Attachment Opposition

This document pretains to SES-LFS-20050930-01352 for License to use Foreign Satellite (earth) on a Satellite Earth Station filing.

IBFS_SESLFS2005093001352_538150

                                     RECEIVED                                    s« .           «.ORIGINAL
       MSV                             NOV 2 7 2006                                     ferii
Mobile Satellte Ventures i>
                                       Sateite Diston
                                     IntornationalBureau
                                             November 22, 2006
      Via Hand Delivery                                                 FILED/ACCEPTED
      Ms. Marlene H. Dortch
      Srroms                                                                Nov 22 2006
      Federal Communications Commission                                FodenlConmnestrs Commsoen
      445 12th Strees, S.W.                                                 sufiey
      Washington, D.C. 20554

      Re:      Pending Applications to Operate with an Uncoordinated Inmarsat Satellite
               File Numbers Attached as Exhibit A
      Dear Ms. Dortch:

             To date,the Intemational Bureau ("Bureau") has granted Special Temporary Authority
     ("STA") for the operation of30,000 Broadband Global Area Network ("BGAN®) terminals in
     the United States." Mobile Satellite Ventures Subsidiary LLC (MSV") has opposed the grant of
     applications to operate BGAN terminals due to the potential that their use on uncoordinated
     Inmarsatsatelltes will cause harmful interference to MSV‘s licensed operations." Recently, it
     has come to light hat Inmarsat has onl5,547 BGAN subscribers worldwide, the vast majority
     of which presumably operate outside the United States," This new information helps to
     demonstrate that: () any absence of interference from BGAN operations to date demonstrates
     nothing regarding the potentialinterference that will resultif more and more BGAN terminals
     are operated in the future; and (i) Inmarsatand its distributors have greatly exaggerated the
     demand for the BGAN service.

             Since grant of the BGAN $TAs, Inmarsat and itsdistributors have contended that BGAN
     service has been provided in the United States without interference.". Inmarsat and its
     distributors, however, have never revealed how many of the 30,000 BGAN terminals authorized

      ! See, eg., Stratos Communications, Ic., Request for Special Temporary Authority, File No.
     SES—STA—20060310—00419 (filed March 10, 2006; granted with conditions on May 12, 2006)
     * See, eg., Mobile Satellite Ventures Subsidiary LLC, Petition to Hold in Abeyance, File No.
     SES—LRS—20060303—00343, File No. SES—AMD—200603 16—00448 (Call Sign EO60076) (April
     14, 2006).
     * See Exhibit B, ataching excerpts from Inmarsat Group Limited‘s Form 6—K filed with the SEC
     on November 15, 2006, available at
     hitps/fwwwsee.gouArchives/edgar/data/1291398/0001 19312506235898/0001 193 125—06.—
     235898—index hm
     * See Inmarsat Ventures Limited, Reply, File No. SES—STA—20061019—01868 (Call Sign
     £O60179) (November 8, 2006), at 1, 2.


 Ms. Marlene H. Dortch
 November 22, 2006
 Page2
 bythe Bureau are actually in operation today. In fact, although Inmarsat‘s BGAN service was
 Iaunched almost a year ago in December 2005," Inmarsat in a November 15, 2006 filing
 submitted with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") reveals that there are
only 5,547 BGAN subscribers worldwide today." These terminals are used in 172 countries,
with Inmarsat‘s Chinese distribution partner accounting for 12% of BGAN sales, mostly to
Chinese media,oil, and gas companies," While MSV is not aware of any publicly available
figures on the number of BGAN terminals deployed in the United States (and Inmarsat has failed
to provide any such figure in the record), it is safe to assume that only a fraction ofthe 5500
BGAN terminals activated worldwide today are used in the United States. Thus, despite
Inmarsat‘s claims, the operation of a handful (if any) BGAN terminals to date demonstrates
nothing regarding the potential for interference if more and more BGAN terminals are operated
in the future. In fact, if these BGAN terminals have been provided tofrst responders, it is most
likely that the terminals are being used only during an emergeney. During these emergencies,
interference is likely to those first responders that use MSV‘s service that are responding to the
same emergency.
        To alleviate this isk ofiterference, MSV has urged the Bureau to establish a firm
expiration date for the BGAN STAs and provide that nofurther extensions will be granted
without Inmarsat having first completed coordination ofits new satellte with other North
American L band operators.® If, however, the Bureau continues to renew the BGAN STAs
without insisting that Inmarsatfirst complete coordination, there are no reasonable prospectsthat
such coordination will ever be successfully completed. This is especiallythe case now that
Inmarsat has revealed that only roughly 5500 BGAN terminals have been activated worldwide in
the past year.. At this rate, it will be many years before Inmarsat and itsdistributors approach the
limit of 30,000 BGAN terminals authorized in the United States pursuant to STA.. Only a firm
expiration date for the BGAN STAs will provide Inmarsat with the needed incentive to satisfy its
obligation to coordinate ts satelite with other North American L band operators. Not only will
successful coordination mitigate the harmfulinterference that would otherwise resultfrom
operation of Inmarsat‘s uncoordinated satellte, this coordination should also facilitate rebanding
of L band spectrum into more contiguous frequency blocks that will increase efficient use of L
band spectrum and maximize the potential for offering broadband services, which Chairman
Martin recently explained is the Commission‘s top priorty."

* See Inmarsat Announces Launch of BGAN Service (December 7, 2005), available at:
hitp:/fabout.inmarsat.com/news/00018831.aspx?language=EN&textonly=False
© See supra note 3.
" See Communications Daily (November 16, 2006), at 12 (quoting Inmarsat‘s ChiefOperating
Officer).
* See Mobile Satellite Ventures Subsidiary LLC, Comments, File No. SES—STA—20061019—
01868 (Call Sign EO6O179) (October 24, 2006), at 4—5.
* See Remarks of FCC Chairman Kevin J. Martin, Imagining the Digital Healthcare Future in the
Rural West, Montana State University — Bozeman (July 7, 2006).


 Ms. Marlene H. Dortch
 November 22, 2006
 Page 3

          in the event that the Bureau permits the BGAN STAs to continue without establishing a
 firm expiration date,the Burea should at least require the STA holders to disclose the number
 of BGAN terminals that are actuallyin operation using the Inmarsat—4 satellte that is serving  the
 United States. L band operators can use this information to assess the potential aggregate
 interference to their operations. Moreover, until coordination is completed, the Bureau
 limit the BGAN terminals authorized under these STAs to those terminals that are issuedshould
                                                                                           to "first
 responders,""" based on swom affidavits provided by the STA holders supporting their claims.
        Please contact the undersigned with any questions.
                                               Very truly yours,


                                              &&;:{. Manner




‘* The Bureau should define a "first responder®as a unit of the Federal Government or any entity
that would qualify to hold a license under Section 90.523 of the Commission‘s rules. See 47
C.F.R. §90.523 (providing that State or local govemnment entities and certain nongovernmental
organizations that provide services, the sole or principal purpose of which is to protect the safety
oflife, health, or property, as well as satsfy other critera, may qualify to hold certain licenses).


                                        Exhibit A


             Pending Applications to Provide BGAN Services with Inmarsat 4F2

        Applicant                       File Number

Stratos Communications Inc.       SES—LES—20050826—01175 (Call Sign EOS0249)
                                  SES—AMD—20050922—01313 (Call Sign EO50249)
                                  SES—AMD—20051117—01590 (Call Sign E050249)
Telenor Satellite, Inc.           SES—LES—20050930—01352 (Call Sign EO50276)
                                  SES—AMD—20051 1 11—01564 (Call Sign EO80276)
                                  SES—AMD—20060109—00019 (Call Sign EO50276)
                                  SES—AMD—20060607—00942 (Call Sign EOS0276)
FIMSC US, LLC                     SES—LFS—20051011—01396 (Call Sign EO50284)
                                  SES—AMD—20051118—01602 (Call Sign EO50284)
                                  SES—AMD—20060605—00926 (Call Sign EOS0284)
MVS USA, Inc.                    SES—LES—20051 123—01634 (Call Sign EO50348)
                                 SES—AMD—20060329—00540 (Call Sign EOS0348)
BT Americas Inc.                 SES—LES—20060303—00343 (Call Sign EO60076)
                                 SES—AMD—20060316—00448(Call Sign EO60076)
Thrane and Thrane                SES—LFS—20060522—00852(Call Sign B060179)



            Applications for STA to Provide BGAN Services with Inmarsat 4E2

       Applicant                        File Number

Stratos Communications Inc.      SES—STA—20061103—01946 (Call Sign EO50249)
Telenor Satellite, Inc.          SES—$TA—20061027—01898 (Cll Sign EOS0276)
FIMSC US, LLC                    SES—$TA—20061006—01820 (Call Sign E050284)
MVS USA, Inc.                    SES—STA—20061106—01955 (Call Sign EOS0348)
BT Americas Inc.                 SES—STA—20061 101—01933 (Call Sign E060076)
Thrane and Thrane                SES—STA—20061019—01868 (Call Sign E060179)




 Tomék
6—K. 1 dkchtm FORM 6—K.

Table of Gontents


             SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                         Washington, D.C. 20549


                                          FORM 6—K


                          REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER

                             Pursuant to Rule 13a—16 or 15d—16 of
                              the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
                                         September 30, 2006
                                            sas—1se65—05


                          Inmarsat Group Limited
                           (Exact name ofReistrant as specifid in its charter)

                          Inmarsat Group Limited
                              (Transtation of Repistrant‘sname nto Englist)


                                         England and Wales
                              (Juristition ofincorporation ororganization)

                                      99 City Road, London
                                   United Kingdom, ECIY 1AX
                                  (Adressof principal executhve offce)
                                            ass—11s865—06



                             Inmarsat Finance ple
                            (Exact name of Registrant a specifed in its charter
                                                                                 Add
 hysegovicivatpnten91396001 o tasogzsstanh( oz ons tels


    roomex


                                   Inmarsat Finance ple
                                    (ZranstationofRegistrant‘s name into Englt


                                               England and Wales
                                    (Jurstletion of incorporation or organization)

                                             99 City Road, London
                                         United Kingdom, ECIY 1AX
                                        (Address o principa xecutive offce)
                                                    ass—115ses


Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant fils or willfile annual reports under cover Form 20—or Form 40—
a
                                              20r            «0r o
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrantis submiting the Form 6—K in paper as permitted by Regulation S—
T Rule 101() (1):—
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is submiting the Form 6—K in paper as permitted by Regulation S—
T Rute 101() (7)—
Indicate by check mark whether by furnishing the information contained in this Form, the registrant is also
thercby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12€3—2(b) under the Securites Exchange
Act of 1934.

                                               Yes 0         No C

1 "Yes"is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 1283—2(b):
82




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Table of Contents

                             INMARSAT GROUP LIMITED

                    conpENsED CoNsoLmaATED FINANCIAL REsULTS
                           For the three and nine months ended
                                    September 30, 2006
                                    (unaudited)




                                                  s tt Alt
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 Table of Contents


                                                                                                 Asat September 30
                                                                                                   200      z008
    Active terminals(@)                                                                                 oo
                                                                                                       ie
    Maritime                                                                                        1373 1206
    Land .                                                                                           821.     7ea
    Aeronsutical                                                                                      7          6
    Total active terminals                                                                         268 2084
(1) Activeterminals are the numberof subscribers (BGAN and R—BGAN) or terminals
                                                                                       that have been used to
    access services at any time during the preceding twelve—month period (other services
                                                                                         except hand—held)
    registered at September 30. Active hand—held terminals are the average number of terminals active
                                                                                                      on daily
    basis during the period.
(2) Activeterminals as at September 30, 2006 include 10,368 ACeS terminals and 5,547 BGAN subscribers (as| ®
    at Septembe    r 30, 2005; nil and nil respectively).The average daily active number of hand—held STM cards
   . was 14,274,

During the three months ended September 30, 2006,revenues from mobile satellte communication services were
US$127.3 million, an increase of US$11.5 million, or 10%, compared with the three months ended
September 30, 205. Growth has been strong in all sectors as a result of continued success in the newer services
such as Fleet and Swift 64 and following the launch of BGAN in December 2005, The maritime, land,
aeronautical and leasing sectors aceounted for 57%, 24%, 6% and 13% of total revenues from mobile satelite
communication services respectively during the three months ended September 30, 2006. Active terminal
numbers have increased by 12% between September 30, 2005 and September 30, 2006 through growth in the
maritime and seronauticalsectorsplus the addition of ACeS handheld terminals in September 2006.
Meritime Sector. During the three months ended September 30, 2006, revenues from the mariime sector were US
$72.6 million, an increase ofUSSS.5 million, or 8%, compared with the three months ended September 30, 2005.
"This principallyreflects an increase in data revenves.
Revenues from data services in the maritime sector during the three months ended September 30, 2006 were US
$47.1 million, an increase of US4.6 million, or11%, compared with the three months ended September 30,
2005. The increase in revenues from data services reflects greater demand, a a result of the continued take—up
and strong usage of our Flect services, Demand for Fleet terminals has also been driven by growth in the global
shipping fleet new—build market.
Revenues from volce services in the maritime sector during the three months ended September 30, 2006 were US
$25.5 million, an increase of USS0.9 million or 4% compared with ththree months ended September 30, 2005.
Historically our voice revenues for the maritime sector have been affeeted by the migration of users from our
higher—priced analogue service to our lower—priced digialservices and to a lesser extent by competition. This has
been more than offset by growth in both our newer Flectservice and various promotions we have initiated to
respond to increased competition in certain of our established services.
 hapsfinsas qoAnhiveedte o oshoo n esorssenta m lt ram)at zse s And


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Table of Contents

Revenues from BGAN services during the nine months ended September 30, 2006 are set out in the table below.
These figures include voice, data and subscription revenues. As atSeptember 30, 2006 there were 5,547 active
BGAN subscribers.

                                                             Three months ended                      ine monthsended
                                                         June30,                                   September3l,
                                                         2m6      ams           206                        ams
   BGAN Services
   Revenues (US$ in millions)                                  0.5        16                32                   53
   Active subscribers                                        2113       3367              5547                 5547
Aeronautical Sector. During the three months ended September 30, 2006, revenis from the acronautical sector
were USS8.0 million, an increase ofUSS2.3 million, or 40%, compared with the three months ended
September 30, 205. The increase continues to be attibuted primarily t the Swift 64 high—speed data service,
which targets the government aireraft and business jet markets as well as being used by commercialarlines. In
addition revenues for low—speed data services benefited from increased industry demand.
Leasing. During the three months ended September 30, 2006, reventes from leasing were US$16.3 million, an
increase of US$2.2 million, or 16%, compared with the three months ended September 30, 2005 as a result ofa
new acronautical Swift 64 lease,
Subsidiary revenes. Following the disposal ofInvsat Limited and the business and assets of Rydex Corporation
Limited in September 2005 and October 2005 respectively, subsidiary revenues were USSnil for the three months
ended September 30, 2006, compored to USS3.0 million in ththree months ended September 30, 2005.

Other income. Other income was USS1.9 million for he three months ended September 30, 2006, an increase of
US$0.7 million, or 58%, compared with the three months ended September 30, 2005 as a result of the provision
ofadditional in—orbit support services. Other income consists primarily oincome from the provision of
conference faciltes, renting surplus office space, fees for in—orbit support services and revenue from sales of R«
BGAN end useterminals

Seasonalip. Revenues are impacted by volume discounts thatincrease over the course ofthe financial year.
‘There are lower discount levels in early quarters representing the minimum annual discount and higher discount
Hevels in later quarters, as distribution partners meet specific volume thresholds, resulting in lower prices beyond
the level of the minimum annual discount. Additionally, in 2006 and future years, th total amount of volume
discounts willbeaffected by the merger of Xantic B.V. with Stratos Global Corporation which serves to increase
the amount ofrevenues attribted to a single distrbution partner.
                                                         a




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                               CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

         1, Julia Colish, a secretary with the law firm ofPilsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP,
hereby certfy that on this 22nd day of November 2006, served a true copy ofthe foregoing by
first—class United States mail, postage prepaid, upon the following:
Henrik Norrelyike                                Alfted M. Mamlet
Thrane & Thrane Airtime Ltd.                     Steptoc & Johnson LLP
509 Viking Drive                                 1330 Connectiout Avenve N.W.
Suites K, L & M                                  Washington, D.C. 20036
Virginia Beach, VA 23452
                                                Counselfor Stratos Communications, Inc.

Keith H. Fagan                                  Diane J. Comeil
Telenor Satelite,Inc.                           Vice President, Govermment Affairs
1101 Wooton Paroway                             Inmarsat, Inc.
10° Floor                                        1100 Wilson Blvd, Suite 1425
Rockville, MD 20852                             Arlington, VA 22209

John P.Janka                                    Linda J. Cicco
Jeffey A Marks                                  BT Americas In
Latham & Watkins LLP                            11440 Commerce Park Drive
555 Eleventh Street, NW.                        Reston, VA 20191
Sute 1000
Washington, DC 20004
Wiliam K. Coulter                               Lawrence J. Movshin
DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary US LLP              Stephen L. Goodman
1200 Nineteenth Street, NW.                     Lee J. Rosen
Washington, DC 20036—2412                       Wilkinson Barker Knaver, LLP
                                                2300 N St. NW, Suie 700
Counselfor FTMSC US, LLC                        Washington, DC 20037
                                                Counsel for MVS USA, Inc.

                                                 Eric Fishman
                                                 Holland & Knight LLP
                                                 2099 Pennsylvania Avene, NW
                                                 Sute 100
                                                 Washington, DC 20006
                                                 Counse for Thrane & Thrane Airtime Lid.

                                               Tulia Colish

*By electronic mail



Document Created: 2006-12-07 15:43:59
Document Modified: 2006-12-07 15:43:59

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