FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                  NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: 
  November 16, 1999                            Rosemary Kimball at (202) 418-0500
  
  
               FCC AUTHORIZES NEW COMPETITORS
 TO PROVIDE MOBILE SATELLITE SERVICES IN THE UNITED STATES
                              
                              
  Washington, D.C. As part of its on-going effort to increase competition in
  satellite telecommunications, the Federal Communications Commission granted two
  additional satellite companies, TMI Communications and Company, L.P. ("TMI"), a
  Canadian company, and SatCom Systems ("Satcom"), a U.S. company, blanket authority
  to operate mobile earth terminals to provide mobile satellite service ("MSS") in the United
  States using a Canadian-licensed satellite.
  
  The Canadian satellite, MSAT-1, is a geostationary satellite that operates on
  portions of the L-band at the 106.5 degrees W.L. orbital location.  TMI and SatCom
  propose to provide a variety of data and voice services, such as dispatch services, asset
  tracking, and voice service to remote areas.  
  
  TMI and SatCom are authorized to communicate with the MSAT-1 satellite using
  spectrum coordinated for use by the Canadian L-band operator, TMI. The Commission
  indicated that the U.S. administration would continue to advocate the assignment of
  additional spectrum for AMSC Subsidiary Corporation, the U.S. L-band operator, in the
  coordination process.   
     
  The Commission found that grant of the earth station applications was consistent
  with the market access policies and procedures established in the Commission's DISCO II
  Order, which implemented the U.S. satellite commitments under the World Trade
  Organization Agreement on Basic Telecommunications Services.  The Commission also
  adopted conditions to the earth station authorizations to address law enforcement and
  national security concerns, in response to a request from the Department of Justice and
  Federal Bureau of Investigation.  
  
  Action by the Commission November 12, 1999, by Order and Authorization (FCC
  99-344).  Chairman Kennard and Commissioners Ness, Furchtgott-Roth, Powell and
  Tristani, with Commissioner Furchtgott-Roth issuing a separate statement.
  
  International Bureau contacts:   Peter Pappas (202) 418-0746 and Jennifer Gilsenan at
  (202) 418-0757; TTY:  (202) 418-2555  
                              
                              
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