*Pages 1--1 from Microsoft Word - 8282.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 Report No. SPB- 167 April 13, 2001 INTERNATIONAL BUREAU INFORMATION: REPORT TO CONGRESS REGARDING THE ORBIT ACT 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 annually report 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 the ORBIT Act. The Commission issued its first report on June 15, 2000. The next report is due June 15, 2001. 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 already has received comment on Inmarsat’s privatization and INTELSAT’s impending privatization in response to applications now before the Commission. 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 27, 2001 and Reply Comments on or before May 7, 2001. Comments should reference “Report No. SPB- 167”. For further information, contact James Ball at (202) 418- 0427 or Alexandra Field at (202) 418- 2064. - FCC - 1