[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 47, Volume 2]
[Revised as of October 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 47CFR25.164]

[Page 312-313]
 
                       TITLE 47--TELECOMMUNICATION
 
                    CHAPTER I--FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS
                         COMMISSION (CONTINUED)
 
PART 25--SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS--Table of Contents
 
                  Subpart B--Applications and Licenses
 
Sec. 25.164  Milestones.

    (a) Licensees of geostationary orbit satellite systems other than 
DBS and DARS satellite systems, including GSO MSS satellite systems, 
licensed on or after August 27, 2003 will be required to comply with the 
schedule set forth in paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(4) of this section 
in implementing their satellite systems, unless a different schedule is 
established by Title 47, Chapter I, or by Commission Order, or by Order 
adopted pursuant to delegated authority. These dates are to be measured 
from the date the license is issued.
    (1) One year: Enter into a binding non-contingent contract to 
construct the licensed satellite system.
    (2) Two years: Complete the critical design review of the licensed 
satellite system.

[[Page 313]]

    (3) Three years: Begin the construction of the satellite.
    (4) Five years: Launch and operate the satellite.
    (b) Licensees of non-geostationary orbit satellite systems other 
than DBS and DARS satellite systems licensed on or after September 11, 
2003, will be required to comply with the schedule set forth in 
paragraphs (b)(1) through (b)(5) of this section in implementing their 
satellite systems, unless a different schedule is established by Title 
47, Chapter I, or by Commission Order, or by Order adopted pursuant to 
delegated authority. These dates are to be measured from the date the 
license is issued.
    (1) One year: Enter into a binding non-contingent contract to 
construct the licensed satellite system.
    (2) Two years: Complete the critical design review of the licensed 
satellite system.
    (3) Two years, six months: Begin the construction of the first 
satellite in the licensed satellite system.
    (4) Three years, six months: Launch and operate the first satellite 
in the licensed satellite system.
    (5) Six years: Bring all the satellites in the licensed satellite 
system into operation.
    (c) Licensees of all satellite systems, other than DBS and DARS 
satellite systems, licensed on or after September 11, 2003, will be 
required to submit a copy of their binding non-contingent contract with 
the Commission on or before the date scheduled for entering into such a 
contract.
    (d) Licensees of all satellite systems, other than DBS and DARS 
satellite systems, licensed on or after September 11, 2003, will be 
required to submit information to the Commission sufficient to 
demonstrate that the licensee has completed the critical design review 
of the licensed satellite system on or before the date scheduled for 
entering into such completion.
    (e) Licensees of all satellite systems, other than DBS and DARS 
satellite systems, licensed on or after September 11, 2003, will be 
required to submit information to the Commission sufficient to 
demonstrate that the licensee has commenced physical construction of its 
licensed spacecraft on or before the date scheduled for such 
commencement.
    (f) In cases where the Commission grants a satellite authorization 
in different stages, such as a license for a satellite system using 
feeder links or intersatellite links, the earliest of the milestone 
schedules shall be applied to the entire satellite system.

[68 FR 51507, Aug. 27, 2003]