[Federal Register: December 13, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 239)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 70807-70808]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr13de07-15]
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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
47 CFR Part 25
[IB Docket No. 02-364; FCC 07-194]
Review of the Spectrum Sharing Plan Among Non-Geostationary
Satellite Orbit Mobile Satellite Service Systems in the 1.6/2.4 GHz
Bands
AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: Currently, Globalstar, Inc. (Globalstar) and Iridium Satellite
LLC (Iridium) are the two operational providers of Mobile-Satellite
Service (MSS) in the 1610-1626.5 MHz band (Big LEO L-band). By this
decision, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) revises
the spectrum sharing plan between the two systems. Specifically, the
Commission assigns Globalstar exclusive access to the 1610-1617.775 MHz
segment of the L-band, assigns Iridium exclusive access to the
1618.725-1626.5 MHz segment, and assigns for sharing between the two
MSS providers a small segment of the L-band, at 1617.775-1618.725 MHz.
DATES: Effective: January 14, 2008.
ADDRESSES: Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW.,
Washington, DC 20554.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Howard Griboff, 202/418-0657.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 1610-1626.5 MHz band (Big LEO L-band)
and
[[Page 70808]]
2483.5-2500 MHz band (Big LEO S-band) was allocated to the Mobile-
Satellite Service (MSS) for low-earth orbiting satellites (Big LEOs) in
1994. The Commission assigned the 1610-1621.35 MHz segment in the
Earth-to-space (uplink) direction for up to four code division multiple
access (CDMA) MSS systems, paired with the 2483.5-2500 MHz band for the
four CDMA MSS systems in the space-to-Earth (downlink) direction. The
Commission designated the 1621.35-1626.5 MHz segment for a single time
division multiple access (TDMA) system (uplink and downlink). Since
1994, only one CDMA system, operated by Globalstar, Inc. (Globalstar),
and one TDMA system, operated by Iridium Satellite LLC (Iridium), have
launched and operated. In the antecedent Big LEO Spectrum Sharing
Order, the Commission reassigned the 1618.25-1621.35 MHz segment of the
band, formerly used for MSS solely by Globalstar, for sharing between
the two systems. See Review of the Spectrum Sharing Plan Among Non-
Geostationary Satellite Orbit Mobile Satellite Service Systems in the
1.6/2.4 GHz Bands; Allocation of Spectrum Below 3 GHz for Mobile and
Fixed Services To Support the Introduction of New Advanced Wireless
Services, Including Third Generation Wireless Systems (Big LEO Spectrum
Sharing Order), 69 FR 48157, Aug. 9, 2004. The Commission also sought
comment on sharing an additional 2.25 megahertz of spectrum, at 1616-
1618.25 MHz, between the two systems. See Spectrum Sharing Plan Among
Non-Geostationary Satellite Orbit Mobile Satellite Service Systems in
the 1.6/2.4 GHz Bands (Big LEO Spectrum Sharing Further Notice), 69 FR
48192, Aug. 9, 2004.
Based on the record generated in this proceeding, the Commission
revises its prior decision to assign the 1618.25-1621.35 MHz segment
for sharing between the two systems. Instead, the Commission reassigns
the 1618.725-1621.35 MHz segment to TDMA systems (Iridium) for
exclusive use, and requires sharing in a small portion of the L-band,
at 1617.775-1618.725 MHz, in order to accommodate the realities of
Globalstar's CDMA channel plan. As a result of this action, Globalstar
will have exclusive MSS use of 7.775 megahertz of spectrum in the L-
band at 1610-1617.775 MHz, Iridium will have exclusive use of 7.775
megahertz of spectrum at 1618.725-1626.5 MHz, and the two MSS operators
will share 0.95 megahertz of spectrum at 1617.775-1618.725 MHz. As a
result of this decision, the Big LEO Spectrum Sharing Further Notice
has become moot. The Commission delegates authority to its
International Bureau to modify the MSS licenses of Iridium and
Globalstar in accordance with this decision, pursuant to Section 316 of
the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 316.
This Second Order on Reconsideration and Second Report and Order
does not contain new or modified information collection requirements
subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), Public Law 104-
13. In addition, therefore, it does not contain any new or modified
``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).
Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene H. Dortch,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E7-24104 Filed 12-12-07; 8:45 am]
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