Globalstar Challenges Calls to Open Up 1.6/2.4 GHz to Other Operators
By opposing Globalstar's planned C-3 satellite system, SpaceX and Kepler are trying to disadvantage a competitor and get access to its 1.6/2.4 GHz spectrum, Globalstar told the FCC Space Bureau in a filing posted Wednesday. Globalstar said an accompanying Roberson and Associates study shows the bands can't support more than one mobile satellite service (MSS) operator. "Physics dictates that the operation of SpaceX’s mega-constellation or any other new entrant’s system in the 1.6/2.4 GHz band would inevitably cause extensive harmful interference to Globalstar’s licensed services," it said. That C-3 uses technology different from Globalstar's existing constellation isn't evidence other entities could provide service in the band without harming Globalstar. The satellite operator waved off claims the spectrum is underused, saying it "robustly uses its few megahertz of spectrum for a variety of mobile satellite offerings with considerable public interest benefits," including satellite IoT, its "SPOT family" of satellite-enabled communications devices and Apple's direct-to-device service for the iPhone 14, 15 and 16. Globalstar urged approval of its U.S. market access request for C-3 (see 2502280001).
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SpaceX in June said Globalstar was trying "to secure de facto exclusivity over [the 1.6/2.4 GHz MSS bands] by introducing a foreign ... system incapable of sharing." It said Globalstar's framing C-3 as a replacement system was "little more than an outlandish attempt" to get FCC Space Bureau authorization for a non-core division multiple access system outside a processing round. Kepler said Globalstar was seeking authorization for a materially new MSS system, distinct from its previous Globalstar systems. Kepler said that while Globalstar maintains that spectrum sharing in 1.6/2.4 GHz isn't feasible due to interference issues, Kepler's own experience -- MSS authorization in the spectrum in Germany and technical showings submitted in multiple jurisdictions to support coordination with Globalstar -- "demonstrates otherwise."