Attachment Order

Order

DECISION submitted by FCC

Order

2007-12-19

This document pretains to SAT-T/C-20070810-00111 for Transfer of Control on a Satellite Space Stations filing.

IBFS_SATTC2007081000111_612132

                                   Federal Communications Commission                                 FCC 07-220


                                              Before the
                                   Federal Communications Commission
                                         Washington, D.C. 20554


In the Matter of                                         )       IB Docket No. 07-181
                                                         )       SAT-T/C-20070810-00113
Intelsat Holdings, Ltd., Transferor,                     )       SAT-T/C-20070810-00111
                                                         )       SAT-T/C-20070810-00112
and                                                      )       SES-T/C-20070815-01100
                                                         )       SES-T/C-20070815-01090
Serafina Holdings Limited, Transferee                    )       SES-T/C-20070815-01091
                                                         )       SES-T/C-20070815-01098
Consolidated Application for Consent to Transfer         )       SES-T/C-20070815-01097
Control of Holders of Title II and Title III             )       SES-T/C-20070815-01099
Authorizations                                           )       SES-T/C-20070815-01093
                                                         )       0003125329
                                                         )       0026-EX-TC-2007
                                                         )       ITC-T/C-20070815-00336
                                                         )       ITC-T/C-20070815-00331

                                MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER

Adopted: December 18, 2007                                                       Released: December 19, 2007

By the Commission: Commissioner Copps concurring and issuing a statement.

I.      INTRODUCTION
         1.      In this Order, we consider a series of applications (“Applications”) filed by Intelsat
Holdings, Ltd. (“Intelsat” or “Transferor”) and Serafina Holdings Limited (“Serafina” or “Transferee”
and, together with Intelsat, the “Applicants”) pursuant to sections 214 and 310(d) of the Communications
Act of 1934, as amended (the “Communications Act” or “Act”) and sections 1.948(a), 5.79, 25.119, and
63.24 of the Commission’s rules.1 In these unopposed Applications, Intelsat and Serafina seek consent to
the transfer of control of Intelsat and six subsidiaries of Intelsat – Intelsat LLC, Intelsat North America
LLC, Intelsat General Corporation, Intelsat USA License Corp., PanAmSat Licensee Corp., and
PanAmSat H-2 Licensee Corp. (together, the “Intelsat Licensees”) – from Intelsat’s existing control group
of four private equity firms (“Existing Control Group” or “Existing Shareholders”) to Serafina, a newly-
formed Bermuda company indirectly controlled by BC Partners Holdings Limited (“BCP”), a U.K.-based




1
  47 U.S.C. §§ 214, 310(d). 47 C.F.R. §§ 1.948(a), 5.79, 25.119, 63.24. Associated with each of the fourteen
transfer of control applications, the Applicants have submitted a narrative pleading seeking approval of the joint
applications. Intelsat Holdings, Ltd., Transferor, and Serafina Holdings Limited, Transferee, Consolidated
Application for Consent to Transfer Control of Holders of Title II and Title III Authorizations, IB Docket No. 07-
181 (“Consolidated Application”). On October 24, 2007, Serafina updated certain ownership information. See
Letter to Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, from Brian D. Weimer, Counsel for
Serafina, IB Docket No. 07-181 (filed Oct. 24, 2007) (“October 24, 2007 Letter”). On November 1, 2007, Serafina
filed an updated organizational chart reflecting the new ownership information. Letter to Marlene H. Dortch,
Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, from Brian D. Weimer, Counsel for Serafina, IB Docket No. 07-
181 (filed Nov. 1, 2007) (“November 1, 2007 Letter”).


                                      Federal Communications Commission                                 FCC 07-220


investment firm organized under the laws of Guernsey, a British Crown Dependency.2 We grant the
Petition to Adopt Conditions to Authorizations and Licenses filed by the United States Department of
Homeland Security, the United States Department of Justice, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
We find below that grant of the Applications, as conditioned in this Order, will serve the public interest,
convenience and necessity.
II.        BACKGROUND
           A.       The Applications

         2.       On August 10 and 15, 2007, Intelsat and Serafina filed fourteen applications pursuant to
sections 214 and 310(d) of the Act. Each of the Applications attaches the Consolidated Application, a
narrative that discusses the proposed transaction. The Consolidated Application and the fourteen
Applications, as updated by the October 24, 2007 Letter and November 1, 2007 Letter, seek approval to
transfer control of Intelsat to Serafina.3 The Applications pertain to space station licenses, earth station
authorizations, wireless licenses, an experimental authorization, and international section 214
authorizations.4
           B.        Description of the Applicants

         3.       The Transferor – Intelsat/Existing Control Group. Intelsat provides fixed satellite
services (“FSS”). Intelsat owns and operates a global satellite system that provides space segment
capacity used for communications services such as voice, video, data, and Internet connectivity. As noted
above, Intelsat is the indirect parent of the six Intelsat Licensees: (1) Intelsat LLC, which holds non-
common carrier earth station licenses, an experimental license, and private land mobile radio licenses; (2)
Intelsat North America LLC, which holds non-common carrier space and earth station licenses; (3)
Intelsat General Corporation, formerly called Intelsat Government Solutions Corporation, which holds an
international section 214 authorization to provide global or limited global facilities-based and resale
service; (4) Intelsat USA License Corp., which holds international section 214 authorizations; (5)
PanAmSat Licensee Corp., which holds non-common carrier space and earth station licenses; and (6)
PanAmSat H-2 Licensee Corp., which holds one non-common carrier space station license. Intelsat
offers service in more than 200 countries, serving customers such as large telecommunications carriers,
broadcasters, corporate networks, Internet service providers, distributors that resell capacity, and
customers that purchase capacity for their own use.5


2
 Consolidated Application at 1-2. The Existing Control Group of current Intelsat shareholders includes Apax
Partners Worldwide LLP and Apax Partners, L.P.; Apollo Management V, L.P.; MDP Global Investors Limited; and
Permira Advisers LLC. Consolidated Application at 1.
3
 The Consolidated Application also asks that the grant of the Applications “include authority for Serafina to acquire
control with respect to: (i) all licenses and authorizations issued or assigned to Intelsat or any of its subsidiaries
during the pendency of the Applications and prior to the consummation of any approved transaction; and (ii) all
applications pending at the time of consummation of the [proposed transaction].” Consolidated Application at 16.
4
    Attachment A to this Order lists the fourteen Applications and associated authorizations.
5
  Consolidated Application at 3-5. In 2004, the Commission, on delegated authority, approved the transfer of
control of Intelsat, Ltd. and its subsidiaries to Intelsat, then known as Zeus Holdings Limited. See Intelsat, Ltd.,
Transferor, and Zeus Holdings Limited, Transferee, Consolidated Application for Consent to Transfers of Control of
Holders of Title II and Title III Authorizations and Petition for Declaratory Ruling under Section 310 of the
Communications Act of 1934, as Amended, IB Docket No. 04-366, Order and Authorization, DA 04-4034, 19 FCC
Rcd 24820 (Int’l Bur., WTB and OET 2004). In 2006, the Commission approved the transfer of control of licenses
held by two indirect subsidiaries of PanAmSat to Intelsat. See Constellation, LLC, Carlyle PanAmSat I, LLC,
(continued….)
                                                            2


                                     Federal Communications Commission                                   FCC 07-220


        4.       The current owners of Intelsat are twenty entities ultimately controlled by the Existing
Control Group. Each of the four investment groups comprising the Existing Control Group controls
equity and voting interests of approximately twenty-three percent in Intelsat (as measured on a fully
diluted basis). Intelsat’s management team holds the remaining equity and voting interests.6
         5.      The Transferee – Serafina/BCP. Serafina proposes to acquire all of the equity interests in
Intelsat through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Serafina Acquisition Limited, a Bermuda company. The
Serafina Board of Directors will be comprised of four members designated by the following investors: (1)
BCP (two members); (2) Silver Lake Group, L.L.C. (“Silver Lake”), a U.S.-based investment firm (one
member); and (3) Intelsat’s management team (one member).7 Serafina will issue a single class of voting
stock, such that, in all cases, equity and voting interests will be identical.8
         6.      BCP indirectly will control approximately 71 percent of the equity interests in Serafina.
The Consolidated Application states that BCP will control Serafina and, by extension, Intelsat.9 BCP will
exercise its control through 41 subsidiary investment funds (the “BCP Funds”), 35 of which are U.K.
limited partnerships, five of which are French “co-invest” partnerships, and one of which is a Guernsey
limited partnership. CIE Management II Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of BCP organized under the
laws of Guernsey, serves as general partner of each of these investment funds.10 The financial interests in
the 41 investment funds are held by over 200 passive investors.11
        7.       The Applicants further state that only one passive investor in the BCP Funds will hold a
ten percent or greater total indirect equity interest in Serafina. According to Applicants, the Ontario
Teachers’ Pension Plan Board (“Ontario Teachers”) will control an indirect equity interest in Serafina of
approximately 11.49 percent.12 The Applicants state that Ontario Teachers currently does not hold a ten
percent or greater interest in any Commission-regulated entity, although an investment group headed by
Ontario Teachers has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a 52 percent equity interest in BCE
Nexxia Voice Services Corporation (a subsidiary of BCE Inc.), which has an international section 214
(Continued from previous page)
Carlyle PanAmSat II, LLC, PEP PAS, LLC, and PEOP PAS, LLC, Transferors, and Intelsat Holdings, Ltd.,
Transferee, Consolidated Application for Authority to Transfer Control of PanAmSat Licensee Corp. and PanAmSat
H-2 Licensee Corp., IB Docket No. 05-290, Memorandum Opinion and Order, FCC 06-85, 21 FCC Rcd 7368
(2006) (“Intelsat-PanAmSat Order”).
6
    Consolidated Application at 5.
7
  Consolidated Application Attachment 3 at 1. Two members of the Board of Directors will be U.S. citizens and
two members will be citizens of Western European World Trade Organization (“WTO”) Member countries. Id.
According to Applicants, the boards of directors of Intelsat and Serafina Acquisition Limited will be constituted in
the same manner as the Serafina board. Id.
8
    Consolidated Application Attachment 3 at 1.
9
    Consolidated Application Attachment 3 at 1.
10
     Consolidated Application at 5 and Attachment 3 at 6.
11
  Consolidated Application at 5. According to Applicants, limited partners with their principal place of business in
the United States will hold approximately 34.90% of the equity in the BCP Funds, while investors with their
principal place of business in non-U.S. WTO Member countries will hold approximately 65.10% of the equity in the
BCP Funds. October 24, 2007 Letter at Table 2. Applicants state that no investor in the BCP Funds has its principal
place of business in a non-WTO Member country. Consolidated Application at 7 and Attachment 3 at 6; October
24, 2007 Letter at Table 2 n.4.
12
   October 24, 2007 Letter at 2. Applicants state that Ontario Teachers’ indirect equity interest in Serafina includes
a 10.41% indirect equity interest flowing through the BCP Funds and a 1.08% indirect equity interest flowing
through the Silver Lake Funds, discussed infra. Id.


                                                            3


                                      Federal Communications Commission                                   FCC 07-220


authorization to provide international telecommunications services.13
         8.      BCP itself is owned by seventeen individual shareholders.14 These shareholders are
citizens of: the United States (one); the United Kingdom (four); Germany (three); Italy (four); France
(four); and Greece (one).15 The Applicants state that none of the shareholders holds more than a ten
percent equity or voting interest in BCP.16 BCP is governed by a six-member Board of Directors,
although currently only five directorships are filled by citizens of the United Kingdom (four members)
and Italy (one member).17
         9.      Silver Lake. In addition to its ability to appoint one member of the four-member Board
of Directors of Serafina, Silver Lake will hold approximately 16.85 percent of the equity interests in
Serafina through its control of two funds (the “Silver Lake Funds”). Silver Lake Partners III, L.P.
indirectly will hold approximately 16.82 percent and Silver Lake Technology Investors III, L.P. indirectly
will hold approximately 0.03 percent of the equity interests in Serafina.18 Silver Lake also is expected to
hold certain veto rights over decisions of Serafina’s board.19
        10.    Silver Lake Technology Associates III, L.P. serves as the general partner of each of the
Silver Lake Funds and holds approximately 2.18 percent of the equity interests in the Silver Lake Funds.20
SLTA III (GP), L.L.C. serves as General Partner of Silver Lake Technology Associates, L.P., and Silver
Lake Group, L.L.C. serves as Managing Member of SLTA III (GP), L.C.C.21 The Managing Members of
Silver Lake Group, L.L.C. are three U.S. citizens: James Davidson, Glenn Hutchins, and David Roux.22

13
     Consolidated Application Attachment 3 at 6-7.
14
     October 24, 2007 Letter at 2.
15
     Id.
16
     Consolidated Application at 7; October 24, 2007 Letter at 2.
17
  Consolidated Application at 7 and Attachment 3 at 6, as updated by October 24, 2007 Letter at 2 (one U.K. citizen
has resigned and another U.K. citizen has announced his intent to resign prior to closing, and BCP expects to
appoint a U.K. citizen to one vacant directorship and a citizen of a Western European, WTO-Member country to the
other directorship).
18
     October 24, 2007 Letter at Attachment A.
19
   Consolidated Application Attachment 3 at 7. These include veto rights with respect to: (i) certain
employment decisions regarding Intelsat’s senior management; (ii) Intelsat’s annual budget, if certain performance
targets are unmet; (iii) capital expenditures substantially in excess of the aggregate amount approved in Intelsat’s
annual budget; (iv) certain transactions involving aggregate consideration substantially exceeding Intelsat’s
enterprise value; (v) any incurrence of indebtedness that would raise Intelsat’s leverage ratio in violation of
financing documents executed at closing; (vi) material changes to accounting policies, audit programs, public
accountants, or classification of Serafina for U.S. income tax purposes; (vii) material changes in the nature of
Intelsat’s business or subsidiaries; (viii) changes to the governing documents of Serafina or Intelsat, or dissolution or
liquidation of Serafina or Intelsat; (ix) affiliate transactions involving BCP and its affiliates; (x) any action in
violation of applicable foreign corrupt practices prohibitions, Office of Foreign Asset Control rules, or auditor
independence requirements. Id. at 7 n.9.
20
  Consolidated Application Attachment 3 at 7. Silver Lake Partners, III, L.P., Silver Lake Technology Investors III,
L.P., and Silver Lake Technology Associates III, L.P. are Delaware limited partnerships. Id. Applicants state that
employees of Silver Lake, the majority of whom are U.S. citizens, hold the economic interests in Silver Lake
Technology Investors III, L.P. Id. at 8.
21
     Consolidated Application Attachment 3 at 7. Both entities are Delaware limited liability companies. Id.
22
     Id.

                                                            4


                                        Federal Communications Commission                               FCC 07-220


           11.      The financial interests in the Silver Lake Funds are held by over 250 limited partners.23
        12.      Other Investors. Other investors in Serafina will include Banc of America Capital
Investors V, L.P. (3.37 percent); CSFB Strategic Partners III, L.P., which is indirectly controlled by
Credit Suisse (1.35 percent); and twelve members of Intelsat’s management team (collectively,
approximately 2.04 percent).24 The remaining equity in Serafina (approximately 5.26 percent) is subject
to continuing syndication for passive investors by the BCP Funds and, in the event that the full 5.26
percent is not syndicated or acquired by Intelsat management, the remainder will be acquired by the
Existing Control Group of Intelsat shareholders.25
           C.       Description of the Transaction26

        13.      On June 19, 2007, Serafina and Serafina Acquisition Limited entered into a Share
Purchase Agreement (“Agreement”) with Intelsat and funds controlled by the Existing Shareholders.
Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement and upon consummation of the transaction, Serafina and Serafina
Acquisition Limited will acquire all of the equity and voting interests in Intelsat from the Existing
Shareholders. The aggregate value of the transaction, including the assumption by Serafina of
approximately $11.4 billion of debt, is $16.4 billion.27
         14.     In connection with the transaction, Intelsat’s subsidiary Intelsat (Bermuda), Ltd.
(“Intelsat Bermuda”) will create a new wholly-owned direct subsidiary to be named Intelsat Jackson
Holdings, Ltd. (“Intelsat Jackson”).28 Immediately after consummation of Serafina’s and Serafina
Acquisition Limited’s acquisition of all equity and voting interests in Intelsat, Intelsat Bermuda will
transfer substantially all of its assets and liabilities to Intelsat Jackson, and the debt issued in connection
with the acquisition of Intelsat by Serafina Acquisition Limited will be assigned to Intelsat Bermuda.29
           D.       Application Review Process

           15.      On September 19, 2007, the Commission placed the Applications on public notice as


23
   Consolidated Application at 7. According to Applicants, general and limited partners holding approximately
58.56% of the equity in the Silver Lake Funds have their principal place of business in the United States, while
limited partners holding approximately 41.38% have their principal place of business outside of the United States.
October 24, 2007 Letter at 2-3. One limited partner, holding 0.06% in the Silver Lake Funds, has its principal place
of business in Lebanon, a non-WTO Member. October 24, 2007 Letter at 3. Applicants state that no limited partner
will have the ability to control, manage, or become involved in the day-to-day business operations or decision-
making of the Silver Lake Funds, Serafina, or Intelsat. Consolidated Application Attachment 3 at 8.
24
  Consolidated Application Attachment 3 at 1-2, as updated by October 24, 2007 Letter at 3 and Attachment A.
The management team members who will hold Serafina shares are citizens of the United States (9 members),
Canada (1 member), France (1 member), and the United Kingdom (1 member). Id. at 2; Consolidated Application at
8 as updated by October 24, 2007 Letter at 3. According to the Applicants, Banc of America Capital Investors V,
L.P. has its principal place of business in the United States, and CSFB Strategic Partners III, L.P. has its principal
place of business in the United States but is controlled by entities with their principal place of business in
Switzerland. Consolidated Application at 8.
25
     Consolidated Application at 8 and Attachment 3 at 1-2, as updated by October 24, 2007 Letter at Attachment A.
26
     Attachment B to this Order shows Intelsat’s expected ownership structure upon consummation of the transaction.
27
     Consolidated Application at 8-9.
28
     Intelsat Bermuda, a Bermuda company, is wholly owned by Intelsat. Consolidated Application at 3.
29
     Consolidated Application at 9.


                                                          5


                                    Federal Communications Commission                                  FCC 07-220


acceptable for filing.30 On October 15, 2007, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of
Justice, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (the “Executive Branch Agencies”) filed a Petition to
Adopt Conditions to Authorizations and Licenses.31 No other comments were filed on the Applications.
III.        PUBLIC INTEREST ANALYSIS
            A.       Standard of Review

         16.      Pursuant to section 214(a) and 310(d) of the Act,32 the Commission must determine
whether the proposed transfer of control to Serafina of Intelsat and the Intelsat Licensees will serve the
public interest, convenience, and necessity.33 In making this determination, we first assess whether the
proposed transaction complies with the specific provisions of the Act, other applicable statutes, and the
Commission’s rules. If the proposed transaction would not violate a statute or rule, the Commission
considers whether it could result in public interest harms by substantially frustrating or impairing the
objectives or implementation of the Act or related statutes. The Commission then employs a balancing
test weighing any potential public interest harms of the proposed transaction against the potential public
interest benefits.34 The Applicants bear the burden of proving, by a preponderance of the evidence, that


30
   Intelsat Holdings, Ltd., Transferor, and Serafina Holdings Limited, Transferee, Seek FCC Consent to Transfer
Control of Licenses and Authorizations, IB Docket No. 07-181, Public Notice, DA 07-3972, 22 FCC Rcd 16957
(Int’l Bur. 2007).
31
     See infra at Section III.E.
32
     47 U.S.C. §§ 214(a), 310(d).
33
   47 U.S.C. § 310(d) requires that we consider the applications for transfer of Title III licenses under the same
standard as if the proposed transferee were applying for the licenses directly under section 308 of the Act, 47 U.S.C.
§ 308. Thus, we must examine the Applicants’ qualifications to hold licenses. See BCE Inc. and Loral Skynet
Corporation, Transferors/Assignors, and 4363205 Canada Inc., 4363213 Canada Inc., and Skynet Satellite
Corporation, Transferees/Assignees, For Consent to Transfer of Control or Assignment of Licenses and
Authorizations held by Telesat Canada, Able Infosat Communications, Inc., Loral Skynet Corporation, and Loral
Skynet Network and Petitions for Declaratory Ruling that the Transaction is Consistent with Section 310(b)(4) of the
Communications Act, IB Docket No. 07-44, Memorandum Opinion and Order and Declaratory Ruling, FCC 07-178,
22 FCC Rcd 18049, 18052, ¶ 11 (2007) (“BCE-Loral Order”); Verizon Communications, Inc., Transferor and
America Movil, S.A. de C.V., Transferee, Application for Authority to Transfer Control of Telecomunicaciones de
Puerto Rico, Inc. (TELPRI), WT Docket No. 06-113, Memorandum Opinion and Order and Declaratory Ruling,
FCC 07-43, 22 FCC Rcd 6195, 6202-3, ¶ 17 (2007) (“TELPRI Order”); Applications of Guam Cellular and Paging,
Inc. and DoCoMo Guam Holdings, Inc., WT Docket No. 06-96, Memorandum Opinion and Order and Declaratory
Ruling, FCC 06-167, 21 FCC Rcd 13580, 13588, ¶ 13 (2006) (“DoCoMo-Guam Cellular Order”); Applications of
Midwest Wireless Holdings, L.L.C. and ALLTEL Communications, Inc., WT Docket No. 05-339, Memorandum
Opinion and Order, FCC 06-146, 21 FCC Rcd 11526, 11535, ¶ 16 (2006) (“ALLTEL-Midwest Wireless Order”);
SBC Communications, Inc. and AT&T Corp. Applications for Approval of Transfer of Control, WC Docket No. 05-
65, Memorandum Opinion and Order, FCC 05-183, 20 FCC Rcd 18290, 18300 n.60 (2005) (“SBC/AT&T Order”);
Verizon Communications Inc. and MCI, Inc. Applications for Approval of Transfer of Control, WC Docket No. 05-
75, Memorandum Opinion and Order, FCC 05-184, 20 FCC Rcd 18433, 18443 n.59 (2005) (“Verizon/MCI Order”);
Applications of Western Wireless Corporation and Alltel Corporation for Consent to Transfer Control of Licenses
and Authorizations, WT Docket No. 05-50, Memorandum Opinion and Order, FCC 05-138, 20 FCC Rcd 13053,
13062-63 ¶ 17 (2005) (“Alltel/Western Wireless Order”).
34
  See, e.g., BCE-Loral Order, 22 FCC Rcd at 18052-53, ¶ 11; TELPRI Order, 22 FCC Rcd at 6202-3, ¶ 17;
DoCoMo-Guam Cellular Order, 21 FCC Rcd at 13589, ¶ 13; ALLTEL-Midwest Wireless Order, 21 FCC Rcd at
11535, ¶ 16; SBC/AT&T Order, 20 FCC Rcd at 18300 ¶ 16; Verizon/MCI Order, 20 FCC Rcd at 18443 ¶ 16;
Applications of Nextel Communications, Inc. and Sprint Corporation for Consent to Transfer Control of Licenses
(continued….)
                                                          6


                                    Federal Communications Commission                                    FCC 07-220


the proposed transaction, on balance, serves the public interest.35 If we are unable to find that the
proposed transaction serves the public interest for any reason, or if the record presents a substantial and
material question of fact, we may designate the application for hearing.36
         17.      Our public interest evaluation necessarily encompasses the “broad aims of the
Communications Act,”37 which include, among other things, a deeply rooted preference for preserving
and enhancing competition in relevant markets, accelerating private sector deployment of advanced
services, ensuring a diversity of license holdings, and generally managing the spectrum in the public
interest.38 Our public interest analysis may also entail assessing whether the proposed transaction will
affect the quality of communications services or will result in the provision of new or additional services
to consumers.39 In conducting this analysis, the Commission may consider technological and market
changes, and the nature, complexity, and speed of change of, as well as trends within, the
communications industry.40
         18.      Our analysis starts with an examination of whether the Applicants are qualified to hold
authorizations and licenses pursuant to sections 214(a) and 310(d) of the Act.41 Next, we consider any
effects of the transactions on competition. Then we consider foreign ownership issues. Finally, we
consider issues related to national security, law enforcement, foreign policy, and trade policy.



(Continued from previous page)
and Authorizations, WT Docket No. 05-63, Memorandum Opinion and Order, FCC 05-148, 20 FCC Rcd 13967,
13976 ¶ 20 (2005); Alltel/Western Wireless Order, 20 FCC Rcd at 13062-63 ¶ 17.
35
  See, e.g., BCE-Loral Order, 22 FCC Rcd at 18053, ¶ 11; TELPRI Order, 22 FCC Rcd at 6202-3, ¶ 17; DoCoMo-
Guam Cellular Order, 21 FCC Rcd at 13589, ¶ 13; ALLTEL-Midwest Wireless Order, 21 FCC Rcd at 11535, ¶ 16;
SBC/AT&T Order, 20 FCC Rcd at 18300 ¶ 16; Verizon/MCI Order, 20 FCC Rcd at 18443 ¶ 16.
36
   We are not required to designate for hearing applications for the transfer or assignment of Title II authorizations
when we are unable to find that the public interest would be served by granting the applications. See ITT World
Communications, Inc. v. FCC, 595 F.2d 897, 901 (2d Cir. 1979). We may, however, do so if we find that a hearing
would be in the public interest. However, with respect to the applications to transfer licenses subject to Title III of
the Act, if we are unable to find that the proposed transaction serves the public interest, or if the record presents a
substantial and material question of fact, section 309(e) of the Act requires that we designate the applications for
hearing. 47 U.S.C. § 309(e); see BCE-Loral Order, 22 FCC Rcd at 18053, ¶ 11; TELPRI Order, 22 FCC Rcd 6202-
3, ¶ 17; DoCoMo-Guam Cellular Order, 21 FCC Rcd at 13589, ¶ 13; ALLTEL-Midwest Wireless Order, 21 FCC
Rcd at 11535, ¶ 16.
37
  See BCE-Loral Order, 22 FCC Rcd at 18053, ¶ 12; TELPRI Order, 22 FCC Rcd at 6203, ¶ 18; DoCoMo-Guam
Cellular Order, 21 FCC Rcd at 13591, ¶ 15; ALLTEL-Midwest Wireless Order, 21 FCC Rcd at 11537, ¶ 18;
SBC/AT&T Order, 20 FCC Rcd at 18301 ¶ 17; Verizon/MCI Order, 20 FCC Rcd at 18443 ¶ 17.
38
   See 47 U.S.C. §§ 157 nt. (incorporating section 706 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, Pub. Law No. 104-
104, 110 Stat. 56 (1996) (1996 Act), 254, 332(c)(7)); 1996 Act, Preamble; BCE-Loral Order, 22 FCC Rcd at 18053,
¶ 12; TELPRI Order, 22 FCC Rcd 6203, ¶ 18; DoCoMo-Guam Cellular Order, 21 FCC Rcd at 13591, ¶ 15;
SBC/AT&T Order, 20 FCC Rcd at 18301 ¶ 17; Verizon/MCI Order, 20 FCC Rcd at 18443-44 ¶ 17.
39
  See BCE-Loral Order, 22 FCC Rcd at 18053, ¶ 12; TELPRI Order, 22 FCC Rcd at 6204, ¶ 18; DoCoMo-Guam
Cellular Order, 21 FCC Rcd at 13591, ¶ 15; ALLTEL-Midwest Wireless Order, 21 FCC Rcd at 11537, ¶ 18;
SBC/AT&T Order, 20 FCC Rcd at 18301 ¶ 17; Verizon/MCI Order, 20 FCC Rcd at 18443-44 ¶ 17.
40
  See BCE-Loral Order, 22 FCC Rcd at 18053, ¶ 12; TELPRI Order, 22 FCC Rcd at 6204, ¶ 18; DoCoMo-Guam
Cellular Order, 21 FCC Rcd at 13591, ¶ 15; ALLTEL-Midwest Wireless Order, 21 FCC Rcd at 11537, ¶ 18;
SBC/AT&T Order, 20 FCC Rcd at 18301-02 ¶ 17; Verizon/MCI Order, 20 FCC Rcd at 18444 ¶ 17.
41
     47 U.S.C. §§ 214(a), 310(d).


                                                           7


                                       Federal Communications Commission                                 FCC 07-220


           B.       Qualifications of the Applicants

         19.     As a threshold matter, we must determine whether the Applicants meet the requisite
qualifications to hold and transfer or assign licenses under section 310(d) of the Act and the
Commission’s rules. In general, when evaluating transfers of control and assignments under section
310(d), we do not re-evaluate the qualifications of the transferor or assignor.42 The exception to this rule
occurs where issues related to basic qualifications have been designated for hearing by the Commission or
have been sufficiently raised in petitions to warrant the designation of a hearing.43 This is not the case
here, so we need not re-evaluate Intelsat’s basic qualifications.
        20.      Section 310(d) also requires that the Commission consider the qualifications of the
proposed assignee/transferee as if the assignee/transferee were applying for the license directly under
section 308 of the Act.44 No party has challenged the basic qualifications of Serafina, and nothing has
come to our attention that would disqualify Serafina on the grounds that it lacks the technical, legal or
other basic qualifications necessary to be a Commission licensee or authorization holder. Thus, we find
that Serafina possesses the requisite basic qualifications to be the transferee of the licenses and
authorizations currently held by the Intelsat Licensees.
           C.       Effect on Competition

        21.     Our public interest analysis under Section 214(a) and 310(d) includes an evaluation of the
competitive effects of the proposed transaction in both the relevant product markets and the relevant
geographic markets. For telecommunications service providers, the Commission has determined that the
relevant product markets can include both service to U.S. domestic telecommunications markets and
service between the United States and foreign telecommunications markets.
         22.      Intelsat owns and operates a global FSS satellite system that provides space segment
capacity for communications services in the United States and internationally. The transaction described
in the Applications will not change the competitive landscape in the FSS market from when we last
examined it in 2006.45 According to Applicants, neither Serafina nor BCP or any other Serafina investor
holds an attributable interest in any telecommunications, satellite, or media company serving any U.S.
market that Intelsat also serves.46 The proposed transaction therefore would not result in consolidation of
interests or an increase in market power in the provision of communications services within the United
States or between the United States and foreign telecommunications markets. As a result, we find that

42
  See BCE-Loral Order, 22 FCC Rcd at 18054, ¶ 14; TELPRI Order, 22 FCC Rcd at 6204, ¶ 20; DoCoMo-Guam
Cellular Order, 21 FCC Rcd at 13590, ¶ 14; ALLTEL-Midwest Wireless Order, 21 FCC Rcd at 11536, ¶ 17;
SBC/AT&T Order, 20 FCC Rcd at 18379, ¶ 171; Verizon/MCI Order, 20 FCC Rcd at 18526, ¶ 183.
43
  See BCE-Loral Order, 22 FCC Rcd at 18054, ¶ 14; TELPRI Order, 22 FCC Rcd at 6204, ¶ 20; DoCoMo-Guam
Cellular Order, 21 FCC Rcd at 13590, ¶ 14; ALLTEL-Midwest Wireless Order, 21 FCC Rcd at 11536, ¶ 17;
SBC/AT&T Order, 20 FCC Rcd at 18379, ¶ 171; Verizon/MCI Order, 20 FCC Rcd at 18526, ¶ 183.
44
  Section 308 requires that applicants for Commission licenses set forth such facts as the Commission may require
as to citizenship, character, and financial, technical, and other qualifications. See 47 U.S.C. § 308. Our rules
implementing the provisions of section 308 regarding an applicant’s qualifications to hold the Commission licenses
involved in this transfer are set forth in Parts 5, 25, 63 and 90 of the Commission’s rules. See 47 C.F.R. Parts 5, 25,
63, 90.
45
  Intelsat-PanAmSat Order, 21 FCC Rcd at 7382-91, ¶¶ 25-46. See also Annual Report and Analysis of Competitive
Market Conditions with Respect to Domestic and International Satellite Communications Services, IB Docket No. 06-
67, First Report, FCC 07-34, 22 FCC Rcd 5954 (2007).
46
     Consolidated Application at 11.


                                                           8


                                     Federal Communications Commission                                 FCC 07-220


there is no basis to conclude that the proposed transaction is likely to harm competition.
           D.       Foreign Ownership

         23.      Because of the foreign ownership interests presented in this case,47 we first consider the
applicability of section 310(a) and (b) of the Communications Act.48 We find that neither provision
applies to the proposed transaction. No foreign government or its representative would hold any of the
subject licenses. Thus, our review does not fall under section 310(a) of the Act, which prohibits “any
foreign government or the representative thereof” from holding a license.49 Further, the Applications
before us involve the transfer of control of FSS space and earth station licenses, wireless licenses, and an
experimental authorization, all of which are held, and are to be transferred, on a non-common carrier
basis.50 We find that the proposed transaction does not involve a “broadcast or common carrier or
aeronautical en route or aeronautical fixed radio station license,” and thus the statutory provisions of
section 310(b) of the Act do not apply.51
         24.     Regardless of the applicability of section 310(a) and (b) of the Act, the Commission
maintains a responsibility pursuant to section 310(d) to determine whether a specific transfer or
assignment involving Title III licenses will serve the public interest, convenience, and necessity.52 Thus,
consistent with our responsibilities under section 310(d), where appropriate, our review considers whether
public interest harms are likely to result from foreign investment in Title III licensees.53 We consider
whether foreign investment in U.S. licensees is likely to distort competition in any relevant U.S. market
or further competition with resulting efficiencies and other public interest benefits.54 If we were to find
any harms resulting from foreign investment, we would consider these harms in the overall balancing of
the potential public interest harms and benefits of the proposed transaction.55
        25.      Our inquiry here focuses on whether the transfer of control of the Title III authorizations
held by the Intelsat Licensees is likely to create competitive distortions in the U.S. market based on the
foreign ownership of Serafina. We have noted, above in Section III.C, Applicants’ statement that neither
BCP nor any other Serafina investor holds an attributable interest in any telecommunications, satellite, or
media company serving any U.S. market served by the Intelsat Licensees. Based on this representation,
47
  Serafina is an entity organized under the laws of Bermuda and indirectly controlled by BCP, a U.K.-based
investment firm organized under the laws of Guernsey, a British Crown Dependency, through BCP’s wholly-owned
subsidiary CIE Management II Limited, also organized under the laws of Guernsey, which serves as general partner
of each of the 41 BCP Funds. Consolidated Application at 1-2, 5. Private equity fund groups investing in Serafina
include investing funds organized under foreign laws, having foreign limited partners, and having foreign citizens or
entities with direct or indirect controlling interests in the investing funds. See generally October 24, 2007 Letter.
48
     47 U.S.C. § 310(a), (b).
49
     47 U.S.C. § 310(a).
50
     See Consolidated Application at 12-13.
51
     See U.S.C. § 310(b).
52
     47 U.S.C. § 310(d).
53
  See, e.g., Intelsat-PanAmSat Order, 21 FCC Rcd at 7392, ¶ 48; General Motors Corporation and Hughes
Electronics Corporation, Transferors, and The News Corporation Limited, Transferee, For Authority to Transfer
Control, MB Docket No. 03-124, Memorandum Opinion and Order, FCC 03-330, 19 FCC Rcd 473, 491, ¶ 33
(2004).
54
     Intelsat-PanAmSat Order, 21 FCC Rcd at 7392, ¶ 48.
55
     Id.


                                                          9


                                     Federal Communications Commission                                 FCC 07-220


we have concluded that the proposed transaction would not result in consolidation of interests or
increased market power within the United States or between the United States and foreign
telecommunications markets.56 We find that the foreign ownership of Serafina does not alter that
conclusion. We observe that, as discussed below in Section III.E, the Executive Branch Agencies have
stated that they have no objection to grant of the Applications with the condition set forth infra in
paragraph 30. Moreover, Applicants represent that Serafina will be owned, with one exception, by U.S.
and WTO Member investors.57 Based on the Applicants’ representations and our review of the record, we
find that the proposed acquisition of Intelsat and the Intelsat Licensees by Serafina is not likely to create
competitive distortions in these markets based on the foreign ownership of Serafina.
           E.          National Security, Law Enforcement, Foreign Policy, and Trade Concerns

         26.     On October 15, 2007, the Executive Branch Agencies filed a Petition to Adopt
Conditions to Authorizations and Licenses (“Petition”). The Petition states that the Executive Branch
Agencies have no objection to the grant of the Applications provided that the Commission condition the
grant on Serafina abiding by the commitments and undertakings contained in the October 9, 2007 Letter
to the Executive Branch Agencies.58 The Petition also states that the parties to the Applications do not
object to the grant of the Petition. The Commission considers national security, law enforcement, foreign
policy, and trade policy concerns when analyzing a transfer of control or assignment application in which
foreign ownership is involved. Under Commission precedent, we defer to the Executive Branch’s
expertise on national security and law enforcement issues.59 In accordance with the request of the
Executive Branch Agencies, and in the absence of objection from the Applicants, we condition the grant
of the Applications on Serafina’s compliance with the commitments and undertakings in the October 9,
2007 Letter.
           F.          Pending Applications

         27.       Applicants ask the Commission to grant Serafina authority to acquire control with respect
to: (1) all licenses and authorizations issued or assigned to Intelsat or any of its subsidiaries during the
pendency of the Applications and prior to consummation of any approved transaction; and (2) all

56
     See supra ¶ 22.
57
  Both Bermuda, the jurisdiction where Serafina was formed, and the United Kingdom, where BCP was organized
under the laws of Guernsey, a British Crown Dependency, are WTO Member countries. Applicants represent that
the seventeen individuals who own greater-than-ten-percent equity or voting interests in BCP are citizens of the
United States or Western European WTO Member countries, as are the current and proposed directors of the BCP
Board. October 24, 2007 Letter at 2. Applicants state that the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board, a Canadian
entity, will control an indirect equity interest in Serafina of approximately 11.49 percent. Id. Canada is a WTO
Member country. The forty-five Serafina investor groups are organized in the United States or WTO Member
countries. October 24, 2007 Letter at Attachment A. Applicants further represent that all non-U.S. investors in
Serafina – except for one limited partner with a 0.06 percent equity interest in the Silver Lake Funds whose principal
place of business is Lebanon – are citizens of, or have their principal place of business in, WTO Member countries.
October 24, 2007 Letter at Table 2.
58
  Letter from Serafina and Intelsat to Kenneth L. Wainstein, Elaine N. Lammert, and Stewart A. Baker, dated
October 9, 2007 (“October 9, 2007 Letter”). The Petition and the October 9, 2007 Letter are publicly available on
the FCC web site by searching the record for this proceeding, IB Docket 07-181, through the Electronic Comment
Filing System, available at http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/prod/ecfs/comsrch_v2.cgi.
59
  See Foreign Participation Order, 12 FCC Rcd at 23918 ¶ 59, 23919-21 ¶¶ 61-66; Amendment of the
Commission’s Regulatory Policies to Allow Non-U.S. Licensed Space Stations to Provide Domestic and
International Satellite Service in the United States, Report and Order, 12 FCC Rcd 24094, 24170, ¶ 178 (1997).


                                                         10


                                     Federal Communications Commission                           FCC 07-220


applications pending at the time of consummation of the proposed transaction.60 We grant Applicants’
request to transfer control of the relevant licenses and authorizations issued or assigned to Intelsat or its
subsidiaries. Consistent with section 1.65 of the Commission’s rules,61 Serafina and the Intelsat
Licensees should amend any currently pending applications to reflect the consummation of the transaction
approved by this Order. Additionally, to the extent that Attachment A to this Order does not include all
authorizations issued to the Intelsat Licensees during the period between the filing of the Applications and
the consummation of the proposed transaction, the Applicants should file with the Commission, within 30
days of consummation of the transaction, a section 1.65 letter referencing IB Docket No. 07-181 and each
applicable file number and providing an updated version of Attachment A that includes all relevant
authorizations and call signs.
IV.        CONCLUSION
         28.     There is no evidence in the record to suggest that Serafina lacks the basic qualifications
to be the transferee of the licenses and authorizations currently held by the Intelsat Licensees or that the
proposed transaction would harm competition or otherwise contravene any Commission rule or policy.
We therefore find that the Applicants have met their burden and that grant of the Applications, as
conditioned herein, will serve the public interest, convenience, and necessity.62
V.         ORDERING CLAUSES
        29.     Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED that, pursuant to sections 4(i) and (j), 214(a), 309, 310(d)
of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. §§ 154(i), 154(j), 214(a), 309, 310(d), the
Applications for the transfer of control and assignment of licenses and authorizations set forth in
Appendix A ARE GRANTED, to the extent specified and as conditioned in this Memorandum Opinion
and Order.
         30.     IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, pursuant to sections 4(i) and (j), 214, 309, and 310(d)
of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. §§ 154(i), 154(j), 214, 309, 310(d), the
Petition to Adopt Conditions to Authorizations and Licenses filed jointly by the U.S. Department of
Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on October
15, 2007 IS GRANTED. Grant of the Applications IS CONDITIONED UPON compliance with the
commitments and undertakings set forth in the October 9, 2007 letter from Serafina and Intelsat, attached
to this Memorandum Opinion and Order in Appendix C.
         31.     IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, pursuant to section 25.119(f) of the Commission’s
rules, 47 C.F.R. § 25.119(f), consummation of this transaction shall be completed within 60 days from the
release of this Memorandum Opinion and Order. Pursuant to sections 1.948(d) and 25.119(f) of the
Commission’s rules, 47 C.F.R. §§ 1.948(d), 25.119(f), within 30 days of consummation, the Commission
shall be notified by letter and by the filing of FCC Form 603, Schedule D, of the date of consummation
and the file numbers of the Applications involved in the transaction.
         32.     IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, pursuant to section 1.65 of the Commission’s rules, 47
C.F.R. § 1.65, the Applicants are afforded 30 days from the date of release of this Order to amend all
pending applications in connection with the instant Applications to reflect the transfer of control approved
in this Order.



60
     Consolidated Application at 15-16.
61
     47 C.F.R. § 1.65.
62
     47 U.S.C. §§ 214(a), 310(d).


                                                     11


                               Federal Communications Commission                         FCC 07-220


       33.      IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that this Memorandum Opinion and Order SHALL BE
EFFECTIVE upon release. Petitions for reconsideration under section 1.106 of the Commission's rules,
47 C.F.R. § 1.106, may be filed within thirty (30) days of the date of this Memorandum Opinion and
Order.

                                               FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION




                                               Marlene H. Dortch
                                               Secretary




                                                 12


                                 Federal Communications Commission                             FCC 07-220


                                           ATTACHMENT A

                                                 Applications

        Part 25 – Satellite Earth Station, VSAT, and Space Station Authorizations

        The following applications for consent to the transfer of control of satellite earth station, VSAT
and space station authorizations have been assigned the file numbers below.

File No.                        Licensee               Type of Station        Call Signs
                                                       Authorization
SAT-T/C-20070810-00113          Intelsat North         Space stations (28)    KS35, S2647, S2401, S2160,
                                America LLC                                   S2395, S2159, S2397,
                                                                              S2469, S2388, S2154,
                                                                              S2400, S2414, S2394,
                                                                              S2411, S2399, S2389,
                                                                              S2392, S2409, S2408,
                                                                              S2407, S2406, S2405,
                                                                              S2404, S2402, S2391,
                                                                              S2396, S2398, S2410
SAT-T/C-20070810-00111          PanAmSat               Space stations (23)    S2387, S2385, S2386,
                                Licensee Corp.                                S2422, S2715, S2253,
                                                                              S2237, S2378, S2687,
                                                                              S2146, S2377, S2381,
                                                                              S2380, S2229, S2704,
                                                                              S2359, S2461, S2460,
                                                                              S2459, PAS-2R, S2368,
                                                                              S2707, S2382
SAT-T/C-20070810-00112          PanAmSat H-2           Space station (1)      S2423
                                Licensee Corp.
SES-T/C-20070815-01100          Intelsat North         Fixed earth stations   E040125, E020169, KB26,
                                America LLC            (26)                   KA275, E020314, KA270,
                                                                              E000296, KA269, KA264,
                                                                              KA268, KA263, KA266,
                                                                              E060388, E060384,
                                                                              E000355, KA265, KA267,
                                                                              KA258, KA25, E020315,
                                                                              E980485, E040343, KA261,
                                                                              KA260, KA259, KA262
SES-T/C-20070815-01090          Intelsat LLC           VSAT earth station     E070067
                                                       (1)
SES-T/C-20070815-01091          Intelsat LLC           Temporary-Fixed        E920519, E970319,
                                                       earth stations (3)     E970091
SES-T/C-20070815-01098          Intelsat LLC           Fixed earth stations   WA22, E980510, E070050,
                                                       (32)                   WN52, E060108, E030051,
                                                                              E040286, E030071,
                                                     13


                         Federal Communications Commission                      FCC 07-220


                                                                  E060029, E030082,
                                                                  E020191, E030100,
                                                                  E990320, E030101,
                                                                  E990131, E980526,
                                                                  E980200, E040140,
                                                                  E040141, E040414,
                                                                  E960187, KA251, E050048,
                                                                  E050009, E050049,
                                                                  E900992, E010104,
                                                                  E020126, E960186,
                                                                  E030103, E990551,
                                                                  E010206
SES-T/C-20070815-01097   PanAmSat          VSAT earth             E010280, E050169,
                         Licensee Corp.    stations (3)           E050174
SES-T/C-20070815-01099   PanAmSat          Fixed earth stations   E030175, E990091, KA450,
                         Licensee Corp.    (71)                   E030106, E990056,
                                                                  E940532, E990223,
                                                                  E030096, E980069,
                                                                  E990214, E030073,
                                                                  E900757, E030072,
                                                                  E010019, E990024,
                                                                  E020309, E980503,
                                                                  E020260, E980502,
                                                                  E980501, E980467,
                                                                  E980460, E7465, KA391,
                                                                  E930088, E990363,
                                                                  E881286, E010133,
                                                                  E000063, E990323,
                                                                  E010112, E970391,
                                                                  E040174, E000488,
                                                                  E990092, E990433,
                                                                  E000364, E060198,
                                                                  E030012, E000363,
                                                                  E050311, E000274,
                                                                  E030306, E000048,
                                                                  E030020, E990441,
                                                                  E990365, E990334,
                                                                  E990224, E030307,
                                                                  E970189, E010113, KA71,
                                                                  E960411, E030232,
                                                                  E000049, E881304,
                                                                  E940333, E860175, E4132,
                                                                  E2178, E950508, E970392,
                                                                  E950502, E970051,
                                                                  E950267, KA416, E950307,
                                                                  E030182, KL92, E950067
SES-T/C-20070815-01093   PanAmSat          Temporary-fixed        E010118, E990055
                         Licensee Corp.    earth stations (2)

                                          14


                                 Federal Communications Commission                               FCC 07-220


        Part 90 – Wireless Radio Services Authorizations
        The following application for consent to the transfer of control of wireless radio services licenses
has been assigned the file number listed below.


File No.                     Licensee                     Type of Station           Call Signs
                                                          Authorization
0003125329                   Intelsat LLC                 Industrial/business       WII902, WPAG761,
                                                          pool, conventional (4)    WPRR963, WPYJ473

        Part 5 – Experimental Authorization
        The following application for consent to transfer of control of an experimental authorization has
been assigned the file number listed below.

File No.                             Licensee                             Call Sign
0026-EX-TC-2007                      Intelsat LLC                         WD2XHU

        Part 63 – International Section 214 Authorizations

        The following applications for consent to transfer of control of international section 214
authorizations have been assigned the file numbers listed below.

File No.                            Authorization Holder                    Authorization Numbers
ITC-T/C-20070815-00336              Intelsat General Corp.                  ITC-214-20040528-00213,
                                                                            ITC-MOD-20050329-00170
ITC-T/C-20070815-00331              Intelsat USA License Corp.              ITC-214-19930829-00248,
                                                                            ITC-214-19920318-00117,
                                                                            ITC-MOD-20051007-00445,
                                                                            ITC-214-20051031-00443




                                                     15


                                    Federal Communications Commission                              FCC 07-220


                                              ATTACHMENT B

                         Intelsat Ownership Following Proposed Transaction1




1
    The contents of Attachment B are excerpted from the November 1, 2007 Letter at Attachment A.


                                                        16


Federal Communications Commission   FCC 07-220




               17


Federal Communications Commission   FCC 07-220


        ATTACHMENT C




               18


Federal Communications Commission   FCC 07-220




               19


Federal Communications Commission   FCC 07-220




               20


Federal Communications Commission   FCC 07-220




               21


Federal Communications Commission   FCC 07-220




               22


Federal Communications Commission   FCC 07-220




               23


Federal Communications Commission   FCC 07-220




               24


Federal Communications Commission   FCC 07-220




               25


Federal Communications Commission   FCC 07-220




               26


Federal Communications Commission   FCC 07-220




               27


Federal Communications Commission   FCC 07-220




               28


                                 Federal Communications Commission                              FCC 07-220


                                 STATEMENT OF COMMISSIONER
                                 MICHAEL J. COPPS, CONCURRING

Re:     Intelsat Holdings, Ltd., Transferor, and Serafina Holdings Limited, Transferee Consolidated
        Application for Consent to Transfer Control of Holders of Title II and Title III Authorizations, IB
        Docket No. 07-181, Memorandum Opinion and Order

         Today’s decision substitutes one group of private equity firms for another group of private equity
firms as owners of the world’s largest provider of fixed satellite services. While I have no reason to
believe that this latest group of owners will operate the company with more or less concern for the public
interest than the previous group, I concur in today’s decision because the Commission still has not
conducted a comprehensive investigation into the effects of private equity investment on Commission
licensees.

        We need to start looking at these important questions and we need to do so quickly. We simply
cannot discharge our public interest responsibilities in a piecemeal fashion. It is high time to conduct a
general analysis of how this significant change in our commercial-financial system affects the ability of
the FCC to carry out its responsibilities and then apply these principles to every private equity transaction
that comes before us.




                                                     29



Document Created: 0000-00-00 00:00:00
Document Modified: 0000-00-00 00:00:00

© 2024 FCC.report
This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the FCC