FCC, approves purchase of IDB Mobile
     The FCC approved the purchase of IDB Mobile
Communications Inc. by Stratos Mobile Networks, through its
holding company Stratos Wireless Inc.
     IDB Mobile will change its name to Stratos Mobile
Networks (U.S.A.), based in Bethesda, Md., U.S.A.
     This marks the conclusion of an acquisition process
that began in 1996, when NewEast Wireless Telecom, a
Canadian mobile satellite service provider entered into an
agreement with Teleglobe Canada for the management of
Teleglobe Canada's Inmarsat mobile satellite operations and
as part of this transaction acquired 50% of IDB Mobile.
     The transaction led to the origin of a new species in
mobile satellite service providers: a multi-network operator
which owns, operates or manages satellite facilities around
the world providing international mobile satellite network
coverage.  NewEast Wireless Telecom changed its name and
Stratos Mobile Networks was launched on March 4, 1997.
     The purchase of the remaining 50% of IDB Mobile from
WorldCom Inc., was announced earlier this year, but was
subject to FCC  approval.  The FCC's decision now authorises
Stratos Wireless Inc.  to complete the acquisition process.
Once completed, Stratos Mobile Networks (U.S.A.) will
provide global satellite services for both inbound (mobile-
to-fixed) and outbound (fixed-to-mobile) directions.
"    The Titan Corporation has been awarded a $2.8 million
contract from Motorola for production of satellite
communication modems to be installed in Motorola's LST-5D
UHF SATCOM radios. This is Titan's third order from Motorola
for LST-5D satellite communication modems, bringing the
total orders to date to $5.6 million.
"    Scientists lost radio contact with the Advanced Earth
Observing Satellite (ADEOS),a Japanese Earth-observation
satellite, this week and suspect space debris may have hit
it, causing the on-board solar power system to malfunction.
"    Bloomberg will begin Internet broadcasting next month,
airing on its home page the news program that is currently
broadcast on Bloomberg Television in about 20 countries.
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