[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 49 (Tuesday, March 12, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9944-9945]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-5765]
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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
47 CFR PART 25
[CC Docket No. 92-166; FCC 96-54]
Mobile Satellite Service in the 1610-1626.5/2483.5-2500 MHz
Frequency Band
AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.
ACTION: Final rule: petition for reconsideration.
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SUMMARY: The Commission has adopted, upon reconsideration, changes to
the rules and policies establishing service and licensing rules for the
Mobile Satellite Service in the 1610-1626.5/2483.5-2500 MHz Frequency
Band. Specifically, we conclude that the ``interim plan,'' designed to
avoid interference between the Big LEO systems and the Russian Global
Navigation Satellite System (``GLONASS''), is unnecessary at this time.
We also clarify our views concerning position determination
capabilities in Big LEO earth terminals, and modifications to feeder
link proposals. In order to ensure that United States licensees do not
engage in practices that are contrary to the goal of competitive
markets world-wide, we also adopt a rule concerning exclusive
arrangements for provision of Big LEO service. We also clarify our
``two-tiered'' processing scheme for financial qualifications. In
addition, we make a number of minor editorial and clarifying changes to
our technical rules.
EFFECTIVE DATE: April 11, 1996.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karl Kensinger, International Bureau,
Satellite and Radiocommunication Division, Satellite Policy Branch,
(202) 418-0773.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission's
Memorandum Opinion and Order in CC Docket No. 92-166; FCC 96-54,
adopted February 12, 1996 and released February 15, 1996. The complete
text of this Memorandum Opinion and Order is
[[Page 9945]]
available for inspection and copying during normal business hours in
the FCC Reference Center (Room 239), 1919 M Street, N.W., Washington,
D.C., and also may be purchased from the Commission's copy contractor,
International Transcription Service, (202) 857-3800, 2100 M Street,
N.W., Suite 140, Washington, DC 20037.
Summary of Memorandum Opinion and Order
1. The Commission continues the development of a regulatory
structure conducive to the rapid and successful deployment of the
global mobile satellite service systems known as ``Big LEOs,'' or low
earth orbit Mobile Satellite Service systems in the 1.6/2.4 GHz
frequency bands. These systems have a wide range of potentially
revolutionary applications, including: (1) providing a comparatively
low-cost means of connecting to the world-wide public telephone
network, particularly in areas too remote or underpopulated to receive
service through wires; (2) allowing global ``roaming'' by users of
mobile phones, including hand-held phones; (3) providing ``fill-in''
service for areas not reached by terrestrial ``wireless'' services such
as cellular telephones; and (4) providing for global competition in
telephone and data services, both satellite and terrestrially based. In
Amendment of the Commission's Rules to Establish Rules and Policies
Pertaining to a Mobile Satellite Service in the 1610-1626.5/2483.5-2500
MHz Frequency Band, 59 FR 53294 (October 21, 1994), 9 FCC Rcd 5936
(1994) (``Big LEO Report''), the Commission adopted rules and policies
for the Big LEO service. This order addresses requests for
reconsideration of that decision, and makes minor changes and
clarifications to the rules and policies adopted.
2. The particular changes adopted here address concerns raised by
the Big LEO licensees and applicants. We decline to adopt a number of
other changes proposed by the applicants and licensees. We leave intact
the protections to radio astronomy--protections developed in
negotiations between Big LEO and radio astronomy interests. We decline
at this time to adopt certain technical rules concerning interference
between the competing Big LEO systems in order not to preempt
prematurely private negotiations. We also decline to modify our
construction milestone requirements or system replacement procedures.
3. Accordingly, it is ordered, that the ``Petition for
Reconsideration'' filed by AMSC Subsidiary Corp. on November 21, 1994,
the ``Petition for Reconsideration,'' filed by Constellation
Communications, Inc. on November 21, 1994, the ``Petition for
Clarification and Partial Reconsideration,'' filed by Loral/Qualcomm
Partnership, L.P., on November 21, 1994, the ``Petition for
Clarification and Partial Reconsideration,'' filed by Motorola
Satellite Communications, Inc., on November 21, 1994, and the
``Petition for Partial Reconsideration and Clarification,'' filed by
TRW Inc. on November 21, 1994, are granted to the extent indicated in
this Memorandum Opinion and Order, and are otherwise denied.
4. It is further ordered that the Rule Changes set forth below
shall be effective April 11, 1996.
List of Subjects in 47 CFR Part 25
Satellites.
Federal Communications Commission.
William F. Caton,
Acting Secretary.
Rule Changes
Part 25 of Title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations is amended
as follows:
PART 25--SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS
1. The authority citation for Part 25 continues to read as follows:
Authority: Sections. 101-404, 76 Stat. 419-427; 47 U.S.C. 701-
744, Sec. 4, 48 Stat. 1066, as amended; 47 U.S.C. 154. Interprets or
applies sec. 303, 48 Stat. 1082, as amended; 47 U.S.C. 303.
Sec. 25.114 [Amended]
2. Section 25.114 is amended by removing paragraph (c)(6)(iii).
3. Section 25.136(b) is revised to read as follows:
Sec. 25.136 Operating provisions for earth station networks in the
1.6/2.4 GHz mobile-satellite service.
* * * * *
(b) User transceiver units in this service are authorized to
communicate with and through U.S. authorized space stations only. No
person shall transmit to a space station unless the user transceiver is
first authorized by the space station licensee or by a service vendor
authorized by that licensee, and the specific transmission is conducted
in accordance with the operating protocol specified by the system
operator.
* * * * *
4. Section 25.143 is amended by adding a new paragraph (h) to read
as follows:
Sec. 25.143 Licensing provisions for the 1.6/2.4 GHz Mobile-Satellite
Service.
* * * * *
(h) Prohibition of certain agreements. No license shall be granted
to any applicant for a space station in the mobile satellite service
operating at 1610-1626.5/2483.5-2500 MHz if that applicant, or any
persons or companies controlling or controlled by the applicant, shall
acquire or enjoy any right, for the purpose of handling traffic to or
from the United States, its territories or possession, to construct or
operate space segment or earth stations, or to interchange traffic,
which is denied to any other United States company by reason of any
concession, contract, understanding, or working arrangement to which
the Licensee or any persons or companies controlling or controlled by
the Licensee are parties.
5. Section 25.203 is amended by revising paragraphs (j) and (k) to
read as follows:
Sec. 25.203 Choice of sites and frequencies.
* * * * *
(j) Applicants for non-geostationary 1.6/2.4 GHz Mobile-Satellite
Service/ Radiodetermination satellite service feeder links in the bands
17.7-20.2 GHz and 27.5-30.0 GHz shall indicate the frequencies and
spacecraft antenna gain contours towards each feeder-link earth station
location and will coordinate with licensees of other fixed-satellite
service and terrestrial-service systems sharing the band to determine
geographic protection areas around each non-geostationary mobile-
satellite service/radiodetermination satellite service feeder-link
earth station.
(k) An applicant for an earth station that will operate with a
geostationary satellite or non-geostationary satellite in a shared
frequency band in which the non-geostationary system is (or is proposed
to be) licensed for feeder links, shall demonstrate in its applications
that its proposed earth station will not cause unacceptable
interference to any other satellite network that is authorized to
operate in the same frequency band, or certify that the operations of
its earth station shall conform to established coordination agreements
between the operator(s) of the space station(s) with which the earth
station is to communicate and the operator(s) of any other space
station licensed to use the band.
Sec. 25.213 [Amended]
6. Section 25.213 is amended by removing paragraphs (c) and (d).
[FR Doc. 96-5765 Filed 3-11-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P