DA 97-1248 
Before the
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 
Washington, D.C. 20554
In the Matter of )
COLUMBIA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION ) File No. 74-SAT-STA-97
Application for extension of Special Temporary ) 
Authority for the TDRS-4 Satellite at 41 W.L. )
ORDER AND AUTHORIZATION
Adopted: June 13, 1997 Released: June 13, 1997
By the Chief, Satellite and Radiocommunication Division
1. We hereby grant the application of Columbia Communications Corporation ("Columbia") for 
a further extension of special temporary authority subject to the terms and conditions of the original 
authorization for special temporary authority granted May 6, 1996'. This will enable Columbia to 
continue toroperate free of Commission imposed restrictions which would require it to limit the use of 
satellite transponder capacity at 41  West Longitude beginning in 1998.
2. In granting Columbia's initial request for special temporary authority, the Chief, International 
Bureau stated "the STA will be renewable for good cause shown at regular intervals" during the 
pendency of further negotiations between Columbia and the International Telecommunications Satellite 
Organization (INTELSAT) concerning the future use of the orbital location at 41  W.L.2 The special 
temporary authority was extended for 180 days on July 3, 19963 and again on December 18, 19964. 
Columbia has shown good cause as to the need for special temporary authority and grant of an 
extension at this time is hi the public interest.
3. Accordingly IT IS ORDERED that the application of Columbia Communications Corporation
1 See Columbia Communications Corporation. DA 96-703 (released May 6, 1996) ("STA Order"), 
Application for Review pending.
2 Id, paragraph 19.
3 See Columbia Communications Corporation. DA 96-1080 (Released July 5, 1996) ("STA Extension 
Order").
4 See Columbia Communications Corporation. DA 96-2139 (Released December 20, 1996) ("Second STA 
Extension Order")
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for extension of special temporary authority IS GRANTED and Columbia is authorized to operate 
under its current authorization free of certain restrictions limiting its operations pursuant to its 1991 
Article XIV consultation with INTELSAT for a period of 180 days, consistent with the Commission's 
Rules5, subject to the condition that Columbia shall operate at 41  W.L. consistent with applicable 
provisions of the ITU Convention and Radio Regulations and seek pursuant to the provisions a 
mutually acceptable arrangement that resolves unacceptable interference between Columbia and any 
INTELSAT satellite operating at 40.5  W.L.
4. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that this special temporary authority is renewable for good 
cause shown during the pendency of further negotiations with INTELSAT and action on the 
application for permanent authority.
5. This order is issued under Section 0.261 of the Commission's Rules and is effective upon 
adoption. Petitions for reconsideration under Section 1.106 or applications for review under Section 
1.115 of the Commission's Rules may be filed within 30 days of the date of public notice of this 
order (see Section 1.4(b)(2)).
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
Thomas S. Tycz
Chief, Satellite and Radiocommunication Division
See47C.F.R. §25.119(b).
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