Attachment Telesat Canada - Ord

Telesat Canada - Ord

ORDER submitted by by the Commission

FCC 17-147

2017-11-03

This document pretains to SAT-PDR-20161115-00108 for Petition for Declaratory Ruling on a Satellite Space Stations filing.

IBFS_SATPDR2016111500108_1309477

                                       Federal Communications Commission                                FCC 17-147


                                                  Before the
                                       Federal Communications Commission
                                             Washington, D.C. 20554


In the Matter of                                           )
                                                           )
Telesat Canada                                             )       IBFS File No. SAT-PDR-20161115-00108
                                                           )
Petition for Declaratory Ruling to Grant Access to         )       Call Sign S2976
the U.S. Market for Telesat’s NGSO Constellation           )


                                    ORDER AND DECLARATORY RULING

Adopted: November 2, 2017                                                            Released: November 3, 2017

By the Commission:


I.         INTRODUCTION
         1.      In this Order and Declaratory Ruling, we grant the request of Telesat Canada (Telesat)
for certain rule waivers and a declaratory ruling concerning the conditions under which it will be
permitted to access the U.S. market using a proposed constellation of 117 satellites authorized by
Canada.1 In granting this request, we address concerns expressed by commenters seeking various
conditions on the grant and partially deny one Petition to Deny. This grant of market access for a non-
geostationary-satellite orbit, fixed-satellite service (NGSO FSS) system advances the Commission’s
mandate “to make available, so far as possible, to all the people of the United States . . . rapid, efficient,
Nation-wide, and world-wide” communication services and will enhance competition among existing and
future FSS satellite systems.2
II.        BACKGROUND
        2.      Petition. On November 15, 2016, Telesat filed a petition for declaratory ruling seeking
access to the U.S. market for a proposed NGSO FSS satellite system.3 The proposed Telesat system


1
 Telesat Canada, Petition for Declaratory Ruling to Grant Access to the U.S. Market for Telesat’s NGSO
Constellation, IBFS File No. SAT-PDR-20161115-00108 (filed Nov. 15, 2016) (Telesat Petition). Although the
Telesat Petition was originally filed as IBFS File No. SAT-LOI-20161115-00108, the Commission made an
administrative change to the IBFS file number from a Letter of Intent (LOI) to a Petition for Declaratory Ruling (PDR)
to reflect the nature of Telesat’s request. Telesat provided corrected values for the planned right ascension of the
ascending node (RAAN) in an erratum. See Letter from Elisabeth Neasmith, Director, Spectrum Management and
Development, Telesat Canada, to Jose P. Albuquerque, Chief, Satellite Division, International Bureau, FCC (filed July
7, 2017) (Telesat Erratum).
2
    47 U.S.C. § 151; Telesat Petition, Narrative at 5.
3
  The Commission developed the market access procedure we follow here to facilitate the participation of non-U.S.-
licensed satellite systems in the FCC licensing process, even though such systems do not seek a U.S. space station
license. As such, favorable action on such a request is in the nature of a policy statement or declaratory ruling with
respect to the availability of spectrum and other public interest considerations for future licensing of U.S. earth
stations that would operate with the non-U.S.-licensed space station. See Amendment of the Commission’s
Regulatory Policies to Allow Non-U.S. Licensed Satellites to Provide Domestic and International Service in the
United States, Report and Order, 12 FCC Rcd 24094, 24106, para. 29, 24173-74, paras. 184-88 (1997) (1997 Report
                                                                                                          (continued….)


                                       Federal Communications Commission                                 FCC 17-147


consists of a constellation of 117 satellites in 11 orbital planes, with 6 planes (12 satellites per plane)
inclined 99.5 degrees in a circular orbit at an approximate altitude of 1000 kilometers and 5 planes (9
satellites per plane) inclined 37.4 degrees in a circular orbit at an approximate altitude of 1248
kilometers.4 The satellites are authorized by Canada and will operate in the 17.8-18.6 GHz (space-to-
Earth), 18.8-19.3 GHz (space-to-Earth), 19.7-20.2 GHz (space-to-Earth), 27.5-29.1 GHz (Earth-to-space),
and 29.5-30.0 GHz (Earth-to-space) frequency bands.5 In its Petition, Telesat sought certain waivers of
the Commission’s rules.6
         3.        Processing Rounds. On July 15, 2016, the Commission accepted for filing the petition
for declaratory ruling of WorldVu Satellites Limited, d/b/a/ OneWeb (OneWeb).7 At the same time that
the Commission accepted OneWeb’s Petition for filing, it initiated a processing round for additional
NGSO-like applications and petitions in the frequency bands requested by OneWeb.8 The processing
round closed on November 15, 2016. Eleven additional applications and petitions were filed for NGSO-
like satellite systems, including the petition filed by Telesat.9 On May 26, 2017, the Telesat Petition was
accepted for filing, and at the same time a second processing round was initiated for the additional
frequency bands requested by Telesat and other applicants and petitioners.10 The second processing
round closed on July 26, 2017 with two additional applications received.11 Each of these applicants and
petitioners proposes an NGSO FSS system that, if approved, would have the same status and the same
rights as other participants in the same processing round, including in any division of frequencies that
may be required to avoid mutual interference.12 On June 22, 2017, the Commission adopted an order


(Continued from previous page)
and Order). In addition to the present petition, Telesat must file and the Commission must approve corresponding
earth station applications before Telesat may provide its proposed services in the United States.
4
    Telesat Petition, Technical Exhibit at 1.
5
    Id. at 5.
6
    Telesat Petition, Narrative at 31-33.
7
 OneWeb Petition Accepted for Filing, IBFS File No. SAT-LOI-20160428-00041; Cut-Off Established for
Additional NGSO-Like Satellite Applications or Petitions for Operations in the 10.7-12.7 GHz, 14.0-14.5 GHz, 17.8-
18.6 GHz, 18.8-19.3 GHz, 27.5-28.35 GHz, 28.35-29.1 GHz, and 29.5-30.0 GHz Bands, Public Notice, 31 FCC Rcd
7666 (IB 2016).
8
  Id.; see also 47 CFR § 25.157(a) (defining “NGSO-like satellite operation” as operation of any NGSO satellite
system, and operation of a geostationary-satellite orbit, mobile-satellite service satellite to communicate with earth
stations with non-directional antennas).
9
 See IBFS File Nos. SAT-MOD-20160624-00060 and SAT-AMD-20161115-00116 (O3b Limited); SAT-LOA-
20161115-00109 (The Boeing Company); SAT-PDR-20161115-00111 (Space Norway AS); SAT-PDR-20161115-
00112 (LeoSat MA, Inc.); SAT-LOA-20161115-00113 (Karousel LLC); SAT-PDR-20161115-00114 (Kepler
Communications Inc.); SAT-LOA-20161115-00117 (Audacy Corporation); SAT-LOA-20161115-00118 (Space
Exploration Holdings, LLC (SpaceX)); SAT-PDR-20161115-00120 (ViaSat, Inc.); SAT-LOA-20161115-00121
(Theia Holdings A, Inc.).
10
   Applications Accepted for Filing; Cut-off Established for Additional NGSO-like Satellite Applications or Petitions
for Operations in the 12.75-13.25 GHz, 13.85-14.0 GHz, 18.6-18.8 GHz, 19.3-20.2 GHz, and 29.1-29.5 GHz Bands,
Public Notice, DA 17-524 (IB rel. May 26, 2017). The application of Kepler Communications Inc. was accepted for
filing in a subsequent public notice. See Satellite Policy Branch Information: Space Station Applications Accepted
for Filing, Public Notice, Report No. SAT-01259 (IB rel. Aug. 11, 2017).
11
  See IBFS File Nos. SAT-LOA-20170726-00110 (Space Exploration Holdings, LLC); SAT-LOI-20170726-00111
(New Spectrum Satellite, Ltd).
12
 See WorldVu Satellites Limited, Petition for Declaratory Ruling Granting Access to the U.S. Market for the
OneWeb NGSO FSS System, Order and Declaratory Ruling, 32 FCC Rcd 5366, 5371-72, para. 11 (2017) (OneWeb
Order).

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                                      Federal Communications Commission                               FCC 17-147


granting with conditions the OneWeb petition (OneWeb Order).13
         4.       Comments. ViaSat, Inc. (ViaSat) filed a petition to deny the Telesat Petition unless
certain conditions are imposed on the grant.14 SES S.A. and O3b Limited (SES and O3b) requested that
any grant of the Telesat Petition be subject to the same conditions that were placed on the grant of U.S.
market access for the O3b NGSO FSS system and OneWeb.15 SES and O3b also requested that grant be
based on compliance with international aggregate equivalent power flux-density (EPFD) requirements,
questioned the sufficiency of Telesat’s EPFD demonstrations, and requested that the Commission clarify
the relationship between ITU filing priority and spectrum sharing for NGSO systems.16 Spire Global
(Spire) requested that Telesat provide more information on its orbital debris mitigation plans including
how it would avoid collisions with or operational impacts on Spire’s NGSO system during deorbit of the
Telesat satellites.17 Space Norway AS (Space Norway) requested that Telesat be required to provide the
same protection to highly elliptical orbit satellite systems as is afforded to geostationary-orbit satellites.18
OneWeb requested that the Commission impose a separation zone between the operating altitudes of its
NGSO constellation and Telesat’s.19 OneWeb also questioned Telesat’s orbital debris showing, noted
errors in the right ascension of the ascending node values provided in Telesat’s Schedule S that could
impact Telesat’s ability to satisfy domestic geographic coverage requirements, and questioned the
sufficiency of Telesat’s EPFD showings.20 Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) expressed
concerns about the high earth station equivalent isotropically radiated power (EIRP) levels used in the
Telesat system and other proposed systems and the potential for inefficient spectrum use based on the
design of the Telesat system.21 Hughes Network Systems, LLC (Hughes) requested generally that the
Commission require NGSO FSS applicants and petitioners to provide more information on compliance
with EPFD limits prior to grant to ensure the protection of GSO systems and partially supported the
ViaSat Petition to Deny.22 Telesat opposed the petition to deny and responded to the comments.23


13
     OneWeb Order, 32 FCC Rcd at 5366, para 1.
14
  ViaSat, Inc. Petition to Deny (filed June 26, 2017) (ViaSat) (requesting that Commission condition grant on
compliance with the outcome of future rulemakings, limit operations to the parameters specified in the application
rather than the limits of what the rules permit, and impose several conditions related to aggregate interference);
ViaSat Reply (filed July 14, 2017).
15
     SES S.A. and O3b Limited Comments at 8-10 (filed June 26, 2017) (SES and O3b).
16
     Id. at 3-8; SES and O3b Reply (filed July 26, 2017).
17
  Spire Global, Inc. Comments at 3-5 (filed June 26, 2017) (Spire). Spire also requested that Telesat’s grant be
conditioned on submission of a final orbital debris plan and on compliance with the outcome of future rulemakings.
Id. at 5.
18
     Space Norway AS Comments at 2 (filed June 26, 2017) (Space Norway).
19
     WorldVu Satellites Limited Comments at 2-3 (filed June 26, 2017) (OneWeb).
20
     Id. at 3-9; OneWeb Reply (filed July 14, 2017).
21
  Space Exploration Technologies Corp. Comments (filed June 26, 2017) (SpaceX); SpaceX Reply (filed July 14,
2017).
22
   Hughes Network Systems, LLC Comments at 2-3 (filed June 26, 2017) (Hughes); Hughes Reply at 2 (filed July 7,
2017). Hughes also requested that grant be conditioned on compliance with future rulemakings. Hughes Comments
at 2.
23
   Telesat Opposition to ViaSat Petition to Deny (filed July 7, 2017); Telesat Response to Hughes Comments (filed
July 7, 2017); Telesat Response to SpaceX Comments (filed July 7, 2017); Telesat Response to Spire Comments
(filed July 7, 2017); Telesat Response to SES and O3b Comments (filed July 7, 2017); Telesat Response to Space
Norway Comments (filed July 7, 2017); Telesat Response to OneWeb Comments (filed July 7, 2017). Telesat also
filed an ex parte after the end of the comment period to respond to issues raised in OneWeb’s reply comments. See
                                                                                                      (continued….)
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                                       Federal Communications Commission                               FCC 17-147




III.       DISCUSSION
        5.        After review of the record, we conclude that grant of the Telesat Petition will serve the
public interest, subject to the requirements and conditions specified herein.24 Our public interest analysis
considers the effect of the proposed Telesat system on competition in the United States, as well as issues
of spectrum availability, eligibility requirements and operating requirements, and national security, law
enforcement, foreign policy, and trade.25 Below, we address the various outstanding issues raised by
commenters on the Petition. We also address Telesat’s waiver requests. Where appropriate, we defer
matters of general applicability to ongoing or potential future rulemakings.
         6.       ITU Coordination. SES and O3b suggest that we clarify in any grant of market access to
Telesat that the priority of ITU filings is not relevant to the Commission’s expectations regarding
spectrum sharing among NGSO systems authorized to serve the U.S. market.26 We note that Telesat filed
petitions to deny against the other participants in the NGSO FSS processing rounds requesting, inter alia,
that any grant of those applications or petitions be conditioned on compliance with the ITU Radio
Regulations which require certain coordination procedures among NGSO operators.27 We recently
declined to adopt Telesat’s proposal to award priority according to ITU filing dates,28 and deny Telesat’s
petition in so far as it reiterates Telesat’s ITU filing date priority proposal. Accordingly, we address SES
and O3b’s concerns by including a condition requiring Telesat to comply with the spectrum sharing
requirements specified in section 25.261 of the Commission’s rules with respect to any other NGSO
system licensed or granted U.S. market access pursuant to the processing rounds in which Telesat
participated.29 We recently adopted changes to section 25.261 that replaced the avoidance of in-line
interference methodology for triggering spectrum division (absent coordination) with a default spectrum
splitting sharing mechanism that is triggered when the change in system noise temperature caused by
interference, or ΔT/T, exceeds a threshold of 6 percent.30 Additionally, we include a condition, which

(Continued from previous page)
Letter from Elisabeth Neasmith, Director, Spectrum Management and Development, Telesat Canada, to Jose P.
Albuquerque, Chief, Satellite Division, International Bureau, FCC (filed Aug. 3, 2017).
24
     1997 Report and Order, 12 FCC Rcd at 24106, para. 29.
25
  Id. Except as otherwise discussed herein, we conclude that the Telesat Petition satisfies these basic requirements
for U.S. market access.
26
  SES and O3b Comments at 6-7. By “filing priority” we understand SES and O3b’s comments to refer to the date
order in which coordination requests are filed with the ITU. Pursuant to the ITU’s regulations, it is incumbent upon
an operator with the later filing to initiate coordination with operators with earlier filings. See International
Telecommunication Union (ITU) Radio Regulations, No. 9.12 (requiring coordination of certain NGSO systems),
No. 9.53 (requiring both parties in coordination to “make every possible mutual effort to overcome the
[coordination] difficulties, in a manner acceptable to the parties concerned”).
27
 See, e.g., Telesat Petition to Deny Space Norway at 3-4 (filed June 26, 2017) (available in IBFS File No. SAT-
PDR-20161115-00111); Telesat Petition to Deny Audacy at 3-4 (filed June 26, 2017) (available in IBFS File No.
SAT-LOA-20161115-00117.
28
  Update to Parts 2 and 25 Concerning Non-Geostationary, Fixed-Satellite Service Systems and Related Matters,
Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, FCC 17-122, para. 50 (Sept. 27, 2017) (NGSO FSS
Order or NGSO FSS FNPRM). The rules adopted in this proceeding will go into effect 30 days after publication of
the Report and Order in the Federal Register, except that those amendments which contain new and modified
information collection requirements that require approval by the Office of Management and Budget under the
Paperwork Reduction Act will become effective after the Commission publishes a notice in the Federal Register
announcing such approval and the relevant effective date.
29
     OneWeb Order, 32 FCC Rcd at 5377, para. 23(k).
30
     NGSO FSS Order at 17, para. 49.


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                                       Federal Communications Commission                             FCC 17-147


was also included in the OneWeb Order, requiring compliance with the ITU Radio Regulations.31
         7.      Geographic Coverage Requirements. OneWeb noted certain errors in the right ascension
of the ascending node (RAAN) values in Telesat’s Schedule S that would result in Telesat failing to meet
domestic geographic coverage requirements.32 Telesat responded by recognizing the errors and filing a
supplement including the correct RAAN values for its system.33 In its reply comments, OneWeb
continued to question Telesat’s ability to satisfy the domestic geographic coverage requirements and
suggested that the Commission request a more detailed showing of compliance from Telesat or have
Telesat request a waiver of the domestic coverage rule.34
          8.       We deny OneWeb’s request. The domestic geographic coverage rule requires, inter alia,
that an applicant certify that its proposed system will be able to provide continuous FSS throughout the
fifty states, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.35 Telesat certified compliance with this rule in its
application.36 Although OneWeb provided an analysis in its comments questioning Telesat’s ability to
comply with the coverage requirement in the 19.7-20.2 GHz frequency band, OneWeb provided no
analysis with regard to Telesat’s ability to provide continuous domestic FSS in any of the other downlink
bands in which Telesat intends to operate, such as the 17.8-18.6 GHz, 18.8-19.3 GHz frequency bands.
Consequently, we have no reason to question Telesat’s certified compliance with the rule.
        9.        EPFD Analysis. Several commenters suggested that the EPFD analysis provided by
Telesat is insufficient and that the Commission should request a supplemental EPFD analysis.37 We
disagree. While section 25.146 of the Commission’s rules requires specific EPFD showings from NGSO
FSS applicants, including the use of ITU software, in certain portions of the Ku-band,38 we note that no
comparable requirement exists in Part 25 for the Ka-band frequencies requested by Telesat.39 We find
that Telesat’s demonstrations in its Petition and associated filings are sufficient to justify this grant of
market access. However, to ensure that Telesat will satisfy its EPFD obligations going forward, we
condition this grant on Telesat receiving a favorable or “qualified favorable” finding of its EPFD
demonstration from the ITU prior to initiation of service.40 Review by the ITU of Telesat’s compliance


31
  OneWeb Order, 32 FCC Rcd at 5376, para. 23(a). Compliance with ITU coordination procedures is a requirement
of the ITU Radio Regulations, which hold the force of treaty to which the United States is a party. Compliance with
the ITU Radio Regulations is a typical condition of both U.S. space station licenses and grants of U.S. market
access. See 47 CFR § 25.111(b); see also, e.g., Inmarsat Mobile Networks, Inc., Application to Operate a Fixed-
Satellite Service Gateway Earth Station Facility in Lino Lakes, Minnesota with the Inmarsat-5 F2 Space Station,
Order and Authorization and Declaratory Ruling, 30 FCC Rcd. 2770, 2784, para. 41c (IB 2015).
32
     OneWeb Comments at 7-9. See 47 CFR § 25.145(c).
33
     Telesat Response to OneWeb Comments at 19-23; Telesat Erratum.
34
     OneWeb Reply at 6-7.
35
  47 CFR § 25.145(c)(2) (requiring that “the proposed system is capable of providing Fixed-Satellite Service on a
continuous basis throughout the fifty states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands”). We note that a Further
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking was recently issued that includes a proposal to eliminate this domestic coverage
requirement for NGSO FSS systems. NGSO FSS FNPRM at 25-26, paras. 73-76.
36
     Telesat Petition, Technical Exhibit at 23-25.
37
     See SES and O3b Comments at 4; SES and O3b Reply at 2-5; OneWeb Comments at 3-6; Hughes Comments at 2-
3.
38
     47 CFR § 25.146.
39
     47 CFR § 25.145.
40
  As in the OneWeb Order, we also require that Telesat provide a showing of compliance with a different set of
EPFD limits 90 days prior to the initiation of service.


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                                       Federal Communications Commission                             FCC 17-147


with ITU EPFD limits in the Ka-band, using methods now approved by the ITU,41 will provide assurances
that Telesat will comply with the Ka-band EPFD limits specified in Article 22 of the Radio Regulations
beyond the other technical demonstrations that Telesat has already provided.
         10.     In addition, as a condition to this grant of U.S. market access, Telesat must communicate
the ITU finding to the Commission and submit the files containing the data used as input to the ITU
validation software.42 We find such a requirement satisfies the concerns of GSO FSS operators who
request verification, either by the Commission or third parties, of the complete set of input information
used for the EPFD showing to the ITU.43 Submission of the data input files used for the ITU validation of
Article 22 limits will allow such verification, either by the Commission or third-parties.
         11.      As in the OneWeb Order, we are permitting Telesat to operate up to the PFD and EPFD
levels specified in applicable regulations, rather than the specific demonstrations in its application. We
find this flexibility is warranted given the preliminary nature of the system design, the fact that this grant
is conditioned on Telesat’s satisfaction of the ITU’s EPFD assessment and the condition that Telesat
cooperate with other NGSO operators to meet limits for aggregate EPFD. We therefore reject ViaSat’s
arguments that Telesat should be limited to the levels used in the EPFD demonstration in its application
and deny this portion of ViaSat’s Petition to Deny.44
         12.      Buffer Zone and Orbital Debris. To avoid collisions with OneWeb satellites, OneWeb
requested that any grant of market access to Telesat be conditioned on Telesat maintaining “an
approximate 125 [kilometer] altitude buffer zone (the “Safety Buffer Zone”) between its constellation and
other NGSO systems,” including OneWeb’s own NGSO system, subject to coordination.45 As a
preliminary matter, the scope of OneWeb’s request is unclear and could be interpreted to request a buffer
zone that spans altitudes between 1015 and 1385 kilometers. While we are concerned about the risk of
collisions between the space stations of NGSO systems operating at similar orbital altitudes, we think that
these concerns are best addressed in the first instance through inter-operator coordination. At this stage,
we do not think it appropriate to specify the methods for effecting coordination, which may involve a
wide range of changes in system design and operations. Furthermore, as both the OneWeb and Telesat
systems are authorized by other administrations, we decline at this stage to specify a solution to an issue
for which those administrations will bear primary responsibility. Telesat will be subject to the same
condition requirements as OneWeb,46 including coordination of its physical operations with space stations
of NGSO systems operating at similar orbital altitudes. To the extent that Telesat and other NGSO
operators fail to come to an agreement regarding physical coordination, the Commission may intervene as
appropriate.
        13.      An applicant for a space station authorization must submit a description of the design and
operational strategies that it will use to mitigate orbital debris, including a statement detailing post-
mission disposal plans for space stations at the end of their operating life.47 Telesat provided a
41
  Letter from Francois Rancy, Director, ITU Radiocommunication Bureau, to Administrations of ITU Member
States, “Examinations under Resolution 85 (WRC-03)” (Dec. 6, 2016), https://www.itu.int/md/R00-CR-CIR-
0414/en.
42
  Id. If the files have already been submitted to the Commission and do not need any update, then Telesat need not
resubmit these files.
43
  See, e.g., Letter from Susan H. Crandall, Associate General Counsel, Intelsat Corporation, to Marlene H. Dortch,
Secretary, FCC, IB Docket No. 16-408 (filed Sept. 15, 2017) (stressing the importance of EPFD limits specified in
Article 22 to protecting GSO satellites from harmful interference from NGSO systems).
44
     ViaSat Petition to Deny at 5-8.
45
     OneWeb Comments at 2-3.
46
     OneWeb Order, 32 FCC Rcd 5378, para. 25(d).
47
     Mitigation of Orbital Debris, 19 FCC Rcd 11567, 11619; 47 CFR §25.114(d)(14).

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                                          Federal Communications Commission                               FCC 17-147


preliminary orbital debris mitigation analysis as part of its Petition.48 On June 26, 2017, Spire filed
comments on Telesat’s Petition arguing that: (1) more information is needed regarding Telesat’s post-
mission disposal plans through atmospheric re-entry so that existing operators can assess the risk created
by Telesat’s system, (2) systems without final designs, including Telesat’s system, should be required
through a grant condition to submit an updated orbital debris mitigation plan once its system design is
finalized, and (3) the Commission should condition Telesat’s grant of market access on the outcome of
future rulemakings.49 OneWeb also questioned the adequacy of Telesat’s orbital debris showing and
requested that Telesat be required to provide more information on a number of specific points.50
        14.       Telesat indicates that its debris mitigation plan is a preliminary assessment pending the
final constellation design, and we note that there have been modifications to that plan over time.51
Accordingly, we condition grant of the Telesat Petition on Telesat presenting and the Commission
granting a modification of this market access grant to include a final orbital debris mitigation plan.52 The
modification should include, among other things, a discussion of any steps that Telesat has taken to
coordinate physical operations with authorized and proposed NGSO systems at similar orbital altitudes
(both for the main mission and disposal phases); a discussion of the level of data-sharing that would be
required with other operators, including analysis of likely requirements for ephemeris refresh rates and
time frames for coordination of planned maneuvers (both for the main mission and disposal phases); and
whether Telesat has considered alternative orbital altitudes for its operations and whether those altitudes
would materially affect Telesat’s ability to provide service.53
         15.     Matters Broadly Applicable to NGSO FSS Applications. SpaceX suggests in its
comments that the Commission consider conditions of grant that would promote efficient spectrum
sharing among operators.54 Hughes urges the Commission to adopt mechanisms for ensuring that
aggregate EPFD limits are met by all NGSO systems authorized in the United States.55 ViaSat questions
the sufficiency of the EPFD limits proposed by the Commission to protect GSO systems from harmful
interference and requests that each NGSO operator be held jointly and severally liable for harmful
interference caused to GSO systems until the Commission adopts adequate aggregate EPFD limits and
enforcement mechanisms.56 Space Norway requests that Telesat’s grant of market access be conditioned
on Telesat’s implementation of mechanisms to avoid in-line interference with highly elliptical orbit
NGSO systems, such as that proposed by Space Norway.57

48
     Telesat Petition, Technical Exhibit at 30-32.
49
   Spire Comments at 3-5. Spire’s request that Telesat’s grant be conditioned on the outcome of future rulemakings
is addressed below. See infra para. 16.
50
 OneWeb Comments at 3-6. See also Telesat Response to Spire at 2-5; Telesat Response to OneWeb at 7-15;
OneWeb Reply at 7-8.
51
   Letter from Elisabeth Neasmith, Director, Spectrum Management and Development, Telesat Canada, to Jose P.
Albuquerque, Chief, Satellite Division, International Bureau, FCC (filed Apr. 14, 2017); Telesat Response to OneWeb
at 9-15.
52
  The International Bureau has previously required applicants to file a modification application including updated
orbital debris mitigation information in some instances. See Northrop Grumman Space & Mission Systems Corp.,
Order and Authorization, 24 FCC Rcd 2330, 2363-64, para. 102 (IB 2009) (Northrop Grumman Order);
ContactMEO Communications, LLC, Order and Authorization, 21 FCC Rcd 4035, 4052-53, para. 47 (IB 2006).
53
   In light of this condition, we do not reach a conclusion at this time as to whether Telesat has demonstrated that it
is subject to direct and effective oversight by Canada concerning debris mitigation.
54
     SpaceX Comments at 5; SpaceX Reply at 7.
55
     Hughes Comments at 3.
56
     ViaSat Petition to Deny at 5, 8-9.
57
     Space Norway Comments at 2.

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                                     Federal Communications Commission                              FCC 17-147


         16.     All of these comments relate to issues of general applicability that are more appropriately
addressed in the context of a rulemaking. Several of these issues were already raised in an ongoing
rulemaking proceeding concerning NGSO FSS matters58 and addressed in a Report and Order adopted
September 26, 2017.59 Even if we agreed with commenters that it would be appropriate to address these
concerns in conditions of grant, we do not think that the record is sufficiently developed in this
proceeding on any of these points to support such conditions. SpaceX asks that we consider conditions
that would promote efficient use of spectrum, but provides little guidance on what precisely it thinks that
the Commission should do to promote such efficiency. Similarly, Hughes and ViaSat express concerns
about international EPFD limits and aggregate EPFD enforcement mechanisms, but the record is not
sufficiently developed to adopt any conditions and such concerns are more appropriately addressed in the
context of a rulemaking proceeding at this time.60 Space Norway’s request for a condition requiring
Telesat to protect the Space Norway NGSO system as though it were a GSO space station is in effect a
request that the Commission reevaluate its licensing procedures with regard to an entire class of NGSO
systems, i.e. those with highly-elliptical orbits. As indicated above, we defer consideration of such
broadly applicable matters to that proceeding and other future rulemakings, and condition grant of the
Telesat Petition on the outcome of such rulemaking proceedings, including the most recent NGSO FSS
decision.61 We note that, as with the OneWeb Order, grant of the Telesat Petition will not prejudge any
decision, including a contrary action, in the ongoing NGSO FSS or other future rulemaking proceedings.62
Rather, decisions of general applicability in such proceedings will be based on the totality of comments
and proposals in those proceedings, including Telesat’s.63 Telesat will not receive any special exemptions
to the rules adopted in any rulemaking based solely on this grant, should Telesat choose to accept it.64
         17.     Conditions. Below, we condition this grant of U.S. market access in response to
comments and as warranted in the public interest. These conditions relate to ITU coordination, power
limits, avoidance of in-line interference, orbital debris mitigation, future rulemakings, bond and milestone
requirements, and other existing requirements in our rules and in footnotes to the Table of Frequency
Allocations. We also include specific conditions related to our waiver grants. To the extent that the
Telesat Petition raises the same concerns as OneWeb, we impose substantially identical conditions on
Telesat as we did in the OneWeb Order. In their comments, SES and O3b ask that we impose on any
grant for the Telesat system the same conditions that were imposed on O3b’s NGSO FSS constellation.65
58
 Update to Parts 2 and 25 Concerning Non-Geostationary, Fixed-Satellite Service Systems and Related Matters,
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 31 FCC Rcd 13651, 13656-58, paras. 12, 17 (2016) (NGSO FSS NPRM).
59
     See generally NGSO FSS Order.
60
  Recently, we considered ViaSat’s concerns regarding the sufficiency of existing international EPFD limits and
found that the ViaSat has not proposed any new EPFD limits and it would not be advisable to remain without Ka-
band EPFD limits in our rules pending such deliberations. NGSO FSS Order at 20, para. 35.
61
  We note that this condition also addresses several comments that requested that any grant of market access to
Telesat be conditioned on compliance with certain pending and future rulemakings. See ViaSat Petition to Deny at
9-10; Spire Comments at 5; SpaceX Comments at 5; Hughes Comments at 3.
62
  See, e.g., NGSO FSS Order; Use of Spectrum Bands Above 24 GHz For Mobile Radio Services, Report and Order
and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 31 FCC Rcd 8014 (2016) (Spectrum Frontiers R&O and FNPRM);
Expanding Flexible Use in Mid-Band Spectrum Between 3.7 and 24 GHz, Notice of Inquiry, 32 FCC Rcd. 6373,
6377 n.14 (2017) (Mid-Band NOI).
63
  To the extent that commenters believe that their concerns are not already addressed by ongoing rulemakings, we
remind commenters that they have the option to file petitions for rulemaking with the Commission.
64
  Telesat may petition for reconsideration of this grant to seek deferral of any of its conditions until after the
Commission has made a determination on any relevant issues remaining in the ongoing NGSO FSS rulemaking. See
47 CFR § 1.106(c)(2).
65
 SES and O3b Comments at 8-10. Specifically, SES and O3b requested that the Commission include, from the
O3b Grant, Conditions 2-10 and Condition 12 for all Ku-/Ka-band NGSO grants and Conditions 1, 11, and 15 for
                                                                                                (continued….)
                                                        8


                                       Federal Communications Commission                               FCC 17-147


As in the OneWeb Order, we do so below with one exception. O3b’s grant of market access and earth
station authorizations permit continued communications with the O3b constellation even if O3b makes
certain adjustments to its constellation configuration.66 Telesat has not requested such a condition, and, in
any event, it is unclear from the record whether such a condition is appropriate for Telesat’s constellation
configuration. Accordingly, we do not include such a condition below.67
        18.      Waiver Standard. Telesat seeks waivers of several of the Commission’s rules.68
Generally, the Commission may waive any rule for good cause shown.69 Waiver is appropriate where the
particular facts make strict compliance inconsistent with the public interest.70 In making this
determination, we may take into account considerations of hardship, equity, or more effective
implementation of overall policy on an individual basis.71 Waiver is therefore appropriate if special
circumstances warrant a deviation from the general rule and such deviation will serve the public interest.72
We address the specific requests for waivers below.
         19.     Waivers for 17.8-18.6 GHz. Telesat seeks waivers of the U.S. Table of Frequency
Allocations for operations in the 17.8-18.6 GHz band.73 Within this range, the 17.8-18.3 GHz band is
presently not allocated to the FSS. The 18.3-18.6 GHz band is allocated to the FSS, but limited to GSO
networks.74 In the 17.8-18.3 GHz band, Telesat provided technical demonstrations to show that it will
comply with international power flux-density (PFD) limits designed to protect terrestrial services. In the
18.3-18.6 GHz band, Telesat provided technical demonstrations showing that it will comply with
international EPFD limits designed to protect GSO networks. In addition, Telesat states that its system
will not cause harmful interference to and is willing to accept interference from primary operators in these
frequency bands.75
        20.     Telesat provided technical demonstrations of how it will protect both primary terrestrial
operations and GSO FSS operations.76 Telesat’s proposed operations in this band are also consistent with
(Continued from previous page)
U.S. market access Ku-/Ka-band NGSO grants. Id. See also O3b Limited, IBFS File Nos. SAT-LOI-20141029-
00118 and SAT-AMD-20150115-00004 (grant stamp dated Jan. 22, 2015).
66
     Id. at Condition 11.
67
  To the extent that O3b is concerned about the status of its current and future operations relative to other NGSO
systems, we note that, as a participant in the processing rounds, such concerns will be addressed when the
Commission acts on O3b’s pending petition. See O3b Limited, IBFS File Nos. SAT-AMD-20161115-00116 and
SAT-MOD-20160624-00060.
68
   Telesat requests waivers of sections 2.106 and 25.157(e) of the Commission’s rules and waiver of the
Commission’s Ka-band Plan. Telesat Petition, Narrative at 31-33. Telesat states in its petition that its system is
“capable of operating with both fixed terminals and mobile terminals.” Id. at 22. To the extent that Telesat seeks to
provide service to mobile terminals in the United States, we note that such earth station operations would require a
waiver of section 2.106 of the Commission’s rules, 47 CFR § 2.106. As no such waiver was requested by Telesat in
its petition, operations with mobile terminals are beyond the scope of this grant of U.S. market access.
69
     47 CFR § 1.3.
70
     Northeast Cellular Tel. Co. v. FCC, 897 F.2d 1164, 1166 (D.C. Cir. 1990).
71
  WAIT Radio v. FCC, 418 F.2d 1153, 1159 (D.C. Cir. 1969), cert. denied, 409 U.S. 1027 (1972); Northeast
Cellular, 897 F.2d at 1166.
72
     Northeast Cellular, 897 F.2d at 1166.
73
  47 CFR § 2.106. Non-Federal operations in this band are subject to coordination with Federal systems. 47 CFR
§ 2.106, n.US334.
74
     47 CFR § 2.106, n.NG164.
75
     Telesat Petition, Technical Exhibit at 6.
76
     To the extent that commenters are concerned about Telesat’s EPFD showings, see supra paras. 9-10.

                                                           9


                                       Federal Communications Commission                             FCC 17-147


our decision to allow NGSO FSS operation in these bands on a secondary basis.77 These operations
should not pose undue burdens on terrestrial services because Telesat’s earth stations can be sited and
operated in a manner to avoid receiving harmful interference.78 In light of Telesat’s technical
demonstrations, and its willingness to operate on an unprotected, non-interference basis, we find good
cause to grant a waiver of the Table of Frequency Allocations for operations in this band. This finding is
also consistent with the waiver granted to OneWeb recently under similar circumstances.79 Although the
OneWeb Order limited the waiver to individually-licensed gateway earth stations, we recently found that
such a limitation was unnecessary for NGSO FSS operations in the 17.8-18.6 GHz band that are subject
to PFD limits and that blanket licensing of such NGSO FSS operations is feasible.80 Accordingly, we do
not condition Telesat’s grant of U.S. market access on any future earth stations being individually-
licensed gateways. Until such time as changes to the Table of Frequency Allocations become effective,
we grant this waiver for Telesat’s operations on a non-conforming basis in these bands on condition that
the Telesat system will not claim protection from harmful interference in these bands, and remind Telesat
that it undertakes these operations at its own risk.
         21.      Waivers for 19.7-20.2 GHz. Telesat seeks a waiver of the Commission’s Ka-band Plan
for market access in the 19.7-20.2 GHz frequency band.81 The 19.7-20.2 GHz frequency band is allocated
to the fixed-satellite service and mobile-satellite service (space-to-Earth) on a primary basis,82 however,
the Commission’s Ka-band Plan designates this band for the use of the GSO FSS, rather than NGSO FSS
systems.83 In its petition, Telesat provided technical demonstrations to show that it will comply with
international EPFD limits designed to protect GSO networks in the 19.7-20.2 GHz frequency band set
forth in Article 22 of the ITU Radio Regulations. In addition, Telesat states that it will not cause harmful
interference to and is willing to accept interference from GSO FSS operators in this frequency band.84
         22.     In light of Telesat’s technical demonstrations, and its willingness to operate on an
unprotected, non-interference basis, we find good cause to grant a waiver of the Commission’s Ka-band-
plan in this frequency band. This finding is similar to waivers previously granted for NGSO operations in
the 19.7-20.2 GHz frequency band 85 and is also consistent with the proposal that the Commission
recently adopted to allow NGSO FSS operations in this band on a secondary basis, subject to certain


77
     NGSO FSS Order at 4, para. 7.
78
  Redesignation of the 17.7-19.7 GHz Frequency Band, Blanket Licensing of Satellite Earth Stations in the 17.7-
20.2 GHz and 27.5-30.0 GHz Frequency Bands, and the Allocation of Additional Spectrum in the 17.3-17.8 GHz
and 24.75-25.25 GHz Frequency Bands for Broadcast Satellite-Service Use, Report and Order, 15 FCC Rcd 13430,
13459, para. 58 (2000) (2000 18 GHz Band Order); see also generally Inmarsat Mobile Networks, Inc., Application
to Operate a Fixed-Satellite Service Gateway Earth Station Facility in Lino Lakes, Minnesota with the Inmarsat-5
F2 Space Station, Order and Authorization and Declaratory Ruling, 30 FCC Rcd 2770, 2778-79, para. 25 (IB/OET
2015) (approving GSO FSS operations in the 17.7-18.3 GHz band because the PFD on the earth’s surface would be
below levels established by the ITU to protect terrestrial services and would be unlikely to affect other services)
79
     OneWeb Order, 32 FCC Rcd at 5373-74, paras. 15-16.
80
     NGSO FSS Order at 4, para. 8.
81
  See 2000 18 GHz Band Order, 15 FCC Rcd 13443-44, para. 28 (removing secondary NGSO FSS allocation in the
19.7-20.2 GHz frequency band).
82
     47 CFR § 2.106.
83
     2000 18 GHz Band Order, 15 FCC Rcd 13443-44, para. 28.
84
     Telesat Petition, Technical Exhibit at 6.
85
   See, e.g., Northrop Grumman Order, 24 FCC Rcd. at 2353-55 (permitting NGSO operations in the 19.7-20.2 GHz
frequency band due to, inter alia, demonstrated compliance with ITU EPFD limits and the non-interference basis of
such operations).


                                                          10


                                        Federal Communications Commission                              FCC 17-147


power limits.86 Telesat provided technical demonstrations of how it will protect primary GSO FSS
operations. Grant of this waiver will not undermine the purpose of the Ka-band Plan, which is to ensure
that primary users of the 19.7-20.2 GHz band are not constrained. We therefore conclude that a waiver is
justified until such time as the change to the Commission’s Ka-band Plan becomes effective. Consistent
with Telesat’s statements, we grant this waiver for Telesat’s non-conforming operations in this band on
condition that the Telesat system will not claim protection from harmful interference in these bands, and
remind Telesat that it undertakes these operations at its own risk.
         23.     Waiver of Band-Splitting Procedure. Telesat seeks to operate in the United States
throughout the 17.8-18.6 GHz, 18.8-19.3 GHz, 19.7-20.2 GHz, 27.5-29.1 GHz, and 29.5-30 GHz
frequency bands. In the 18.8-19.3 GHz and 28.6-29.1 GHz bands, the Commission has adopted rules and
policies to allow shared use of frequencies among NGSO FSS systems by avoidance of in-line
interference events.87 In other bands, section 25.157(e) of the Commission’s rules provides for “available
spectrum” to be “divided equally” among the applications granted as the result of a processing round.88
This rule presumes that NGSO operators cannot use the same frequencies without causing harmful
interference to each other, and therefore must be assigned discrete segments of the requested band.
Telesat requests a waiver of section 25.157(e) in the 17.8-18.6 GHz, 19.7-20.2 GHz, 27.5-28.6 GHz, and
29.5-30 GHz bands arguing that band segmentation would be inconsistent with the approach adopted by
the Commission based on avoidance of in-line interference events.
         24.     Based on our technical review of the Telesat Petition and of other applications and
petitions that were submitted in the processing rounds, we conclude that sharing will be possible between
the Telesat system, the OneWeb system, and other proposed NGSO FSS systems in all of the bands
requested by Telesat. The Telesat space stations will utilize shapeable and steerable user beams while the
earth stations communicating with the satellites in the constellation will use steerable directional
antennas.89 Such characteristics, which permit avoidance of interference to other NGSO FSS systems in
the 18.8-19.3 GHz, and 28.6-29.1 GHz bands, also permit avoidance of interference in the 17.8-18.6 GHz,
19.7-20.2 GHz, 27.5-28.6 GHz, and 29.5-30 GHz bands. Thus, because Telesat’s particular system
design enables sharing by avoiding interference events in all requested bands, division of available
spectrum would be unnecessarily restrictive. Grant of a waiver in this instance will not undermine the
purpose of section 25.157(e), since we recently adopted changes to the Commission’s rules that will apply
a spectrum sharing mechanism to all NGSO FSS systems that have sharing capabilities (e.g., directional
earth station antennas), regardless of the frequency bands used.90 Because these changes are not yet
effective, we grant a waiver of section 25.157(e), consistent with the Commission’s grant of a similar
waiver in the OneWeb Order.91
IV.         CONCLUSION
        25.      We conclude that grant of the Telesat Petition, as conditioned herein, will serve the
public interest by enabling Telesat to pursue its goal of providing broadband service to communities
across the United States.

86
     NGSO FSS Order at 5, paras. 9-10.
87
  47 CFR § 25.261; The Establishment of Policies and Service Rules for the Non-Geostationary Satellite Orbit,
Fixed Satellite Service in the Ka-band, Report and Order, 18 FCC Rcd 14708, 14714, para. 18 (2003); The
Establishment of Policies and Service Rules for the Non-Geostationary Satellite Orbit, Fixed Satellite Service in the
Ku-band, Report and Order, 17 FCC Rcd 7841, 7850, para. 27 (2002).
88
     47 CFR § 25.157(e).
89
     Telesat Petition, Technical Exhibit at 3, 5.
90
   NGSO FSS Order at 18, para. 52 (applying the newly adopted section 25.161 to NGSO FSS systems in any
frequency band).
91
     See OneWeb Order, 32 FCC Rcd at 5379, para. 29.


                                                         11


                                    Federal Communications Commission                                  FCC 17-147


V.       ORDERING CLAUSES
        26.      Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED, that the Petition for Declaratory Ruling filed by Telesat
Canada, IS GRANTED, pursuant to section 303(r) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47
U.S.C. § 303(r), and section 25.137(c) of the Federal Communication Commission’s rules, 47 CFR §
25.137(c), as set forth in paragraphs 27-32 below.92
         27.     Any future grant of earth station licenses for operations with the Telesat system will be
subject to the following conditions:
         a. Communications between U.S.-licensed earth stations and Telesat space stations must
         comport with all existing and future space station coordination agreements reached between
         Canada and other administrations. In the absence of a coordination agreement, such
         communications must comport with applicable provisions of the ITU Radio Regulations.
         b. Waiver of the United States Table of Frequency Allocations, 47 CFR § 2.106, IS GRANTED.
         Communications in the 17.8-18.6 GHz (space-to-Earth) frequency band are on a non-conforming
         basis. Such communications are on an unprotected basis and operations must immediately
         terminate upon notification of harmful interference. This waiver terminates upon the effective
         date of changes made to the U.S. Table of Frequency Allocations adopted in FCC 17-122, which
         permit communications in the 17.8-18.6 GHz frequency band with non-Federal NGSO FSS
         systems on a secondary basis. In addition, such communications must comport with the
         applicable power flux-density limits in Article 21 of the ITU Radio Regulations and 47 CFR §
         25.208(c), and equivalent power flux-density requirements in Article 22 of the ITU Radio
         Regulations.
         c. In the 18.8-19.3 GHz (space-to-Earth) frequency band reception is permitted for
         transmissions up to the power flux-density limits in 47 CFR § 25.208(e).
         d. Waiver of the Commission’s Ka-band Plan, IS GRANTED. Communications in the 19.7-
         20.2 GHz (space-to-Earth) frequency band are on a non-conforming basis. Such communications
         are on an unprotected basis and operations must immediately terminate upon notification of
         harmful interference. This waiver terminates upon the effective date of changes made to the
         Commission’s Ka-band Plan adopted in FCC 17-122, which permit communications in the 19.7-
         20.2 GHz frequency band with NGSO FSS systems on an unprotected basis and on a secondary
         basis to GSO FSS operations. In addition, such communications must comport with the
         applicable EPFD limits and requirements in Article 22 of the ITU Radio Regulations.
         e. In the 27.5-28.6 GHz and 29.5-30 GHz (Earth-to-space) frequency bands transmission is
         permitted at levels up to the applicable equivalent power flux-density requirements of Article 22
         of the ITU Radio Regulations.
         f. Transmissions in the 27.5-28.35 GHz (Earth-to-space) frequency band are secondary with
         respect to Upper Microwave Flexible Use Service (UMFUS) operations, except for FSS
         operations associated with earth stations authorized pursuant to 47 CFR § 25.136, and will
         comply with any determinations set forth in the Spectrum Frontiers proceeding (GN Docket 14-
         177).93

92
  Given the lack of ambiguity of these conditions, as well as the requirement that licensees abide by our rules absent
a waiver, we believe that it is unnecessary to include the boilerplate language requested by SES and O3b. See SES
and O3b Comments at 8-9.
93
  Telesat states that its use of the frequency band 27.5-28.35 GHz (Earth-to-space) in the U.S. will be for gateway
uplink communication and that it will comply with the FCC mechanisms for sharing with the UMFUS addressed in
the Spectrum Frontiers R&O and FNPRM, Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 31 FCC
Rcd. 8014 (2016). See Technical Exhibit at 7.


                                                         12


                                  Federal Communications Commission                              FCC 17-147


        g. Transmissions in the 28.35-28.6 GHz and 29.5-30 GHz (Earth-to-space) frequency bands are
        on a secondary basis with respect to GSO FSS operations.
        h. Operations must comply with spectrum sharing procedures among NGSO FSS space stations
        specified in 47 CFR § 25.261with respect to any NGSO system licensed or granted U.S. market
        access pursuant to the processing rounds initiated in Public Notice, DA 16-804 and Public Notice,
        DA 17-524.
         28.     Any future grant of earth station licenses for operations with the Telesat system will be
subject to the following conditions, unless such conditions are satisfied prior to such license grant:
        a. Space-to-Earth operations in the 17.8-18.6 GHz, 18.8-19.3 GHz, and 19.7-20.2 GHz
        frequency bands must complete coordination with U.S. Federal systems, in accordance with
        footnote US334 to the United States Table of Frequency Allocations, 47 CFR § 2.106, prior to
        being used. The use of space-to-Earth operations in the 17.8-18.6 GHz, 18.8-19.3 GHz, and 19.7-
        20.2 GHz bands must be in accordance with any signed coordination agreement reached between
        Telesat and U.S. Federal operators. Two weeks prior to the start of any operations in the 17.8-
        18.6 GHz, 18.8-19.3 GHz, or 19.7-20.2 GHz bands, Telesat must provide contact information for
        a 24/7 point of contact for the resolution of any harmful interference to Jimmy Nguyen, Email:
        Jimmy.Nguyen@us.af.mil.
        b. Prior to initiation of service, Telesat must receive a favorable or “qualified favorable” finding
        in accordance with Resolution 85 with respect to its compliance with applicable EPFD limits in
        Article 22 of the ITU Radio Regulations. Telesat must communicate the ITU finding to the
        Commission and submit the files containing the data used as input to the ITU validation software,
        unless they have been submitted before and do not need any update.
        c. At least ninety days prior to the initiation of service to the public, Telesat must submit in File
        No. SAT-PDR-20161115-00108 a comprehensive technical showing for its NGSO FSS system in
        the 17.8-18.6 GHz and 19.7-20.2 GHz frequency bands, to demonstrate that the NGSO FSS
        system is expected not to operate in excess of the additional operational EPFDdown limits and the
        operational EPFDdown limits specified in the applicable equivalent power flux-density
        requirements of Article 22 of the ITU Radio Regulations.
        29.     Any future grant of earth station licenses for operations with the Telesat system may be
withheld, subjected to additional conditions, or modified, if the following conditions are not met:
        a. Telesat must cooperate with other NGSO FSS operators in order to ensure that all authorized
        operations jointly comport with the applicable limits for aggregate EPFD in the space-to-Earth
        direction (EPFDdown) contained in Resolution 76 of the ITU Radio Regulations.
        b. Telesat shall be subject to the rules regarding the sharing of ephemeris data in section 25.271
        of the Commission’s rules, 47 CFR § 25.271(e), until the effective date of the changes adopted in
        FCC 17-122.94 After that, Telesat must comply with the sharing of ephemeris data procedures
        described in new section 25.146 of the Commission’s rules, 47 CFR § 25.146(e).
        c. Telesat must coordinate physical operations of spacecraft with any operator using similar
        orbits, for the purpose of eliminating collision risk and minimizing operational impacts. The
        orbital parameters specified in this grant are subject to change based on such coordination.
        d. Upon finalization of its space station design and prior to initiation of service, Telesat must
        seek and obtain the Commission’s approval of a modification specifying additional details
        regarding risk of collision and its end-of-life operations, as discussed in paragraph 14 above.

94
  In the NGSO FSS Order, we extended the requirement for NGSO FSS operators to share ephemeris data to all
frequency bands in which NGSO FSS systems operate. See NGSO FSS Order at 18 and 20, paras. 52, 58 n.131.


                                                      13


                                   Federal Communications Commission                                FCC 17-147


         30.    This grant of U.S. market access and any earth station licenses granted in the future are
subject to modification to bring them into conformance with any rules or policies adopted by the
Commission in the future.
         31.     This declaratory ruling does not address the provision of any Direct-to-Home (DTH)
service, Direct Broadcast Satellite Service (DBS)95 or Digital Audio Radio Service (DARS) to, from, or
within the United States.
        32.      IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that this grant is subject to the following requirements:
        Telesat must post a surety bond in satisfaction of 47 CFR §§ 25.165(a)(1) & (b) no later than
        December 3, 2017, and thereafter maintain on file a surety bond requiring payment in the event
        of a default in an amount, at minimum, determined according to the formula set forth in 47 CFR §
        25.165(a)(1); and
        Telesat must launch the space stations, place them in the assigned orbits, and operate them in
        accordance with the station authorization no later than November 3, 2023, 47 CFR § 25.164(b).96
        This grant of U.S. market access will be null and void automatically, without further Commission
        action if Telesat fails to comply with any of these requirements. Failure to comply with the
        milestone requirement of 47 CFR § 25.164(b) will also result in forfeiture of Telesat’s surety
        bond. By November 18, 2023, Telesat must either demonstrate compliance with its milestone
        requirement or notify the Commission in writing that the requirement was not met. 47 CFR §
        25.164(f).
        33.     IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that based on the spectrum sharing opportunities provided
by paragraph 27(h) above, which presumes grants on a co-frequency basis with other satellite systems, the
request for waiver of the band segmentation provision in 47 CFR § 25.157(e) IS GRANTED.
        34.      IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Petition to Deny of ViaSat, Inc. IS GRANTED to
the extent that some of the conditions requested by ViaSat are imposed, as indicated herein, and is
otherwise DENIED.
                                                    FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION




                                                    Marlene H. Dortch
                                                    Secretary




95
 With respect to DBS and DTH, this paragraph excludes from the scope of the grant those services specified in 47
CFR § 25.701(a)(1)-(5).
96
  The NGSO FSS Order, modified section 25.164(b) to offer additional flexibility and requires launch and operation
of 50 percent of an authorized system within six years of grant and the remaining satellites within nine years of
grant. NGSO FSS Order at 22-23, paras. 66-67.


                                                       14



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Document Modified: 2017-12-01 14:05:43

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