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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. Cir. 1974).


Report No. IN 97-30           INTERNATIONAL  ACTION         October 10, 1997

COMMISSION ADOPTS POLICIES AND RULES FOR 
            NEW GENERATION OF SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES 
(CC Docket No. 92-297)
 
       The Commission adopted licensing qualification requirements and service rules for a
"new generation" of satellite communications services that have the potential to provide a
wide variety of broadband interactive digital services in the United States and around the
world, including: voice, data, and video; videoconferencing; facsimile; computer access and
telemedicine.  American consumers will benefit from these new services because the systems
covered by the rules have the ability to offer new choices in direct-to-home services, from
distance learning to interactive home shopping. These newly available services will be
provided by fixed-satellite service (FSS) systems in the Ka-band (or "28 GHz" band).

       In the spring of 1997, the International Bureau authorized one non-geostationary
system and thirteen geostationary-satellite orbit (GSO) systems to construct, launch and
operate in these frequency bands.  The thirteen GSO FSS applicants agreed to an orbital
assignment arrangement that supports them all.  All of these Ka-band authorizations must
comply with the rules adopted in the Report and Order.

       While the applicants' orbital assignment plan served as the foundation for licensing the
first-round GSO commercial Ka-band satellite systems, the rules set forth in Part 25 of the
Commission's rules govern the licensing of Ka-band FSS systems.  The Commission rules
impose fairly rigorous financial and technical requirements on commercial FSS applicants. 
The adopted Report and Order modifies these rules somewhat to incorporate technical
operations in the Ka-band.    

       The Ka-band is currently unused commercially for satellite communications in the
United States. This band will serve as an expansion alternative to the crowded C- and 
Ku- bands for traditional FSS systems.  In addition, the satellite industry believes the Ka-band
is ideal for the development of FSS broadband services that can be provided directly to users'
homes. The commercialization of this band will also give rise to a dynamic new satellite
market, potentially stimulating economic growth both in the United States and abroad.     
     
     Action by the Commission, October 9, 1997, by Third Report and Order 
(FCC 97-378). Chairman Hundt, Commissioners Quello, Ness and Chong.
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                                  - FCC -
     
     News Media contacts:  Meribeth McCarrick at (202) 418-0256.
     International Bureau contact:  Jennifer Gilsenan at (202) 418-0757.