SATELLITE OPERATORS LIKE FCC EFFORT TO EXPEDITE LICENSING
Majority of satellite companies backed FCC proposals to streamline rules and eliminate restraints on applicants for earth station and space station licenses. Agency rulemaking also recommended 15-year extended license period, faster processing of temporary fixed station applications, electronic filing of applications, modification and relaxation of some technical rules, eliminating or reducing power and power density limits along with changes for very small aperture terminals (VSATs). At least 12 companies filed comments, including Aloha Networks, Astrolink International, GE Americom, Globalstar, Hughes, Loral, New Skies, PanAmSat, Spacenet, Starband, Telesat, WorldCom.
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PanAmSat backed loosening processing rules for earth stations with nonstandard antenna patterns, but was concerned about “unprecedented burden” on satellite operators to examine large number of such applications. It also rejected self-certification procedure for earth stations that operate at higher power levels than FCC rules allow. PanAmSat said it supported proposal to permit temporary fixed Ku-band earth stations to begin operation at end of FCC comment period on station application if no objections had been filed. New Skies, which recently received permission to operate in U.S., pushed FCC to allow explicit downlink power level for C-band satellites similar to, but more flexible than, limit for Ka-band satellites. Co-coverage, co- frequency services and maximum orbital efficiency would be result, New Skies said.
FCC should streamline nonroutine applications, Hughes Network Systems, Hughes Communications and Hughes Communications said in joint filing. However, they didn’t think Commission went far enough to accommodate changes in VSAT technology. Antenna maker Andrew Corp. said proposed rule changes for nonroutine gain patterns would provide “greater flexibility in deploying smaller, more economical antennas for service.” Aloha Networks said VSAT regulations for maximum transmitter power for earth station antennas should “provide probability of interference that takes into account the broad variety of multiple access techniques and the need for certainty.”
Starband and Spacenet asked FCC to clarify rules for VSAT operators. They said Commission shouldn’t make policy changes that would “impose new and more stringent regulations” that would hurt their ability to provide new services, especially to rural and remote areas. Telesat said power-reduction approach to satellite coordination had FCC precedent, but said use of affidavits to certify noninterference with other satellites was unprecedented. Company said it wasn’t sure use of affidavits would apply to U.S. and foreign-licensed earth stations. Astrolink wanted FCC to make sure Ka-band licenses weren’t included in proposed procedures since there was no distinction between routine and nonroutine earth stations in band.
Motient asked Commission to eliminate requirement that mobile earth terminal (MET) licensees construct all of their terminals within year after receiving license. Company opposed proposal to renew licenses for METs “that have been brought into operation at the time of renewal.” Loral asked FCC to clarify coordination process by requiring earth stations to include certification that coordination had been completed. Globalstar opposed proposals that would require MET operators to construct percentage of terminals by specified time and mandate periodic reports on number of terminals in use.
Major concern of GE Americom was making sure technical standards provided protection against harmful interference. Company also suggested FCC appoint working group to develop consensus on appropriate changes in rules for earth stations. WorldCom supported Commission proposal, but wanted to know whether parties other than satellite operators could object to applications and whether agency planned to grant applications after 300-day public notice period expired. WorldCom was interested in knowing whether FCC had regulations in place if objections weren’t resolved within 60-day negotiation period.