Attachment jetBlue E120075 - 21

jetBlue E120075 - 21

LETTER submitted by jetBlue

jetBlue Airways

2013-02-12

This document pretains to SES-LIC-20120427-00404 for License on a Satellite Earth Station filing.

IBFS_SESLIC2012042700404_986495

jetBlue 27—01 Queens Plaza North Long Island City, NY 11101 jetbtue.com _ February 12, 2013 Ms. Mindel De La Torre Bureau Chief, International Bureau Federal Communications Commission 445 Twelfth Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20554 Re: ViaSat, Inc. Aeronautical Ka band Service Application; IBFS File Nos. SES—LIC—20120427—00404; SES— STA—20120815—00751; Call Sign E120075 Dear Ms. De La Torre: I am writing on behalf of JetBlue Airways to urge the FCC‘s International Bureau to promptly grant ViaSat, Inc.‘s applications for authority to deploy Ka band broadband terminals on aircraft. JetBlue is known for its award—winning customer service, competitive fares, high—quality in—flight services, and is excited by the opportunity to bring ViaSat‘s innovative satellite technology and high—capacity broadband functionality to its passengers. JetBlue‘s partnership with ViaSat will enable it to once again leapfrog its competitors in terms of its product offering, and it is for this reason that JetBlue has invested significant time and resources in this effort. JetBlue is currently on track to begin onboard testing of the connectivity system during the first quarter of 2013. In connection with the launch of this service, ViaSat has sought special temporary authority to deploy a small number of units to conduct market access trials and to prove out the broadband service in the context of a commercial flight. Obtaining this authority for the market trials is an important first step toward deploying broadband service to JetBlue‘s passengers. Thus, prompt grant of this temporary authority is critical to ensuring that JetBlue‘s program for deploying in—flight broadband connectivity remains on track. In addition, grant of ViaSat‘s request for full licensing authority will promote the availability of Internet access to aircraft passengers, including customers of JetBlue. As such, JetBlue urges the FCC to expedite the processing to grant of ViaSat‘s permanent authority. I understand that that ViaSat‘s aeronautical network operations have been coordinated with all potentially affected satellite operators, and that the only opposition is from a competitor that is not operating in the frequency bands at issue. If all operators using the spectrum have evaluated the proposed operations and are signed off, it is hard to imagine what interference concerns would remain — particularly when ViaSat has agreed to operate on a non—interference basis. Given the significant benefits that ViaSat‘s broadband satellite technology can bring to air travel, and the absence of any interference threat to other spectrum users, JetBlue urges the FCC to help it bring humanity back to air travel by issuing a prompt, favorable determination on ViaSat‘s applications. Sincerely, %’"’m/_% MA/{y— Martin St. George SVP Marketing and Commercial Strategy


Document Created: 2013-02-19 12:27:11
Document Modified: 2013-02-19 12:27:11
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