PUBLIC LAW 100-584—NOV. 3, 1988
102 STAT. 2971
(3) because the Pacific Basin communities are geographically isolated and because many of such communities are relatively poor, they are in great need of quality, low cost communications services to maintain contact among themselves and with other countries; and (4) since August 1985, the Pacific Basin communities have been without a vital communications service because the ATS-1 satellite of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration ceased operation. (b) It is the purpose of this section to assist in the acquisition of Community satellite communications services until commercially viable alter- development. natives are available and to provide initial funding in order that the Pan-Pacific Educational and Cultural Experiments by Satellite Program again serves the educational, medical, and cultural needs of the Pacific Basin communities. (c)(1) The Secretary of Commerce shall expeditiously negotiate and acquire satellite space segment capacity for communications services for the Pacific Ocean region for former users of the ATS-1 satellite of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. (2)(A) Such satellite space segment capacity may, for a period of Defense and three years from the time it is acquired, operate in those portions of national the UHF frequency band (225-400 Megahertz) assigned to the security. Department of the Navy, unless the President finds that the use of such spectrum solely by the Department of Defense is essential to the national security of the United States. (B) The Secretary of the Navy shall join with the Secretary of Commerce in the negotiation and acquisition of satellite space segment capacity under this section in any case where the capacity to be used is the capacity specified in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph. (3)(A) The Secretary of Commerce shall provide to the managers of the Pan-Pacific Educational and Cultural Experiments by Satellite Program such funds as the Secretary of Commerce considers necessary to manage the operation of satellite communications services acquired under this subsection. (B) The recipient of funds under subparagraph (A) of this para- Records, graph shall keep such records as may reasonably be necessary to enable the Secretary of Commerce to conduct an effective audit of such funds. (C) The Secretary of Commerce and the Comptroller General of the United States, or any of their duly authorized representatives, shall have access for the purpose of audit and examination to any books, documents, papers, and records of such recipient that are pertinent to the funds received under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph. (d) There are authorized to be appropriated $1,700,000 for each of the fiscal years 1988 and 1989 for use by the Secretary of Commerce in the development, including the acquisition, of satellite communications services under subsection (c) of this section. Sums appropriated pursuant to this subsection may be used by the Secretary of Commerce to cover administrative costs associated with the provisions of this section. (e) The Secretary of Commerce shall consult with appropriate departments and agencies of the Federal Government, representatives of the Pan-Pacific Educational and Cultural Experiments by Satellite Program, and other affected parties regarding the development of a long-term commercial solution to the communication
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