1998 Biennial Regulatory Review of Accounts Settlements in the Maritime and Maritime Mobile-Satellite Radio Services and Withdrawal of the Commission as an Accounting Authority

Résumé

The Federal Communication Commission adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to streamline further the rules governing the regulation and authorization of private accounting authorities for maritime mobile, maritime satellite, aircraft, and hand-held terminal radio services. The Commission proposes to withdraw from its accounting authority function and instead to rely upon private accounting authorities, require private authorities to deal with the public in a non-discriminatory manner, and designate a new accounting authority of last resort. The Commission believes that its function as an accounting clearinghouse is no longer necessary and that its withdrawal from performing this function will serve the public interest. The proposals will benefit the public because they will promote competition in the settlement of maritime radio accounts.