PUBLIC LAW 106-180—MAR. 17, 2000 114 STAT. 55 in favor of cost-based settlements in all relevant fora on international telecommunications policy, including in meetings with parties and signatories of INTELSAT and Inmarsat. "Subtitle C—Deregulation and Other Statutory Changes Deadline. Notice. "SEC. 641. ACCESS TO INTELSAT. 47 USC 765. "(a) ACCESS PERMITTED.— Beginning on the date of enactment Effective date, of this title, 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 the date of enactment of this title, as 'Level IIF. "(b) RULEMAKING. — Within 180 days after the date of enactment of this title, 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 Act and the Communications Act of 1934. 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. "SEC. 642. SIGNATORY ROLE. 47 USC 765a. " (a) LIMITATIONS ON SIGNATORIES.— "(1) NATIONAL SECURITY LIMITATIONS. — The Federal Communications Commission, after a public interest determination, in consultation with the executive branch, may restrict foreign ownership of a United States signatory if the Commission determines that not to do so would constitute a threat to national security. "(2) No SIGNATORIES REQUIRED. —The United States Government shall not require signatories to represent the United States in INTELSAT or Inmarsat or in any successor entities after a pro-competitive privatization is achieved consistent with sections 621, 622, and 624. " (b) CLARIFICATION OF PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES OF COMSAT.— "(1) GENERALLY NOT IMMUNIZED.— Notwithstanding any other law or executive agreement, COMSAT shall not be entitled to any privileges or immunities under the laws of the United States or any State on the basis of its status as a signatory of INTELSAT or Inmarsat. "(2) LIMITED IMMUNITY.— C OMSAT or any successor in interest shall not be liable for action taken by it in carrying out the specific, written instruction of the United States issued in connection with its relationships and activities with foreign
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