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                                                  Report No. SPB-136                                August 25, 1998



                       INTERNATIONAL BUREAU
              SATELLITE POLICY BRANCH INFORMATION:
                                

In the Matter of the Applications of SatCom Systems, Inc. and TMI Communications and Company,
L.P. For Blanket Authorization to operate mobile satellite earth terminals (METS) through
Canadian-licensed satellite MSAT-1 at 106.5 degrees W.L. in frequency bands 1631.5-1660.5 MHz
(transmit) and 1530-1559 MHz (receive) throughout the Continental United States, United States
                territories, Alaska, and Hawaii

On March 10, 1998, SatCom Systems, Inc. applied for authority to provide mobile-satellite service
("MSS")  in the United States in the "L-band" frequencies via the Canadian-licensed MSAT-1 satellite
operated by TMI Communications and Company, Limited Partnership ("TMI") (File No. 647-DSE-P/L-
98).  On March 20, 1998, TMI also applied for authority to provide MSS in the United States via MSAT-1
(File No. 730-DSE-P/L-98, Public Notice,  Report No. DS-1834 (April 22, 1998)).  Oppositions to both
applications have been filed.  In addition, on July 30, 1998, AMSC Subsidiary Corporation ("AMSC"), 
which operates the U.S. licensed MSS system in the L-band, filed a motion for stay and application for
review of the International Bureau's July 20, 1998 order granting SatCom special temporary authority
("STA")  to conduct a commercial trial of its proposed mobile-satellite service.

The Satcom and TMI applications are adjudicative licensing proceedings, and are generally restricted under
the Commission's ex parte rules.  See 47 C.F.R.  11202(d)  and 1.1208.  On July 15, 1998, AMSC filed
a motion requesting the Bureau to modify the ex parte status of the TMI proceeding from "restricted" to
"permit but disclose."  On July 16, 1998, AMSC filed a motion requesting that the status of the SatCom
proceeding, to extent that it involves overlapping issues with the TMI proceeding, be similarly modified. 
Both TMI and SatCom filed oppositions to AMSC's motion, asserting that derestricting the proceedings
will only serve to delay the Commission licensing process.

We find that SatCom and TMI applications raise novel and complex technical and policy issues  regarding
application of the Commission's DISCO II standards governing entry of foreign satellites into the U.S.
market, particularly with respect to spectrum availability issues.  Moreover, many of the legal, technical,
and policy issues in both applications, as well as in the contested grant of SatCom's STA are interrelated. 
Consequently, in order to assist the Commission in developing a complete record on which a well-reasoned
decision can be made, the ex parte procedures for these filings are hereby modified.  The filings shall be
treated on a non-restricted, permit-but-disclose basis.  47 C.F.R  1.1200(a), 1.1206 and 1.1208, Note 2.

Accordingly, effective August 7, 1998, ex parte presentations relating to these proceedings are subject to
the disclosure requirements set forth in Section 1.1206 of the Commission's rules.  47 C.F.R.  1.1206. 
The file numbers of the adjudicative proceedings are as follows:

          In the Matter of the Application of TMI Communications and Company, L.P. For Blanket
     Authorization to operate up to 10,000 METS File No. 730-DSE-P/L/-98.

          In the Matter of the Application of SatCom Systems, Inc. For Blanket Authorization to
     operate up to 25,000 METS, File No. 647-DSE-P/L/-98.

          In the Matter of the Application of SatCom Systems, Inc. for Special Temporary
     Authority to Provide MSS through the Canadian-licensed MSAT-1 Satellite, File No.
     1217-SSA-98.

This action is taken pursuant to authority found in Sections 4(i)  and 303 of the Communications Act of
1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C.  154(i) and 303;  and pursuant to Sections 0.51, 0.261, and 1.1200(a)  of
the Commission's rules.  See 47 C.F.R.  0.51, 02.61 and 1.1200(a).  For further information contact
Carrie Mann in the International Bureau at (202) 418-1771.

By the Chief, International Bureau.