NEWS
	Federal Communications Commission 1919 - M Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20554	News media information 202 / 418-0500 Fax-On-Demand 202 / 418-2830 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov ftp.fcc.gov
	This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).
	Report No. IN 98-7 INTERNATIONAL ACTION February 19, 1998
	COMMISSION PROPOSES CONSOLIDATION AND SIMPLIFICATION OF DBS SERVICE RULES, UPDATE OF DBS TECHNICAL RULES AND SEEKS COMMENT ON DBS OWNERSHIP LIMITATIONS (IB DOCKET 98-21)
	In order to facilitate the licensing of advanced satellite services and to promote competition in the multichannnel video programming delivery (MVPD) market, the Commission has proposed streamlining and consolidating its service rules governing the Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) service. The Commission's proposals are consistent with its goal of regulating services in a common-sense manner that reduces regulatory burdens and facilitates the delivery of new services to consumers. To these ends, the Commission proposes consolidating the DBS service rules, currently located in Part 100, with the rules for the other satellite services, including the Direct-to-Home Fixed-Satellite Service (DTH-FSS) in Part 25. The Commission also proposed updating the technical rules for the DBS service and requested comment on additional actions it could undertake to speed the delivery of DBS service to the states of Alaska and Hawaii as well as to non-continental United States territories and possessions. The Commission is committed to eliminating unnecessary and duplicative regulation of the emerging DBS service and to providing greater consistency in the regulatory regime for all satellite services. Today DBS and DTH-FSS provide multichannel video programming services to about 8 million households. It has been reported that domestic and international demand for DBS service and DTH-FSS is expected to grow substantially in the future, providing increased competition to the cable industry and in the MVPD market generally. The Commission indicated a desire to continue to examine its policies to ensure they are pro- competitive and deregulatory, citing consumer benefits that derive from competition such as more service offerings, better customer service, and downward pressure on prices. As part of the incorporation of the DBS rules into Part 25, the Commission seeks comment on the application of the foreign ownership limitations of Section 310(b) of the Communications Act and Section 100.11 of the Commission's rules to subscription DBS and DTH-FSS service providers. With respect to improving the delivery of service to Alaska and Hawaii, the Commission proposes to maintain the rule requiring all DBS licensees granted authorizations after January 19, 1996 to provide service to Alaska and Hawaii, where technically feasible. The Commission sought comment on a proposal by the State of Hawaii that would require licensees of DBS channels at eastern orbital positions to demonstrate that they have provided service to the states of Alaska and Hawaii before they would be eligible to provide service from any eastern DBS channel assignments beyond their existing assignments. The Commission also sought comment on ways to speed the delivery of DBS service to non- continental United States territories and possessions. Finally, the Commission requested comment on issues related to horizontal concentration in the MVPD market. Comment was sought as to whether any limitations on cable/DBS cross-ownership are warranted, and if so, whether they should be addressed on a case-by-case basis or by a rule of general application. Action by the Commission February 19, 1998, by Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FCC 98-26). Chairman Kennard, Commissioners Ness and Tristani, with Commissioners Furchtgott-Roth and Powell dissenting in part and issuing statements. - FCC - News Media contacts: Rosemary Kimball and Maureen Peratino at (202) 418-0500. International Bureau contacts: Peter Pappas at (212) 418-0746, Chris Murphy at (202) 418-2372, Tom Boasberg at (202) 418-2169 or Doug Webbink at (202) 418-1494. TTY: (202) 418-2555