[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 157 (Sunday, November 9, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S12400]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     INTERNATIONAL SATELLITE REFORM

 Mr. BURNS. Mr. President, in recent days, Chairman McCain and 
I have addressed the Commerce Committee's communications agenda for 
next year. I expect the Communications Subcommittee, which I chair, to 
have an active and full slate of issues as we approach the second 
session of the 105th Congress.
  Chairman McCain and I have agreed that the Communications 
Subcommittee will hold a series of oversight hearings on the 
implementation of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. We will examine 
the degree to which the act has met its objectives of promoting 
competition and deregulation. We will examine the level of competition 
in the local and long-distance markets, between cable companies and 
alternative video providers, competition in the wireless industry and 
other important issues. We will devote considerable attention to 
interconnection issues and universal service.
  I would like to address in some depth an issue that will be one of 
the most important issues before the Communications Subcommittee, that 
of international satellite reform.
  The Communications Subcommittee has already begun to examine the 
international satellite communications market. On July 25 of this year, 
the subcommittee held a very informative hearing on this vital issue. 
We learned of the need for further changes in the regulation of the 
international market. We need to promote greater competition 
internationally while lifting unneeded regulations domestically. The 
issues in this debate are complex--they involve trade policy, fair 
treatment for those with existing investments, allocations of spectrum 
and orbital slots, market access, and elimination of outdated 
regulations.
  Recently, my colleague from Hawaii, Senator Inouye, introduced S. 
1328, which is virtually identical to a bill introduced earlier this 
year in the House by Chairman Bliley. Senator Inouye has stated that he 
hopes his bill will help ``spur debate on this important issue.'' I 
share this hope. Senator Inouye's bill has been referred to the 
Commerce Committee. I look forward to working with him and others next 
year to develop an appropriate international satellite policy for the 
future, and also to address other domestic satellite issues.
  As we move forward, I am going to be guided by the principles of 
former President Ronald Reagan. In 1984, President Reagan signed an 
Executive order that effectively eliminated outdated regulations and 
allowed U.S.-licensed satellite companies to compete around the world. 
That competition has resulted in greater consumer choices, lower 
prices, and the ability to reach anyone anywhere in the world.
  Now as we approach the turn of the century, we need to complete 
President Reagan's vision. The Satellite Act, which was enacted in 1962 
at a time when satellites were still experimental, has become outdated. 
This country cannot afford to have an industry guided by rules that 
were created in the days of Sputnik. We need to look forward at ways to 
roll back unwarranted regulations and fully unleash the potential 
that this industry holds.

  I share the goals of increasing competition, privatizing 
intergovernmental organizations, and enhancing market access abroad for 
American satellite companies. Any legislative action should be designed 
to promote opportunities for American businesses, while making sure 
they are not harmed by the very effort that seeks to enhance their 
ability to succeed in the international marketplace. These are 
extremely complex issues and there may be different paths that lead to 
the same goals. The approach the subcommittee will take in further 
exploring these issues will be balanced. We will examine in detail how 
best to eliminate outdated regulations, address universal service 
concerns and provide for the needed flexibility to achieve an 
international agreement on satellite policy.
  I will continue to work with the Communications Subcommittee on this 
critical issue. I look forward to holding further hearings, and intend 
to develop legislation with Chairman McCain, ranking member Hollings, 
Senator Inouye, and other committee members to establish fair rules 
that are competitively neutral for the international market.

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