Satellite Business Systems (SBS) was bought by MCI from IBM in 1986 and became its fully owned subsidiary. SBS delivered telecommunications transmissions over the first all digital domestic commercial communication satellite system starting from March 1981. It used satellites designed and built by Hughes Aircraft Company. The transmission system also included Customer Premises Earth Stations (CPES) - small radio frequency (RF) ground terminals with antenna designed to be mounted on the rooftops of SBS and its customers' facilities, or on the ground adjacent to them.

SBS operational records support evaluation of sites and depict CPES construction. This series contains photographs, negatives, slides, transparencies, videotapes, and films. There are three subseries: COMSAT films, Employee information; and Public Affairs subject file photographs

COMSAT films subseries

A group of fourteen 16mm film reels were collected by MCI in connection with its satellite communications business. These films document early efforts in the field of satellite communications by AT&T, COMSAT, and Hughes Aircraft Company. They highlight satellite construction and launching projects, such as Telstar system, led by AT&T and NASA in 1960 through 1963; the world’s first geosynchronous satellite Syncom, built and launched by Hughes Aircraft Company in 1963; and Syncom’s successor Early Bird satellite, launched by Communications Satellite Company (COMSAT) in April 1965.

Employee information subseries

Videotapes of both formal and informal meetings in 1985 and 1986 between MCI and SBS employees regarding the merger. In one set of videotapes MCI executives are presenting to SBS managers about the future plans. Another set of videotapes shows SBS executives and managers presenting to MCI employees about the history and business strategy of the company. There are a few meetings regarding the transition of the merger. Most of these meetings have question and answer sessions. Liebhaber speaks at a meeting to SBS employees about MCI opportunities and benefits. There is B-roll footage of satellite dishes, offices, equipment, and a space shuttle launch.

Public Affairs subject file photographs subseries This series is organized alphabetically by subject and consists of photographs, negatives, slides and transparencies. These images depict antennae installations, computer center work, views of antennae, city skylines, and rooftop views of SBS earth stations. There are photographs of satellites under construction and being launched. Transparencies for presentations of SBS predecessor MCIL show its application for construction and operation of a domestic communications satellite system and present a technical basis of the new telecommunication services pioneered by MCI via its subsidiary. These images date from 1970 through 1985.