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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:             News Media Contact:
December 14, 2000                       Rosemary Kimball at (202) 418-0511
     

                                
      COMMISSION UPHOLDS ITS DECISION TO LICENSE INTELSAT

Washington, D.C. - - The Commission has denied petitions filed by PanAmSat
Corporation and GE Americom seeking reconsideration of its August 8, 2000 decision (FCC 00-
287) authorizing INTELSAT as a U.S. licensee upon its privatization in 2001.  That decision
granted INTELSAT full access to the U.S. market providing that it privatizes in a manner
consistent with U.S. law.  INTELSAT has since accepted the FCC licenses.

In denying reconsideration, the Commission rejected challenges to aspects of its August 8
decision that granted INTELSAT waivers of its technical rules and authorized it to operate
existing and planned satellites at those current INTELSAT orbital locations that will be
transferred to the United States.  The Commission also affirmed its previous determination not to
now impose dominant carrier regulation on INTELSAT, and, it rejected PanAmSat's claim that
its August 8 decision authorizes direct-to-home services in violation of the ORBIT Act.  It
further decided that specific allegations that INTELSAT is now providing DTH in violation of
the Act is more appropriately considered in the context of the later review of INTELSAT's
privatization plans that the Commission must undertake under the ORBIT Act, and,
independently under the Commission's earth station licensing authority.

Action by the Commission, December 12, 2000, by Order on Reconsideration (FCC 00-
437).  Chairman Kennard, Commissioners Ness, Furchtgott-Roth, Powell, and Tristani.

For further information, contact James Ball, Office of the Bureau Chief, International Bureau
(202-418-0427); Michael McCoin, Satellite and Radiocommunications Division (202-418-0774)


                           -  FCC  -