*Pages 1--2 from Microsoft Word - 12619.doc* PUBLIC NOTICE Federal Communications Commission 445 12th St., S. W. Washington, D. C. 20554 News Media Information 202 / 418- 0500 Fax- On- Demand 202 / 418- 2830 TTY 202 / 418- 2555 Internet: http:// www. fcc. gov ftp. fcc. gov DA 01- 2580 Released: November 5, 2001 NON- STREAMLINED INTERNATIONAL APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED FOR FILING Section 214 Application to Discontinue International Service (47 C. F. R. § 63.19) File No. ITC- MIC- 20011101- 00550 Unless otherwise specified, the following procedures apply to the applications listed below: The application listed below has been found, upon initial review, to be acceptable for filing. This application is not subject to the streamlined processing procedures set forth in Section 63. 12 of the Commission’s rules, 47 C. F. R. § 63.12. This application shall not be deemed granted until the Commission affirmatively acts upon the application. Operation for which authorization is sought may not commence except in accordance with any terms or conditions imposed by the Commission. Interested parties may file comments with respect to this application within 28 days of the date of this public notice, and Applicants may file replies within 7 days thereafter. We request that such comments and replies refer to the application file number shown below. Ex parte communications between outside parties and Commission staff concerning this application are permitted subject to the Commission'’ rules for the "permit- but- disclose proceedings.” See 47, C. F. R. § 1.1206. Copies of the application listed here are available for public inspection in the FCC Office of Public Affairs Reference and Information Center, located in room CY- A257 at the Portals 2 building, 445 12 th Street SW, Washington, DC 20554. The center can be contacted at (202) 418- 0270. The application listed is subject to further consideration and review, and may be returned and/ or dismissed if not found to be in accordance with the Commission’s rules, regulations, and other requirements. ITC- MIC- 20011101- 00550 COMSAT Corporation International Telecommunications Discontinuance Certificate Services: Occasional- Use TV, Occasional- Use IBS and Part- Time IBS Services 1 2 Application by COMSAT Corporation (COMSAT) pursuant to Section 214 of the Communications Act of 1934 as amended, 47 U. S. C. § 214, for authority to discontinue the provision of occasional- use television, occasional- use IBS and part- time IBS services by COMSAT World Systems (“ World Systems”) on routes where World Systems is regulated as dominant, pursuant to the Commission’s decision In the Matter of COMSAT Corporation, 13 FCC Rcd 14083 (1998), in accordance with the provisions of Section 63.19, 63.62, 63.71, and 63.505 of the Commission’s rules, 47 C. F. R. §§ 63.19, 63.62, 63.71, and 63.505. COMSAT wholly- owns World Systems. World System’s proposed discontinuance of provision of occasional- use TV, occasional- use IBS and part- time IBS will also affect international routes on which COMSAT is classified as dominant pursuant to Section 63.10 of the Commission’s rules, 47 C. F. R. § 63. 10. COMSAT also will discontinue service on non- dominant routes through notification made pursuant to Section 63.19( a) of the Commission’s rules. COMSAT states that these services are being discontinued because demand for them has declined to the point where it is no longer economically viable for COMSAT to provide them, in large part because the identical services are being offered by and taken from Intelsat. Section 63.19( a) of the Commission’s rules allows carriers classified as non- dominant to discontinue service without obtaining formal authority under Section 214 of the Communications Act. Section 63.19 requires only that such a carrier notify all of its customers in writing at least 60 days prior to its planned discontinuance that it intends to discontinue service and submit to the Commission a copy of the notice that it has sent its customers. Section 63.19( b) of the Commission’s rules allows international carriers classified as dominant pursuant to Section 63. 10, 47 C. F. R. § 63. 10, to retire international facilities, dismantle or remove international trunk lines to be subject only to the notification requirements in Section 63. 19( a) if the services being provided through those facilities are not being discontinued, reduced or impaired. Otherwise, if service to a community is being discontinued, reduced, or impaired, Section 63.19( b) requires a formal application pursuant to Sections 63.62 and 63.500 of the Commission’s rules, 47 C. F. R. §§ 63.62, 63.500. For additional information concerning this matter, please contact Lisa Choi, Telecommunication Division, International Bureau, (202) 418- 1460, TTY (202) 418- 2555. 2