Report No. IN 95-8 INTERNATIONAL ACTION March 13, 1995 SATELLITE ROUNDTABLE INITIATIVES LAUNCHED The International Bureau announces its first steps to implement suggestions made at the February 17, 1995 roundtable discussion on Satellites: Licensing and Policy.  In light of concerns that the licensing process often delays applicants' abilities to construct and launch satellite systems in a timely manner, the Bureau last week granted three requests for Section 319(d) waivers. These waivers will allow AT&T Corporation, GE American Communications, Inc. and Hughes Communications Galaxy, Inc. to commence construction of seven domestic-fixed-satellites at their own risk prior to receiving a license. The waivers are especially significant given the severe shortage of C-band capacity. Allowing these companies to begin construction now will allow the public to receive needed C-band services, including video, data, and teleconferencing services, as quickly as possible. The Bureau emphasized, however, that it may not be able to accommodate all pending applications and that the waiver grants do not in any way prejudice any action or evidence any Commission predisposition with respect to these applications.  The Bureau has updated the list of satellites consulted pursuant to Article XIV(d) of the INTELSAT Agreement for U.S.-Canada, U.S.-Mexico and U.S.-Latin American/Caribbean countries (see Attachments 1 &2).  The Bureau will call a status conference upon request, consistent with the ex parte rules, if it has not acted on an application within six months of filing.  The Bureau will jointly sponsor, with the satellite industry in conjunction with the ITU, a seminar on major radiocommunication satellite matters. The focus of the seminar will include issues related to the international Radio Regulations, ITU notification, coordination, registration processes, and coordination requirements for satellites and Earth stations. The seminar is scheduled for May 22-26, 1995. (over) - 2 - The Bureau is also reviewing a number of other suggestions made at the roundtable discussion. We will initiate shortly a rulemaking proceeding to consider further streamlining of licensing procedures for domestic and international satellite services, including: facilitating, by regulatory or legislative means, the process for authorizing domestic fixed-satellites to operate beyond the 10-year statutory license term; eliminating requirements for construction permits for satellite space stations; extending the implementation period for Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSATs); reviewing FCC Form 493 (Application for Authorization of Earth Station or for Modification of Station License) to eliminate any unnecessary or redundant requests for information; reviewing license renewal requirements for transportable satellite earth stations; further streamlining of the earth station modification process; and reducing reporting requirements for earth and space stations. The roundtable discussion provides an opportunity for a continuing dialogue with the public as we try to ensure that our procedures and policies reflect today's global telecommunications market. Any member of the public with additional recommendations for improving the Bureau's operations is urged to write Scott Blake Harris, Chief, International Bureau, Suite 800, 2000 M Street, N.W., Stop Code 0800, Washington, D.C. 20554. - FCC - Attachments ATTACHMENT 1 U.S. Satellites Consulted Pursuant to Article XIV(d)* ASC-I AURORA 2 COMSTAR D4 GALAXY I GALAXY II GALAXY III GALAXY 3-R GALAXY 4-H GALAXY V-R GALAXY VI (formerly WESTAR VI) GALAXY 7-H GSTAR I GSTAR II GSTAR III GSTAR 4 SATCOM I-R SATCOM II-R SATCOM IV SATCOM K-1 SATCOM K-2 SATCOM C-1 SATCOM C-3 SATCOM C-4 SATCOM H-1 SBS I SBS II SBS III SBS IV SBS V SBS VI SPACENET I SPACENET 1-R SPACENET II (SATCOM SN2) SPACENET III SPACENET 4-H (formerly ASC-II) TELSTAR 301 TELSTAR 302 TELSTAR 303 TELSTAR 401 TELSTAR 402 *This list is based upon the INTELSAT Master List of Article XIV(d) BG-103 satellites as of January 1, 1995. ATTACHMENT 2 SUMMARY OF INTELSAT CONSULTATIONS Country Service[s] Satellite[s] Anguilla T.V., audio and all satellites listed data receive-only in Attachment 1 Bahamas T.V., audio and all satellites listed data receive-only in Attachment 1 Barbados T.V. receive-only all Galaxy, Satcom and Westar satellites listed in Attachment 1 Bermuda T.V., audio and all satellites listed data receive-only in Attachment 1 British Virgin Islands T.V., audio and all satellites listed data receive-only in Attachment 1 Canada reception of T.V. all satellites listed programming; occasional in Attachment 1 plus point-to-point video ANIK B, C1, C2, C3, services; business D1 and D2, E-A and services including data and E-B electronic document distribution, video teleconferencing and voice communications Cayman Islands T.V., audio and all satellites listed data receive-only in Attachment 1 Mexico incidental reception all satellites listed of video and audio in Attachment 1 programming; occasional plus the Morelos II, use T.V.; business Solidaridad I & II. services including data and electronic document distribution video teleconferencing and voice communications ATTACHMENT 2 cont. Country Service[s] Satellite[s] Montserrat T.V., audio and all satellites listed data receive-only in Attachment 1 Netherlands T.V. receive-only Galaxy I, Satcom III-R Antilles and IV, Westar IV and V and Comstar D-4 Turks & Caicos T.V., audio and all satellites listed data receive-only in Attachment 1 Venezuela T.V. receive-only all satellites listed data receive-only in Attachment 1 Notes 1) All of the satellites listed in Attachment 1 may be used to any INTELSAT or non- INTELSAT location even if the satellites have not been specifically consulted for that location. No additional consultation will be required as long as the planned use falls within the original technical and economic parameters previously consulted for that satellite. In addition to the Latin America/Caribbean countries listed in Attachment 2, the initial U.S.-Latin America/Caribbean consultation for transborder services (T.V., audio and data receive-only services) included the following INTELSAT signatories and parties: Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama and Colombia. 2) All Latin American/Caribbean countries that are not members of INTELSAT may use any of the satellites listed in Attachment 1 for the provision of receive-only television, audio, and data services, in addition to international services not interconnected to the public switched network, including two-way private line services and full-time and occasional-use television services. (see BG-94-81). As of AP-15-23 these countries included Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Grenadines, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent. 3) The satellites listed in the far right column of Attachment 2 reflect the results of AP-15- 23. Some of these satellites have been replaced, retired or renamed. Similarly, Attachment 1 does not reflect satellites that may have been replaced, retired, renamed or have failed.