[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 13 (Thursday, January 20, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-1331]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: January 20, 1994]
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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
[FCC 93-536; File No. ISP-93-010]
Permissible Services of U.S.-Licensed International
Communications Satellite Systems Separate From the International
Telecommunications Satellite Organization (INTELSAT)
AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Commission has further modified its separate satellite
systems policy by permitting the interconnection to the public
switched network of up to 1,250 64-kbps equivalent circuits per
satellite provided over international separate satellite systems
for the provision of public switched service.
EFFECTIVE DATE: January 20, 1994.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
John M. Coles, Attorney, Common Carrier Bureau, (202) 632-7265.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
In the Matter of Permissible Services of U.S.-Licensed
International Communications Satellite Systems Separate from the
International Telecommunications Satellite Organization (INTELSAT).
Order
Adopted: December 6, 1993; Released: January 6, 1994.
By the Commission: Chairman Hundt not participating.
1. The Commission is hereby implementing additional changes in the
scope of permissible operations of international separate satellite
systems. Our action herein is in response to actions taken by INTELSAT
and the Executive Branch in further expanding the scope of operation of
international separate satellite systems.
2. At is meeting held November 3-6, 1992, the INTELSAT Assembly of
Parties determined that the provision of switched services upon to the
level of 1,250 64-kbps equivalent circuits per satellite over separate
international satellite systems would not cause significant economic
harm to the INTELSAT system. Consistent with INTELSAT's actions, the
Executive Branch has further modified the separate satellite systems
policy. In a letter dated January 8, 1993, the Executive Branch
notified the Commission that it had modified some of the criteria
articulated in the November 27, 1991 letter which set forth the scope
of permissible services that could then be provided over separate
systems (including 100 64-kbps equivalent circuits per satellite
system) and further modified the Separate Systems policy to permit the
provision of private line circuits interconnected to the public
switched network (PSN).\1\ The Executive Branch has now determined that
interconnection of international separate satellite systems to the PSN
at a level up to 1,250 64-kbps equivalent circuits per satellite for
the provision of public switched services is consistent with U.S.
telecommunications and foreign policy interests.\2\ In light of these
circumstances, we find that permitting U.S. separate satellite systems
to provide up to 1,250 64-kbps equivalent circuits per satellite
interconnected with the PSN for the provision of public switched
services will serve the public interest.
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\1\Letter dated January 8, 1993 from Bradley P. Holmes, United
States Coordinator for International Communications and Information
Policy, Department of State and Gregory L. Chapados, Assistant
Secretary for Communications and Information, Department of Commerce
to FCC Chairman Alfred C. Sikes which references the November 27,
1991 letter from James Baker, Secretary of State and Robert
Mosbacher, Secretary of Commerce to FCC Chairman Alfred Sikes. See
Permissible Services of U.S. Licensed International Communications
Satellite Systems Separate from the International Telecommunications
Satellite Organization (INTELSAT), 7 FCC Rcd 2313 (1992), recon
dismissed, 8 FCC Rcd 5122 (1993) (Separate Systems Modification
order), which implemented the criteria set forth in the Executive
Branch's November 27, 1991 letter.
\2\Prior to this modification, international separate satellite
systems could provide up to 100 64-kbps equivalent circuits per
system. See letter dated December 14, 1990 from Thomas J. Murrin,
Deputy Secretary of Commerce and Lawrence S. Eagleburger, Deputy
Secretary of State to FCC Chairman Alfred C. Sikes.
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3. Accordingly, It is ordered That, effective upon publication in
the Federal Register,\3\ U.S. separate satellite systems may now
provide up to 1,250 64-kbps equivalent circuits per satellite for the
provision of public switched services.\4\
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\3\See 5 U.S.C. 553 (a)(1) (exempting foreign affairs matters)
and 5 U.S.C. 553 (d)(1) (a rule relieving a restriction not subject
to 30-day effective date requirement).
\4\In light of the foreign policy objectives underlying the
establishment of international separate satellite systems, as
reflected in the January 8 letter, modification of the level of
switched circuits that can be provided via a separate satellite
system from the current 100 64-kbps equivalent circuits per system
to 1,250 64-kbps equivalent circuits per satellite can be effected
without notice and comment. See 5 U.S.C. 553 (a)(1).
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4. It is further ordered That authority is delegated to the Chief,
Common Carrier Bureau to implement the change to 1,250 64-kbps
equivalent circuits per satellite, as well as future changes in the
number circuits that may be interconnected with the PSN, subject to
satisfaction of U.S. obligations under the INTELSAT Agreement.
Federal Communications Commission.
William F. Caton,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 94-1331 Filed 1-19-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-M
