<PAGE>
===============================================================================
-------------------------------
/ OMB APPROVAL /
-------------------------------
/ OMB Number: 3235-0145 /
/ Expires: August 31, 1999 /
/ Estimated average burden /
/ hours per response....14.90 /
-------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 13G
(RULE 13d-102)
INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN STATEMENTS FILED PURSUANT TO RULES 13d-1(b),(c)
and (d) AND AMENDMENTS THERETO FILED PURSUANT TO RULE 13d-2(b)
(AMENDMENT NO._____)
Viatel, Inc.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(NAME OF ISSUER)
Common Stock, par value $.01 per share
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(TITLE OF CLASS OF SECURITIES)
925529208
------------------------------
(CUSIP NUMBER)
October 23, 1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(DATE OF EVENT WHICH REQUIRES FILING OF THIS STATEMENT)
---------------
Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this Schedule
is filed:
[_] Rule 13d-1(b)
[_] Rule 13d-1(c)
[X] Rule 13d-1(d)
*The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person's
initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and
for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter the
disclosures provided in a prior cover page.
The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed
to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act
but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the
Notes).
Potential persons who are to respond to the collection of information contained
in this form are not required to respond unless the form displays a currently
valid OMB control number.
SEC 1745 (3-98)
<PAGE>
===============================================================================
CUSIP NO. 925529208 13G Page 2 of 8 Pages
--------- --- ---
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS.
1 I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY).
COMSAT Corporation 52-0781863
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
2 (a) [X]
(b) [_]
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SEC USE ONLY
3
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
4
District of Columbia
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SOLE VOTING POWER
5
NUMBER OF 2,140,539
SHARES -----------------------------------------------------------
SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY 6
OWNED BY
-----------------------------------------------------------
EACH SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
7
REPORTING 2,140,539
PERSON -----------------------------------------------------------
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
WITH 8
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
9
2,140,539
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
10 (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
[_]
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9
11
9.6% at 10/23/96
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON* (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
12
HC
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
<PAGE>
===============================================================================
CUSIP NO. 925529208 13G PAGES 3 OF 8 PAGES
--------- --- ---
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS.
1 I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY).
COMSAT International, Inc. 52-1640843
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
2 (a) [X]
(b) [_]
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SEC USE ONLY
3
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
4
Delaware
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SOLE VOTING POWER
5
NUMBER OF 2,140,539
SHARES -----------------------------------------------------------
SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY 6
OWNED BY
-----------------------------------------------------------
EACH SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
7
REPORTING 2,140,539
PERSON -----------------------------------------------------------
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
WITH 8
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
9
2,140,539
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
10 (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
[_]
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9
11
9.6% at 10/23/96
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
12
CO
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
<PAGE>
===============================================================================
CUSIP No. 925529208 13G PAGE 4 OF 8 PAGES
--------- --- ---
ITEM 1 (a) NAME OF ISSUER:
Viatel, Inc.
ITEM 1 (b) ADDRESS OF ISSUER'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES:
800 Third Avenue
New York, New York 10022
ITEM 2 (a) NAME OF PERSON FILING:
COMSAT Corporation (May be deemed to have beneficial ownership of shares
held by COMSAT International, Inc., its wholly owned subsidiary.)
COMSAT International, Inc. (record holder)
ITEM 2 (b) ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL BUSINESS OFFICE OR, IF NONE, RESIDENCE:
6560 Rock Spring Drive
Bethesda, Maryland 20817
ITEM 2 (c) CITIZENSHIP
COMSAT Corporation District of Columbia
COMSAT International, Inc. Delaware
ITEM 2 (d) TITLE OF CLASS OF SECURITIES
Common Stock, par value $.01 per share
ITEM 2 (e) CUSIP NUMBER
925529208
ITEM 3. IF THIS STATEMENT IS FILED PURSUANT TO (S)(S)240.13D-1(b) OR
240.13D-2(b) OR (c), CHECK WHETHER THE PERSON FILING IS a:
Not applicable. This statement is being filed pursuant to Rule 13d-1(d).
<PAGE>
================================================================================
CUSIP No. 925529208 13G PAGES 5 OF 8 PAGES
--------- --- ---
ITEM 4. OWNERSHIP.
(a) Amount beneficially owned: 2,140,539 shares
(b) Percent of class: 9.6% at 10/23/96
(c) Number of shares as to which the person has:
(i) Sole power to vote or to direct the vote
2,140,539 shares,
(ii) Shared power to vote or to direct the vote
0 shares,
(iii) Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of
2,140,539 shares, and
(iv) Shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of
0 shares.
ITEM 5. OWNERSHIP OF FIVE PERCENT OR LESS OF A CLASS.
Not applicable.
ITEM 6. OWNERSHIP OF MORE THAN FIVE PERCENT ON BEHALF OF ANOTHER PERSON.
Not applicable.
ITEM 7. IDENTIFICATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF THE SUBSIDIARY WHICH ACQUIRED THE
SECURITY BEING REPORTED ON BY THE PARENT HOLDING COMPANY.
COMSAT International, Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of
Delaware
<PAGE>
================================================================================
CUSIP No. 925529208 13G PAGES 6 OF 8 PAGES
--------- --- ---
ITEM 8. IDENTIFICATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF MEMBERS OF THE GROUP.
Not applicable.
ITEM 9. NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION OF A GROUP
Not applicable.
ITEM 10. CERTIFICATION
Not applicable.
<PAGE>
===============================================================================
CUSIP No. 925529208 13G PAGE 7 OF 8 PAGES
--------- --- ---
SIGNATURE
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I
certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and
correct.
August 5, 1998 COMSAT CORPORATION
By /s/ Alan G. Korobov
--------------------
Alan G. Korobov
Controller
<PAGE>
===============================================================================
CUSIP No. 925529208 13G PAGE 8 OF 8 PAGES
--------- --- ---
SIGNATURE
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I
certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and
correct.
August 5, 1998 COMSAT INTERNATIONAL, INC.
By /s/ Gerry Allen
--------------------
Gerry Allen
President