The Federal Communications Commission Feb. 10 reaffirmed its decision to allow satellite operators to integrate ancillary terrestrial components (ATC) to existing Mobile Satellite Service (MSS) systems and modified the rules governing ATC to facilitate provisions of improved services to U.S. consumers and public safety.

While the specific language of the Memorandum Opinion and Order and Second Order on Reconsideration (MO&O) won’t be released for a few weeks, as is normal when items are approved by the commission, the presentation of the MO&O by the FCC’s International Bureau provided some indication of what can be expected from the order.

In speaking before the commission, Sean O’More, attorney in the International Bureau’s Policy Division acknowledged part of the driving factor for this MO&O was that “in urban areas, where the satellite signal is often blocked by tall buildings, MSS satellites encounter difficulty communicating with user terminals.”

The commission previously issued rules that allowed MSS operators to construct and operate ATC to serve areas where the satellite signal is unavailable. The approved MO&O addressed the previously issued rules in four areas: gating criteria, uplink and downlink interference and licensing.

With regard to gating criteria, O’More said the criteria “require MSS operators to demonstrate the that they provide: full satellite coverage of their assigned geographic areas; substantial satellite service; commercial availability of service; integrated MSS and ATC; and spare satellites in case of failure.”

O’More added that the MO&O “declines to require that a specific percentage of MSS/ATC capacity be reserved for MSS only, because there is no practical way to arrive at a percentage without sacrificing spectrum efficiency and customer service. The item also declines to require MSS/ATC user terminals, such as handsets, to attempt to contact the satellite first in all cases because this would waste time, capacity and battery power.” O’More said the MO&O allows handsets to communicate via whichever component of the MSS/ATC offers the best signal.

On the uplink interference front, the MO&O replaces current uplink interference rules “with limits on the amount of interference an MSS/ATC system, as a whole, may cause to other satellite systems in the L-band,” O’More said. “These limits allow MSS/ATC operators the flexibility to design their systems to meet technical and market demands, instead of imposing specific numerical standards. At the same time, these limits will continue to protect other MSS operators in the L-band from harmful interference.”

On the downlink interference front, the MO&O “raises the maximum power for ATC base stations in the L-band,” O’More said. “However, the item maintains the lower power limits in the sub-band assigned to distress and safety communications to provide extra protection for these critical communications.”

Finally, the order affirms an earlier decision not to assign ATC authority by competitive bidding because “because the goals of efficient and intensive spectrum use and service in rural and remote areas are better served by allowing MSS operators to integrate ATC into their existing systems,” O’More said. He added that “in the interest of expediting service to customers, the [MO&O] also changes the licensing rules to allow MSS operators which have not yet launched their satellites to demonstrate that they will meet our gating criteria when they do deploy their satellites. This will allow these operators to simultaneously begin MSS and ATC service.”

Copps Critical Of Portion

Following the meeting, only Commissioner Michael Copps issued a statement regarding the adoption of the MO&O.

“I agree with today’s decision in most respects,” Copps said in a prepared statement. “I believe that ATC is a vital tool for the MSS industry. It holds the promise of allowing MSS operators to bring improved service and new competition to most of the country through their satellite networks.”

Copps continued, “When we granted ATC authority, however, I argued that the commission should consider the importance of fees for satellite carriers who choose to use their un- auctioned satellite spectrum license for terrestrial uses. We must ensure that the American people are adequately compensated for private use of a public resource and that all spectrum users have the incentive to use spectrum intensively.”

Favorable Industry Reaction

News of the adoption of the MO&O generated some favorable reactions from within the MSS industry.

Based on the press release issued by the FCC, “we currently support the establishing of these rules,” Globalstar President Tony Navarra told Satellite News. Navarra noted he could not give his complete support to the FCC action until the final language of the MO&O is made public. “We are certainly very pleased with the progress to date.”

But Navarra said that ATC has always been on the radar at Globalstar. He noted that in 2003, Globalstar demonstrated to a number of industry organizations and the FCC a working Globalstar ATC phone, “to show how we can control the operations of our phones in an ATC environment.”

Navarra added that Globalstar will be submitting its application for an ATC license in the coming weeks and is planning on rolling out products and services utilizing ATC next year.

Alexander Good, chairman and CEO of Mobile Satellite Ventures (MSV), said in a prepared statement, “We are thrilled by the FCC decisive action in approving greater flexibility for ATC mobile communications. This architecture holds great promise for all Americans, but offers particular benefits to residents of rural areas and those federal, state and local agencies that are charged with protecting public health. The commission has shown strong leadership in conducting a detailed review and seeing this important effort through to this final result.”

MSV noted the use of mainstream interfaces means that services and applications developed by the wireless industry become available to everyone.

“Our region’s hospitals, EMS agencies, rescue teams and emergency management personnel recognize the integration of an MSS network with ATC offers one of the best mechanism to ensure a robust and highly functional, wide-spread interoperability solution that helps us address the needs for communications for all hazards and risks, including homeland security requirements,” Eric Epley, executive director of the Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council For Trauma in a prepared statement.

A spokesman from Iridium LLC declined to comment on the MO&O adoption.

–Gregory Twachtman (Howard Griboff, FCC, 202/418-0657; Tony Navarra, Globalstar, 408/933-4525, Linda Gustus, MSV, 613/742-4168)