[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 222 (Monday, November 19, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 64979-64980]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-22567]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Part 25

[IB Docket No. 07-253; FCC 07-194]


Satellite Ancillary Terrestrial Components

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Ancillary terrestrial components (ATC) allow MSS operators to 
integrate terrestrial services into their satellite networks in order 
to augment coverage in areas where their satellite signals are largely 
unavailable due to blocking, by re-using their assigned MSS 
frequencies. In the Big LEO bands, the Federal Communications 
Commission (Commission) has limited ATC operations to the 1610-1615.5 
MHz, 1621.35-1626.5 MHz in the L-band and 2487.5-2493 MHz in the S-
band. The Commission seeks comment on expanding the L-band and S-band 
spectrum in which satellite operator Globalstar, Inc. is authorized to 
operate ATC. The Commission also seeks comment on what measures would 
be needed to protect services with which the Mobile-Satellite Service 
(MSS) shares the S-band.

DATES: Comments due on or before December 19, 2007 and reply comments 
due on or before January 3, 2008.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by IB Docket No. 07-253, 
by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Federal Communications Commission's Web Site: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs/. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Mail: Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, 
SW., Washington, DC 20554.
     People with Disabilities: Contact the FCC to request 
reasonable accommodations (accessible format documents, sign language 
interpreters, CART, etc.) by e-mail: [email protected] or phone: 202-418-
2530 or TTY: 202-418-0432.
    For detailed instructions for submitting comments and additional 
information on the rulemaking process, see the SUPPLEMENTARY 
INFORMATION section of this document.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Howard Griboff, 202/418-0657.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Ancillary terrestrial components (ATC) allow 
MSS operators to integrate terrestrial services into their satellite 
networks in order to augment coverage in areas where their satellite 
signals are largely unavailable due to blocking, by re-using their 
assigned MSS frequencies. In 2003, the Commission adopted the ATC 
Order, permitting MSS licensees to seek authority to implement ATC to 
be integrated into MSS networks in MSS bands, including the Big LEO 
bands. In the Big LEO bands, the Commission limited ATC operations to 
the 1610-1615.5 MHz, 1621.35-1626.5 MHz and 2492.5-2498 MHz bands and 
to the specific frequencies authorized for use by the MSS licensee that 
seeks ATC authority. Subsequently the Commission shifted the S-band ATC 
block to 2487.5-2493 MHz, so that ATC and the fixed and mobile services 
allocation at 2495-2500 MHz would not overlap.
    The Commission seeks comment on expanding the L-band and S-band 
spectrum in which Globalstar is authorized to operate ATC. Such an 
increase in spectrum would allow Globalstar to offer a higher-capacity 
ATC than would be possible with its currently authorized 11 megahertz 
of

[[Page 64980]]

ATC spectrum. The Commission tentatively concludes that ATC is not 
feasible in the L-band spectrum Globalstar shares with Iridium, at 
1617.775-1618.725 MHz. The Commission also tentatively concludes that 
ATC cannot share spectrum with co-primary Fixed and Mobile services in 
the 2495-2500 MHz segment of the S-band, and seeks comment on what 
measures would be needed to protect services with which MSS shares the 
S-band.
    The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking does not contain proposed 
information collection requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. In addition, therefore, it does not 
contain any proposed information collection burden ``for small business 
concerns with fewer than 25 employees,'' pursuant to the Small Business 
Paperwork Relief Act of 2002, Public Law 107-198, see 44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(4).

List of Subjects in 47 CFR Part 25

    Satellites.

Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene H. Dortch,
Secretary.
 [FR Doc. E7-22567 Filed 11-16-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P