Attachment 2003Globalstar-Carri

2003Globalstar-Carri

OPPOSITION submitted by AT&T; Verizon; Cingular

op

2003-03-10

This document pretains to SAT-LOA-19970926-00152 for Application to Launch and Operate on a Satellite Space Stations filing.

IBFS_SATLOA1997092600152_868139

                                                                                             ORIGINAL
WILKINSON /) BARKER/} K,NAUER} LLP;                                                   PRos § iraze:, nw
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                                                                                      w w w. w b k la w. c o m



                                               March 12, 2003


    Marlene H. Dortch
                                                  Received                         RECEIVED
    Secretary                                    MAY 0 6 ;
    Federal Communications Commission                     6 2003                     MAR 1 2 2003
    445— 12th Street, SW, TW—A325                 Policy Branch                                              MMISBON
         .                                            i                                             ons C0
    Washington, DC 20554                       International Bureay            FEDERA%‘?‘?::;JFN"(%;ECRETAHY

                    Re:     Applications of Globalstar, L.P.
                            File No. 183/184/185/186—SAT—P/LA—97 et al.; DA 03—328

    Dear Ms. Dortch:

             Attached please find corrected copies of the "Opposition to Request for Stay" filed on
    March 10, 2003, on behalf of AT&T Wireless Services, Inc., Cingular Wireless LLC, and
    Verizon Wireless, in the above—referenced proceeding. The attached version corrects non—
    substantive typographical and other errors that have recently come to our attention.

             If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the undersigned.

                                                                      Sincerely,
                                                                   /‘

                                                                      Stephen L. "Goodman
                                                                      Craig E. Gilmore


    Attachment


                                             Before the
                             Federal Communications Commission                           MAR 1 2 2003
                                    Washington, DC 20554
                                                                                 FEDERAL CoMMuNiCaTIONS commissaion
                                                                                        OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

In the Matter of Application of                     File Nos.:
                                                    183/184/185/186—SAT—P/LA—97
Globalstar, L.P.                                    182—SAT—P/LA—97(64)

For Modification of License for a Mobile—           IBFS Nos.:
Satellite Service System in the 2 GHz Band          SAT—LOA—19970926—00151/52/53/54
                                                    SAT—LOA—19970926—00156
For Waiver and Modification of Implementation       SAT—AMD—20001103—001 54
Milestones for 2 GHz MSS System                     SAT—MOD—20020717—00116/17/18/19
                                                    SAT—MOD—20020722—00107/08/09/10/12

                                                    Call Signs:
                                                    $2320, S52321, §2322, $2323, $2324




                          OPPOSITION TO REQUEST FOR STAY



                                                     Kathryn A. Zachem
                                                     L. Andrew Tollin
                                                     Stephen L. Goodman
                                                     Wilkinson Barker Knauer, LLP
                                                     2300 N Street, NW, Suite 700
                                                     Washington, DC 20037—1128
                                                     (202) 783—4141



 AT&T WIRELESS SERVICES, INC.          VERIZON WIRELESS               CINGULAR WIRELESS LLC
 Douglas I. Brandon                    John T. Scott, III             J. R. Carbonell
 AT&T Wireless Services, Inc.          Charla M. Rath                 Carol L. Tacker
 1150 Connecticut Avenue, NW           Cellco Partnership             David G. Richards
 Washington, DC 20036                  d/b/a Verizon Wireless         Cingular Wireless LLC
 (202) 223—9222                        1300 I Street, NW              5565 Glenridge Connector
                                       Suite 400—W                    Suite 1700
                                       Washington, DC 20005           Atlanta, GA 30342
                                       (202) 589—3760                 (404) 236—5543

March 10, 2003




                                                                      Corrected Version (filed Mar. 12, 2003)


                                                        TABLE OF CONTENTS

SUMMARY .....122222222222222ivserrrrrrrrerrrres se ereserereresersser es er se es es rerererererrrrrerrrerres se s se a e se e e e e se rere se se e es 111
L.         GLOBALSTAR FAILS TO DEMONSTRATE A LIKELIHOOD OF SUCCESS
           ON THE MERITS .222022222222222r0rrervervevserssererrevreerrseserrrrsesesessereerrrrssesererrererrersesersre es es e e e r e r e aaes 2
           A.          The Commission Should Not Reinstate the One GEO Satellite License................ 3
           B.          The Bureau Order Is CONSIStEeAt With PT@C@UE@NE ............220202222er¥rrerrrrerererererrrerere se 4
           C.          Globalstar Was NOt DeM1Ed DUC PFOCG@SS ......2,22..222222222s2rerrere se rrerrrsrerer es err es rarar e es 5
           D.          The Bureau Properly Considered and Rejected the Waiver Request ..................... 7
           E.          Globalstar‘s New Bankruptcy Arguments Are without Merit.................c.ccl. 9
IL         GLOBALSTAR IS SUFFERING NO IRREPARABLE INJURY ....222222.22020000009 .. 12
IIL.       GRANT OF THE STAY WOULD RESULT IN HARM TO OTHER PARTIES .......... 14
IV.        THE PUBLIC INTEREST WOULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY
           GRANT OF THE STAY ..002222220222222rrrrrsererererererersrrrerersrrrrersreersvererrrrsrre se se rerrrerrerrerrr en en ee 15

ooluleinorsto) oo 17


                                            SUMMARY

        The Carriers oppose the request filed by Globalstar seeking a stay of the Bureau Order
that denied Globalstar‘s request for an extension of the construction and launch milestones for its
2 GHz MSS system and found the contract, which assumed the extensions would be granted,
inadequate for meeting the initial milestone. The Bureau Order thus declared the authorization
null and void pursuant to the condition in the license. The Carriers contend that Globalstar has
failed to meet any of the four elements to support its stay request.

         Globalstar is unlikely to prevail on the merits. The Bureau Order was well reasoned,
consistent with precedent and fully considered the waiver request of Globalstar. There is no
ground for now treating Globalstar‘s modification and waiver request as an application to reduce
the 2 GHz MSS authorization to a single Geostationary satellite. In addition, the Commission
has long established that in order to support an initial milestone, the non—contingent contract
must provide for construction and launch of the satellites within the milestones. Globalstar
cannot claim ignorance of this policy, and it (along with the other 2 GHz MSS licensees) was
explicitly told that the Commussion would strictly enforce the milestones. To the extent there
was any ambiguity (and the Carriers maintain there was none), Globalstar should have sought
guidance from the Commission instead of simply waiting until the milestone deadline to submit
its request for extension of the waivers and a milestone showing that assumed the extensions
would be granted.

        The Bureau Order considered and rejected Globalstar‘s justifications for the extension
request. Indeed, Globalstar was simply seeking what the Commission explicitly rejected in the
Globalistar Authorization Order — allowing Globalstar to defer implementation of its 2 GHz MSS
system in order to align it with the second generation Big LEO system. The Bureau Order
properly found that these were business decisions within Globalstar‘s control, and that grant of
the waiver would undercut the purpose of the strict enforcement of the milestones. Finally, there
is no merit to Globalstar‘s arguments, raised for the first time in the stay request and application
for review, that the Bureau Order is inconsistent with the bankruptcy code.

        Globalstar fails to meet any of the other three standards for issuance of a stay. It will
suffer no irreparable injury, particularly insofar as it was seeking to delay implementation of its 2
GHz MSS system because of the glut of capacity on its Big LEO system. Grant of the stay
would harm the Carriers, because the spectrum freed up by cancellation of the Globalstar license
makes up part of the spectrum reallocated to AWS. And the public interest would be adversely
affected by grant of the stay, because it would undercut the anti—warehousing policies reflected in
the milestone requirements. The Carriers thus urge the Commission to deny summarily
Globalstar‘s stay request.


In the Matter of Application of                                     File Nos.:




                                                N NNN NNN NNN NNN
                                                                    183/184/185/186—SAT—P/LA—97
Globalstar, L.P.                                                    182—SAT—P/LA—97(64)

For Modification of License for a Mobile—                           IBFS Nos.:
Satellite Service System in the 2 GHz Band                          SAT—LOA—19970926—00151/52/53/54
                                                                    SAT—LOA—19970926—00156
For Waiver and Modification of                                      SAT—AMD—20001103—001 54
Implementation Milestones for 2 GHz MSS                             SAT—MOD—20020717—00116/17/18/19
System                                                              SAT—MOD—20020722—00107/08/09/10/12

                                                                    Call Signs:
                                                                    $2320, §82321, 82322, $2323, $2324

To:    The Commission


                           OPPOSITION TO REQUEST FOR STAY


       Pursuant to Section 1.45(d) of the Commission‘s Rules, 47 C.F.R. § 1.45(d), AT&T

Wireless Services, Inc., Cingular Wireless LLC and Verizon Wireless (jointly, the "Carriers")

hereby oppose the above—referenced request filed by Globalstar, L.P. ("Globalstar") seeking a

stay from the Commission of the International Bureau‘s decision denying Globalstar‘s request

for an extension of its milestones, finding its contract with Space System/Loral inadequate to

meet the first milestone, and declaring its 2 GHz MSS authorization null and void.‘ As

competitors in the mobile telephony marketplace and as parties who have successfully convinced

the Commission to re—allocate some of the 2 GHz MSS spectrum, the Carriers have a strong

interest in the stay request." To support a stay, a petitioner must demonstrate that: (1) it is likely



       _  Globalstar, L.P., Memorandum Opinion and Order, 18 F.C.C.R. 1249 (Jan. 30, 2003)
("Bureau Order‘).

       * The Carriers are licensed to compete with Globalstarin the nationwide mobile
telephony market. See Seventh Annual CMRS Competition Report, 17 F.C.C.R. 12985, 12997,
13025—13026 (2002); Service Rules for the Mobile Satellite Service in the 2 GHz Band, 1B
Docket No. 99—81, Report and Order, 15 F.C.C.R. 16127, 16128—29 (2000) ("2 GHz MSS
Order‘). Moreover, the Carriers were active participants in the proceedings to redistribute


to prevail on the merits; (2) it will suffer irreparable harm if a stay is not granted; (3) other

interested parties will not be harmed if the stay is granted; and (4) the public interest favors

granting a stay." As demonstrated below, because Globalstar fails to satisfy any of these four

parts, its request should be summarily denied.

1.      GLOBALSTAR FAILS TO DEMONSTRATE A LIKELIHOOD OF
        SUCCESS ON THE MERITS

        In light of the shortened period for responding to a request for stay, the Carriers here will

demonstrate that the Bureau Order was well reasoned, consistent with precedent and fully

addressed all of the issues raised by Globalstarin its request for extension of the milestones. A

more detailed critique of Globalstar‘s more extensive (but no better supported) arguments set

forth in its Emergency Application for Review will be filed subsequently in response to that




and/or reallocate non—viable MSS spectrum to advanced wireless services that relied upon the
voidance of Globalstar‘s authorization to make 30 MHz of spectrum available for new terrestrial
services. See Flexibilityfor Delivery of Communications by Mobile Satellite Service Providers
in the 2 GHz Band, the L—Band, and the 1.6/2.4 GHz Bands, IB Docket Nos. 01—185, 02—364,
Report and Order and Notice ofProposed Rulemaking, FCC 03—15 (rel. Feb. 10, 2003) (hereafter
cited as "ATC Order"); see also Amendment ofPart 2 of the Commission‘s Rules to Allocate
Spectrum Below 3 GHzfor Mobile and Fixed Services to Support the Introduction ofNew
Advanced Wireless Services, including Third Generation Wireless Systems, ET Docket No. 00—
258, IB Docket No. 99—81, Third Report and Order, Third Notice ofProposed Rulemaking and
Second Memorandum Opinion and Order, FCC 03—16 (rel. Feb. 10, 2003). Accordingly, the
Carriers would be adversely affected by a grant of this stay request, which would impede their
access to a portion of this needed spectrum. See AmericaTel Corporation, Memorandum
Opinion, Order, Authorization and Certificate, 9 F.C.C.R. 3993, 3995 (1994) (citing Sierra Club
v. Morton, 405 U.S. 727, 733 (1972)).

        * See Virginia Petroleum Jobbers Ass‘n v. FPC, 259 F.2d 921, 925 (D.C. Cir. 1958)
(per curiam) (setting forth the requirements for stay), as modified by, Washington Metropolitan
Area Transit Comm‘n v. Holiday Tours, Inc., 559 F.2d 841, 843 (D.C. Cir. 1977); see also
Implementation of Video Description of Video Programming, 17 F.C.C.R. 6175, 6176—6177
(2002) noting that, when considering a motion for stay, the Commission applies the four—part test
set forth in Virginia Jobbers Ass‘n, subsequently modified by Washington Metropolitan Area
Transit Comm‘n).


pleading. Nevertheless, the Commission must conclude that there is little likelihood that

Globalstar will prevail on the merits of any ofits claims.

       A.      The Commission Should Not Reinstate the One GEO Satellite License

       As an initial matter, Globalstar alleges that the Bureau erred in declaring null and void

the license for the one geostationary satellite that purportedly was set for timely launch under the

submitted contract, even though the other 51 satellites in its system (under its modified design)

would not be timely constructed or launched. Globalstar‘s claim is based on the erroneous

assumption that the initial noncontingent contract milestone is discrete as to each element of the

Globalstar constellation. Although for administrative purposes the FCC issued separate call

signs for different parts of the Globalstar system, the authorization (and the nullification if the

noncontingent contract milestone is not met) applies to the satellite system as applied for by

Globalstar.*

       Globalstar did not apply for or receive an authorization for a single Geostationary

satellite, or for a Geostationary—only satellite system, and its modification request did not seek to




       * See Globalstar, L.P., Order and Authorization, 16 F.C.C.R. 13739, 13757 (2001)
(2001) ("Globalstar Authorization Order‘):

               Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED that Application File Nos. 183/184/185/186—SAT—
               P/LA—97 and 182—SAT—P/LA—97(64); IBFS File Nos. SAT—LOA—19970926—
               00151/52/53/54, SAT—LOA—19970926—00156 and SAT—AMD—20001103—001 54 IS
               GRANTED, and Globalstar, L.P. IS 4UTHORIZED to construct, launch and
               operate a satellite system comprised ofsixty—four non—geostationary—satellite orbit
               satellites andfour geostationary—satellite orbit satellites capable of operating in the
               1990—2025/2165—2200 MHz bands in the United States, in accordance with the
               technical specifications set forth in its application and consistent with our rules
               unless specifically waived herein, and subject to the following conditions[.]
               {emphasis added)

The Globalstar Authorization Order (at [ 60) also provides that the "authorization" shall become
null and void if the milestones are not met.


"downsize" its system to such a degree." Whether such a modification request would have been

granted by the Commission had such a request been made is wholly speculative." In Globalstar‘s

case, however, such a single satellite would not appear to be acceptable because it clearly would

not meet the 2 GHz MSS coverage requirements for the hybrid system authorized by the

Commission.‘

       B.      The Bureau Order Is Consistent with Precedent

       Globalstar also now claims that the Bureau‘s decision finding its submitted contract

inadequate was inconsistent with precedent. Globalstar‘s argument lacks merit. The

Commission has long made clear that in order to fulfill an initial milestone, the licensee must

have executed a non—contingent contract that incorporates a payment and construction schedule

that allows construction and launch to be completed within the licensee‘s milestones.© Indeed, in

a decision released some three weeks before Globalstar filed its modification and deferral



        ° Globalstar is thus distinguishable from Celsat‘s situation, where the FCC did find
milestone compliance, because Celsat‘s milestone submission demonstrated that it would timely
construct and launch everything for which it had been authorized. In contrast to Globalstar,
under its contract Celsat will be able to deliver in a timely fashion what it promised. Finally, all
2 GHz MSS licensees are subject to the same "strict enforcement" standard for milestone
compliance.

         ° The Commission seeks concrete satellite system applications when considering a new
satellite service so that potential allocations and service rule development do not occur in a
vacuum. £.g., LEOSAT Corporation, Memorandum Opinion and Order, 8 F.C.C.R. 668, 670
(1993). It is far from clear whether the FCC would have allocated the same amount of spectrum
or the particular frequencies selected for the 2 GHz MSS if the majority of applicants sought
merely to provide a CONUS—only service, as opposed to the global services proposed by
Globalstar and others. The Commission could well conclude that a "bait and switch" down to a
single GEO satellite from a promised 68 satellite system would be viewed as contrary to the
public interest because it would result in the waste of spectrum for most of the world. In any
event, Globalstar did not make such an application, although by seeking reinstatement of the
license for one of its satellites, it appears to be attempting to do so in this pleading.

       ‘    2 GHz MSS Order, 15 F.C.C.R. 16154—16155.
       8    See Bureau Order, 18 F.C.C.R. 1249 at § 6 & n.13.
                                              4


request, the Commission explained that: "the execution of a contract that does not provide for

complete construction of the satellites in question by a specified date consistent with the

licensee‘s milestone deadline for making its system fully operational cannot satisfy a

construction—commencement milestone requirement. * Globalstar clearly knew or should have

known that the contract it had executed in satisfaction of the initial milestone was inadequate.

       Globalstar‘s attempted reliance on the Teledesic decision‘" to undermine the Bureau

Order lacks merit. In that case, the Bureau did find that the contract, which comported with the

modification request (but not the licensed system), was sufficient for meeting the initial contract

milestone. What is significant, however, is that the deviation had to do with the technical design

of the satellite system (substituting a 30 satellite MEO system for a 280 satellite NGSO system),

not with the timing of deployment many years after the milestone schedule. In Globalstar‘s case,

the Bureau did not reject the contract as non—conforming because of the reduction in the number

of NGSO satellites — it rejected the contract because it did not allow for construction and launch

of the satellites within the milestones. Had Globalstar simply filed the modification to change

the technical parameters without seeking milestone extensions (and submitted a contract

consistent with that modification), then it could rely on the Teledesic precedent — but that is not

what Globalstar did, so the Teledesic case is readily distinguishable.

       C.      Globalstar Was Not Denied Due Process

       The Commission can likewise reject Globalstar‘s claim that the Bureau Order somehow

denied it of due process. Globalstar (and the other 2 GHz MSS licensees) were all on notice that

the Commission would be applying a "strict enforcement" standard to milestone compliance.


       ° Mobile Communications Holdings, Inc., Memorandum Opinion and Order, 17
F.C.C.R. 11898, 11901—11902 (2002).

       °_   Teledesic LLC, Memorandum Opinion and Order, 17 F.C.C.R. 11263 (2002).

                                              5


The Commission has long placed critical importance on milestone compliance in the 2 GHz MSS

proceeding. In adopting the service rules, the Commission concluded that it would "impose and

strictly enforce milestone requirements" instead of financial qualifications."‘ The FCC

emphasized that strict milestone enforcement would be "especially important" in lieu of

"financial qualifications as an entry criterion, * and specifically anticipated that spectrum would

be "returned to the Commission as a result of missed milestones.""" Moreover, as noted above,

the Commission had previously made clear that an initial milestone compliance contract must

incorporate payment and construction schedules that will allow for completion of the satellite

system in conformity to the milestones.

       Thus, Globalstar can claim no surprise that the contract it submitted would be insufficient

for demonstrating compliance with the first milestone. Moreover, to the extent there was any

ambiguity (and the Carriers submit there was none), it was incumbent on Globalstar to try to

resolve any questions it may have had prior to the milestone deadline. Globalstar chose not to

pursue a declaratory ruling or other determination in advance of the July 17 deadline even

though the authorization was at stake, ignoring advice the Commission had provided in prior

milestone case law. * Instead, on the day milestone compliance was due, Globalstar submitted




        _2 GHz MSS Order, 15 F.C.C.R. 16127, 16150 (2000) (emphasis added).
        _ Establishment ofPolicies and Service Rules for the Mobile Satellite Service in the 2
GHz Band, IB Docket No. 99—81, Notice ofProposed Rulemaking, 14 F.C.C.R. 4843, 4881
(1999).

        5 2 GHz MSS Order, 15 F.C.C.R. at 16150.
        14
           See Morning Star Satellite Company, L.L.C., Memorandum Opinion and Order, 16
F.C.CR. 11550, 11554 (2001) ("At no point did Morning Star request a clarification, extension
or waiver of its construction contract. . . . [WJhen satellite licensees do not pursue procedural
avenues available to them to address concerns surrounding their authorizations, but rather wait
until their authorizations are null and void due to their failure to act, their inaction ensures the
result that the milestone concept is designed to prevent."); see also Motorola, Inc. and Teledesic,
                                              6


an application for modification of its authorization requesting, inter alia, an extension of the

construction and launch milestones. The contract relied upon by Globalstar to demonstrate

compliance with the first milestone simply treated the extension request as having been granted.

       Nor was it reasonable, in light of the strict enforcement standard, for Globalstar to

assume that it would be provided an additional 90 days after any rejection of the extension

request to re—negotiate its satellite manufacturing contract. As the Bureau Order makes clear, it

would be contrary to the public interest to allow such an extension of the initial milestone,

because then anyone could get an "automatic‘ extension of the initial milestone of 90 days or

more simply by filing an extension request."" Such a procedure would be particularly

incompatible with the "strict enforcement" standard applied to the 2 GHz MSS licensees.

       D.      The Bureau Properly Considered and Rejected the Waiver Request

       Globalstar also claims that the Bureau failed to give meaningful consideration to its

request for waiver of the milestones, citing WAZT Radio.‘® Although WAIT Radio does stand for

the proposition that an agency cannot simply reject a waiver request summarily because it is

inconsistent with the rule, the Bureau did not do that here. Moreover, Globalstar‘s argument

ignores other important aspects of the WAIT Radio decision. As the Court in WAIT Radio

observed, "An applicant for waiver faces a high hurdle even at the starting gate.""‘ An

exemption from the rule must be based on "special circumstances," and the "very essence of

Inc., Memorandum Opinion and Order, 17 F.C.C.R. at 16550—16551 ("Not even having taken the
basic step of apprising us of the alleged difficulty prior to expiration of the time allowed for
compliance, the Applicants must accept the consequences of their failure to satisfy the milestone
requirement within that time—period.").

       5 Bureau Order, 18 F.C.C.R. 1249 at [ 12.
       °_ Globalstar Request for Stay at 6 (citing WAIT Radio v. FCC, 418 F.2d 1153, 1156—59
(D.C. Cir. 1969)).
       7 Id. at 1157.


waiver is the assumed validity of the general rule.""" WAIT Radio also constrains the

Commission‘s ability to grant waivers: "The court‘s insistence on the agency‘s observance of its

obligation to give meaningful consideration to waiver applications emphatically does not

contemplate that an agency must or should tolerate evisceration of a rule by waivers. . . . The

process viewed as a whole leads to a general rule, and limited waivers or exceptions granted

pursuant to an appropriate general standard.""°

        The Bureau properly considered Globalstar‘s request for milestone extensions under its

well—established standard that business decisions within the licensee‘s control are insufficient to

justify extensions. The Bureau considered (and rejected) the excuses proffered by Globalstar in

its modification filing, because the proposal to delay construction and launch so as to wait out

the downturn in the MSS industry and the resulting excess capacity in Globalstar‘s Big LEO

system are "business decisions." Indeed, Globalstar‘s desire to align its second generation Big

LEO system and its 2 GHz MSS system had been explicitly rejected by the Commission when

authorizing Globalstar‘s 2 GHz MSS system because the resulting delays in deployment of the 2

GHz MSS system would be unacceptable.20 Rather than challenge that determination in a timely

petition for reconsideration of its licensing order, Globalstar waited until the first milestone

deadline to request the relief that had been denied in the 2 GHz MSS licensing decision.*‘




        8 Id. at 1157—1158.

        * Id. at 1159.

       * Globalstar Authorization Order, 16 F.C.C.R. at 13743, 13758.
       *‘ A conditioned license becomes final if the licensee fails to timely challenge the
conditions on its license. See 47 U.S.C. §§ 402(b), 405(a); 47 C.F.R. § 1.110; Plaut v.
Spendthrift Farm, Inc., 514 U.S. 224, 225—27 (1995); see also Morning Star Satellite Company,
LLC., 16 F.C.C.R. 11550, 8 (2001) ("‘Failure to challenge the conditions imposed is
tantamount to accepting its license as conditioned.").

                                              8


       Nor is there any merit to Globalstar‘s claim that the Bureau did not adequately consider

its "intent to proceed." Globalstar has not exhibited any such intent. Indeed, Globalstar‘s

expressed intent in seeking extension of the milestones was to delay construction of the satellites,

not to proceed expeditiously with the introduction of new services.

       Moreover, grant of the waiver would undercut the policies reflected in the strict

enforcement of milestone deadlines rule applicable to Globalstar and the other 2 GHz MSS

licensees. First, the "justification" proffered by Globalstar for grant of the deferral — a greater

ability to finance the construction of the satellite system if given more time — directly contradicts

the purpose of strict milestone enforcement as a substitute for a financial qualifications standard.

Under a traditional financial qualifications test, the Commuission only issues a license to an

applicant that can demonstrate a present ability to finance the construction, launch and first

year‘s operations of the proposed satellite system.

       Second, the significant delay in deployment of the other three GEO satellites and the

NGSO constellation would result in "warehousing of spectrum," contrary to the purpose of

milestones. Although limited capacity would be available in CONUS with the launch of the one

GEO satellite within the milestones, the Globalstar spectrum would lie fallow throughout the rest

of the world (and would be significantly underutilized in CONUS). In sum, the Bureau gave the

Globalstar waiver request the "hard look" it deserved, and properly concluded that its waiver

request was unjustified under the Commission‘s well—established standards.

       E.      Globalstar‘s New Bankruptcy Arguments Are without Merit

       Finally, Globalstar makes what is probably its most brazen argument in faulting the

Bureau for not addressing Globalstar‘s status as a bankrupt company as a basis for granting the

milestone extensions or explaining why the Bureau Order is consistent with the automatic stay


provisions of the bankruptcy code. Of course the fact that Globalstar never raised these

arguments to the Bureau probably goes far in explaining why the Bureau failed to address them.

        With regard to Globalstar‘s newly—minted claim to milestone relief because of its status

as Chapter 11 Debtor, the obligation was clearly on Globalstar to assert such a claim explicitly.

As the Court in WAIT Radio made clear, "When an applicant seeks a waiver of a rule, it must

plead with particularity the facts and circumstances which warrant such action. " In seeking to

justify the extension request, Globalstar did generally refer to its bankruptcy status as

background information."" On the other hand, in that same application Globalstar asserted that

"Undaunted by its financial setbacks and determined to succeed in the global MSS business,

GLP has begun to implement its Plan of Reorganization. * These few fleeting (and in some

cases positive) descriptions of Globalstar‘s bankruptcy status are hardly sufficient to have put the

Bureau on notice that it was expected to address bankruptcy as a basis for waiver of milestones.

Likewise, the fact that the Commission in other cases in response to specific requests for relief

from the payment of application filing fees or annual regulatory fees has provided relief does not

establish a general requirement that the Bureau grant or even address such bankruptcy issues sua

sponte in every case involving a company in bankruptcy.

       Moreover, even if the Bureau had addressed Globalstar‘s new claim that bankruptcy

justified an extension of the milestones, it would have to reject such a claim. As noted above,

one of the purposes underlying the strict enforcement of the milestones is its substitution as a



      * WAIT Radio, 418 F.2d at 1157 (citing Rio Grande Family Radio Fellowship, Inc. v.
FCC, 406 F.2d 664 (D.C. Cir. 1968)).

       * Globalstar, L.P., Requestfor Waiver and Modification ofImplementation Milestones
for 2 GHz MSS System, SAT—MOD—20020717—00116, et al., at pp. 3, 5, 10 (July, 17, 2002).

       * Id. at p. 5.

                                             10


replacement for a financial qualifications test — it would stand the policy on its head to then hold

that being so egregiously unqualified financially so as to be adjudged bankrupt justifies waiving

that replacement for a financial qualifications test.

       The Commission can also dismiss Globalstar‘s new claim that the automatic stay

provision of Section 362 of the Bankruptcy Code precludes the Bureau from declaring the

license null and void per the terms of the condition in the license. Globalstar‘s argument is based

on an inaccurate and overbroad reading of the NextWave decision (which was addressing

Section 525 due to the non—payment of an auction debt), and a discredited bankruptcy court

decision.""

       Under Globalstar‘s theory of the Bankruptcy Code, the Commission would virtually lose

authority to regulate a licensee once it enters bankruptcy. Such a theory is undercut by the

"regulatory exception" included in Section 362 itself."" Although some ambiguity may have

existed previously, Congress has now made clear that the regulatory exception applies in cases

such as this. Before 1998, subsection (b)( 4) expressly excepted regulatory actions from the stay

imposed by subsection (a)(1) but not did not expressly except such actions from the stay imposed

on acts to exercise control over property of the estate by subsection (a)(3). Congress resolved the

confusion created by this omission when it amended Section 362(b)(4) in 1998 to make it an

express exception to the automatic stay imposed by subsection (a)(3) as well."" Accordingly, as

a result of the 1998 amendment, there is no longer any question as to whether a regulatory action



       * FCC v. Nextwave Personal Communications Inc., 71 U.S.L.W. 4085 (U.S. Jan. 27,
2003); In re Fugazy Express, Inc., 124 B.R. 426 (S.D.N.Y. 1991), appeal dismissed, 982 F.2d
769 (2d Cir. 1992).

       * See generally FAA v. Gull Air, Inc., 890 F.24 1255 (1°" Cir. 1989).
       * 11 U.S.C. §362(b)(4) (Act of October 21, 1998).
                                              11


within the scope of subsection (b)( 4) that terminates or destroys a debtor‘s rights or property

interests is subject to the automatic stay. The regulatory purpose of the Commission‘s actions in

enforcing a condition in the license, therefore, renders it exempt from the automatic stay

pursuant to Section 362(b)(4).

          Globalstar suggests that Section 362(b)(4) is inapplicable because that exception applies

only to government actions that "impact the health or safety of the public," citing Fugazy

Express. The reliance on Fugazy Express for this proposition is erroneous because Fugazy‘s

attempt to /imit the scope of subsection (b)( 4) to only those regulatory actions that protect the

public‘s "health or safety" is foreclosed by the actual language of the provision and by the

decision of every Court of Appeals that has addressed the issue."*

          In sum, Globalstar has failed to raise any credible claim that it is likely to prevail on the

merits.

IJ.       GLOBALSTAR IS SUFFERING NO IRREPARABLE INJURY

          Globalstar also failed to demonstrate it is entitled to a stay under the "irreparable injury"

prong. The declaration that the license is null and void presents no immediate or cognizable

injury to Globalstar or otherwise adversely affects its current operations, much less harm them

irreparably. Globalstar has more than adequate capacity on its current Big LEO satellite system

to meet its needs for years to come. As the "sole surviving" CDMA Big LEO system, Globalstar

has exclusive access to capacity that was originally to have been shared among four CDMA




        * See In re Universal Life Church, Inc., 128 F.3d 1294, 1297—98 (Oth Cir. 1997), cert.
denied, 118 S. Ct. 2367 (1998); In re Yellow Cab Co—Op Ass‘n, 132 F.3d 591, 597 (10th Cir.
1997); In re James, 940 F.2d 46, 51 (3d4 Cir. 1991); see generally In re Berry Estates, Inc., 812
F.2d 67, 71 (2d Cir.) (State court proceedings to enforce rent control regulations excepted from
automatic stay under (b)(4) exception), cert. denied, 484 U.S. 819 (1987).

                                                12


systems. Indeed, Globalstar sought to justify deferral of its 2 GHz MSS satellite system because

it has too much capacity presently for the little demand that exists.

       Moreover, the glut of capacity claimed by Globalstar in its extension request did not even

take into account the fact that the FCC subsequently provided Globalstar the opportunity to

provide an Ancillary Terrestrial Component to its MSS system, which will potentially provide

Globalstar with 11 MHz of nationwide spectrum for terrestrial services."" According to the MSS

proponents of ATC, such authority will allow them to serve new customers and free up satellite

capacity for other potential users."" In addition, claims that Globalstar will suffer injury while

the Commission and/or the Court takes the time to review its claim is contradicted by the fact

that the relief sought by Globalstar (which was denied by the Bureau Order) was to delay

implementation of its 2 GHz MSS satellite system.

       The Carriers also observe that the injury is not irreparable, because even assuming

arguendo the Commission and/or the Court determines that the authorization should be

reinstated, Globalstar will have a full opportunity to construct its proposed 2 GHz MSS satellite

system. As the Commission indicated in the case of NextWave, the construction deadlines

would be tolled during the period the licenses are deemed null and void.*‘

       Finally, the Carriers also dispute Globalstar‘s attempts to conjure up a "present" injury by

asserting that the Bureau Order will hamper its current fundraising activities. What Globalstar is

really saying is that the Bureau Order interferes with its ability at present to monetize the


       * ATC Order, FCC 03—15 at [ 93.
       ° Id. at [ 19. While the Carriers are skeptical of these claimed benefits from ATC, in
any event Globalstar has made clear that it has a huge amount of excess capacity on its current
Big LEO system.
       31                             hy                                              .
            Nextwave Personal Communications Inc. and Nextwave Power Partners Inc., File
Nos. 0000855872, er al., Order, DA 03—617,[ 6—7 (rel. Mar. 3, 2003).
                                             13


speculative value of its 2 GHz MSS license, or more specifically, the speculative value of the

ATC authority recently granted by the Commussion (insofar as the MSS licensees have made

clear that as a stand—alone service, MSS is worthless). Such efforts are not a cognizable injury,

however, because these attempts to profit from the sale of a bare license are explicitly banned

under the Commussion‘s antitrafficking rules applicable to the 2 GHz MSS authorizations.

III.    GRANT OF THE STAY WOULD RESULT IN HARM TO OTHER
        PARTIES

       Under the standards for issuance of a stay, the Commussion must also evaluate (and

balance) the potential harm to other parties. Globalstar‘s simplistic analysis of this prong is its

assertion that since no party filed comments on its extension request, no party could be harmed

by a grant of the stay. Using that as the standard, the fact that the Carriers are now filing in

opposition to the Stay Request ipso facto establishes harm to interested parties."" Moreover, a

substantive review of the situation also establishes the fact that interested parties would be

injured by issuance of the requested stay.

       As an immediate and direct impact, because the spectrum freed up by the declaration that

Globalstar‘s authorization was null and void was a component of the 30 MHz of spectrum

reallocated to Advanced Wireless Services, issuance of a stay would effectively nullify that

reallocation. That adverse impact would also be exacerbated by the precedential effect of such a

decision and the inevitable stay requests that would quickly follow from the other 2 GHz MSS

licensees who were similarly found not to have met the initial milestone. More indirectly, the



        * Although the carriers had not specifically filed against the modification and extension
request, the Carriers had challenged the Commission decision authorizing Globalstar‘s 2 GHz
MSS system. See Application for Review of AT&T Wireless Services, Inc., Verizon Wireless,
and Cingular Wireless LLC (filed Aug. 16, 2001). Commission action on that petition, as well as
Commission action in establishing ATC and re—allocating spectrum from MSS to AWS, occurred
well after the filing deadline for comment on the modification and extension request.

                                              14


Carriers will be harmed if Globalstar is allowed to impact the capital markets by raising money

based on the speculative value of its 2 GHz ATC authority as it seeks to do, because the Carriers

compete for funds in that same capital market.

IV.     THE PUBLIC INTEREST WOULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY
        GRANT OF THE STAY

        The Carriers also contend that the public interest would be adversely impacted by grant

of the stay. As noted above, grant of the requested stay would impede the Commussion‘s

decision to re—allocate spectrum to AWS, and thereby foreclose the many beneficial services the

Commission envisioned when creating that new terrestrial allocation. Moreover, grant of the

stay would undercut the important public policies embedded in the milestone requirements,

including the prohibition against warehousing. Indeed, Globalstar was on notice that its 2 GHz

MSS license was subject to strict enforcement of the milestones. In addition, allowing

Globalstar to market its bare 2 GHz MSS license as it suggests it should be allowed to do would

contravene the Commission‘s antitrafficking policies, also to the detriment of the public interest.

        Globalstar presented no real countervailing public interest benefits from grant of the stay.

Globalstar refers to its increased c;,hances of emerging from bankruptcy, although to the extent it

seeks to accomplish this by capturing now the speculative value of the ATC authority, that would

hardly constitute a "public‘" benefit. Globalstar also seeks to rely on the fact that current

subscribers for its Big LEO system include public safety organizations. However, Globalstar has

more than sufficient capacity in its Big LEO system to continue serving those customers —

indeed, it is the glut of capacity on its Big LEO system that Globalstar relies on to justify

deferring the deployment of the 2 GHz MSS capacity. Moreover, as far as the Carriers are

aware, Globalstaris not threatening to shut down its system and de—orbit its satellites — and even

where Iridium had threatened to do so when it was in bankruptcy, that threat never


                                              15


materialized." In sum, Globalstar has failed to make a credible demonstration that the public

interest would be advanced by grant of the stay. To the contrary, the public interest would be

harmed by grant of Globalstar‘s request.




       * Indeed, according to the public accounts of its situation, Globalstar rejected one
financing offer that was presented before the FCC released its ATC decision because that offer
had not factored in the expected value of the FCC‘s grant of ATC authority, and more recently
Globalstar accepted temporary financing from investors that include its competitors.

                                           16


                                            CONCLUSION

        Globalstar has failed to demonstrate that its stay request satisfies any of the four tests:

 Globalstar is unlikely to prevail on the merits; Globalstar will not suffer any irreparable injury;

 other interested parties will be harmed by grant of the stay; and the public interest would be

 adversely affected by grant of the stay. The Carriers therefore urge the Commuission

 expeditiously to deny Globalstar‘s request for a stay.

                                                               Respectfully submitted,



                                                                                   $
                                                                 athryn A. Zachem
                                                               L. Andrew Tollin
                                                               Stephen L. Goodman
                                                               Wilkinson Barker Knauer, LLP
                                                               2300 N Street, NW, Suite 700
                                                               Washington, DC 20037
                                                               (202) 783—4141




aang laalsl
          Rrovelns—Seucllyidards,
 Douglas I. Brandon               John T. Scott, III             J. R. Carbonell
 AT&T Wireless Services, Inc.     Charla M. Rath                 Carol L. Tacker
 1150 Connecticut Avenue, NW      Cellco Partnership             David G. Richards
 Washington, DC 20036             d/b/a Verizon Wireless         Cingular Wireless LLC
 (202) 223—9222                   1300 I Street, NW              5565 Glenridge Connector
                                  Suite 400—W                    Suite 1700
                                  Washington, DC 20005           Atlanta, GA 30342
                                  (202) 589—3760                 (404) 236—5543

 March 10, 2003




                                               17


                                  CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

       I, Paula Lewis, hereby certify that a copy of the foregoing corrected "Opposition to
Request for Stay" has been served this 12"" day of March, 2003, by first class United States mail,
postage prepaid, on the following:

Joseph A. Godles                                      *Jennifer Manner
Goldber% Godles, Wiener & Wright                      Legal Advisor
1229 19°" Street, NW                                  Office of Commissioner Kathleen Abernathy
Washington, DC 20036                                  Federal Communications Commission
                                                      445 — 12th Street, SW, Room 8—B115
William F. Adler                                      Washington, DC 20554
Vice President, Legal and
 Regulatory Affairs                                   *Barry Ohlson
Globalstar, L.P.                                      Interim Legal Advisor
3200 Zanker Road                                      Office of Commissioner Jonathan S.
San Jose, CA 95134                                    Adelstein
                                                      Federal Communications Commission
William D. Wallace                                    445 — 12th Street, SW, Room 8—C302
Crowell & Morning LLP                                 Washington, DC 20554
1001 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20004                                  *Donald Abelson, Chief
                                                      International Bureau
*Bryan Tramont                                        Federal Communications Commission
Senior Legal Advisor                                  445 — 12th Street, SW, Room 6—C750
Office of Chairman Michael K. Powell                  Washington, DC 20554
Federal Communications Commission
445 — 12"" Street, SW, Room 8—B201                    *Thomas J. Sugrue, Chief
Washington, DC 20554                                  Wireless Telecommunications Bureau
                                                      Federal Communications Commission
*Samuel L. Feder                                      445 — 12th Street, SW, Room 3—C252
Legal Advisor                                         Washington, DC 20554
Office of Commissioner Kevin Martin
Federal Communications Commission                     *Edmond J. Thomas, Chief
445 — 12th Street, SW, Room 8—A¢A204                  Office of Engineering and Technology
Washington, DC 20554                                  Federal Communications Commission
                                                      445 — 12th Street, SW, Room 7—C153
*R,. Paul Margie                                      Washington, DC 20554
Legal Advisor
Office of Commissioner Michael Copps                  *Robert M. Pepper, Chief,
Federal Communications Commussion                     Policy Development
445 — 12th Street, SW, Room 8—A302                    Office of Strategic Planning
Washington, DC 20554                                    & Policy Analysis
                                                      Federal Communications Commission
                                                      445 — 12th Street, SW, Room 7—C347
                                                      Washington, DC 20554


*Jane E. Mago                          *Alexandra Field
General Counsel                        Senior Legal Advisor
Office of General Counsel              International Bureau
Federal Communications Commission      Federal Communications Commission
445 — 12th Street, SW, Room 8—C743     445 — 12th Street, SW, Room 6—C407
Washington, DC 20554                   Washington, DC 20554

*John A. Rogovin                       *Breck J. Blalock
Deputy General Counsel                 Deputy Chief , Policy Division
Office of General Counsel              International Bureau
Federal Communications Commission      Federal Communications Commission
445 — 12th Street, SW, Room 8—C758     445 — 12th Street, SW, Room 6—A764
Washington, DC 20554                   Washington, DC 20554

*David E. Horowitz                     *Thomas S. Tycz
Attorney Advisor                       Chief, Satellite Division
Office of General Counsel              International Bureau
Federal Communications Commuission     Federal Communications Commission
445 — 12th Street, SW, Room 8—A636     445 — 12th Street, SW, Room 6—A665
Washington, DC 20554                   Washington, DC 20554

*Neil A. Dellar                        *Christopher Murphy
Office of General Counsel              Senior Legal Advisor
Federal Communications Commission      International Bureau
445 — 12th Street, SW, Room 8—C818     Federal Communications Commission
Washington, DC 20554                   445 — 12"" Street, SW, Room 6—C:750
                                       Washington, DC 20554
*Howard Griboff
Attorney Advisor, Satellite Division   *William H. Bell
International Bureau                   International Bureau
Federal Communications Commission      Federal Communications Commission
445 — 12"" Street, SW, Room 6—C467     445 — 12th Street, SW, Room 6—B505
Washington, DC 20554                   Washington, DC 20554

*Karl A. Kensinger                     *Cheryl Williams
Special Advisor, Satellite Division    Administrative Management Specialist
International Bureau                   International Bureau
Federal Communications Commission      Federal Communications Commission
445 — 12th Street, SW, Room 6—A663     445 — 12th Street, SW, Room 6—A721
Washington, DC 20554                   Washington, DC 20554


*James L. Ball                         *Evan R. Kwerel
Chief, Policy Division                 Senior Economist
International Bureau                   Office of Strategic Planning
Federal Communications Commission        & Policy Division
445 — 12th Street, SW, Room 6—A763     Federal Communications Commission
Washington, DC 20554                   445 — 12"" Street, SW, Room 7—C347
                                       Washington, DC 20554
*Thomas Sullivan
Assistant Bureau Chief                 *Kathleen O‘Brien Ham
Administrative and Management Office   Deputy Bureau Chief
International Bureau                   Wireless Telecommunications Bureau
Federal Communications Commussion      Federal Communications Commission
445 ——12th Street, SW, Room 6—C841     445 — 12th Street, SW, Room 3—C255
Washington, DC 20554                   Washington, DC 20554

*Richard B. Engelman                   *Fern J. Jarmulnek
Chief Engineer                         International Bureau
International Bureau                   Federal Communications Commission
Federal Communications Commussion      445 12"" Street, SW
445 — 12th Street, SW, Room 6—¢¥A668   Washington, DC 20554
Washington, DC 20554
                                       *Cassandra Thomas
*David L. Furth                        International Bureau
Senior Legal Advisor                   Federal Communications Commission
Wireless Telecommunications Bureau     445 12" Street, SW
Federal Communications Commission      Washington, DC 20554
445 — 12th Street, SW, Room 3—C217
Washington, DC 20554




                                             ula             LAtuiS
                                          Paula Lewis




*Via Hand Delivery



Document Created: 2019-04-15 16:01:35
Document Modified: 2019-04-15 16:01:35

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