NEWSIN 97-12                         INTERNATIONAL ACTION          May 9, 1997

INTERNATIONAL BUREAU GRANTS LICENSES 
                 FOR  73 NEW KA-BAND SATELLITES 

       Today the International Bureau issued separate Orders that grant licenses to thirteen
companies for 73 satellites that will provide geostationary-orbit fixed satellite services in the
Ka-band (or "28 GHz" band). The Bureau also issued an orbital assignment plan for these
satellites.  These licenses will allow satellite companies to provide consumers with the "next
generation" of exciting new satellite communications services that will deliver television,
telephone and other data services.

       The International Bureau took the first step to providing these new types of satellite
services in a September 1995 Public Notice that called for satellite applications in the Ka-
band.  The Commission set aside a portion of the airwaves in the 28 GHz band for these
types of systems in a July 1996 Report and Order.  In February 1997, the satellite industry
completed an agreement on an assignment plan for orbit locations for these satellites. Today,
the International Bureau takes the next step in adopting the industry orbital assignment plan
and issuing licenses.

       In addition to core satellite voice, data, and video offerings, Ka-band licenses will
provide many low-cost, global broadband interactive services such as:

       - Desktop-to-desktop videoconferencing       - Internet Access
       - Electronic messaging & Facsimile           - Telemedicine
       - Direct-to-home video                - Electronic transaction processing
       - Distance learning and corporate training   - Satellite news gathering
       
       The thirteen companies that received assigned orbital locations and licenses are:  
Comm, Inc. (Motorola), EchoStar Satellite Corporation, Ka-Star Satellite Communications
Corporation, Hughes Communications Galaxy Inc., GE American Communications Inc.,
Morning Star Satellite Corporation, NetSat 28 Company L.L.C.,  Orion Atlantic L.P., Orion
Network Systems Incorporated, PanAmSat Licensee Corporation, Lockeed Martin
Corporation, Loral Space and Communications Limited, and VisionStar Inc.
      
                                 - FCC -

               News Media contact:  Meribeth McCarrick at (202) 418-0256.
               International Bureau contact: Jennifer Gilsenan at (202) 418-0757.