Exploring the Unknown - NASA's History Office

56
Att.
Proposal
Exhibit “A”
[1]
Mr. Ben F. Waple, Acting Secretary
Federal Communications Commission
Washington 25, D.C.
Dear Sir:
THE HISTORY OF SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS
**********
Attachment No. 5
March 21, 1961
Re: Docket No. 13522
The comments filed by A. T. & T. Co. in Docket No. 13522 were directed to the specific
questions posed in the Notice of Inquiry and Supplement. It is our understanding
that the Commission was seeking technical information concerning frequency requirements
for space communications without discussion at this time of legal or economic
question. However, in view of the comments of this character in some of the other
responses and the publicity they have been given, we believe a brief statement should be
made to forestall any misunderstanding of the Bell System position and bring the comments
into a better perspective.
Our interest in satellite communications is simply stated. There is a need for point-topoint
space communications system—to help meet the growing demand for international
communications of all kinds, and to provide alternate routes from a reliability
standpoint. Such space communications systems are a natural supplement to and extension
of existing common carrier networks.
The traditional communications policy in this country has been to have common carriers
serve both domestic and international needs for public communications. This policy
was recently restated in FCC Public Notice G1271 dated February 28, 1961 that “. . .
overseas public communications are provided by private enterprise, subject to
Government regulation. . . .” This notice also included the following:
“(1) The earliest practicable realization of a commercially operable communication
satellite system is a national objective.
[2] “(2) The attainment of this urgent national objective in the field of communications
may be accomplished through concerted action by existing agencies of
Government and private enterprise.
“(3) In accordance with the traditional policy of conducting international communications
service through private enterprise subject to Government regulation,
private enterprise should be encouraged to undertake development and utilization
of satellite systems for public communication services.”
We do not seek a monopoly in satellite communications. We do not wish to exclude
other international carriers either from establishing such systems or from sharing the use
of the system we propose. We seek only the opportunity to employ private initiative, management
and capital in the public interest and under public regulation in a manner wholly
consistent with traditional public policy with respect to international communications.