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Title 47, Telegraphs, Telephones, and RadiotelegraphsRelease 119-110

§765 Access to Intelsat

Title 47 › CHAPTER 6 — COMMUNICATIONS SATELLITE SYSTEM › SUBCHAPTER VI — COMMUNICATIONS COMPETITION AND PRIVATIZATION › Part C — Deregulation and Other Statutory Changes › § 765

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

Starting March 17, 2000, users or providers of telecommunications services may buy satellite capacity and services directly from INTELSAT at the level INTELSAT called "Level III" on that date. Within 180 days after March 17, 2000, the FCC must hold a rulemaking with public comment to check whether direct access really works; if it does not, the FCC must act to make it work and stop people from getting around the rule. Existing contracts cannot be changed or ended.

Full Legal Text

Title 47, §765

Telegraphs, Telephones, and Radiotelegraphs, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Access permitted
Beginning on March 17, 2000, users or providers of telecommunications services shall be permitted to obtain direct access to INTELSAT telecommunications services and space segment capacity through purchases of such capacity or services from INTELSAT. Such direct access shall be at the level commonly referred to by INTELSAT, on March 17, 2000, as “Level III”.
(b)Rulemaking
Within 180 days after March 17, 2000, the Commission shall complete a rulemaking, with notice and opportunity for submission of comment by interested persons, to determine if users or providers of telecommunications services have sufficient opportunity to access INTELSAT space segment capacity directly from INTELSAT to meet their service or capacity requirements. If the Commission determines that such opportunity to access does not exist, the Commission shall take appropriate action to facilitate such direct access pursuant to its authority under this chapter and the Communications Act of 1934 [47 U.S.C. 151 et seq.]. The Commission shall take such steps as may be necessary to prevent the circumvention of the intent of this section.
(c)Contract preservation
Nothing in this section shall be construed to permit the abrogation or modification of any contract.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Communications Act of 1934, referred to in subsec. (b), is act June 19, 1934, ch. 652, 48 Stat. 1064, which is classified principally to chapter 5 (§ 151 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 609 of this title and Tables.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

47 U.S.C. § 765

Title 47, Telegraphs, Telephones, and Radiotelegraphs

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110