47 U.S.C. § 765

March 17, 2000March 17, 2000Beginning on , 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 , as “Level III”.

March 17, 200047 U.S.C. 151Within 180 days after , 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 [ et seq.]. The Commission shall take such steps as may be necessary to prevent the circumvention of the intent of this section.

Nothing in this section shall be construed to permit the abrogation or modification of any contract.