Attachment ex parte

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

IBFS_SATMOD2003111800333_415336

EX PARTE OR LATE FILED Hughes Supply Co. P.O.Box 99 I Pax, WV 25904 01/06/2005 Via Hand Delivery Ms. Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street, S.W. Washington, D.C.20554 Re: Mobile S&elliteVentures 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: Hughes Supply Co. 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. Hughes Supply Co. has provided MSS since 2004 using the L-band satellites of MSV and Mobile Satellite Ventures (Canada) Inc. We currently provide two-way radio service to the WV Army National Guard. .$,c“‘t* - While we have developed a viable business that includes current-generation MSS satellites to serve niche markets, we arc?excited-ab?;t the*future potential for MSS when supplemented with ATC. To date, MSS has been characterized by suitcase-sized user terminals, limited coverage, low data rates, and equipment and service prices far exceeding that offered by terrestrial wireless operators. Because the market for tlus type of service is small, the economies of scale needed to drive down equipment andservice prices have not developed. With ATC, however, MSS has the potential to evolve into a true consumer service. ATC will provide the coverage, capacity, and economies of scale needed to bring MSS equipment and service prices to affordable levels. Moreover, by overcoming sakel)nit&sig$al blockage in urban areas, ATC will allow MSS to become a truly ubiquitots service, allowing service providers to market their

Ms. Marlene H. Dortch [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. Hughes Supply Co. 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. We urge 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, &!!$+- Tom Hughes


Document Created: 2005-01-21 11:50:32
Document Modified: 2005-01-21 11:50:32
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