Attachment Grant Public Notice

This document pretains to ITC-214-19911206-00008 for International Global Resale Authority on a International Telecommunications filing.

IBFS_ITC2141991120600008_561250

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                                        3 of 4 DOCUMENTS

                  In the Matter of IDB AERO—NAUTICAL COMMUNICTIONS,            INC.,
               Applications for Authority to Provide International Land
              Mobile—Satellite Services Outside of North America via the
                                        Inmarsat System


                      File Nos. I—T—C—92—058, I—T—C—92—059,         I—T—C—93—013,
                                        I—T—C—93—014

                               FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

                               8 FCC Red 930;         1993 FCC LEXIS 734


                                       RELEASE —NUMBER :
                                            DA 93—150

                   February 12,    1993 Released; Adopted February 2,         1993

                                            ACTION:     **1

                          MEMORANDUM OPINION,         ORDER AND CERTIFICATE

JUDGES :

      By the Chief,   International Facilities Division

OPINIONBY:
   LI

OPINION:


     +930 1.   On December 6, 1991, IDB Aero—Nautical Communications, Inc.
 (IDB) filed applications pursuant to Sections 503 and 504(c) of the
International Maritime Satellite Telecommunications Act and Section 214 of the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended, for authority to provide international
land mobile—satellite services (LMSS) to mobile—satellite terminals outside of
North America via the International Maritime Satellite Organization (Inmarsat)
First and Second Generation satellites.   We also have consolidated into this
proceeding consideration of IDB‘s request to provide such services on Inmarsat
Standard C terminals. n1 The Communications Satellite Corporation (Comsat) filed
the only comments in this proceeding, stating that to enhance U.S.
competitiveness, the Commission should promptly grant these applications.   For
the reasons discussed below, we grant IDB‘s applications.

   nli See IDB Aero—Nautical Communications, Inc., (File Nos. I—T—C—93—013 and
I—T—C—93—014), DA 93—116, adopted January 29, 1993, wherein we deferred
consideration of IDB‘s request to provide Inmarsat—~C LMSS to this proceeding.
**2


      I.   THE APPLICATIONS


   2.  IDB requests authority to provide inte®national LMSS n2 to any eligible
mobile—satellite terminal in any foreign point outside North America reached by
the Inmarsat System. n3 IDB proposes to provide such services in: 1) the
Atlantic Ocean Region—Rast        (AOR—E)    via Southwest Communications,     Inc.‘s   (SCI‘s)
n4 authorized fixed land earth station (LES)              n5 at Staten Island, New York (call

                                            gw!,}w;{w Ad| 1.1  Stratos Mobile Networks, Inc.
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                                              £2.2% 4 2


                                                                                PAGE 2
                    8 FCC Red 930,   *930;   1993 FCC LEXIS 734,   **2

sign KA—227); 2) the Atlantic Ocean Region—West (AOR—W) and Pacific Ocean Region
(POR) via SCI‘s authorized fixed LBS at Niles Canyon, California (call signs
KA—63 and KA—76, respectively); and 3) in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) via OTC
Limited of Australia‘s foreign fixed LES at Perth, Australia.  As noted above,
IDB has subsequently requested authority to provide Inmarsat—C international
LMSS in: 1) the ship—to—shore direction in the AOR—E via PTT Telecom
Netherlands‘ foreign fixed LES at Burum, the Netherlands; 2) the ship—to—shore
direction in the POR via the Perth, Australia foreign LES; 3) the ship—to—shore
and shore—to—ship directions in the IOR via the Perth, Australia foreign LES;
and 4) the ship—to—shore direction in the AOR—W via Comsat‘s LES at Southbury,
Connecticut.  **3

   n2 The term "international" LMSS, as used in IDB‘s applications, refers to
(1) mobile—satellite communications (via fixed land earth stations in the United
States, the Netherlands, and Australia) within and between foreign countries,
excluding Canada and Mexico,   and   (2)   communications between fixed land earth
stations in the United States, the Netherlands and Australia and
mobile—satellite terminals located outside of North America.  For purposes of
these applications, North America is defined as comprising the land area of
Canada,   Mexico, and the United States.  The United States includes Alaska,
Hawaii,   Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

   n3 IDB has categorized this request as one for "blanket" authority.  However,
we do not choose to use this term due to the ambiguity between this and other
cases where blanket authority is used to license a large number of mobile
terminals.  Here, we are not licensing the mobile—satellite terminals used to
provide LMSS, but instead grant authority to provide land mobile—satellite
service to those mobile—satellite terminals already licensed by the foreign
telecommunications authority of the country in which the terminals operate.

   n4 IDB‘s application states that it will utilize its own land earth stations
to provide international LMSS.  However, subsequent to the filing of IDB‘s
subject applications, the Commission approved the assignment of the Title III
radio licenses for these land earth stations to Southwest Communications, Inc.
See CICI Inc. and IDB Communications Corporation, 7 FCC Red 6031 (Int. Fac. Div.
1992). IDB has informed the Commission‘s staff that it still plans on utilizing
these land earth stations.  We note that IDB is currently providing
international LMSS via SCI‘s stations pursuant to special temporary authority
originally granted to IDB prior to the assignment of the earth station licenses.
See Special Temporary Authority, TAO—2081, granted August 7, 1992.  However,
before IDB can continue offering international LMSS from SCI‘s fixed land earth
stations, the licenses of these earth stations must be modified to provide for
international LMSS.  Therefore, part of this grant will be contingent on SCI
receiving authority to provide international LMSS via its land earth stations
consistent with this Order.

   n5 IDB uses the term "coast earth station" instead of "land earth station" in
its application.  For purposes of conformity, we will refer to these stations as
"land earth stations," as does Inmarsat in its Convention.  See Inmarsat Basic
Documents, (4th ed. 1989). **4

   3.  IDB does not herein seek authority to construct or operate new satellite
or fixed land earth station telecommunications facilities or to offer any new
types of service to land mobile—satellite terminals, other than the types of
services it already is authorized to, or has applied for authorization to, offer
to maritime and aeronautical mobile—satellite terminals. n6 IDB proposes to
provide international LMSS consistent with the frequency bands the Commission


                                                                                 PAGE 3
                        8 FCC Red 930,   *931;   1993 FCC LBXIS 734,   **4

has allocated for maritime services. n7 This  *931 proceeding is limited to
the terms of IDB‘s requests.  Thus, we do not consider whether to grant IDB
authority to provide international LMSS via any other facilities or service
types (e.g. Inmarsat Third Generation satellites.  Communications Satellite
Corp.,   7 FCC Red 6278     (1992)).

   n6 A service is defined both by the type of terminal served (e.g., Standard A
and C) and by the type of transmission carried by that terminal (e.g. voice,
data or compressed video) .

   n7 The only portions of the proposed satellite communications services that
will occur actually within the United States will be satellite uplinks from, and
downlinks to, SCI‘s and Comsat‘s U.S. fixed LESs operating in C—Band {except for
narrowband pilot, test, and order wire signals operating in the L band).   IDB
states these LESs will transmit to Inmarsat Second Generation satellites on
6425—6440 MHz and receive on 3600—3620 MHz.   Inmarsat First Generation
satellites will only be used as backups to the Second Generation satellites.
Due to operational constraints associated with the Inmarsat First Generation
satellites (these satellites are only capable of supporting 7.5 MHz of these
frequency bands), these LESs will transmit on 6417.5—6425 MHz and receive on
4192.5—4200 MHz when operating with these satellites.   IDB states the
international land mobile—satellite terminals to which it will provide service
will communicate in the transmit frequency bands 1626.5—1645.5 MHz and the
receive frequency bands 1530—1544 MHz for the mobile—to—satellite and
satellite—to—mobile links of its international land mobile—satellite services.
In accordance with the priority and pre—emption requirements of the GMDSS, the
bands 1544—1545 MHz (receive) and 1645.5—1646.5 MHz (transmit) will only be used
for maritime safety and distress communications. **5

   4.   IDB‘s applications appear to encompass not only international LMSS, but
also service to international land—based temporary fixed—satellite earth
stations operating in the LMSS frequency bands authorised herein.   Although this
latter service is a fixed—satellite service, and not a land mobile—satellite
service, we believe it is comparable in many ways to a land mobile—satellite
service.     Given these circumstances,     we find it is administratively efficient to
address international land—based temporary fixed—satellite service in this
proceeding.  Thus, any findings we make in regard to international land
mobile—satellite terminals and services apply equally to international temporary
fixed—satellite terminals and services operating outside of North America.

   5.  IDB states that land mobile—satellite terminals which may be needed to
support voice services, from time to time, will utilize directive antennas in
order to conserve satellite resources and protect link margins on the maritime
mobile—satellite services (MMSS) operating in the band.   IDB states it is
cognizant of its statutory mandate to serve maritime commercial, safety and
distress needs, and recognizes that serving those **6 needs remains its first
priority.  IDB states that it will make its best efforts to assure that Global
Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) calls receive priority over any LMSS
communications .

   II.     DISCUSSION


   6.  The Commission recently authorized Comsat to provide international LMSS.
n# In so doing, the Commission determined that it has the authority consistent
with the Inmarsat Convention and Operating Agreement to authorize U.S.
participation in land mobile—satellite services via Inmarsat. n9 The Commission
also determined that allowing U.S. companies to provide international LMSS is in


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                       8 FCC Red 930,    *931;   1993 FCC LEXIS 734,   **6

the public interest. n10 Therefore, we need only consider here whether IDB‘s
proposed offering of international LMSS is consistent with the guidelines the
Commission established in granting Comsat‘s international LMSS application.

   n# Communications Satellite Corporation,           FCC 93—21,   released January 27,
1993.

   n9 Id.    at P13.


   n10 Id.    at PP20—23.

   7.   IDB‘s application to provide international LMSS mirrors the application
Comsat had filed for these services.   Like Comsat, IDB requests authority to
serve only those mobile—satellite terminals in foreign points outside of North
America **7    reached by the Inmarsat System.  IDB will use only the First and
Second Generation satellites of the Inmarsat System.   Further, IDB will maintain
as its first priority serving maritime commercial, safety and distress needs.
Therefore, we find that grant of IDB‘s application would be consistent with
Commission precedent.

   8.  In addition, as the Commission found with Comsat, the provision of
international LMSS by IDB would be within the public interest.  IDB already is
authorized to provide MMSS and aeronautical mobile—satellite services                   (AMSS).
By granting IDB‘s applications,         IDB will be able to offer the full panoply of
mobile satellite service offerings.          This will emhance U.S.    competitiveness in
foreign markets enabling IDB to compete effectively with Comsat and foreign
signatories, who already are able to offer their customers full—service,
integrated mobile satellite service offerings.  IDB will now be able to spread
its capital costs over its LMSS, as well as the MMSS and AMSS offerings, leading
to greater utilization of expensive earth station facilities and therefore,
lower per—message costs.  Further, IDB‘s provision of international LMSS in
foreign countries will enable **8  its users with combined maritime and
terrestrial communications needs to achieve substantial economies by utilizing
an integrated communications system and similar mobile—satellite terminals to
satisfy those needs. nil

   nil Due to technical similarities between MMSS terminals and (voice) LMSS
terminals, Inmarsat is able to allocate its space segment resources efficiently
to accommodate multiple applications, yielding the economies and efficiencies
that multipurpose systems afford.  IDB will use the same Inmarsat space segment
and the same land earth station facilities and internationally allocated
spectrum to provide these international land mobile services,            and users will
operate similar terminals to send and receive communications.

   III.    CONCLUSION

   9.  We find that grant of these applications is fully consistent with
Commission precedent.  IDB‘s provision of international LMSS complies with U.S.
obligations under the Inmarsat Convention and Operating Agreement.  Further, we
find this grant will advance U.S. competitiveness in world markets.  Therefore,
we conclude the grant of IDB‘s applications will serve the public interest,
convenience and necessity.

   10.    Thus,   IDB is   **%   authorized to provide land mobile—satellite
services within and between foreign countries          (excluding Canada and Mexico)            and
between fixed land earth stations in the United States,            the Netherlands,       and
Australia and mobile—satellite terminals located outside of North America.                      IDB
                                                                             pormsoen


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                     8 FCC Red 930,    *932;   1993 FCC LEXIS 734,   **9

does not request  *932  and, we do not here grant, authority to provide land
mobile—satellite services to or from mobile—satellite terminals located in North
America as defined herein.

   IV.     ORDERING CLAUSES

   11.    Upon consideration of the above—captioned applications,            filed pursuant
to Section 214 of the Communications Act of 1934,         as amended,      47 U.S.C.   § 214,
IT IS HEREBY CERTIFIED that the present and future public convenience and
necessity require the provision of certain international land mobile—satellite
and land—based temporary fixed—satellite services by IDB Aero—Nautical
Communications, Inc.

   12.  Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED that, pursuant to Section 214 of the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. § 214, and Sections 503 and
504 of the International Maritime Satellite Act of 1978,         47 U.S.C.      §§ 752      **10
and 753, applications File Nos. I—T—C—92—058 and I—T—C—92—059 ARE GRANTED and
IDB Aero—Nautical Communications, Inc. IS AUTHORIZED to provide international
land mobile—satellite and land—based temporary fixed—satellite services within
and between foreign countries, excluding Canada and Mexico, n12 and between
fixed land earth stations in the United States and Australia and
mobile—satellite terminals in foreign points outside of North America (as
defined herein at note 2).  These services are to be provided in: 1) the
Atlantic Ocean Region—East via Southwest Communications, Inc.‘s authorized fixed
land earth station at Staten Island, New York (call sign KA—227); 2) the
Atlantic Ocean Region—West and Pacific Ocean Region via Southwest
Communications, Inc.‘s authorized fixed land earth stations at Niles Canyon,
California (call signs KA—63 and KA—76, respectively); and 3) the Indian Ocean
Region via OTC Limited of Australia‘s foreign fixed land earth station at Perth,
Australia.

   n12 Service also shall be excluded to countries for which the United States
has an embargo on telecommunications.

   13.  IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, pursuant to Section 214 of the
Communications Act of 1934,  **11  as amended, 47 U.S.C. § 214, and Sections
503 and 504 of the International Maritime Satellite Act of 1978,             47 U.S.C.      §§
752 and 753, and subject to the limitations contained in paragraph 12 herein,
the deferred sections of applications File Nos. I—T—C—93—013 and I—T—C—93—014
ARE GRANTED and IDB Aero—Nautical Communications, Inc. IS AUTHORIZED to provide
Inmarsat Standard—C international land mobile—satellite services in: 1) the
ship—to—shore direction in the Atlantic Ocean Region—East via PTT Telecom
Netherlands‘   foreign fixed land earth station at Burum,      the Netherlands;        2)    the
ship—to—shore direction in the Pacific Ocean Region via the Perth, Australia
foreign fixed land earth station; 3) the ship—to—shore direction in the Atlantic
Ocean Region—West via Comsat‘s fixed land earth station at Southbury,
Connecticut, and 4) the ship—to—shore and shore—to—ship directions in the Indian
Ocean Region via OTC Limited of Australia‘s foreign fixed land earth station at
Perth, Australia.   IDB also is authorized to provide Inmarsat Standard—C
international land—based temporary fixed—satellite services in the Indian Ocean
**12     Region via the Perth,   Australia foreign fixed land earth station.


   14.   IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that IDB is authorized to provide international
LMSS and land—based temporary fixed—satellite services only within the frequency
bands specified below which are consistent with the U.S. allocation for maritime
services.   Thus, IDB shall serve only those land mobile—satellite and land—based
temporary fixed—satellite terminals communicating in the transmit frequency band


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                   8 FCC Red 930,   *932;   1993 FCC LEXIS 734,   **12

1626.5—1645.5 MHz and the receive frequency band 1530—1544 MHz for the
mobile—to—satellite and satellite—to—mobile links of its international land
mobile—satellite services.  in addition, users of this service shall obtain the
appropriate license or other authorization from the local
telecommunications authority of the country in which the terminal will be used
and any necessary licenses or authorizations from Agencies or Departments of the
United States government (such as Treasury or Commerce).  Thus, this
authorization shall not be construed as providing domestic uplink or downlink
authority within countries outside of the United States.

   15.  IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that IDB shall provide international LMSS via
SCI‘s and **13   Comsat‘s fixed land earth stations only if these earth
stations have been authorized to provide this service, and are transmitting via
the Inmarsat Second Generation satellites on 6425—6440 MHz and receiving on
3600—3620 MHz.  IDB may also use these land earth stations when they are
providing land mobile—satellite service via Inmarsat First Generation satellites
transmitting on 6417.5—6425 MHz and receiving on 4192.5—4200 MHz, but only when
these satellites are being used as backups to the Second Generation satellites.

   16.  IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that this broad authority does not cover the
provision of international land mobile—satellite services or land—based
temporary fixed—satellite services via any new land earth stations or Inmarsat
satellites or cover any land mobile—satellite services not specifically
authorized herein.

   17.  IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that this authorization is conditioned upon
completion of the consultation(s) required by Article XIV(d) of the Intelsat
Agreement to ensure technical compatibility and to avoid significant economic
harm.  In addition, IDB shall maintain as its first priority the service of
maritime commercial,   safety and distress needs,    and in particular **14   uphold
the safety and distress requirements of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety
System.

   18.  IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that IDB will be classified as dominant in the
provision of the services authorized herein.

   19.    IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that,   pursuant to Section 203 of the
Communications Act, 47 U.S.C. § 203, Part 61 of the Commission‘s Rules.   47
C.F.R. Part 61, and Section 504 of the Inmarsat Act, 47 U.S.C. § 754, IDB shall
file such amendments to current tariffs with the Commission conmsistent with this
decision.  IDB also shall file, within 90 days of the release of this Order, a
complete description of its accounting system and cost allocation procedures.

   20.  IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that IDB shall file copies of any operating
agreements entered into by itself or its parent/affiliates with its
correspondents within 30 days of their execution.

    *933  21.  IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that IDB shall file quarterly reports of
revenue, number of messages, and number of minutes of both originating and
terminating traffic for all international services between the United States and
all international points it  **15  is authorized to serve within 90 days from
the end of each calendar quarter.

   22.  IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that IDB shall file with the Commission every six
months a letter reporting Inmarsat‘s progress in developing a means of
distinguishing between maritime, aeromautical, and land mobile—satellite
transmissions to allow for the primacy of maritime services and compliance with


6                                                                                PpaGE 7
                       8 FCC Red 930, *933; 1993 FCC LEXIS 734, **1is
    Commission Regulations and Rules regarding the use of these bands.

       23.  The Commission retains jurisdiction over this matter to ensure the
    nondiscriminatory use of, and equitable access to, the Inmarsat satellite
    system.


       24.    This order is issued under § 0.291 of the Commission‘s Rules and is
    effective upon adoption.    Petitions for reconsideration under § 1.106 or
    applications for review under Section 1.115 of the Commission‘s Rules may be
    filed within 30 days of public notice of this order (See Section 1.4(b) (2)).

       FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

       George S. Li

       Chief,   International Facilities Division

       Common Carrier Bureau



Document Created: 2007-04-05 16:49:36
Document Modified: 2007-04-05 16:49:36

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