Globalstar applied for authority from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to use its entire assigned Mobile Satellite Services spectrum for Ancillary Terrestrial Component (ATC) services in the United States.

In January, the FCC said Globalstar could use 11 megahertz of its satellite spectrum to provide ATC services, which allow satellite operators to use their authorized satellite radio frequencies to integrate into their satellite service offerings a terrestrial wireless service that is similar to cellular or PCS.

Globalstar is seeking to use its remaining 27.85 megahertz of spectrum for providing its service.

“Currently Globalstar is the only MSS operator that is not permitted to use its entire spectrum for ATC,” Jay Monroe, chairman and CEO of Globalstar, said in a statement. “This unequal treatment in the FCC’s rules places us at a disadvantage relative to our competitors and undermines the very goals that the FCC sought to advance when it adopted the ATC rules, which were to encourage the flexible use of the spectrum and provide ubiquitous wireless coverage in the U.S., especially during times of emergency.”