Attachment 2004Globalstar march

2004Globalstar march

LETTER submitted by Globalstar

immediate grant

2004-03-26

This document pretains to SAT-AMD-20001103-00154 for Amended Filing on a Satellite Space Stations filing.

IBFS_SATAMD2000110300154_1076051

ORIGINAL crowellremoring Mecolveg 1001 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004—2595 = p202 624—2500 = f202 628—5116 Man 3 ; /0;4 March 26, 2004 RECE‘V@ Ms. Marlene H. Dortch MAR 2 6 2004 Secretary 2. $il. EEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISBION Federal Communications Commission OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY 445 Twelfth Street, SW Washington, DC 20554 RE: @G@lobalstar, L.P., Memorandum Opinion and Order, DA 08—328. File Nos: 183/184/185/186—8SAT—P/LA—97; 182—SAT—P/LA—97(64) IBFS Application File Numbers: SAT—LOA—19970926—00151—154 SAT—LOA—19970926—00156 SAT—AMD—20011103—0154 SAT—MOD—20020717—00116—119 SAT—MOD—20020717—00107—110 SAT—MOD—20020722—00112 Call Signs S2320/82321/828322/828283/82324 Final Analysis Communication Services, Inc., Call Sign 2150 Memorandum Opinion and Order, DA 04—727 SAT—MOD—20020329—00245, SAT—AMD—2003060600112 Dear Ms. Dortch: On January 29, 2003, the International Bureau adopted a Memorandum Opinion and Order, in which it denied a request by Globalstar, LP. ("Globalstar"), for modification of certain implementation milestones associated with its 2 GHz Mobile—Satellite Service ("MSS") system and canceled all Globalstar‘s 2 GHz MSS licenses.! Globalstar‘s Emergency Application for Review and Request for Stay of that decision are pending. 1 G@lobalstar, L.P., DA 03—328, 18 FCC Red 1249 (Int‘l Bur. 2003) ("Globalstar Order"). Crowell & Moring LLP = www.crowell.com « Washington @ Irvine «a London a Brussels

Ms. Marlene H. Dortch March 26, 2004 Page 2 of 5 The International Bureau recently cited the Globalstar Order as precedent for a legal analysis that was not discussed in that decision. Accordingly, Globalstar is submitting this letter to point out the significant distinctions between the Globalstar circumstances and those described by the International Bureau in a March 17, 2004 Memorandum Opinion and Order, DA 04—727 ("Final Analysis Order"), canceling the non—voice, non—geostationary ("NVNG") satellite system license of Final Analysis Communication Services, Inc. ("Final Analysis"). Final Analysis requested an extension of its implementation milestones based on delays associated, in part, with its corporate parent‘s federal bankruptcy proceeding.2 In the Final Analysis Order, the Bureau decided that delay arising from bankruptcy was not sufficient justification for granting an extension of Final Analysis‘s milestones. Because Final Analysis had missed its March 2002 and September 2002 milestones, the Bureau canceled the NVNG satellite license. Curiously, the Bureau cited the Globalstar 2 GHz MSS decision as one case in which "the Bureau has not been persuaded to extend a milestone deadline because of a bankruptcy proceeding."" But, unlike Final Analysis, Globalstar did not seek an extension of milestones because it was unable to achieve substantial progress on its 2 GHz MSS system while the company was in bankruptcy.4 Nor did the Bureau explain its decision on Globalstar‘s 2 GHz MSS licenses with the rationale that bankruptcy was not a justification for failure to meet milestones. Based on several factors, Globalstar requested modifications of certain future milestones for its 2 GHz MSS system at the same time that it entered into a non— 2 See Final Analysis Order, © 19 ("Shortly before the March 2002 milestone deadline, a petition for involuntary bankruptcy was filed against FAI, Final Analysis‘s parent company. Final Analysis argues that this eleventh hour occurrence prevented it from meeting its milestone deadlines.") 3 Final Analysis Order, © 20 ("The International Bureau, under delegated authority, has similarly grappled with various issues arising from the bankruptcy filings of a number of satellite licensees and the relevance of bankruptcy on a licensee‘s obligations to meet milestone deadlines. In each case, the Bureau has not been persuaded to extend a milestone deadline because of a bankruptcy proceeding.") The discussion of the Globalstar Order follows in Paragraph 21. 4 See Globalstar Order, § 7. Globalstar filed a petition under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware on February 15, 2002. Crowell & Moring LLP @ www.crowell.com = Washington Irvine a London a Brussels

Ms. Marlene H. Dortch March 26, 2004 Page 3 of 5 contingent satellite construction contract as of July 17, 2002, to meet its first milestone. The Bureau described Globalstar‘s reasons for the proposed changes to the future milestones as a "reevaluation of its business plan and the financial condition of the MSS market," which the Bureau deemed "business decisions" within Globalstar‘s control. (Globalstar Order, © 8.) With that explanation, the Bureau denied the milestone extension requests. In then canceling Globalstar‘s licenses, the Bureau relied on a previously— unannounced policy that a satellite construction contract incorporating variations from the space station authorization that are reflected in a simultaneously—filed modification application cannot meet the satellite construction milestone if the Commission denies the modification application. Accordingly, in Globalstar‘s case, since the non—contingent satellite construction contract submitted by Globalstar in compliance with its first implementation milestone reflected construction milestones as proposed in Globalstar‘s modification applications on file, rather than the milestones in GLP‘s original licensing order, the contract was deemed not to meet the milestone for entering into a non—contingent construction contract within one year of the date of licensing. (Globalstar Order, § 13.) Globalstar has explained in detail how this decision violates administrative due process in a supplemental letter filed on December 12, 2003.5 In the Final Analysis Order (( 21 (footnotes omitted)), the Bureau describes its decision regarding Globalstar thus: On February 15, 2002, Globalstar sought Chapter 11 bankruptcey protection. On its July 17, 2002 milestone deadline, Globalstar filed a request for waiver and modification of its implementation milestones. Despite the fact that Globalstar‘s first milestone passed during its bankruptcy proceeding, the International Bureau found that the extension request did not present special circumstances justifying a waiver, and thus Globalstar did not meet its burden of demonstrating that it qualified for a milestone extension. 5 Letter to Marlene H. Dortch, FCC Secretary, from William D. Wallace, Counsel to Globalstar, L.P. (filed Dec. 12, 20083). The Commission recently confirmed that it is obligated not to apply newly—announced policies retroactively. See Complaints Against Various Broadcast Licensees Regarding Their Airing of the "Golden Globe Awards" Program, FCC 04—43, © 15 (released Mar. 18, 2004). Crowell & Moring LLP a www.crowell.com a Washington a Irvine & London s Brussels

Ms. Marlene H. Dortch March 26, 2004 Page 4 of 5 The Bureau casts the Globalstar Order as one decided in light of the bankruptcy analysis in the Final Analysis Order, but, in fact, the impact of Globalstar‘s bankruptcy on whether its extension requests should be granted or whether it had met its July 17, 2002 milestone was not discussed in the Globalstar Order.$ In addition to these significant differences in the rationales for the Globalstar Order and the Final Analysis Order, there are several important differences in the facts which dictate that Globalstar should retain its 2 GHz MSS licenses: First, Globalstar had not missed any milestones when the Bureau decided to cancel its 2 GHz MSS licenses. Globalstar met the July 17, 2002, milestone by entering into a non—contingent satellite construction contract with Space Systems/Loral, Inc. In other cases, entering into a non—contingent construction contract has been found to demonstrate intent to proceed with implementation of the satellite system." Second, Globalstar did not seek a waiver or extension of the immediately upcoming milestone. Final Analysis filed a request for extension of its March 31, 2002 milestone (which it was unable to meet) on March 29, 2002. On the other hand, Globalstar had entered into a non—contingent satellite construction contract as of the required date of July 17, 2002, and contemporaneously filed with the Commission a request for extension of certain future milestones, the first of which was three years after July 17, 2002.%8 Third, Globalstar did not claim that its bankruptcy had forced it to halt progress toward construction of its system. Despite being in bankruptcy, Globalstar 6 As the Bureau notes (Final Analysis Order, © 21), in its Emergency Application for Review of the Globalstar Order (at 11—12, filed Mar. 3, 2003), Globalstar has argued that the Commission must consider its bankruptcy as one factor in reviewing whether the cireumstances warrant a waiver of the milestone requirement in its request for extension of future milestones. There is no question that the Commission is obligated to consider all relevant factors in making its decisions. See, e.g., Motor Vehicle Mfrs. Ass‘n v. State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co., 463 U.S. 29, 48 (1983). 7 See GE American Communications, Inc., 16 FCC Red 11038, 11041—42 (Int‘l Bur. 2001); GE American Communications, Inc., 7 FCC Red 5169, 5170 (CCB 1992). 8 This procedure was sanctioned by the International Bureau in Teledesic LLC, 17 FCC Red 11263, 11265 (Int‘l Bur. 2002). Crowell & Moring LLP = www.crowell.com « Washington = Irvine a London & Brussels

Ms. Marlene H. Dortch March 26, 2004 Page 5 of 5 intended to use the assigned frequencies in the time frame required by the 2 GHz MSS license.© In summary, the International Bureau did not cancel Globalstar‘s 2 GHz MSS licenses because the Bureau rejected the use of bankruptey as a justification for delaying progress on construction of an authorized satellite system. Therefore, squeezing the Globalstar Order into a line of Commission bankruptcy precedent must fail. The Bureau‘s decision on Globalstar "must be measured by what [the Bureau] did, not by what it might have done.""!" The Bureau‘s attempt to impose a post hoc rationalization on the Globalstar Order demonstrates once again that the Bureau‘s decision canceling Globalstar‘s licenses cannot be justified on the facts or the applicable precedent. Accordingly, we ask that you immediately grant Globalstar‘s Emergency Application for Review and vacate the Bureau‘s decision canceling Globalstar‘s 2 GHz MSS licenses. Respectfully submitted, GLOBALSTAR, L.P. Of Counsel: LOcLL)dItG William F. Adler William D. Wallace Bz Vice President, Legal and Regulatory Affairs Globalstar, LP. 3200 Zanker Road San Jose, CA 95134 (408) 933—4401 9 See Globalstar, LP., "Request for Waiver and Modification of Implementation Milestones for 2 GHz MSS System," at 13—14 (filed July 17, 2002). 10 SEC v. Chenery, 318 U.S. 80, 98—94 (1943). Crowell & Moring LLP a www.crowell.com = Washington = Irvine a London «= Brussels

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I, William D. Wallace, hereby certify that I have on this 26th day of March 2004, caused to be served true and correct copies of the foregoing "Letter" upon the following persons via hand delivery (marked with an asterisk (*)) or first—class United States mail, postage prepaid: The Honorable Michael K. Powell * The Honorable Kathleen Q. Abernathy * Chairman Commissioner Federal Communications Commission Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street, SW 445 12th Street, S.W. Washington, DC 20554 Washington, D.C. 20554 The Honorable Michael Copps * The Honorable Kevin Martin * Commissioner Commissioner Federal Communications Commission Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street, S.W. 445 12th Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20554 Washington, D.C. 20554 The Honorable Jonathan S. Adelstein Daniel Harrold * Commissioner Office of General Counsel Federal Communications Commission Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street, S.W. 445 12th Street, S.W., Room 6—A665 Washington, D.C. 20554 Washington, D.C. 20554 Donald Abelson * Thomas S. Tyez * International Bureau International Bureau Federal Communications Commission Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street, S.W., Room 6—C750 445 12th Street, S.W., Room 6—A665 Washington, D.C. 20554 Washington, D.C. 20554 Karl A. Kensinger * Howard Griboff * International Bureau International Bureau Federal Communications Commission Federal Communications Commission 445 Twelfth Street, S.W., Room 6—A663 445 12th Street, S.W., Room 6—C467 Washington, D.C. 20554 Washington, D.C. 20554

Roderick K. Porter * John Rogovin * International Bureau Office of General Counsel Federal Communications Commission Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street, S.W. 445 12th Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20554 Washington, D.C. 20554 Bryan Tramont * Sheryl Wilkerson * Office of Chairman Michael Powell Office of Chairman Michael Powell Federal Communications Commission Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street, S.W. 445 12th Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20554 Washington, D.C. 20554 Jennifer Manner * Paul Margie * Office of Commissioner Kathleen Office of Commissioner Michael Copps Abernathy Federal Communications Commission Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street, S.W. 445 12th Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20554 Washington, D.C. 20554 Barry Ohlson * Sam Feder * Office of Commissioner Jonathan Office of Commissioner Kevin Martin Adelstein . Federal Communications Commission Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street, S.W. 445 12th Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20554 Washington, D.C. 20554 Joseph A. Godles Tom W. Davidson Goldberg, Godles, Wiener & Wright Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, L.L.P. 1229 19th Street, N.W. 1676 International Drive Washington, D.C. 20036 Penthouse McLean, VA 22102 L. Andrew Tollin Douglas I. Brandon Kathryn A. Zachem AT&T Wireless Services, Inc. Craig E. Gilmore 1150 Connecticut Avenue, NW. Wilkinson Barker Knauer, LLP Washington, D.C. 20036 2300 N Street, NW., Suite 700 Washington, D.C. 20037 John T. Sceott, III J.R. Carbonell Cellco Partnership Carol L. Tacker d/b/a Verizon Wireless David G. Richards 1300 I Street, NW., Suite 400—W Cingular Wireless LLC Washington, D.C. 20005 5565 Glenridge Connector, Suite 1700 Atlanta, GA 30342

Aileen A. Pisciotta Kelley Drye & Warren LLP 1200 19th Street, N.W., Suite 500 Washington, D.C. 20036 lcree. William D. Wallace


Document Created: 2015-01-30 15:07:05
Document Modified: 2015-01-30 15:07:05
© 2024 FCC.report
This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the FCC