[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 72 (Tuesday, April 15, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 18308-18309]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-9627]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Part 25

[DA 97-683]


Domestic and International Satellite Consolidation

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Proposed rule; roundtable discussion.

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SUMMARY: The International Bureau, Satellite and Radiocommunication 
Division announces that it will host a roundtable discussion to solicit 
views on rules and policies for entry of foreign-licensed satellites in 
the U.S. market, as proposed by the Commission in the Domestic and 
International Satellite Consolidation Order (DISCO II). Comments 
offered in the roundtable discussion will assist the Commission in 
assessing the impact of the recent

[[Page 18309]]

agreement on basic telecommunications services in the World Trade 
Organization (WTO) on proposals made in the DISCO II proceeding.

DATES: The roundtable discussion will be held on April 18, 1997, at 
1:30-3:30 p.m.

ADDRESSES: The roundtable discussion will be held in the Commission 
Meeting Room, Room 856, 1919 M Street, NW., Washington, DC 20054.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne Hutchings, Attorney, (tel: 
202-418-0762, fax: 202-418-0765), and James Taylor, Attorney, (tel: 
202-418-2113, fax: 202-418-7270), Satellite and Radiocommunication 
Division, International Bureau, Suite 500, 2000 M Street N.W., 
Washington, D.C. 20554.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The International Bureau, Satellite and 
Radiocommunication Division, will host a roundtable discussion on April 
18, 1997, at 1:30-3:30 p.m. in the Commission Meeting Room, Room 856, 
1919 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20054, to solicit views on rules 
and policies for entry of foreign-licensed satellites in the U.S. 
market, as proposed by the Commission in the DISCO II (61 FR 32399, 
June 24, 1996). Comments offered in the roundtable discussion will 
assist the Commission in assessing the impact of the recent agreement 
on basic telecommunications services in the World Trade Organization 
(WTO) on proposals made in the DISCO II proceeding.
    One of the principal aims of the DISCO II proceeding was to 
encourage foreign governments to open their communications markets. As 
a result of the recent WTO Agreement, nearly 80% of countries making 
offers on basic telecommunications have committed to a complete opening 
of their satellite markets effective January 1998 or on a phased-in 
basis. Additional participants have committed to at least partial 
opening of their satellite markets, and the United States Trade 
Representative continues to urge countries to improve on their offers 
on basic telecommunications.
    We seek to assess the impact, if any, of these developments on the 
Commission's stated goals in DISCO II, and on whether proposed DISCO II 
rules and policies should be revised to reflect these developments. 
Specifically, we ask the industry and the general public their views on 
whether and how the ECO-Sat and public interest criteria for evaluating 
applications to access non-U.S.-licensed satellites should change in 
light of the WTO Agreement.

    <bullet> Should our consideration of additional public interest 
factors, including the promotion of competition in the United 
States, be modified or expanded?
    <bullet> How should the proposed ECO-Sat test be modified with 
respect to satellites licensed by WTO members, including systems 
that have investment by non-WTO members?
    <bullet> Should the proposed ECO-Sat test and public interest 
factors be modified with respect to satellites licensed by non-WTO 
members? If so, what specific criteria should be applied?
    <bullet> Should the proposed ECO-Sat test and public interest 
factors be modified with respect to satellite services not covered 
by the U.S. WTO offer on basic telecommunications, i.e. DTH, DBS, 
and DARS? If so, what specific criteria should be applied?

    Members of industry and the public who wish to comment in writing 
should submit their views sufficiently in advance of the roundtable 
meeting so as to enable all participants to review them. A public file 
has been set up in the International Bureau's Reference Room on the 
First Floor of 2000 M Street, N.W. for the written submissions provided 
during this inquiry. The address for all correspondence: Office of the 
International Bureau Chief, Satellite Policy Branch, Suite 800, 2000 M 
Street, N.W., Stop Code 0800, Washington, D.C. 20554.
    Persons with other business currently before the Commission are 
asked to ensure that comments offered do not violate any restrictions 
on ex parte presentations.

Federal Communications Commission.
William F. Caton,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 97-9627 Filed 4-14-97; 8:45 am]
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