PUBLIC NOTICE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 1919 M STREET N.W. WASHINGTON, DC 20554 ___________________________________________________ News media Information 202/418-0500 Recorded listing of releases and texts 202/418-2222. Report No. SPB-114 January 15, 1998 SATELLITE POLICY BRANCH INFORMATION Satellite Applications Accepted for Filing The applications listed below have been found, upon initial review, to be acceptable for filing. The Commission reserves the right to return any of the applications if, upon further examination, it is determined the application is not in conformance with the Commission's Rules or its policies. Petitions, oppositions and other pleadings filed in response to this notice should conform to Section 25.154 of the Commission's rules, unless otherwise noted. 47 C.F.R.  25.154. PanAmSat Corporation File No. 63-SAT-ITC-98 PanAmSat Corporation has filed an application seeking an extension of interim authority to continue to use the capacity on the C-band Brasilsat A1 fixed-satellite communications satellite, at 79ø W.L., to alleviate the shortage of C-band capacity in the United States. (See Hughes Communications Galaxy, Inc., File No. 152-SAT-ITC-95, 11 FCC Rcd 17444 (1996).) GE American Communications, Inc. File No. 65-SAT-P/LA-98 GE American Communications, Inc. has filed an application to launch and operate a hybrid satellite, designated GE-4, as a replacement for the Satcom SN-4 satellite at 101ø W.L. Satcom SN-4 is authorized to operate at 101ø W.L. through April 2001. GE Americom is seeking replacement with authority now due to technical malfunctions in the Ku-band portion of the Satcom SN-4 satellite. GE expects to launch its GE-4 replacement satellite in the third quarter of 1999. The GE-4 satellite is proposed to have twenty-four 36 MHz C-band transponders, twenty-four 36 MHz Ku-band transponders, and six 72 MHz extended Ku-band transponders. Directsat Corporation File No. 66-SAT-MP/ML-98 Direct Broadcasting Satellite Corporation File No. 67-SAT-MP/ML-98 EchoStar DBS Corporation File No. 68-SAT-MP/ML-98 EchoStar Satellite Corporation File No. 69-SAT-MP/ML-98 Directsat Corporation, Direct Broadcasting Satellite Corporation, EchoStar DBS Corporation, and EchoStar Satellite Corporation (referred to collectively as "EchoStar") filed a consolidated request to change the milestones for commencing operations of their DBS satellite systems. Specifically, EchoStar request that: (1) DBSC's 175ø W.L. commencement of operation change from November 1998 to December 2002; (2) Directsat's 175ø W.L. commencement of operation change from August 1999 to December 2002; (3) EchoStar Satellite's completion milestone for its Western satellite be changed from August 1999 to December 2002; and EchoStar DBS's milestone requirement for its 148ø W.L. satellite be changed from December 2002 to November 1998 for 16 channels and remain the same for the other 8 channels. EchoStar Satellite Corporation File No. 70-SAT-MP/ML-98 Directsat Corporation File No. 71-SAT-MP/ML-98 EchoStar DBS Corporation File No. 72-SAT-MP/ML-98 EchoStar Satellite Corporation, Directsat Corporation, and EchoStar DBS Corporation (referred to collectively as "EchoStar") filed an application for minor modifications of its DBS authorizations, launch and operation authority. Specifically, EchoStar seeks authority to replace one of the two 16-transponder satellites currently operating at 119ø W.L. with a new switchable 32/16-transponder satellite due to be launched in March 1998. EchoStar Satellite's satellite currently operating at 119ø W.L. would be relocated to 148ø W.L. and will operate over 16 of the 24 channels assigned to EchoStar DBS. COMSAT Corporation File No. 73-SAT-LA-98 COMSAT Corporation, by its COMSAT Mobile Corporation, has filed an application for authority to participate in the launch, positioning and in-orbit testing of the INMARSAT-3 (F-5) satellite. This satellite is scheduled for launch during the month of January 1998. Comments or petitions on COMSAT's application may be filed on or before January 23, 1998. Responses may be filed on or before January 28, 1998. Informative: TRW Inc. File Nos. 69/70-SAT-ML-97 On January 7, 1998, TRW Inc. withdrew its pending applications for modification of its Above 1 GHz Mobile Satellite Service authorization and its November 14, 1997 letter concerning compliance with its milestones as authorized in TRW Inc., DA 96-1923 (released November 26, 1996). TRW further stated that it would no longer pursue its Odyssey system and that the authorization could be cancelled. See Letter from Counsel, TRW Inc. to Secretary, Federal Communications Commission (January 7, 1998). Alascom, Inc. File No. 22-SAT-ISP-97 Alascom, Inc. withdrew its request for limited waiver in the referenced file number on October 10, 1997. - FCC -