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 Report No. SPB-230 DA 09-742 April 01, 2009 INTERNATIONAL BUREAU INFORMATION: REPORT TO CONGRESS REGARDING THE ORBIT ACT PLEADING CYCLE ESTABLISHED IB Docket No. 09-48 Comment Date: April 22, 2009 Reply Comment Date: April 29, 2009 Section 646 of the Open-Market Reorganization for the Betterment of International Telecommunications Act (“the ORBIT Act”), 47 U.S.C. § 646, requires the Commission to report annually to the Committees on Commerce and International Relations of the House of Representatives and the Committees on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and Foreign Relations of the Senate on the progress made to achieve the objectives and carry out the purposes and provisions of ORBIT Act. The Commission issued its first report on June 15, 2000, its second report on June 15, 2001, its third report on June 14, 2002, its fourth report on June 16, 2003, its fifth report on June 15, 2004, its sixth report on June 15, 2005, its seventh report on June 15, 2006, its eighth report on June 15, 2007, and its ninth report on June 13, 2008.1 The next report is due on June 15, 2009. The purpose of the Act is to promote a fully competitive global market for satellite communications services for the benefit of consumers and providers of satellite services and equipment by fully privatizing INTELSAT and Inmarsat. The Commission has previously received comment on INTELSAT’s and Inmarsat’s privatization in connection with other proceedings and prior to earlier reports to Congress. The purpose of this notice is to provide an opportunity for industry and consumers to file additional comments, particularly with respect to the impact of privatization on U.S. industry, jobs, and industry access to the global marketplace. Comments and views will be reflected in the Commission’s report and made available in full to the House and Senate committees. Comments should be filed on or before April 22, 2009 and Reply Comments on or before April 29, 2009. Comments and reply comments should be filed in IB Docket No. 09-48. Pursuant to sections 1.415 and 1.419 of the Commission’s rules, 47 CFR §§ 1.415, 1.419, interested parties may file comments and reply comments on or before the dates indicated on the first page of this document. Comments may be filed using: (1) the Commission’s Electronic Comment Filing 1 See, e.g. FCC Report to Congress as Required by the ORBIT Act, FCC 08-152 (rel. June 13, 2008). 2 System (ECFS), (2) the Federal Government’s eRulemaking Portal, or (3) by filing paper copies. See Electronic Filing of Documents in Rulemaking Proceedings, 63 FR 24121 (1998). § Electronic Filers: Comments may be filed electronically using the Internet by accessing the ECFS: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs/ or the Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Filers should follow the instructions provided on the website for submitting comments. § For ECFS filers, if multiple docket or rulemaking numbers appear in the caption of this proceeding, filers must transmit one electronic copy of the comments for each docket or rulemaking number referenced in the caption. In completing the transmittal screen, filers should include their full name, U.S. Postal Service mailing address, and the applicable docket or rulemaking number. Parties may also submit an electronic comment by Internet e-mail. To get filing instructions, filers should send an e-mail to ecfs@fcc.gov, and include the following words in the body of the message, “get form.” A sample form and directions will be sent in response. § Paper Filers: Parties who choose to file by paper must file an original and four copies of each filing. If more than one docket or rulemaking number appears in the caption of this proceeding, filers must submit two additional copies for each additional docket or rulemaking number. Filings can be sent by hand or messenger delivery, by commercial overnight courier, or by first- class or overnight U.S. Postal Service mail (although we continue to experience delays in receiving U.S. Postal Service mail). All filings must be addressed to the Commission’s Secretary, Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission. § The Commission’s contractor will receive hand-delivered or messenger-delivered paper filings for the Commission’s Secretary at 236 Massachusetts Avenue, NE, Suite 110, Washington, DC 20002. The filing hours at this location are 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. All hand deliveries must be held together with rubber bands or fasteners. Any envelopes must be disposed of before entering the building. § Commercial overnight mail (other than U.S. Postal Service Express Mail and Priority Mail) must be sent to 9300 East Hampton Drive, Capitol Heights, MD 20743. § U.S. Postal Service first-class, Express, and Priority mail must be addressed to 445 12th Street, SW, Washington DC 20554. People with Disabilities: To request materials in accessible formats for people with disabilities (braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), send an e-mail to fcc504@fcc.gov or call the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202-418-0530 (voice), 202-418-0432 (tty). For further information, contact Marilyn Simon, Satellite Division, International Bureau, at (202) 418-2044.