:

Section 214 Authorizations:

Microwave Licenses:

Section 310(b)(4) Petition for Declaratory Ruling:

The Commission has received applications requesting consent to the transfer of control of licenses and authorizations held by GE American Communications, Inc. (GE Americom) or its subsidiary Columbia Communications Corporation (Columbia) to SES Global S.A. (SES Global). GE Americom and Columbia hold various space station, earth station and microwave licenses and Section 214 authority.

SES Global is a newly formed Luxembourg company. The proposed transfer of control will occur as a result of a merger of a wholly-owned subsidiary of SES Global into GE Subsidiary, Inc. 22, which indirectly holds 100% of the stock of GE Americom. Subsequent to the transfer of control, GE Americom and Columbia will continue to operate as indirect, wholly owned subsidiaries of SES Global.

The proposed transfer of control of common carrier wireless licenses from GE Americom and Columbia to SES Global, which will wholly-own the licensee GE Sub-22, will result in indirect foreign ownership of the licensee in excess of the 25-percent foreign ownership limit in Section 310(b)(4) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (the Act). Banque et Caisse d'Epargne de l'Etat (BCEE) and Société National de Credit et d'Investisement (SNCI) are both owned by the State of Luxembourg and will collectively hold a 16.67% economic interest in SES Global. In aggregate, the indirect foreign ownership of SES Global would amount to approximately 29.27%. Luxembourg is a WTO member.

Therefore, the Applicants request that the Commission find the proposed foreign ownership of the licensee in excess of 25 percent to be in the public interest pursuant to Section 310(b)(4) of the Act.

Additionally, the Applicants request that the Commission approve the transfer of control of domestic and international Section 214 authorizations from GE Americom to SES Global. SES Global and its affiliates request non-dominant regulatory treatment on the routes GE Americom is authorized to serve. The Applicants do not request streamlined processing.

For further information contact Terrence E. Reideler at (202) 418-2165 regarding foreign ownership or the international Section 214 authorizations, contact Lisa Choi at (202) 418-1384 regarding microwave licenses, contact Jeffrey Tobias at (202) 418-1617.