The Federal Communications Commission said applications submitted from Columbia Communications Corp. and Mobile Satellite Ventures Inc. (MSV) have been accepted, and those companies can move forward with their plans. In its April 29 application, Columbia filed an amendment to a pending modification to revise milestone dates for the construction completion and launch of AMC-12. Columbia asked for a completion of construction milestone of March 31, 2005, and for a launch milestone of June 30, 2005. MSV filed an application June 23 to operate its AMSC-1 satellite at 100.95 degrees West longitude rather than at the 101 degrees West longitude location currently authorized.

In other action, the FCC granted launch and operating authority to SES Americom Inc. for its AMC-23 hybrid C-band/Ku-band satellite at 172 degrees East longitude.