PUBLIC NOTICE
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
445 12th Street, S.W.
WASHINGTON, DC  20554                   DA 99-2129


                             News media Information  202/418-0500
             Recorded listing of releases and texts: 202-418-2222


Report No.  SPB-152                               October 14, 1999

                INTERNATIONAL BUREAU INFORMATION:
        NOTICE OF THE AVAILABILITY IN THE UNITED STATES
        OF LEVEL 3 DIRECT ACCESS TO THE INTELSAT SYSTEM


     On September 16, 1999 the Federal Communications Commission released a Report and Order
in IB Docket No. 98-192 permitting Level 3 direct access to the INTELSAT system in the United States
for international satellite services.  "Direct Access" refers to the means by which users of the
INTELSAT system obtain space segment capacity directly from INTELSAT rather than through an
INTELSAT Signatory.  Comsat Corporation is the U.S. INTELSAT Signatory.  

     Level 3 direct access will be available in the United States on December 6, 1999, the effective
date of the Commission's Report and Order.  At this time, U.S. carriers and users of the INTELSAT system will be able to enter into service
agreements with INTELSAT for ordering, receiving, and paying for services at the same tariff rates that INTELSAT charges its signatories.  

      The Report and Order requires the International Bureau to release a Public Notice inviting  authorized carriers and users desiring to obtain Level 3 direct access to
INTELSAT to so inform the Commission within 21 days of the date of the Public Notice.  The Report and Order further requires Comsat, in its capacity as U.S. Signatory to
INTELSAT, to inform INTELSAT in writing within ten calendar days of receiving information from the International Bureau identifying authorized carriers and users eligible to
receive Level 3 direct access, that these carriers and users may obtain Level 3 direct access.

     The Commission established this notification process to ensure implementation of direct access in the United States consistent with INTELSAT procedures. 
INTELSAT permits direct access only in countries where it is authorized by the Signatory representative.  Signatory authorization may be mandated by appropriate governmental
authorities.  Authorization may be on an individual customer basis or by "blanket authorization", whereby entities within the stated jurisdiction are authorized to directly access
INTELSAT without first having to obtain specific approval from the Signatory.

     This Notice requests eligible carriers and users to notify the Commission of their interest in receiving Level 3 direct access to INTELSAT so that Comsat can inform
INTELSAT that they are authorized to do so pursuant to INTELSAT procedures and in accordance with the Commission's Report and Order.  Eligible carriers and users, not
identified as part of this initial notification may subsequently request of Comsat to add them to the list of named carriers and users eligible for Level 3 direct access.  The
Commission's Report and Order requires Comsat to so inform INTELSAT within 10 days of receiving each such request.

     To receive Level 3 direct access in the United States:  common carriers must have been authorized by the Commission pursuant to Section 214 of the
Communications Act of 1934, 47 U.S.C. 214, to provide international telecommunications services; earth station operators must have been licensed to operate with INTELSAT
satellites under Title III of the Communications Act, 47 U.S.C. 301 et. seq.; and, non-common carrier users must access INTELSAT satellites through earth stations licensed by the
Commission to operate with INTELSAT.  Applications for Section 214 authorizations and Title III earth station licenses must be separately filed pursuant to Parts 63 and 25 of the
Commission's rules, respectively.

     As provided in the Commission's Report and Order, common carriers and users obtaining  Level 3 direct access from INTELSAT must pay Comsat the surcharge
applicable to the services obtained from INTELSAT that is specified in a tariff Comsat may file with the Commission on the effective date of the Report and Order.  In its role as
the U.S. Signatory, Comsat may establish reporting mechanisms with INTELSAT for the limited purpose of assuring that Comsat can identify the appropriate surcharge that U.S.
direct access customers must pay Comsat upon receipt of service from INTELSAT.  Potential direct access customers should consult with INTELSAT regarding INTELSAT
services and tariff rates, as well as service agreements and earth station standards applicable to receiving service on a direct access basis.  Responding to this public notice does not
guarantee potential direct access users availability of INTELSAT satellite capacity.

     Common carriers and users of INTELSAT in the United States seeking to receive Level 3 direct access may so notify the Commission in writing by November 4,
1999,  at the following address:

                  Magalie Roman Salas, Secretary
                Federal Communications Commission
                      445 12th Street, S.W.
                      Washington, D.C. 20554

     All notifications should reference IB Docket No. 98-192 and be directed to the attention of Michael McCoin, International Bureau.

     For more information, contact James L. Ball of the International Bureau at (202)418-0427 or Michael McCoin at (202)418-0774.

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