PUBLIC NOTICE
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
1919 M STREET N.W.
WASHINGTON, DC  20554                                    
___________________________________________________
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              News media Information  202/418-0500.    Recorded listing of releases and texts 202/418-2222.   



REPORT NO. DS-1864          INTERNATIONAL ACTION                     JULY 29, 1998

         FCC GRANTS 16 EARTH STATION LICENSES 
       FOR FOREIGN-LICENSED SATELLITE SYSTEMS
  TO OPERATE IN THE UNITED STATES UNDER  
                NEW RULES IMPLEMENTING 1997 WTO AGREEMENT 

     On July 24, 1998, the Federal Communications Commission granted 16 licenses for
earth stations that will enable foreign-licensed satellite systems to serve the United States. 
These licenses were issued under the Commission's revised foreign entry rules adopted last
November in order to give effect to the United States' commitments under the World Trade
Organization Agreement on Basic Telecommunications Services (WTO Agreement).

         The 1997 WTO Agreement, which took effect in February, reflects the commitment of
the United States and 71 other signatories to significantly increase competition in the global
market for telecommunications services, including satellite services.

     The signatories to the WTO Agreement account for over 90 percent of the world-wide
revenues in telecommunications services.  By opening these markets, the WTO Agreement
will allow new entrants to deploy innovative, cost-effective technologies and advance the
development of new services, such as satellite services, around the globe.

     "These licenses are a tangible example of the new competitive arena for global
telecommunications, and of the FCC's commitment to ensuring that U.S. consumers have the
opportunity to choose among competing providers of satellite and other telecommunications
services.  We look forward to reviewing the applications of many more potential licensees in
the near future," stated Regina M. Keeney, Chief of the FCC's International Bureau.

     These earth station licenses were granted under the Commission's new open entry
standards implementing the WTO Agreement.  As a result, various entities, including
Williams Communications, EDS Spectrum Corporation, and MFS International, have been
authorized to use satellite systems licensed in countries such as Mexico and Canada to
provide fixed satellite services in the United States and between the United States and foreign
destinations.  These operations will commence later this year.
    






     The Commission also continues to encourage foreign countries to implement their
WTO commitments and to adopt pro-competitive regulatory policies. The International Bureau
has held a series of telecommunications workshops for international regulators from a range
of countries. The workshops are designed to facilitate dialogue and the sharing of information
between regulatory authorities, with the goal of fostering development of pro-competitive
regulatory policies in markets throughout the world.  
                                     
                                 - FCC -


News Media contact: Rosemary Kimball at (202) 418-0500.
International Bureau contacts: Linda Haller at (202) 418-0760; Sylvia Lam at (202) 418-0742.



    




















                                    
                                    
                                    
                                    
                                    
                                    
                                    
                                    



REPORT NO. DS-1864   JULY 29, 1998



THE COMMISSION,      by its International Bureau, took the following actions pursuant to
      delegated authority.  The effective dates of the actions are July 24, 1998.
      


SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES:
     
796-DSE-P/L-98  E980198     DIRECT-TO-PHONE INTERNATIONAL
6.1-meter C-band transmit/receive earth station to provide digital voice and data services via
the SOLIDARIDAD F2 satellite at 113 degrees W.L. for communications between the U.S.
and Mexico, on a common carrier basis.

781-DSE-MP/L-98 KB26  PACAMTEL, L.L.C.
"International Mod" to add SOLIDARIDAD F1 at 109.2  and F2 at 113 degrees W.L.,
MORELOS 2 at 116.8 degrees W.L., ANIK E1 at 111.1 and E2 at 107.3 degrees W.L.  for
communication between the U.S. and foreign countries listed in the underlying application.

618-DSE-P/L-98  E980153     SPECTRUM SATELLITE, INC.
One 13-meter and two 7.2-meter C-band earth stations to provide analog and digitial video,
teleconference voice and video, computer data, and Internet services via ALSAT, INTELSAT
(for international service only),  ANIK E1 at 111.1 and E2 at 107.3 degrees W.L.,
MORELOS 2 at 116.8 degrees W.L. and  SOLIDARIDAD F1 at 109.2  and F2 at 113
degrees W.L..

682-DSE-MP/L-98 E900015     WILLIAMS COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
"Mod" for Ku-band Hub station to communicate between the U.S. and Canada via ANIK E1
at 111.1 and E2 at 107.3 degrees W.L. satellites, and between the U.S. and Mexico via
MORELOS 2 at 116.8 degrees W.L. and  SOLIDARIDAD F1 at 109.2  and F2 at 113
degrees W.L. satellites, to add and replace transmitting equipment.

530-DSE-MP/L-98 E940526     FORD COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
"Mod and Amendment" to add ANIK E1 at 111.1 degrees W.L. and  SOLIDARIDAD F1 at
109.2 degrees W.L. satellites as point of communications.

684-DSE-MP/L-98 E870823     WILLIAMS COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
"Mod" for Ku-band transmit/receive to communicate between the U.S. and Canada via ANIK
E1 at 111.1 and E2 at 107.3 degrees W.L. satellites, and between the U.S. and Mexico via 
MORELOS 2 at 116.8 degrees W.L. and  SOLIDARIDAD F1 at 109.2  and F2 at 113
degrees W.L. satellites, to add and replace transmitting equipment.





REPORT NO. DS-1864    JULY 29, 1998


718-DSE-P/L-98  E980173     TURNER BROADCASTING SYSTEM, INC.
9.1-meter C-band transmit/receive earth station to provide analog and digital video services
via ALSAT, between the U.S. and Canada via ANIK E1 at 111.1 and E2 at 107.3 degrees
W.L. satellites, and between the U.S. and Mexico via MORELOS 2 at 116.8 degrees W.L.
and  SOLIDARIDAD F1 at 109.2  and F2 at 113 degrees W.L. satellites, on a non-common
carrier basis.

595-DSE-P/L-98  E980201     DALLAS FORT WORTH TELEPORT II, LTD.
6.1-meter antenna to provide analog video with associated audio service via ANIK E1 at
111.1 and E2 at 107.3 degrees W.L. satellites, and between the U.S. and Mexico via
MORELOS 2 at 116.8 degrees W.L. and  SOLIDARIDAD F1 at 109.2  and F2 at 113
degrees W.L. satellites on a non-common carrier basis.

694-DSE-MP/L-98 E910367     WILLIAMS COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
"Mod" for C-band transmit/receive earth station to communicate between the U.S. and
Mexico via MORELOS 2 at 116.8 degrees W.L. and  SOLIDARIDAD F1 at 109.2  and F2 at
113 degrees W.L. satellites on a common carrier basis.

596-DSE-P/L-98  E980146     MEDLEY INTERNATIONAL TELEPORT, INC.
9.3-meter C-band transmit/receive earth station to provide digital data services via
PANAMSAT 1, and 2R, SOLIDARIDAD F1 at 109.2  and F2 at 113 degrees W.L. satellites
on a non-common carrier basis.

619-DSE-P/L-98  E980154     SPECTRUM SATELLITE, INC.
9.1-meter C-band transmit/receive earth station to provide analog television, teleconference
voice and video, computer data, and Internet services via ALSAT, INTELSAT (for
international service only), ANIK E1 at 111.1 and E2 at 107.3 degrees W.L. satellites, and
between the U.S. and Mexico via MORELOS 2 at 116.8 degrees W.L. and  SOLIDARIDAD
F1 at 109.2  and F2 at 113 degrees W.L. satellites on a non-common carrier basis.

606-DSE-MP/L-98 E873929     E.D.S. SPECTRUM CORPORATION
"International and Domestic Mod" to add MORELOS 2 at 116.8 degrees W.L.,
 SOLIDARIDAD F1 at 109.2  and F2 at 113 degrees W.L. satellites for communications
between the U.S. and Mexico, and to add emission designator.

328-DSE-P/L-98  E980091     MFS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
4.1-meter C-band transmit/receive earth station to provide analog TV, analog voice, and
digital data services via ALAST, ANIK E1 at 111.1 and E2 at 107.3 degrees W.L. satellites,
and SOLIDARIDAD F1 at 109.2  and F2 at 113 degrees W.L. satellites.






REPORT NO. DS-1864    JULY 29, 1998


538-DSE-P/L-98  E980132     MFS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
13.1-meter C-band transmit/receive earth station to provide analog TV, analog voice, and
digital data services via ALAST, ANIK E1 at 111.1 and E2 at 107.3 degrees W.L. satellites,
and SOLIDARIDAD F1 at 109.2  and F2 at 113 degrees W.L. satellites.

501-DSE-P/L-98  E980127     ECHOSTAR NORTH AMERICA CORP.
9-meter Ku-band transmit/receive earth station to provide analog TV, digital TV, IBS, and
digital data services via ALSAT, INTELSAT (for international service only), ANIK E1 at
111.1 and E2 at 107.3 degrees W.L. satellites, and SOLIDARIDAD F1 at 109.2  and F2 at
113 degrees W.L. satellites on a non-common carrier basis.
 
502-DSE-P/L-98  E980128     ECHOSTAR NORTH AMERICA CORP.
9-meter Ku-band transmit/receive earth station to provide analog TV, digital TV, IBS, and
digital data services via ALSAT, INTELSAT (for international service only), ANIK E1 at
111.1 and E2 at 107.3 degrees W.L. satellites, and SOLIDARIDAD F1 at 109.2  and F2 at
113 degrees W.L. satellites on a non-common carrier basis.