SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
April 2, 1997
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)
AMERICAN MOBILE SATELLITE CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE 0-23044 93-0976127
(State or other jurisdiction (Commission (IRS Employer
of incorporation) File Number) Identification No.)
10802 Parkridge Boulevard, Reston, Virginia 20191-5416
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(703) 758-6000
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
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Item 5. Other Events
On April 2, 1997, American Mobile Radio Corporation ("AMRC"), a subsidiary of
American Mobile Satellite Corporation, was a winning bidder for an FCC license
to provide satellite-based Digital Audio Radio Service ("DARS") throughout the
United States. AMRC will pay $89.9 million for the 12 1/2 MHz S-band license,
one of two auctioned by the FCC.
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
AMERICAN MOBILE SATELLITE CORPORATION
(Registrant)
Date: April 2, 1997 /s/ Randy S. Segal
Randy S. Segal
Secretary
Reference: 97-#6
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
American Mobile Radio Corporation Wins DARS License
RESTON, VA, April 2, 1997--American Mobile Radio Corporation (AMRC) is a winning
bidder for an FCC license to provide satellite-based Digital Audio Radio Service
(DARS) throughout the United States. AMRC will pay $89.9 million for the 12 1/2
MHz S-band license, one of two auctioned today by the FCC. "AMRC now has the
opportunity to participate in a technology revolution," said AMRC President Lon
C. Levin. "DARS technology will bring news and entertainment to your car,
wherever you travel within the U.S., with the sound quality of compact disc and
the variety of radio programming." As was previously announced, AMRC has a
strategic alliance with WorldSpace, Inc., a 20% minority owner. WorldSpace is
currently developing the industry's first global digital audio satellite system.
"This is the ideal strategic relationship for AMRC to gain access to proven
technology already in development and accelerate market entry in the U.S.," Mr.
Levin added. American Mobile Radio Corporation is a subsidiary of American
Mobile Satellite Corporation (Nasdaq: SKYC), which offers a full range of mobile
communications throughout the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto
Rico, the Virgin Islands, and hundreds of miles of U.S. coastal waters. AMSC's
shareholders include Hughes Communications, Inc., Singapore Telecom, and AT&T
Wireless Services.
Factors that could cause forward-looking statements in this news release to
differ materially from actual results are discussed in the company's S-1
registration statement; Form 10K for the year ended December 31, 1996; and other
periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of the
filings are available upon request from the company's investor relations
department.
Press Contact: Orly Konig Lopez Investor Contact: Renate Brown Neely
703/716-6522 703/716-6558
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