PUBLIC NOTICE Federal Communications Commission 1919 M St., N.W. Washington, D.C. 20554 D A 98-490 M arch 11, 1998 I NTERNATIONAL BUREAU SEEKS COMMENT ON PETITION FOR D ECLARATORY RULING FILED BY STRATOS MOBILE NETWORKS (USA), LLC A ND I DB MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS, INC. F ile No. ISP-98-003 On February 23, 1998, Stratos Mobile Networks (USA), LLC (Stratos USA) and IDB Mobile Communications, Inc. (IDB Mobile) filed a Petition for Declaratory Ruling with respect to two issues: 1. Whether it is in the U.S. public interest to permit U.S. carriers to purchase space segment for U.S.-originated fixed-to-mobile services from Inmarsat Signatories other than COMSAT Corporation (COMSAT); and 2. Whether the International Maritime Satellite Telecommunications Act of 1978, 47 U.S.C.  751-757, prohibits U.S. carriers from acquiring Inmarsat space segment capacity for U.S.-originated fixed-to-mobile services from Signatories other than COMSAT. Interested parties may file comments regarding this petition no later than April 10, 1998. Reply comments may be filed no later than April 27, 1998. All filings should refer to ISP-98-003. In accordance with Section 1.51(c) of the Commission's Rules, an original and four copies of all pleadings must be filed with the Secretary, FCC, 1919 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20554. In addition, a copy of each pleading must be filed with: (1) International Transcription Services, Inc. (ITS, Inc.), the Commission's duplicating contractor, at its office at 1231 20th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036; and (2) the International Reference Room, International Bureau, Room 102, 2000 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20554. For further information, contact Joanna Lowry, Telecommunications Division, International Bureau, (202) 418-1470.