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                           Before the
               FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
                    Washington, D.C.  20554

In re Application of                         )    
                              )
DIRECTV, Inc.                 )     File No. SAT-STA-19990630-00073
                              )     
Request for Special Temporary Authority      )
To Operate the DBS-1R Direct Broadcast       )
Satellite at 82ø W.L. for an                 )
Eight-Week Period                   )
                              )
                                 

                    ORDER AND AUTHORIZATION

Adopted:  October 5, 1999                         Released:  October 7, 1999

By the Deputy Chief, Satellite and Radiocommunication Division:

     1.   DIRECTV, Inc. ("DIRECTV") a wholly owned subsidiary of DIRECTV
Enterprises, Inc., requests Special Temporary Authority to perform in-orbit testing of the DBS-
1R Direct Broadcast Satellite at the 82ø W.L. orbit location.  By this Order, we grant
DIRECTV's request for a sixty-day period, subject to certain conditions.

     2.  On August 2, 1999, we granted DIRECTV authority to launch and operate DBS-1R at
101ø W.L. The satellite is scheduled for launch later this month.  DIRECTV states that it chose
the 82ø W.L..  The satellite location for the in-orbit testing based on an interference analysis it
conducted regarding its existing services provided by DBS-1, DBS-2, and DBS-2A.  In addition,
it considered the time necessary for repositioning the satellite to 101.2ø W.L. after in-orbit testing
and the potential for interference with communications and satellite control transmissions of other
satellites during both in-orbit and repositioning to the 101.2ø W.L. orbital location.  DIRECTV
represents that this action will not interfere with the activities of other satellites in the vicinity. 
Furthermore, DIRECTV argues that in-orbit testing is necessary to ensure that DBS-1R will
function as planned and explains that the satellite will provide a competitive alternative to cable in
the multi-channel video programming distribution ("MVPD") market.


     3.   The 82ø W.L. orbital location is currently vacant but is assigned to Canada under
the International Telecommunication Union ("ITU") Region 2 broadcasting-satellite service
("BSS") Plan.  We have received a letter from Industry Canada stating that DIRECTV's proposed testing at the 82ø W.L. orbital location is acceptable to
the Canadian Administration, subject to certain conditions.  We have taken into account Industry Canada's proposed conditions in this STA.  We note that Telesat
Canada is operating a BSS satellite at the 91ø W.L. orbital location.  DIRECTV contends and Industry Canada concurs that DIRECTV's proposed testing should
not cause unacceptable interference to Telesat Canada's operations at 91ø W.L.  The potential for interference to operational satellites is neglible.    In any case, we
will require DIRECTV to conduct in-orbit testing of the DBS-1R satellite on a non-interference basis.

     5.   Accordingly, pursuant to 47 C.F.R.  0.261 of the Commission's rules,  DIRECTV's request for special temporary authority (File No.
SAT-STA-19990630-0007), IS GRANTED to conduct in-orbit testing of the DBS-1R Direct Broadcast Satellite at the 82ø W.L. orbital location for an eight-week
period, consistent with the terms and specifications set forth in its application subject to the following conditions:

                         (a)  that no harmful interference shall be caused to any lawfully operating radiocommunication systems and operations shall cease
               immediately upon notification of such harmful interference;

                         (b)  this authorization is subject to change in any of its terms or cancellation in its entirety at any time upon reasonable notice, but
               without hearing, if in the opinion of the Commission, circumstances should require;

                         (c)  this temporary authority shall commence on the date DIRECTV notifies the Commission that the DBS-1R satellite has been
               reached the 82ø W.L. orbital location and that testing has begun, and will terminate 60 days from that date;

                         (d)  this temporary authority is only for testing purposes and shall not be used for provision of commercial service;

                         (e)  DIRECTV will inform Telesat Satellite Network Operations Centre (SNOC) at 1-800-265-3074 when tests begin and provide
               a 24 hour contact for SNOC;

                         (f)  any extension of this authorization must be requested and approved in writing.

               
                    FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION



                    Cassandra C. Thomas
                    Deputy Chief, Satellite and Radiocommunication Division,
                    International Bureau