AT&T Wireless, Cingular Wireless and Verizon Wireless asked FCC t...

June 7 ex parte filing, reiterated their opposition to granting flexibility to New ICO to provide terrestrial services in that band, saying it would “conflict with previous orders, circumvent the law and deny significant auction revenues to the government.” Carriers asked that FCC first act on CTIA petition seeking reallocation of MSS spectrum based on arguments that service wasn’t viable and there was need for spectrum among terrestrial carriers. After Commission turned down CTIA request last year, group filed for reconsideration in Oct. Wireless carriers also sought review of decision last year by FCC’s International Bureau and Office of Engineering & Technology, which granted applications of New ICO and others for MSS licenses. Carriers challenged decision, which they said granted licenses without auction. “The illogic of the Commission’s actions will be compounded if the MSS flex proceeding is decided before the Commission has even reviewed the propriety of both the initial license grants for satellite-only service and the original satellite-only allocation,” carriers said. “It is improper for the Commission to review whether the MSS licensees should be granted even broader authority before the Commission decides whether the original allocation, eligibility rules and license proceeding were valid.” AT&T, Cingular and Verizon urged FCC to revisit “the factual premises underlying the original MSS allocation and licensing decisions at the same time it considers whether to permit terrestrial use of MSS spectrum and eligibility issues.” Action on MSS flexibility should be suspended until FCC resolves other outstanding proceedings, they argued.