Press Statement of Chairman William E. Kennard Concerning Direct Access to Intelsat

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Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20554 News media information 202 / 418-0500
Fax-On-Demand 202 / 418-2830
Internet: http://www.fcc.gov
TTY: 202/418-2555

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).

September 15, 1999

Press Statement of Chairman William E. Kennard
Concerning Direct Access to Intelsat

Today we choose competition over closed markets; entrepreneurism over exclusivity; choice over monopoly. In so doing, we are working to deliver to U.S. consumers lower prices for international satellites services, while enabling U.S. companies to compete in the global market on a level playing field with foreign companies that already have direct access to the INTELSAT system.
Although alternatives are rapidly emerging, INTELSAT remains a critical source of international transmission capacity, especially to developing countries. The United States, however, is only now taking advantage of a choice that has for sometime been available to consumers in 94 other countries.
In giving this choice to customers in the United States we have ensured that Comsat will be fairly compensated for those legitimate costs it incurs in its role as the United States Signatory to INTELSAT. We also have taken certain measures to ensure that there will be no competitive distortions resulting from INTELSAT's direct entry into the U.S. market.

- FCC -

	NEWS
	Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20554	News media information 202 / 418-0500 Fax-On-Demand 202 / 418-2830 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov TTY: 202/418-2555
	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).
	September 15, 1999
	Press Statement of Chairman William E. Kennard Concerning Direct Access to Intelsat
	Today we choose competition over closed markets; entrepreneurism over exclusivity; choice over monopoly. In so doing, we are working to deliver to U.S. consumers lower prices for international satellites services, while enabling U.S. companies to compete in the global market on a level playing field with foreign companies that already have direct access to the INTELSAT system. Although alternatives are rapidly emerging, INTELSAT remains a critical source of international transmission capacity, especially to developing countries. The United States, however, is only now taking advantage of a choice that has for sometime been available to consumers in 94 other countries. In giving this choice to customers in the United States we have ensured that Comsat will be fairly compensated for those legitimate costs it incurs in its role as the United States Signatory to INTELSAT. We also have taken certain measures to ensure that there will be no competitive distortions resulting from INTELSAT's direct entry into the U.S. market. - FCC -