Attachment ex parte

This document pretains to SAT-MOD-20031118-00333 for Modification on a Satellite Space Stations filing.

IBFS_SATMOD2003111800333_415331

                                                                           EX PARTE OR LATE FILED


                                          ontinental
                                           MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS


    Jan. 6,2005                                                                    RECEIVED
    Via Hand Delivery                                                                 JAN - 7 2005
    Ms. Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary
    Federal Communications Commission
    445 12th Street, S.W.
    Washington, D.C. 20554

           Re:    Mobile Satellite Ventures Subsidiary LLC
                  Ex Parte Presentation
                  IB Docket No. 01-185
                  File No. SAT-MOD-20031118-00333 (ATC application)
                  File No. SAT-AMD-20031118-00332 (ATC application)
                  File No. SES-MOD-20031118-01879 (ATC application)

    Dear Ms. Dortch:

            Continental Mobile Communications, (CMC), hereby urges the Commission to afford L-
   band Mobile Satellite Service (“MSS”) operators greater flexibility in their provision of an
   Ancillary Terrestrial Component (“ATC”), as requested by Mobile Satellite Ventures LP
   (“MSV”) in the above-captioned proceedings. The increased flexibility requested by MSV will
   ensure that next-generation MSS systems in the L-band can finally achieve the ubiquitous
   coverage, capacity, and economies of scale needed for a true consumer service. In contrast, the
   restrictions on L-band ATC advocated by Inmarsat Ventures plc (“Inmarsat”) will only ensure
   that MSS forever remains a niche service catering to price-insensitive users operating in remote
   areas.

           CMC has provided MSS since 1996 using the L-band satellites of MSV and Mobile
   Satellite Ventures (Canada) Inc. CMC currently provides voice and data services to end user
   customers throughout the United States. CMC primarily serves customers in the State of
   Arizona as well as other markets throughout the U S .

            While CMC has developed a viable business that includes current-generation MSS
   satellites to serve niche markets, we are excited about the future potential for MSS when
   supplemented with ATC. To date, MSS has been characterized by suitcase-sized user terminals,
   limited coverage, low data rates, and equipment and service prices far exceeding that offered by
   terrestrial wireless operators. Because the market for this type of service is small, the economies
   of scale needed to drive down equipment and service prices have not developed. With ATC,
   however, MSS has the potential to evolve into a true consumer service. ATC will provide the
   coverage, capacity, and economies of scale needed to bring MSS equipment and service prices to
   affordable levels. Moreover, by overcoming satellite signal blockage in urban areas, ATC will
   allow MSS to become a truly ubiquitous service, allowing service providers to market their

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7845 E. Gelding Dr., Suite 101 Scottsdale, Arizona 85260 (480) 368-1699 FAX (480)368-1883


   Ms. Marlene H. Dortch
                                        ontinental
                                         MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS
   [Date]
   Page 2


   products to customers not only in rural and remote areas but to customers in the most densely
   populated urban cores as well.

            CMC understands that concerns of potential interference that could delay MSV’s
   development of a next-generation MSS system. These concerns are overstated and speculative.
   For example, our customers will continue to use their satellite-only terminals after MSV deploys
   ATC, but we are not concerned that these terminals will experience interference from MSV’s
   ATC base stations. This is because our customers do not use their satellite-only terminals in
   areas where MSV is expected to deploy base stations to overcome satellite signal blockage. By
   definition, if MSV needs to deploy an ATC base station to overcome signal blockage, our
   satellite-only terminals will not work effectively in those areas.

         The Commission is at a crossroads in the development of MSS technology. CMC urges
   the Commission to follow the path of innovation and better consumer service by adopting
   MSV’s proposals for increased flexibility for ATC in the L-band.


                                                       Very truly yours,




                                                      President
                                                      Continental Mobile Communications




                                                    Au!/wr,:<d A,ywt


7845 E. Gelding Dr.,Suite 101 Scottsdale, Arizona 85260 (480)368-1699 FAX (480)368-1883



Document Created: 2005-01-21 12:07:06
Document Modified: 2005-01-21 12:07:06

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