*Pages 1--2 from Microsoft Word - 18872.doc* PUBLIC NOTICE Federal Communications Commission 445 12th St., S. W. Washington, D. C. 20554 News Media Information 202 / 418- 0500 Internet: http:// www. fcc. gov TTY: 1- 888- 835- 5322 International Bureau Satellite Division Information: First Round Ka- Band Licensee Compliance with Construction Implementation Milestone Report No.: SPB- 179 DA: 02- 1432 June 18, 2002 In May 1997, the International Bureau licensed 13 applicants to launch and operate satellite systems that would provide fixed- satellite service in portions of the Ka- band. These authorizations were granted as part of the first Ka- band processing round. In December 2000 and January 2001, the Bureau modified the first round authorizations of eight geostationary satellite orbit (GSO) and one non-geostationary satellite orbit (NGSO) satellite systems. The modifications included the assignment of implementation milestones for the construction, launch, and operation of the satellite systems. The licenses provide that failure to meet any of the implementation milestones will render the satellite authorizations null and void. The first implementation milestone requires GSO licensees to begin construction of their first satellite within one year of the grant of its authorization, and NGSO licensees to begin construction of the first two satellites in its constellation within one year of grant. To determine whether the licensees have complied with the construction commencement milestone, the Bureau requested that each licensee submit an executed copy of its construction contract, verifying that construction has commenced and that the satellite( s) will be built within the time frame specified in the license. Upon review of the contracts submitted, the Bureau concludes that the following Ka- band licensees have satisfied their construction commencement milestones: 1 CyberStar Licensee LLC File Nos. 109- SAT- P/ LA- 95; 102/ 103- SAT- AMEND- 96; 103/ 104/ 105- SAT- ML- 98 1 Motorola, Inc. has requested an extension of the construction commencement milestone, File No. SAT- MOD- 2002131- 00012. This application is pending. In a separate order released on the above date, the Division grants Astrolink International LLC a waiver of its implementation milestone. See Astrolink International LLC, Memorandum Opinion and Order, DA 02- 1431 (rel. June 18, 2002). EchoStar Satellite Corporation recently submitted additional information pertaining to its construction contract pursuant to the Policy Branch’s request. This information is being reviewed and a determination regarding EchoStar’s compliance with its construction commencement milestone will be made shortly. 1 2 Hughes Network Systems 2 IBFS File Nos. SAT- LOA- 19931203- 00040/ 41; SAT- LOA- 19950929- 00125/ 00129; SAT- LOA- 19950929- 00137 Loral CyberStar, Inc. File Nos. 205/ 206- SAT- AMEND- 95; SAT- AMD- 19950929- 00157/ 158 PanAmSat Licensee Inc. IBFS Nos. SAT- LOA- 19950929- 00130/ 131; SAT- LOA- 19950929- 00204/ 00208 Teledesic LLC File Nos. 22- DSS- P/ LA- 94, 43- SAT- AMEND- 95; 195- SAT- ML- 97 WB Holdings 1 LLC File Nos. 128- SAT- P/ LA- 95; 203- SAT- P/ LA- 95 For further information contact Jennifer Gilsenan at 202- 418- 0757 or Fern Jarmulnek at 202- 418- 0751 in the Satellite Division. 2 The original licensee was Hughes Communications Galaxy. In April 2002, the Satellite Division granted pro forma assignments from Hughes Communications Galaxy to Hughes Network Systems. See Letters to James H. Barker, Counsel for Hughes Communications Galaxy from Fern J. Jarmulnek, Deputy Chief, Satellite Division, (April 23, 2002) (File Nos. SAT- ASG- 20011204- 00110 and 00109). 2