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-96                                 August 25, 1997

     MCI TELECOMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND PRIMESTAR LHC, INC. 
          SEEK FCC CONSENT FOR ASSIGNMENT OF LICENSE 
                                
MCI Telecommunications, Inc.               File No. 106-SAT-AL-97

     MCI Telecommunications, Inc. (MCIT) and PRIMESTAR LHC, Inc. have filed an
application for consent to assign MCIT's DBS authorizations to PRIMESTAR LHC, Inc.  The
proposed transaction would enable PRIMESTAR LHC, Inc. to become the holder of the direct
broadcast satellite (DBS) licenses, permits, and other assets of MCIT.  

     MCIT is a wholly-owned subsidiary of MCI Communications, Inc. (MCI).  Concert plc
will become the ultimate parent of MCIT, should the pending application for assignment of MCI
to British Telecommunications (see GN Docket No. 96-245) be approved and consummated. 
PRIMESTAR LHC, Inc. will be a wholly-owned subsidiary of PRIMESTAR, Inc. 
PRIMESTAR, Inc. will be formed by the existing owners of PRIMESTAR Partners L.P. upon
approval and consummation of the pending transfer of control application of TCI Entertainment,
Inc. (see File No. 91-SAT-TC-97, Report No. SPB-90 (July 23, 1997)).  Should the pending
transfer application not be approved and consummated prior to this assignment application,
PRIMESTAR LHC will be owned by PRIMESTAR Partners until consummation of the transfer
application.

     Interested parties may file comments or petitions to deny regarding this application no
later than September 25, 1997.  Reply comments or oppositions to these comments and petitions 
may be filed no later than October 6, 1997.  Replies may be filed no later than October 14,
1997. 

     This application and related filings will be available for public inspection in the
International Reference Center, Room 102, 2000 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20554.

EX PARTE STATUS OF THIS PROCEEDING
     
      For purposes of ex parte communications, the Commission's regulations generally
categorize requests of this type as restricted.  However, under Section 1.1200(a), we will treat
this proceeding as a permit-but-disclose proceeding.  We conclude that such treatment would
best serve the public interest, in light of the broad policy issues and the anticipated heavy volume
of comments this transaction may engender.

                             - over-
     


     Accordingly, ex parte presentations in this proceeding will be governed by the procedures
set forth in Section 1.1206 of the Commission's rules.

                             - FCC -