Attachment Exhibit B

This document pretains to SAT-AMD-20020917-00167 for Amended Filing on a Satellite Space Stations filing.

IBFS_SATAMD2002091700167_281851

                                  Exhibit B to Form 312



                    Requests for Waivers of the Commission‘s Rules


        SkyBridge hereby requests the following waivers of the Commission‘s Rules:‘

1.       SkyBridge requests a partial waiver of Section 25.146(a)(1)(v), to the extent that
this rule requires results for:

   e    EPFDgown for the worst 3 test points in the U.S.

   e    EPFDgown for the worst 3 test points on each continent, except Antarctica, outside
        of the U.S.

    e   EPFDaown for "as many points as the number of service areas; 1.e., footprints"

    e   EPFDa,wn where "[t]he center of each beam service area should be the test point
        coordinate."

As discussed further in Exhibit C, these rules are: (1) inconsistent with ITU rules upon
which they are based, (2) incompatible with the software specification adopted by the
ITU and FCC for computing validation EPFDgow, levels; (3) subject to a pending Petition
for Reconsideration;" and (4) in the absence of resolution of the issues raised in that
Petition, ambiguous in their interpretation and impractical in their application." While


   These requests are in addition to waivers requested in SkyBridge‘s original
    application and later amendments. See SkyBridge Application, File No. 48—SAT—
   P/LA—97, February 28, 1997, at 100—103; SkyBridge Amendment, 89—SAT—AMEND—
   97, July 3, 1997, at 7. However, while these earlier waiver requests may still be
   procedurally relevant, due to the early filing date of the application and relevant
   amendment, it is believed that they are substantively moot in view of subsequent
   changes in the Commission‘s Rules to accommodate NGSO FSS systems.

    See Petition for Reconsideration, SkyBridge L.L.C., ET Docket 98—206, RM—9147,
   RM—9245, March 19, 2001 (the "SkyBridge Petition for Reconsideration"). See also
   Ex Parte Presentation of SkyBridge, ET Docket No. 98—206, June 18, 2002 (the
   "SkyBridge Ex Parte").

    In addition to the observations made in Exhibit C regarding the interpretation of these
    rules, it is unclear what is meant by "service areas, i.e., footprints" in Section
    25.146(a)(1)(v) in the context of many types of NGSO satellite constellations. For
    most NGSO systems, including the SkyBridge system, this would seem to be
    redundant with the requirement for EPFDaoy, results on each of the continents. It is


SkyBridge attempted to comply with Section 25.146(a)(1)(v) in good faith in Exhibit C,
SkyBridge requests this waiver out of an abundance of caution in the event that its
demonstration of compliance is deemed insufficient in view of the current Section
146(a)(1)(v) or that section after resolution of the pending SkyBridge Petition for
Reconsideration.

No party would be prejudiced by grant of the instant waiver. First, the additional results
requested by the Commission are not needed to ensure compliance with the EPFDdown
"Validation Limits". So long as the EPFD statistics of a system are shown to meet the
EPFDaown Validation Limits with computer software in accordance with ITU—R
Recommendation BO.1503, it follows by definition that the limits will be met
worldwide.* Second, both the software and inputs for assessing compliance with the
EPFDaown Validation Limits are being provided by SkyBridge. If an interested party
believes that additional results would be useful (which may not be the "worst—case"
locations, but rather locations of particular interest to that operator), it will be able to
perform the computations itself." As noted in Exhibit C, SkyBridge would be pleased to
assist such a party in this regard.


2.       SkyBridge requests a partial waiver of Section 25.146(a)(2)(v), to the extent that
this rule requires results for:

    e   EPFD,,, for every longitudinal location on the GSO orbit at every two—degree
        spacing that is visible to the U.S. for domestic service

    e   EPFD,,, for every longitudinal location on the GSO orbit at every three—degree
        spacing for service outside the U.S.

As discussed further in Exhibit C, these rules are: (1) inconsistent with ITU rules upon
which they are based, (2) incompatible with the software specification adopted by the
ITU and FCC for computing validation EPFD,, levels; (3) subject to the pending


   similarly unclear how the requirement that "[t]he center of each beam service area
   should be the test point coordinate" is to be interpreted, since the EPFDgow, at any
   location on earth is a function of the contribution of numerous beams, most of which
   will not be serving the location, and the worst—case is not necessarily located at the
   center of a beam. See SkyBridge Petition for Reconsideration at 30—32.

    See SkyBridge Petition for Reconsideration at 31; SkyBridge Ex Parte at 18.
    Moreover, the additional data requested by the Commission provides no useful
    information to operators of geostationary orbit ("GSO") satellites, because the
    software does not predict actual interference levels. The software serves only as a
    tool to ensure that the system will not exceed the Validation Limits anywhere at any
    time. See SkyBridge Ex Parte at 8, 18.

    SkyBridge Petition for Reconsideration at 31; SkyBridge Ex Parte at 18.


SkyBridge Petition for Reconsideration; and (4) in the absence of resolution of the issues
raised in that Petition, ambiguous in their interpretation and impractical in their
application. While SkyBridge attempted to provide the information required by Section
25.146(a)(2)(v) in good faith in Exhibit C, SkyBridge requests this waiver out of an
abundance of caution in the event that its demonstration of compliance is deemed
insufficient in view of the current Section 146(a)(2)(v) or that section after resolution of
the pending SkyBridge Petition for Reconsideration.

As in the case of the EPFDgown results, discussed above, no party would be prejudiced by
grant of the instant waiver. First, the additional results requested by the Commission are
not needed to ensure compliance with the EPFD,,, Validation Limits. So long as the
EPFD statistics of a system are shown to meet the EPFD,,, Validation Limits with
computer software in accordance with ITU—R Recommendation BO.1503, it follows by
definition that the limits will be met worldwide.° Second, both the software and inputs
for assessing compliance with the EPFD,,, Validation Limits are being provided by
SkyBridge. If an interested party believes that additional results would be useful, it will
be able to perform the computations itself.‘ As noted above, SkyBridge would be pleased
to assist such a party in this regard.


3.      Sections 25.146(a)(1)(ii1) and (a)(2)(iii) of the Commission‘s Rules require
disclosure of the source code employed for the demonstration of compliance with the
Validation Limits. As noted in Exhibit C, and discussed in detail in a separate letter to
the Commission hand—delivered September 16, 2002 in conjunction with this Amendment
(a copy of which is attached as Appendix 1 to this Exhibit B), the source code employed
by SkyBridge was developed by an outside contractor, and constitutes highly proprietary
information to that contractor. Under the terms of its agreement with the software
provider, SkyBridge is not permitted to disclose the source code publicly. SkyBridge
has, however, received permission from the software provider to disclose the source code
to the Commission under a request for confidential treatment. SkyBridge hereby requests
a waiver of the provisions that require disclosure of the source code, in the event that the
Commission finds the SkyBridge submission of the source code in any way deficient.

No party would be harmed by grant of the requested waiver. SkyBridge‘s disclosure of
the executable code will permit interested parties to perform computations and test the
software to their satisfaction. SkyBridge has submitted the source code to the
Commission, for its inspection, as an indication of good faith. SkyBridge would be
pleased to assist other parties with any questions they may have concerning the software,
including assistance on use and testing of the executable code, so long as such assistance


    See SkyBridge Petition for Reconsideration at 31; SkyBridge Ex Parte at 18. Further,
    as noted above, the additional data requested by the Commission provides no useful
    information to GSO operators because the software does not predict actual
    interference levels. See SkyBridge Ex Parte at 8, 18.

    SkyBridge Petition for Reconsideration at 31; SkyBridge Ex Parte at 18.


does not require disclosure of commercially—sensitive information of SkyBridge‘s
contractor.


     Appendix 1 to Exhibit B

Transmittal Letter for Source Code


PA U L,          WEISS,             RIFKIND,     YHARTON        8   GARRISON                          1285 AvENUE OF THE amERICAS
                                                                                                     NEW YORK, NY 10019—6064
161 5       L     STREET,        NW             w ASHINGTON.   DC   2003 6—5 694                     TELEPHONE (@212) 373—3000
                                                                                                     FACSIMILE (212) 757—3990
TELEPHONE       (202) 223—7300
FACSIMILE   (202) 223—7420
                                                                                                     62. RUE DU FAUBOURG SAINT—HONORE
                                                                                                     75008 PARIS, FRANCE
                                                                                                     TELEPHONE (33 1153 43 14 14
                                                                                                     FACSIMILE (33 153 43 00 23
JEFFREY H. OLSON
COMMUNICATIONS COunsSEL                                                                              FUKOKU SEIMEI BUILDING
                                                                                                     2—2 UCHISAIWAICHO 2—CHOME
TELEPHONE          (202) 223—7326                                                                    CHIYODA—KU, TOKYO 100—0011, JAPAN
                                                                                                     TELEPHONE (61:3) 3897—8 101
E—mAIlL:jolson@pautweiss.com
                                                                                                     FACSIMILE (8 1—3) 3597—8 120


                                                                                                     2918 CHINA WORLD TOWER i}
                                                                                                     NO. 1 JIANGUOMENWAL DAJIE
                                                                                                     BEIJING, 100004
                                                                                                     PEOPLE‘S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
                                                                                                     TELEPHONE (86—10) eso5—6s22
                                                                                                     FACSIMILE (86—10) esos—s830


                                                                                                      12TH FLOOR, HONG KONG CLUB BUILDING
                                                                                                     3A CHATER ROAD, CENTRAL
                                                                                                     HONG KONG
                                                                                                     TELEPHONE (852) 2536—9933
                                                                                                     FACSIMILE (852) 2536—9622



                                                                     September 16, 2002


                     By Hand


                     Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary
                     Federal Communications Commission
                     445 12th Street, NW.,
                     Washington, DC 20554

                                          Re:    SkyBridge LL.C. —— File Nos. 48—SAT—P/LA—97, 89—SAT—
                                                 AMEND—97, SAT—AMD—19980630—00056 (130—SAT—AMEND—
                                                 98), SAT—AMD—19990108—00004.

                                                 Transmittal ofSource Code Related to Amendment
                                                 — Request for Confidential Treatment

                     Dear Madame Secretary:

                                          In connection with the amendment being filed today by SkyBridge L.L.C.
                     ("SkyBridge") ofits application for authority to launch and operate a non—geostationary
                     satellite orbit ("NGSO") Fixed—Satellite Service ("FSS") system in the Ku—band (the
                     "Amendment‘‘), we hereby transmit, on behalf of SkyBridge, a CD ROM containing the
                     source code (the "Source Code") for the software (the "Validation Software") required to
                     be submitted to the Commission pursuant to 47 C.F.R. § 25.146(a). The CD ROM is
                     labeled "SkyBridge Validation Software Source Code, September 16, 2002."

                                          As discussed below, the Validation Software was developed for
                     SkyBridge by an outside contractor (the "Software Provider"),‘ and it is based, in part, on


                     ‘    The Software Provider is the teuchos Group ("teuchos"), which markets and sells
                          products of Analytical Graphics, Inc., including the Satellite Tool Kit software
                          package.


                     Doc#: DC1: 1300191


PAUL, Y EISS, RIFKIND, WHARTON 8 GARRISON

      Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary                                                               2



      a commercial product. Under the terms of SkyBridge‘s nondisclosure agreement with the
      Software Provider, SkyBridge is not permitted to release the Source Code. However,
      SkyBridge has received permission to submit the Source Code to the Commission only,
      in order to demonstrate SkyBridge‘s compliance with 47 C.F.R. § 25.146(a), provided
      that such submission is accompanied by a request for confidential treatment.

                     Accordingly, SkyBridge requests that the Source Code be withheld from
      public inspection and not placed in the Commission‘s public files, pursuant to Section
      552(b)(4) of the U.S. Code, and Sections 0.457(d) and 0.459 of the Commission‘s Rules.
      The Source Code, if disclosed, could be of value to competitors and detrimental to the
      Software Provider. The Software Provider would be placed at a significant disadvantage
      if the Source Code were revealed to competing service providers who stand to benefit
      competitively from any such knowledge. If for any reason the Commission should
      determine that it may not grant the instant request for confidential treatment, SkyBridge
      hereby requests that the CD ROM be returned to SkyBridge, and that the Commission
      retain no copies of the information contained thereon." In no event should the CD ROM
      or information be placed in the Commission‘s files or otherwise released publicly.

                   In support of this request, and pursuant to Section 0.459(b) of the
      Commission‘s rules, SkyBridge establishes the following:

                      1.     Identification of Specific Information for Which Confidential
      Treatment is Sought. The specific information for which confidential treatment is sought
      is contained in the CD ROM enclosed herewith, which consists of the Source Code for
      the Validation Software required to be provided to the Commission under 47 C.F.R §
      25.146(a). As discussed in the SkyBridge Amendment, the software functionality
      conforms exactly to a publicly—available software specification —— ITU—R
      Recommendation BO.1503. Moreover, an executable version of the software is being
      provided publicly as part of the SkyBridge Amendment. Confidential treatment is being
      sought only for the highly—proprietary Source Code for the software.

                     2.     Description of Circumstances Giving Rise to the Submission. As
      noted above, the information is being submitted in response the requirement adopted in
      the Report and Order, in IB Docket No. 01—96," that NGSO FSS applicants amend their
      applications by September 16, 2002, to come into conformity with new requirements and


      ‘    5 U.S.C. § 552(b)(4); 47 C.FR. § 0.457(d); 47 C.F.R. § 0.459.
           In it Amendment, SkyBridge has requested a waiver of the rule requiring the
           provision of the source code for the Validation Software, 47 C.F.R. § 25.146(a), in
           the event that the Commission finds the instant submission in any way deficient.

           See FCC 02—123, released April 26, 2002.



      Doc#: DC1: 1300191


PAUL, WEISS, RIFKIND, WHARTON 8 CARRISON
      Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary                                                                3


      policies, including a demonstration of compliance with certain power limits contained in
      47 CFE.R. § 25.208, using software based on ITU—R Recommendation BO. 1503."

                             3.   Explanation of the Degree to Which the Information is
      Commercial or Financial, or Contains a Trade Secret or is Privileged. The CD ROM
      contains extremely sensitive information that would customarily be withheld from
      competitors, and considered a trade secret by its owner. Source code for a commercial
      software application is rarely disclosed under any circumstances. The Software Provider
      would be severely prejudiced in its ability to compete if this information were released to
      competitors. As noted above, under the terms of its agreement with the Software
      Provider, SkyBridge is not permitted to release the Source Code without the Software
      Provider‘s permission. Public disclosure of the Source Code is likely to cause substantial
      harm to the competitive position of the Software Provider.

                      4.      Explanation of the Degree to Which the Information Concerns a
      Service that is Subject to Competition. The information for which non—disclosure is
      sought pertains to software for modelling emissions of constellations of NGSO satellites.
      The Software Provider faces competition from software vendors marketing similar
      products. Such companies stand to benefit competitively from any knowledge of the
      details of the computer program.

                      5.      Explanation of How Disclosure of the Information Could Result in
      Substantial Competitive Harm. Release of the information for which non—disclosure is
      sought could result in substantial harm to the Software Provider by revealing to its
      competitors, the satellite construction industry, and the public, the source code of a
      commercial software product. Current or future competitors in the service market could
      use the information to learn details about that product that are extremely confidential and
      are not available in any other public forum.

                     6.     Identification of Any Measures Taken to Prevent Unauthorized
      Disclosure. The Software Provider‘s agreement with SkyBridge requires SkyBridge to
      keep proprietary information disclosed pursuant to the agreement, including the Source
      Code. As noted above, SkyBridge has been authorized to release this information to the
      Commission only in combination with a request for confidential treatment.

                     7.     Identification of Whether the Information is Available to the
      Public and the Extent of Any Previous Disclosure of the Information to Third Parties.
      The Source Code for which SkyBridge seeks confidential treatment has never, to
      SkyBridge‘s knowledge, been previously disclosed to the public.




      5    See 47 CF.R. §§ 25.146(a), 25.146(h)(3).


      Doc#: DC1: 130019 _1


PAUL, WEISS, RIFKIND, WHARTON 8 CARRLSON
       Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary                                                                 4


                      8.     Justification of Period During Which the Submitting Party Asserts
      that Material Should Not be Available for Public Disclosure. SkyBridge would request
      that this information be withheld from disclosure for a period of at least three years.
      Given the competitive nature of the information and the uncertainty in its useful life, this
      period of time is reasonable.

                            Please direct any questions regarding this matter to the undersigned.




                                                        efffey H. Olson
                                                       Diane C. Gaylor


                                                       Attorneys for SkyBridge L.L.C.

      Enclosure


      ce:        Donald Abelson
                Thomas Tycz
                Diane Garfield
                Jennifer Gilsenen
                Scott Kotler
                J. Mark Young, Esq.




      Doc#: DC1: 130019_1



Document Created: 2019-04-13 06:59:07
Document Modified: 2019-04-13 06:59:07

© 2024 FCC.report
This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the FCC