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Report No. SPB-45                                               May 7, 1996

                     INTERNATIONAL SATELLITE SERVICES
                           (IB Docket No. 95-41)

The International Bureau has been advised by the broadcast networks that
access to foreign markets might be easier if a one-page official summary of the
Commission's DISCO Order (Amendment to the Commission's Regulatory
Policies Governing Domestic Fixed Satellites and Separate International Satellite
Systems, 11 F.C.C. Rcd. 2429 (1996)) were available for review by other
governments.  One important goal of the DISCO Order was to encourage
access to foreign markets.  Accordingly, we release this summary of the DISCO
Order.  It does not, and of course cannot, vary or alter the terms of the Order
itself.

In DISCO, the Commission adopted a policy which permits all U.S.-licensed
satellites to offer both domestic and international service.  In particular, the
Commission eliminated the Transborder Policy, which generally prohibited
U.S. domestic satellite operators from providing international service to non-
U.S. locations within the footprint of their satellites except when specifically
authorized by the Commission.  The Commission also modified its Separate
Systems Policy, which in the past generally prohibited U.S.-licensed satellite
systems separate from Intelsat from providing domestic service, and
announced that in the future all U.S.-licensed satellite systems would be
regulated under the Separate Systems Policy.

As a result of DISCO, U.S. satellite operators and earth station licensees are
no longer required to obtain separate transborder authorization from the
Commission each time they have a requirement for a transborder
transmission to or from the United States.  Operators and licensees are still
required to complete, on a one-time-only basis, Intelsat Article XIV(d)
consultation.

In sum, the FCC will no longer require or issue separate authorizations for
transborder transmissions using U.S.-licensed satellites.  This change in policy
will be particularly helpful to companies such as the U.S. television networks
in facilitating on-the-spot coverage of news and special events, because the
FCC no longer requires separate authorization for transborder transmissions
on a case-by-case basis.

                                  - FCC -