[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 83 (Monday, May 1, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 21048-21052]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-10418]



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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Part 2

[ET Docket No. 92-28; FCC 95-70]


Mobile-Satellite Service at 1610-1626.5 and 2483.5-2500 Mhz

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Final rule; clarification and correction of typographical 
errors.

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SUMMARY: This Memorandum Opinion and Order (MO&O) affirms the decision 
in the Report and Order (R&O) in this proceeding to allocate the 1610-
1626.5 MHz (1.6 GHz) and 2483.5-2500 MHz (2.4 GHz) bands for 
geostationary orbit (GSO) and non-geostationary orbit (low-Earth orbit 
or LEO) mobile-satellite service (MSS) use, and clarifies that the 
Commission made no finding in that decision as to whether both types of 
systems would be authorized. We also clarify the meaning of 
international footnotes RR753F and RR731E, but defer to the 
International Telecommunication Union (ITU) 1995 World 
Radiocommunications Conference (WRC-95) action on modification of these 
footnotes. Finally, we note that we will explore with the National 
Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) the 
possibility of Government or shared Government/non-Government bands 
being made available to assist in satisfying MSS/radiodetermination 
satellite service (RDSS) feeder link requirements.

EFFECTIVE DATE: May 31, 1995.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ray LaForge, Office of Engineering and Technology, telephone (202) 739-
0598.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission's 
Memorandum Opinion and Order in ET Docket No. 92-28 adopted on February 
24, 1995 and released on March 20, 1995. The complete text of this 
Memorandum Opinion and Order is available for inspection and copying 
during normal business hours in the FCC Public Reference Center (Room 
239), 1919 M Street, NW, Washington, DC 20554. The complete text of 
this Memorandum Opinion and Order also may be purchased from the 
Commission's duplication contractor, International Transcription 
Service, Inc., 2100 M Street, NW, Suite 140, Washington DC 20036, (202) 
857-3800.

Summary of Memorandum Opinion and Order

    1. In the R&O, (See ET Docket No. 92-28, 9 FCC Rcd 536, 59 FR 9413 
(1993)) we allocated the 1.6 and 2.4 GHz bands for LEO and GSO MSS on a 
primary basis. We stated that this allocation supports the growing 
demand for mobile communications, permits the introduction of new 
satellite services, and conforms to the 1992 World Administrative Radio 
Conference (WARC-92) spectrum allocation for these bands.
    2. On March 30, 1994, Loral Qualcomm Satellite Services, Inc. 
(LQSS) filed a Petition for Clarification and Partial Reconsideration 
of the R&O requesting that the Commission (1) clarify that the R&O was 
intended only to allocate spectrum for MSS but did not establish 
eligibility requirements for MSS licensees; (2) increase the power flux 
density (PFD) values in RR753F and clarify that these values represent 
thresholds that determine when coordination with terrestrial users is 
required, rather than absolute limits; (3) modify RR731E to apply a -15 
dBW/4 kHz EIRP limit to all MSS uplinks and eliminate the requirement 
for protection of aeronautical radionavigation systems; and (4) 
identify spectrum below 15 GHz that can be used for MSS feeder links.
    3. We concur with LQSS that the R&O made no finding on the 
desirability of LEO versus GSO systems. In the Notice of Proposed Rule 
Making (NPRM) (see ET Docket 92-28, 7 FCC Rcd 6414, 57 FR 43434 
(September 21, 1992)) we proposed to require MSS systems licensed in 
the 1.6 and 2.4 GHz bands to operate in non-geostationary orbits. The 
R&O did not make any determination of this issue. However, the recent 
Report and Order in the service rules proceeding decided this issue in 
favor of LEO satellite systems. See CC Docket No. 92-166, 9 FCC Rcd 
5936, 59 FR 53294 (1994).
    4. Further in regard to footnote RR753F, in the R&O, we concluded 
that the international footnotes adopted for the 1.6 and 2.4 GHz bands 
by WARC-92 were intended to form the basis for international 
notification and coordination of various satellite systems, and to 
ensure that new and existing systems are afforded protection from 
harmful interference. We therefore adopted footnote RR753F 
domestically. While the PFD values prescribed by RR753F may be viewed 
by LQSS as excessively conservative, we believe that the proper forum 
for modifying these values is WRC-95. However, we concur with LQSS and 
commenting parties that these values were not intended as absolute 
limits. We thus clarify that the PFD values prescribed by RR753F are 
coordination thresholds that may be exceeded with the consent of all 
affected parties. [[Page 21049]] 
    5. Further, RR731E was one of the bases for international agreement 
on the use of the 1.6 GHz band for the implementation of new mobile-
satellite services. We believe that the proper forum for modifying this 
footnote is WRC-95. However, consistent with our interpretation of 
RR753F, we clarify that the EIRP values may be exceeded with the 
consent of all affected parties.
    6. In the R&O, we noted that there may be difficulties in 
identifying spectrum below 15 GHz for MSS LEO feeder link operations. 
We stated that we would be exploring all options to ensure that 
adequate unencumbered spectrum is available for feeder link 
requirements. In a recent Report to NTIA, we recommended that the 
shared Government/non-Government bands at 3600-3700 and 5850-5925 MHz 
be made available for exclusive non-Government use. We noted that the 
3600-3700 MHz band was identified in our negotiated rule making 
regarding MSS above 1 GHz as one of the more likely candidates for MSS/
RDSS feeder link spectrum. We intend to explore with NTIA the 
possibility of feeder link spectrum being made available from these and 
other existing Government or shared Government/non-Government bands 
that may be reallocated for exclusive non-Government use.
    7. Accordingly, It is Ordered, that the Petition for Clarification 
and Partial Reconsideration submitted by Loral Qualcomm Satellite 
Services, Inc. Is Granted to the extent indicated herein, and Is Denied 
in all other respects. This action is taken pursuant to Sections 4(i), 
303(c), (f), (g), and (r) of the Communications Act of 1934, as 
amended, 47 U.S.C. sections 154(i), 303(c), (f), (g), and (r). Since 
there were a few typographical errors in the Table as published in the 
R&O, we are also placing below in Amendatory Text a corrected copy of 
the Table of Frequency Allocations, 47 CFR 2.106, that reflects all of 
the modifications to the Table that were made in the R&O.

List of Subjects 47 CFR Part 2

    Radio.

Federal Communications Commission.
William F. Caton,
Acting Secretary.

Amendatory Text

    Part 2 of chapter I of title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations 
is amended as follows:

PART 2--FREQUENCY ALLOCATIONS AND RADIO TREATY MATTERS--GENERAL 
RULES AND REGULATIONS

    1. The authority citation in Part 2 continue to read:

    Authority: Sec. 4, 302, 303, and 307 of the Communications Act 
of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. Sections 154, 154(i), 302, 303, 
303(r), and 307, unless otherwise noted.

    2. Section 2.106, the Table of Frequency Allocations, is amended as 
follows:
    a. The entries for 1610-1626.5 MHz are removed and new entries for 
1610-1626.5 MHz are added in numerical order.
    b. The entry for 2483.5-2500 MHz is removed and a new entry for 
2483.5-2500 MHz is added in numerical order.
    c. The entries for the 22.5-22.55, 22.55-23, 24.25-24.45, 24.45-
24.65, and 24.65-24.75 GHz are removed and new entries for 22.5-22.55, 
22.55-23, 24.25-24.45, 24.45-24.65, and 24.65-24.75 GHz are added in 
numerical order.
    d. INTERNATIONAL FOOTNOTES Nos. 731E, 731F, 753F, 881A, 881B, 882E, 
882F, and 882G are added; and Nos. 733A, 733E, 734, 753, and 753C are 
revised.
    e. UNITED STATES (US) FOOTNOTE US319 is revised and NON-GOVERNMENT 
(NG) FOOTNOTE NG147 is revised.
    The additions, deletions, and revisions read as follows:


Sec. 2.106  Table of Frequency Allocations.

                                                                                                                
               International Table                       United States Table            FCC use designators     
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Region 1         Region 2         Region 3       Government    Non-Government                  Special-use  
 allocation MHz   allocation MHz   allocation MHz  Allocation MHz  Allocation MHz  Rule part(s)    frequencies  
(1)              (2)              (3)              (4)             (5)             (6)           (7)            
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                
*                  *                  *                  *                  *                  *                
                                                        *                                                       
1610-1610.6      1610-1610.6      1610-1610.6      1610-1610.6     1610-1610.6     ............                 
AERONAUTICAL     AERONAUTICAL     AERONAUTICAL     AERONAUTICAL    AERONAUTICAL    AVIATION      ...............
 RADIONAVIGATIO   RADIONAVIGATIO   RADIONAVIGATIO   RADIONAVIGATI   RADIONAVIGATI   (87)                        
 N                N                N                ON              ON             SATELLITE                    
MOBILE           RADIODETERMINAT  MOBILE-          RADIODETERMINA  RADIODETERMINA   COMMUNICATI                 
 SATELLITE        ION SATELLITE    SATELLITE        TION-           TION-           ON (25)                     
 (Earth-to-       (Earth-to-       (Earth-to-       SATELLITE       SATELLITE                                   
 space)           space)           space)           (Earth-to-      (Earth-to-                                  
                 MOBILE           RADIODETERMINAT   space)          space)                                      
                  SATELLITE        ION-SATELLITE   MOBILE-         MOBILE-                                      
                  (Earth-to-       (Earth-to-       SATELLITE       SATELLITE                                   
                  space)           space)           (Earth-to-      (Earth-to-                                  
                                                    space)          space)                                      
722 727 730 731  722 731E 732     722 727 730      722 731E 732    722 731E 732    ............  ...............
 731E 732 733     733 733A 733C    731E 732 733     733 733A 733E   733 733A 733E                               
 733A 733B 733E   733D 733E        733A 733B 733E   US208 US260     US208 US260                                 
 733F                                               US319           US319                                       
1610.6-1613.8    1610.6-1613.8    1610.6-1613.8    1610.6-1613.8   1610.6-1613.8   ............  ...............
                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                
[[Page 21050]]A  AERONAUTICAL     AERONAUTICAL     AERONAUTICAL    AERONAUTICAL    AVIATION      ...............
 ERONAUTICAL      RADIONAVIGATIO   RADIONAVIGATIO   RADIONAVIGATI   RADIONAVIGATI   (87)                        
 RADIONAVIGATIO   N                N                ON              ON             SATELLITE                    
 N               RADIODETERMINAT  MOBILE-          RADIODETERMINA  ..............   COMMUNICATI                 
MOBILE            ION-SATELLITE    SATELLITE        TION-          RADIODETERMINA   ON (25)                     
 SATELLITE        (Earth-to-       (Earth-to-       SATELLITE       TION                                        
 (Earth-to-       space)           space)           (Earth-to-      SATELLITE                                   
 space)          MOBILE-          RADIO-ASTRONOMY   space)          (Earth-to-                                  
RADIO-ASTRONOMY   SATELLITE       Radiodeterminat  MOBILE-          space)                                      
                  (Earth-to-       ion-Satellite    SATELLITE      MOBILE                                       
                  space)           (Earth-to-       (Earth-to-      SATELLITE                                   
                 RADIO-ASTRONOMY   space)           space)          (Earth-to-                                  
                                                   RADIO-           space)                                      
                                                    ASTRONOMY      RADIO-                                       
                                                                    ASTRONOMY                                   
722 727 730 731  722 731E 732     722 727 730      722 731E 732    722 731E 732    ............  ...............
 731E 732 733     733 733A 733C    731E 732 733     733 733A 733E   733 733A 733E                               
 733A 733B 733E   733D 733E 734    733A 733B 733E   734 US208       734 US208                                   
 733F 734                          734              US260 US319     US260 US319                                 
1613.8-1626.5    1613.8-1626.5    1613.8-1626.5    1613.8-1626.5   1613.8-1626.5   ............  ...............
AERONAUTICAL     AERONAUTICAL     AERONAUTICAL     AERONAUTICAL    AERONAUTICAL    AVIATION      ...............
 RADIONAVIGATIO   RADIONAVIGATIO   RADIONAVIGATIO   RADIONAVIGATI   RADIONAVIGATI   (87)                        
 N                N                N                ON              ON             SATELLITE                    
MOBILE           RADIODETERMINAT  MOBILE           RADIODETERMINA  RADIODETERMINA   COMMUNICATI                 
 SATELLITE        ION-SATELLITE    SATELLITE        TION-           TION            ON (25)                     
 (Earth-to-       (Earth-to-       (Earth-to-       SATELLITE       SATELLITE                                   
 space)           space)           space)           (Earth-to-      (Earth-to-                                  
Mobile-          MOBILE-          Radiodeterminat   space)          space)                                      
 Satellite        SATELLITE        ion-Satellite   MOBILE-         MOBILE                                       
 (space-to-       (Earth-to-       (Earth-to-       SATELLITE       SATELLITE                                   
 Earth)           space)           space)           (Earth-to-      (Earth-to-                                  
                 Mobile           Mobile            space)          space)                                      
                  Satellite        Satellite       Mobile-         Mobile                                       
                  (space-to-       (space-to-       Satellite       Satellite                                   
                  Earth)           Earth)           (space-to-      (space-to-                                  
                                                    Earth)          Earth)                                      
722 727 730 731  722 731E 731F    722 727 730      722 731E 731F   722 731E 731F   ............  ...............
 731E 731F 732    732 733 733A     731E 731F 732    732 733 733E    732 733 733E                                
 733 733A 733B    732C 733D 733E   733 733A 733B    US208 US260     US208 US260                                 
 733E 733F                         733E             US319           US319                                       
                                                                                                                
*                  *                  *                  *                  *                  *                
                                                        *                                                       
2483.5-2500      2483.5-2500      2483.5-2500      2483.5-2500     2483.5-2500     ............  ...............
FIXED            FIXED            FIXED            RADIODETERMINA  RADIODETERMINA  SATELLITE     ...............
MOBILE           MOBILE           MOBILE            TION-           TION-           COMMUNICATI                 
MOBILE-          RADIODETERMINAT  RADIO-LOCATION    SATELLITE       SATELLITE       ON (25)                     
 SATELLITE        ION-SATELLITE   MOBILE-           (space-to-      (space-to-                                  
 (space-to-       (space-to-       SATELLITE        Earth) 753A     Earth) 753A                                 
 Earth)           Earth) 753A      (space-to-      MOBILE          MOBILE                                       
Radiolocation    RADIOLOCATION     Earth)           SATELLITE       SATELLITE                                   
                 MOBILE-          Radiodeterminat   (space-to-      (space-to-                                  
                  SATELLITE        ion-Satellite    Earth)          Earth)                                      
                  (space-to-       (space-to-                                                                   
                  Earth)           Earth) 753A                                                                  
733F 752 753     752 753D 753F    752 753C 753F    752 753F US41   752 753F US41   ............  ...............
 753A 753B 753C                                     US319           US319 NG147                                 
 753F                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                
*                  *                  *                  *                  *                  *                
                                                        *                                                       
22.50-22.55      22.50-22.55      22.50-22.55      22.50-22.55     22.50-22.55     ............  ...............
FIXED            FIXED            FIXED            FIXED           FIXED           DOMESTIC      ...............
MOBILE           MOBILE           MOBILE           MOBILE          MOBILE           PUBLIC                      
                                                   US211           US211            FIXED (21)                  
                                                                                   PRIVATE                      
                                                                                    OPERATIONAL                 
                                                                                    FIXED                       
                                                                                    MICROWAVE                   
                                                                                    (94)                        
22.55-23         22.55-23         22.55-23         22.55-23        22.55-23        ............  ...............
                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                
[[Page 21051]]F  FIXED            FIXED            FIXED           FIXED           DOMESTIC                     
 IXED            INTER-SATELLITE  INTER-SATELLITE  INTER-          INTER-           PUBLIC                      
INTER-SATELLITE  MOBILE           MOBILE            SATELLITE       SATELLITE       FIXED (21)                  
MOBILE                                             MOBILE          MOBILE          PRIVATE                      
                                                                                    OPERATIONAL                 
                                                                                    FIXED                       
                                                                                    MICROWAVE                   
                                                                                    (94)                        
                                                                                   SATELLITE                    
                                                                                    COMMUNICATI                 
                                                                                    ONS (25).                   
879              879              879              879 US278       879 US278       ............  ...............
                                                                                                                
*                  *                  *                  *                  *                  *                
                                                        *                                                       
24.25-24.45      24.25-24.45      24.25-24.45      24.25-24.45     24.25-24.45     ............  ...............
FIXED            RADIONAVIGATION  RADIONAVIGATION  RADIONAVIGATIO  RADIONAVIGATIO  AVIATION      ...............
                                  FIXED             N               N               (87)                        
                                  MOBILE                                                                        
24.45-24.65      24.45-24.65      24.45-24.65      24.45-24.65     24.45-24.65     ............  ...............
FIXED            RADIONAVIGATION  RADIONAVIGATION  INTER-          INTER-          SATELLITE     ...............
INTER-SATELLITE  INTER-SATELLITE  FIXED             SATELLITE       SATELLITE       COMMUNICATI                 
                                  INTER-SATELLITE  RADIONAVIGATIO  RADIONAVIGATIO   ON (25)                     
                                  MOBILE            N               N                                           
                 882E             882E             882E            882E            ............  ...............
24.65-24.75      24.65-24.75      24.65-24.75      24.65-24.75     24.65-24.75     ............  ...............
FIXED            INTER-SATELLITE  FIXED            INTER-          INTER-          SATELLITE     ...............
INTER-SATELLITE  RADIO-LOCATION   INTER-SATELLITE   SATELLITE       SATELLITE       COMMUNICATI                 
                  SATELLITE       MOBILE           RADIO-LOCATION- RADIO-LOCATION-  ON (25)                     
                  (Earth-to-      882E 882F         SATELLITE       SATELLITE                                   
                  space)                            (Earth-to-      (Earth-to-                                  
                                                    space)          space)                                      
                                                                                                                
*                  *                  *                  *                  *                  *                
                                                        *                                                       

International Footnotes

* * * * *
    731E--The use of the band 1610-1626.5 MHz by the mobile-
satellite service (Earth-to-space) and by the radiodetermination-
satellite service (Earth-to-space) is subject to the application of 
the coordination and notification procedures set forth in Resolution 
46 (WARC-92). A mobile earth station operating in either of the 
services in this band shall not produce an e.i.r.p. density in 
excess of -15 dB(W/4 kHz) in the part of the band used by systems 
operating in accordance with the provisions of No. 732, unless 
otherwise agreed by the affected administrations. In the part of the 
band where such systems are not operating, a value of -3 dB (W/4 
kHz) is applicable. Stations of the mobile-satellite service shall 
not cause harmful interference to, or claim protection from, 
stations in the aeronautical radionavigation service, stations 
operating in accordance with the provisions of No. 732 and stations 
in the fixed service operating in accordance with the provisions of 
No. 730.
    731F--The use of the band 1613.8-1626.5 MHz by the mobile-
satellite service (space-to-Earth) is subject to the application of 
the coordination and notification procedures set forth in Resolution 
46 (WARC-92).
* * * * *
    733A--With respect to the radiodetermination-satellite and 
mobile-satellite services the provisions of No. 953 do not apply in 
the frequency band 1610-1626.5 MHz.
* * * * *
    733E--Harmful interference shall not be caused to stations of 
the radio astronomy service using the band 1610.6-1613.8 MHz by 
stations of the radiodetermination-satellite and mobile-satellite 
services. (No. 2904 applies.)
    734--In making assignments to stations of other services, 
administrations are urged to take all practicable steps to protect 
the radio astronomy service in the band 1610.6-1613.8 MHz from 
harmful interference. Emissions from space or air-borne stations can 
be particularly serious sources of interference to the radio 
astronomy service (see Nos. 343 and 344 and Article 36).
* * * * *
    753--Different category of service: in France, the band 2450-
2500 MHz is allocated on a primary basis to the radiolocation 
service (see No. 425). Such use is subject to agreement with 
administrations having service operating or planned to operate in 
accordance with the Table of Frequency Allocations which may be 
affected.
* * * * *
    753C--Different category of service: in Angola, Australia, 
Bangladesh, Burundi, China, Cote d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, India, the 
Islamic Republic of Iran, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, 
Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Mali, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, 
Senegal, Sudan, Swaziland, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Zaire 
and Zambia, the allocation of the band 2483.5-2500 MHz to the 
radiodetermination-satellite service (space-to-Earth) is on a 
primary basis (see No. 425) subject to agreement obtained under the 
procedure of Article 14 with other countries not listed in this 
provision.
* * * * *
    753F--The use of the band 2483.5-2500 MHz by the mobile-
satellite and the radiodetermination-satellite services is subject 
to the application of the coordination and notification procedures 
set forth in Resolution 46 (WARC-92). Coordination of space stations 
of the mobile-satellite and radiodetermination-satellite services 
with respect to terrestrial services is required only if the power 
flux-density produced at the Earth's surface exceeds the limits in 
No. 2566. In respect of assignments operating in this band, the 
provisions of Section II, paragraph 2.2 of Resolution 46 (WARC-92) 
shall also be applied to geostationary [[Page 21052]] transmitting 
space stations with respect to terrestrial stations.
* * * * *
    881A--Use of the 25.25-27.5 GHz band by the inter-satellite 
service is limited to space research and Earth exploration-satellite 
applications, and also transmissions of data originating from 
industrial and medical activities in space.
    881B--Space services using non-geostationary satellites 
operating in the inter-satellite service in the band 27-27.5 GHz are 
exempt from the provisions of No. 2613.
* * * * *
    882E--The inter-satellite service shall not claim protection 
from harmful interference from airport surface detection equipment 
stations of the radionavigation service.
    882F--Additional allocation: in Japan, the band 24.65-25.25 GHz 
is also allocated to the radionavigation service on a primary basis 
until 2008.
    882G--In the band 24.75-25.25 GHz, feeder links to stations of 
the broadcasting-satellite service shall have priority over other 
users in the fixed-satellite service (Earth-to-space). Such other 
users shall protect and shall not claim protection from existing and 
future operating feeder-link networks to such broadcasting satellite 
stations.
* * * * *

United States (US) Footnotes

* * * * *
    US319--In the 137-138, 148-149.9, 149.9-150.05, 399.9-400.5, 
400.15-401, 1610-1626.5, and 2483.5-2500 MHz bands, Government 
stations in the mobile-satellite service shall be limited to earth 
stations operating with non-Government space stations.
* * * * *

Non-Government (NG) Footnotes

* * * * *
    NG147--Stations in the broadcast auxiliary service and private 
radio services licensed as of July 25, 1985, or on a subsequent date 
following as a result of submitting an application for license on or 
before July 25, 1985, may continue to operate on a primary basis 
with the mobile-satellite service and the radiodetermination 
satellite service.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 95-10418 Filed 4-28-95; 8:45 am]
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