Attachment grant

grant

DECISION submitted by IB,FCC

grant

2009-06-18

This document pretains to SAT-STA-20090410-00042 for Special Temporal Authority on a Satellite Space Stations filing.

IBFS_SATSTA2009041000042_718279

                                                              ~———~~~~ iil} 4 _SBT— sin— 20030410—00042
 i          SAT—STA—20090410—00042      182009000991                        ;
Sitles AM Radio Ins                                       ‘                         Call Sign               Grant Date 06/18/03
                                                          |                         (or other identifier)
                                                          |                     i                           Term Dates S€         L. 'Approved by OMB
                                                          |                         From a6/glo5                  _ atached condifiong     3060—0678
                                                                 RANTEDF              _ ——————                       y
      Date & Time Filed: Apr 10 2009 3:09:11:640PM        |_‘nicinational Durcau | Approved:
      File Number: SAT—STA—20090410—00042                ¥subjec} 16
      Callsign:                                                con clitions

                                                FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
                                      APPLICATION FOR SPACE STATION SPECIAL TEMPORARY AUTHORITY

                                                              FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY


        APPLICANT INFORMATION
     Enter a description of this application to identify it on the main menu:
      Request for Special Temporary Authority to Operate New Low Power Terrestrial Repeaters at Various Locations for 180 Days
      1. Applicant

                  Name:        Sirius XM Radio Inc.               Phone Number:                             212=—584—5100
                  DBA Name:                                       Fax Number:                               212—584—5353

                  Street:      1221 Avenue of the Americas        E—Mail:
                               36th Floor
                  City:        New York                           State:                                     NY
                  Country:      USA                               Zipcode:                                   10020      =
                  Attention:   Mr. Patrick L. Donnelly


            Application of Sirius XM Radio Inc. for Special Temporary Authority
                          IBFS File No. SAT—STA—20090410—00042

Special temporary authority (STA) is granted to Sirius XM Radio Inc. (Sirius XM) to operate,
for a period of 180—days, 23 terrestrial repeaters having an average Effective Isotropically
Radiated Power (EIRP) of up to 2000 watts for use on the Sirius network (2320—2332.5 MHz)
and two terrestrial repeaters having an average EIRP of up to 2000 watts for use on the XM
network (2332.5—2345 MHz) at various locations throughout the United States, as set forth in
Sirius XM‘s application. This authorization is granted according to the technical parameters
specified in Sirius XM‘ s application and is subject to the conditions below.
1. Any actions taken as a result of this STA are solely at the applicant‘s own risk. This STA
   shall not prejudice the outcome of the final rules adopted by the Commission in IB Docket
   No. 95—91. The issue concerning EIRP raised by the WCS Coalition will be addressed in that
   proceeding. Operations prior to such action will be subject to condition 2 below.
2.   Operation of the terrestrial repeaters is authorized pursuant to this STA on a non—interference
     basis with respect to all permanently authorized radiocommunication facilities. Sirius XM
     shall provide the information and follow the process set forth in paragraphs 14 and 17 in 16
     FCC Red 16773 (Int‘l Bur. 2001) and 16 FCC Red 16781 (Int‘l Bur. 2001), as modified by
     16 FCC Red 18481 (Int‘l Bur. 2001) and 16 FCC Red 18484 (Int‘l Bur. 2001).
3. The terrestrial repeaters are restricted to the simultaneous retransmission of the complete
   programming, and only that programming, transmitted by the satellite directly to SDARS
   subscribers‘ receivers.
4. Coordination of the operations of the terrestrial repeaters shall be completed with all affected
   Administrations prior to operation, in accordance with all applicable international agreements
   including those with Canada and Mexico.
5. The terrestrial repeaters shall comply with Part 17 of the Commission‘s rules — Construction,
   Marking, and Lighting of Antenna Structures.
6. The terrestrial repeaters shall comply with Part 1 of the Commission‘s rules, Subpart I —
   Procedures Implementing the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, including the
   guidelines for human exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic fields as defined in
     Sections 1.1307(b) and 1.1310 of the Commission‘s rules.
7. Each terrestrial repeater‘s out—of—band emissions shall be limited to 75+ 10log(EIRP) dB less
   than the transmitter EIRP.
8. This STA expires after 180 days, or on the date on which permanent rules governing repeater
     operations become effective, whichever occurs first.
9. Sirius XM is granted 30 days from the date of the release of this authorization to decline the
   authorization as conditioned. Failure to respond within that period will constitute formal
   acceptance of the authorization as conditioned.
10. This action is taken on delegated authority pursuant to 47 C.F.R. § 0.261 and is effective
    upon release. Petitions for reconsideration under 47 C.F.R. § 1.106 or applications for
    review under 47 C.F.R. § 1.115 may be filed within, 30 days of the date of the Public Notice
    announcing this action.                              File #" Sht—sih,— 206904 10— nO42

                                                             Call Sign               Grant Date OG;/I 5/0 9
                                                             (or other identifier)                See. aftached
                                           C     ‘ots
                                               omcs                                  Term Dates
                                                                                                  Conditions
                                      ‘          '           From O(D/’S//OCj              To:
                                      |    GRaANTED*                  U
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                                       { International Bureau Approved:              6    ic
                                        on i                                   Stephey T. Dual!
                                   ¥€subject to condihoc                       Chief, Poti cy Branch


2. Contact


             Name:         James S. Blitz                       Phone Number:                         202—380—4000
             Company:      Sirius XM Radio Inc.                 Fax Number:                           202—380—4981
             Street:        1500 Eckington Place NE             E—Mail:                               james.blitz@siriusxm.com


             City:         Washington                           State:                                 DC
             Country:       USA                                 Zipcode:                              20002      —
             Attention:                                         Relationship:                         Same


   (If your application is related to an application filed with the Commission, enter either the file number or the IB Submission ID of the related
application. Please enter only one.)
   3. Reference File Number or Submission ID
  4a. Is a fee submitted with this application?
@ IfYes, complete and attach FCC Form 159.          If No, indicate reason for fee exemption (see 47 C.F.R.Section 1.1114).
«7y Governmental Entity      3 Noncommercial educational licensee
3 Other(please explain):

4b. Fee Classification    CXW — Space Station (Non—Geostationary)
5. Type Request


¢y Change Station Location                         {4 Extend Expiration Date                         @ Other


6. Temporary Orbit Location                                                7. Requested Extended Expiration Date


8. Description   (If the complete description does not appear in this box, please go to the end of the form to view it in its entirety.)
     Sirius XM Radio Inc.            requests Special Temporary Authority to operate new low power
     terrestrial repeaters             (less than 2000 watts EIRP)                 at various locations for 180 days
     pursuant to the technical parameters listed in Exhibit A.




9. By checking Yes, the undersigned certifies that neither applicant nor any other party to the application is subject @ Yes               y No
to a denial of Federal benefits that includes FCC benefits pursuant to Section 5301 of the Anti—Drug Act of 1988,
21 U.S.C. Section 862, because of a conviction for possession or distribution of a controlled substance. See 47 CFR
1.2002(b) for the meaning of "party to the application" for these purposes.


10. Name of Person Signing                                                  11. Title of Person Signing
James S. Blitz                                                              Vice President, Regulatory Counsel
12. Please supply any need attachments.
 Attachment 1: STA Request                         Attachment 2: Exhibits A and B                      Attachment 3: Exhibits C and D



          WILLFUL FALSE STATEMENTS MADE ON THIS FORM ARE PUNISHABLE BY FINE AND / OR IMPRISONMENT
                 (U.S. Code, Title 18, Section 1001), AND/OR REVOCATION OF ANY STATION AUTHORIZATION
                  (U.S. Code, Title 47, Section 312(a)(1)), AND/OR FORFEITURE (U.S. Code, Title 47, Section 503).


FCC NOTICE REQUIRED BY THE PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT

The public reporting for this collection of information is estimated to average 2 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions,
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THE FOREGOING NOTICE IS REQUIRED BY THE PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT OF 1995, PUBLIC LAW 104—13, OCTOBER
1, 1995, 44 U.S.C. SECTION 3507.


SIRIUSRADIO
        XMINC.
1500 Eckington Place, N.E.
Washington, D.C. 20002
Tel: 202—380—4000
Fax. 202—380—4500
www.sinus.com www.xmradio.com

                                          April 10, 2009

Via IBFS
Ms. Marlene H. Dortch
Secretary
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20554

        Re:     Sirius XM Radio Inc.
                Request for 180—Day Special Temporary Authority to Operate
                New Low Power Repeaters at Various Locations

Dear Ms. Dortch:

Pursuant to Section 25. 120(b)(2) of the Commission‘s rules, 47 C.F.R. § 25.120(b)(2), Sirius XM
Radio Inc. ("Sirius XM"),‘ a satellite radio licensee in the Satellite Digital Audio Radio Service,
hereby requests 180—Day Special Temporary Authority ("STA") to operate in its licensed frequency
band multiple low power terrestrial repeaters, each of which has average Effective Isotropically
Radiated Power ("EIRP") of up to 2000 watts. Specifically, this application seeks authority to
operate 23 new low power repeaters in the former Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. ("Sirius") frequency
band (2320—2332.5 MHz) and two new low power repeaters in the former XM Radio Inc. frequency
band (2332.5—2345 MHz).

The Commission has recogmzed that SDARS operators require terrestrial repeaters to provide high—
quahtyservice nationwide." Consistent with this policy, in September 2001, the Bureau granted


    Pursuant to the merger to which the Commission consented in Applications ofXM Satellite
    Radio Holdings Inc. and Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. for Consent to Transfer Control ofLicenses,
    Memorandum Opinion and Order and Report and Order, 23 FCC Red 12348 (2008), Sirius XM
    is the parent company of XM Radlo Inc. Satellite CD Radio Inc., the corporate entity holding
    Sirius‘s satellite authorizations, is also a subsidiary of Sirius XM
2
    See Establishment ofRules and Policiesfor the Digital Audio Radio Satellite Service in the
    2310—2360 MHz Frequency Band, Report and Order, Memorandum Opinion and Order, and
    Further Notice ofProposed Rulemaking, 12 FCC Red 5754, 5770 [ 37 (1997).


Ms. Marlene H. Dortch
April 10, 2009
Page 2



STAs to Sirius XM to operate a nationwide network of terrestrial repeaters." In the years since, the
Bureau has granted Sirius XM additional STAs to operateterrestrial repeaters, pending issuance of
final rules governing the deployment and use of repeaters."

Public Interest Considerations. Grant of the STA will serve the public interest by enabling Sirius
XM to provide quality service to subscribers throughout the United States. Without these low
power terrestrial repeaters, Sirius XM cannot provide the signal quality that its subscribers expect.

Technical Information for the New Low Power Repeaters. The following technical information
pertaining to the repeaters is provided in Exhibit A: (1) antenna type; (2) antenna orientation; (3)
average EIRP; (4) height above ground level ("AGL"); and (5) antenna downtilt." Exhibits B and C
consist respectively, of Google*Y satellite images and topographic maps showing the location of the


*   See Sirius Satellite Radio, Inc., Application for Special Temporary Authority to Operate
    Satellite Digital Audio Radio Service Complimentary Terrestrial Repeaters, Order and
    Authorization, 16 FCC Red. 16773 « 18 (2001) ("Sirius STA Order"). XM Radio, Inc.,
    Application for Special Temporary Authority to Operate Satellite Digital Audio Radio Service
    Complimentary Terrestrial Repeaters, Order and Authorization, 16 FCC Red. 16781 « 18
    (2001) ("XM STA Order").
    See, e.g., Sirius Satellite Radio Inc.; Request to Modify Special Temporary Authority to Operate
    Additional Satellite Digital Audio Radio Service Terrestrial Repeaters, Order and
    Authorization, 19 FCC Red. 18140 (2004) (granting Sirius an STA in File No. SAT—STA—
    20031106—00370, effective Sept. 15, 2004. Since that time, the Commission has extended the
    STA several times, pending the issuance of final rules governing the use of satellite DARS
    terrestrial repeaters. In September 2004, the Commission granted Sirius a new STA to operate
    for 180 days or until the Commission issues final rules governing the use of satellite DARS
    terrestrial repeaters. See Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. Request to Modify Special Temporary
    Authority to Operate Satellite DARS Terrestrial Repeaters, Order and Authorization, 19 FCC
    Red 18149 (2004) (©2004 STA Grant Order"). Sirius timely filed an application for renewal of
    this STA on March 1, 2005. See File No. SAT—STA—20050301—00053. To date, the
    Commission has not acted on this application. See also., XM Radio, Inc.; Requestfor Special
    Temporary Authority to Operate Additional Satellite Digital Audio Radio Service Terrestrial
    Repeaters, Order and Authorization, 19 FCC Red. 18140 (2004) (granting XM an STA in File
    No. SAT—STA—20031112—00371, effective Sept. 15, 2004); Public Notice, 2002 FCC Lexis
    5670 (rel. Oct. 30, 2002) (granting XM an STA in File No. SAT—STA—20020815—00153,
    effective Sept. 30, 2002); Public Notice, 2003 FCC Lexis 4803 (rel. Aug. 29, 2002) (granting
    XM an STA in File No. SAT—STA-2003040900076, effective June 26, 2003). XM has filed
    applications to renew its STAs, ind those renewal applications remain pending before the
    Commission.
    For purposes of this and future Sirius XM and XM Radio repeater STA applications, "antenna
    downtilt" refers to an antenna‘s mechanical downtilt, without reference to any electrical
    downtilt built into the antenna.


Ms. Marlene H. Dortch
April 10, 2009
Page 3



proposed facilities. The specification sheet for the antennas to be used by the repeaters is attached
as Exhibit D. As noted on Exhibit A, many of these repeaters will operate with two sectors.

Interference Considerations. The new low power repeaters will each operate at an average EIRP of
less than 2000 watts. Because Sirius XM has exclusive use of its licensed band, it is highly unlikely
that these new low power repeaters will create interference to other licensees. To the extent Sirius
XM‘s original 2001 STAs require it to coordinate with affected Wireless Communications Services
("WCS") licensees prior to operating any repeater,° Sirius XM is sending a copy of this STA
application to Comceast WCS ME16, Inc. ("Comecast") and Horizon Wi—Com LLC ("Horizon") in
satisfaction of this coordination requirement." Moreover, as the Bureau acknowledged in granting
Sirius XM‘s original repeater STA requests, the WCS licensees have confirmed that operating
terrestrial repeaters at an EIRP of 2 kW or less is not an interference concern.‘ However, if
prohibited interference does occur, Sirius XM will cease operation of the new repeaters until such
interference can be eliminated."

6   See Sirius STA Order § 14 and XM STA Order § 14.
‘   Despite the Bureau‘s statement in the XM STA Order (at [ 14) and Sirius STA Order (at 14)
    that it expects "WCS licensees to provide a schedule or as much advance notice as possible of
    when their stations are to be placed in operation," Sirius XM has not received information
    directly from any WCS licensee regarding plans for WCS deployment in these markets.
    However, Sirius XM‘s own review of Commission files shows that Comecast has certified that it
    operates two WCS stations serving the Detroit, Michigan area, Call Signs KNLB278 and
    WPQL632, and Horizon has certified that it operates one WCS station serving the New York
    City area, Call Sign KNLB312, one WCS station serving the Boston area, Call Sign KNLB210,
    and one WCS station serving the Washington, DC area, Call Sign KNLB315. It is not clear
    from the certifications whether these base stations are receiving transmissions from CPE or
    whether they are engaged in transmit—only operations. If only the latter, potential interference to
    the base station is not an issue. In any event, Sirius XM has conducted an interference analysis
    and determined that these repeaters will not create interference to either Horizon or Comecast‘s
    operating WCS sites.
8
    XM STA Order 12 ("The comments from WCS licensees express concern about blanketing
    interference from DARS repeaters that operate with an Equivalent Isotropically Radiated Power
    (EIRP) above 2 kW."). Moreover, in March 2007, the WCS Coalition said that it will defer
    from objecting to STA requests that propose operations of no more than 2,000 watts EIRP, even
    if they do not specify peak or average EIRP, provided that grant of the STA (i) is conditioned
    on operation on a non—interference basis; and (ii) is subject to the condition that the issue of
    peak versus average EIRP will be addressed in the pending DARS rulemaking (IB Docket No.
    95—91). See Letter from Paul J. Sinderbrand, Counsel to the WCS Coalition, to Ms. Helen
    Domenici, FCC, File No. SAT—STA—20061207—00145 (March 19, 2007). Sirius XM agrees to
    these conditions.
    These repeaters‘ design includes several automated shutdown mechanisms that are triggered in
    the event of equipment major malfunctions. The transmit chain also includes a transmit output
    coupler which feeds a self—monitoring system detecting any transmission anomalies. Any such


Ms. Marlene H. Dortch
April 10, 2009
Page 4




Ownership and Control ofRepeaters. Sirius XM will own the new low power repeaters and it will
be responsible for their installation and operation.

Certifications. Sirius XM certifies that it will operate the new low power repeaters subject to the
conditions and certifications set forth in the Sirius ST—A Order and XM STA Order granting Sirius
XM‘s September 2001 requests for STAs to operate terrestrial repeaters. Specifically, Sirius XM
certifies the following:

         (1) Sirius XM will operate these repeaters at its own risk, and such operation shall not
         prejudice the outcome of the final rules adopted by the Commission in GEN Docket 95—91;

         (2) Sirius XM will operate these facilities on a non—interference basis with respect to all
         permanently authorized radiocommunication facilities;

         (3) The facilities will be restricted to the simultaneous retransmission of the complete
         programming, and only that programming, transmitted by the satellite directly to SDARS
         receivers;

         (4) Where applicable, coordination of the facilities will be completed with all affected
         Administrations prior to operation, in accordance with all applicable international
         agreements including those with Canada and Mexico;
         (5) The facilities will comply with Part 17 of the Commission‘s rules — Construction,
         Marking, and Lighting of Antenna Structures;

         (6) The facilities will comply with Part 1 of the Commission‘s rules, Subpart I — Procedures
         Implementing the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, including the guidelines for
         human exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic fields as defined in Sections 1.1307(b)
         and 1.1310 of the Commission‘s rules;

         (7) The out—of—band emissions of the facility will be limited to 75+10log (EIRP) dB less
         than the transmitter EIRP;

         (8) Sirius XM will operate these repeaters according to the technical parameters provided in
         this application;

         (9) Sirius XM will maintain full ownership and operational control of these repeaters; and

                                      54

   anomalies are automatically reported back to Sirius XM‘s National Repeater Control Center
   (202—380—4725), which is available on a continuous basis to receive any reports of any
   suspected interference and take immediate corrective action.


Ms. Marlene H. Dortch
April 10, 2009
Page 5



        (10) Sirius XM will immediately shut down these repeaters upon a complaint of
        interference, upon direction from the Commission, or upon finding that a facility has not
        been properly installed.

Granting this request will not alter Sirius XM‘s obligation to protect authorized
radiocommunications facilities from interference; and it will not prejudice the outcome of the
Commission‘s ongoing rulemaking pertaining to the deployment and operation of terrestrial
repeaters.

Sirius XM hereby certifies that no party to this application is subject to a denial of Federal benefits
pursuant to Section 5301 of the Anti—Drug Abuse Act of 1988, 21 U.S.C. § 853(a).

Sirius XM is submitting payment to the Federal Communications Commission in the amount of
Two Thousand Seven Hundred Twenty—Five Dollars ($2725.00) —— the filing fee applicable to
requests for STAs for non—geostationary ("NGSO") satellites.""

Please direct any questions regarding this matter to the undersigned.


                                                      Very truly yours,



                                                  éJames S. Blitz         é
                                                      Vice President, Regulatory Counsel


ce:    Stephen Duall, FCC International Bureau
       Jay Whaley, FCC International Bureau
        Sankar Persaud, FCC International Bureau




* See International and Satellite Services Fee Filing Guide (October 2006).



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Document Modified: 2019-04-09 02:15:01

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