Attachment OneWeb UT Narrative

This document pretains to SES-LIC-20190930-01237 for License on a Satellite Earth Station filing.

IBFS_SESLIC2019093001237_1933334

WorldVu Satellites Limited
1785 Greensboro Station Place Tower 3
McLean, VA 22102


                                                    September 30, 2019




                   Exhibit A: Narrative Statement




                                                    www.oneweb.world


       WorldVu      Satellites   Limited   (“OneWeb”)      seeks   authority   from    the   Federal

Communications Commission (the “Commission”) to operate up to 400,000 fixed dual parabolic

user terminals (“User Terminals”) under a blanket license to communicate with the OneWeb non-

geostationary orbit, fixed-satellite service (“NGSO FSS”) system. In accordance with the terms

of OneWeb’s grant of U.S. market access, these User Terminals will operate in the 10.7-12.7 GHz

band (downlink) and the 14.0-14.5 GHz band (uplink). Grant of the instant application will serve

the public interest, convenience, and necessity.      For the reasons set forth herein, OneWeb

respectfully requests the expeditious grant of the instant application.

I.     Introduction and Overview of Proposed Operations

       The OneWeb NGSO FSS system is authorized to access the U.S. market in the 10.7-12.7

GHz and 14.0-14.5 GHz frequencies. 1 OneWeb successfully launched its first six production

satellites into low-earth orbit on February 27, 2019, with additional launches planned for later this

year. 2 OneWeb has already sought authority for four Ka-band gateway earth station facilities




1
  See WorldVu Satellites Limited, Petition for a Declaratory Ruling Granting Access to the U.S.
Market for the OneWeb NGSO FSS System, Order and Declaratory Ruling, 32 FCC Rcd 5366
(2017) (“OneWeb Market Access Grant”). OneWeb also incorporates by reference the OneWeb
Market Access grant to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of Section 25.137 of the
Commission’s rules for earth station applicants proposing to communicate with non-U.S.-
licensed space stations. In addition, OneWeb certifies that it has complied with all applicable
Commission requirements for non-U.S.-licensed systems to operate in the United States. See 47
C.F.R. § 25.137(a), (d).
2
  See, e.g., Jackie Wattles, OneWeb Launches First Batch of Internet Satellites, CNN (Feb. 28,
2019, 7:02 PM), https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/27/tech/oneweb-internet-satellite-
launch/index.html.


                                                  2


located in the United States, 3 and recently inaugurated a state-of-the-art satellite manufacturing

facility in Florida that, in the words of Chairman Pai, promises to do “for the satellite industry

what Henry Ford did for cars.” 4

          Authorization to operate the User Terminals across the United States represents a critical

step forward in OneWeb’s operational deployment. Authorization for ubiquitous user terminal

deployment will enable the most efficient provision of OneWeb’s high-speed, low-latency satellite

connectivity service to the U.S. consumer. Such authorization is essential to OneWeb’s efforts to

expedite the deployment of its satellite-based connectivity service to those U.S. consumers who

currently have no or limited access to broadband due to the lack of terrestrial networks in rural and

remote locations.

II.       Compatibility with Existing Ku-band Allocations and Spectrum Sharing
          Regulations

          The 10.7-12.7 and 14.0-14.5 GHz bands are allocated to the FSS on a primary or co-

primary basis, and the Commission’s rules permit blanket licensing of NGSO FSS earth stations

in these bands. 5 OneWeb’s Market Access Grant permits OneWeb to access these frequencies

subject to certain conditions. 6 As a general matter, OneWeb will operate the User Terminals in a


3
  See IBFS File Nos. SES-LIC-20180604-01082 (filed Jun. 4, 2018); SES-LIC-20180727-02075
(filed Jul. 27, 2018); SES-LIC-20180727-02076 (filed Jul. 27, 2018); SES-LIC-20190422-00538
(filed Apr. 22, 2019).
4
 See Jeff Foust, OneWeb Satellites inaugurates Florida factory, SPACENEWS (Jul. 22, 2019),
https://spacenews.com/oneweb-satellites-inaugurates-florida-factory/; see also Remarks of
Chairman Pai at the Opening of OneWeb Satellites’ Production Facility, FCC (Jul. 22, 2019),
https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-358604A1.pdf.
5
    See 47 C.F.R. § 2.106; see also 47 C.F.R. § 25.115(f)(2).
6
    OneWeb Market Access Grant at ¶¶ 23(a)-(e); 24(a)-(b).


                                                  3


manner consistent with these current allocations and regulations concerning Ku-band earth

stations. In particular, OneWeb certifies or already has certified it will comply with the

following restrictions:

         •   Equivalent Power Flux-Density Requirements (“EPFD”). To protect geostationary
             satellite operations in these bands, OneWeb has already certified it will satisfy all
             applicable obligations under Article 22 and Resolution 76 of the International
             Telecommunication Union’s (“ITU”) Radio Regulations, currently codified by
             reference in the Commission’s rules. 7 As the Commission has noted, “[a]ny NGSO
             FSS system operating in compliance with these limits is considered as having fulfilled
             its obligation under Article 22 of the ITU Radio Regulations not to cause
             unacceptable interference to any GSO network.” 8

         •   Power-Flux Density Requirements (“PFD”). OneWeb has certified it will satisfy all
             applicable obligations under Article 21 of the ITU Radio Regulations and the
             corresponding PFD limits set forth in Section 25.208 of the Commission’s rules in
             these bands. 9

         •   Coordination with Radio Astronomy Service. OneWeb will also coordinate with the
             radio astronomy service and observatories, where applicable, prior to commencing
             operations. 10




7
  See id. at ¶ 23(b)-(e); see also 47 C.F.R. §§ 25.115(f)(1), 25.146(a)(2) (requiring NGSO FSS
earth station applications to contain the required certification regarding EPFD compliance). To
clarify the slight discrepancy between the relevant conditions on the OneWeb Market Access
Grant and the Commission’s EPFD certification requirement, OneWeb respectfully submitted an
EPFD and PFD certification letter earlier this year. See Letter from Brian D. Weimer, Counsel
to WorldVu Satellites Limited, to Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary, FCC, IBFS File No. 20160428-
00041 (Mar. 14, 2019) (“EPFD/PFD Certification Letter”).
8
 See 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, 32 FCC
Rcd 7809, 7820 at ¶ 32 (2017) (“NGSO Order”).
9
    See EPFD/PFD Certification Letter.
10
  See 47 C.F.R. § 2.106, nn. US113, US131, US211, US342; see also OneWeb Market Access
Grant at ¶ 24(a)-(b).


                                                 4


          OneWeb will otherwise comply with the applicable conditions contained in the OneWeb

Market Access Grant and the Commission’s Part 25 rules. 11

III.      Grant of the Instant Application Will Serve the Public Interest

          Grant of the instant application will authorize deployment of the end-user component of

the OneWeb system and expedite deployment of OneWeb’s satellite connectivity service to U.S.

consumers. OneWeb received U.S. market access in June 2017 and began applying for Ka-band

gateway earth stations in 2018. 12 Obtaining authority for User Terminal operations is the critical

next step as OneWeb prepares to commence commercial service in the United States and abroad.

          In the OneWeb Market Access Grant, the Commission noted that by granting market

access to OneWeb, it was “advanc[ing] [its] 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.” 13 By granting OneWeb authority to operate User Terminals in the

United States, the Commission will unlock the ability of the OneWeb system to provide next-

generation connectivity service to U.S. consumers on a nationwide basis, including many

unserved and underserved locations.

          Granting OneWeb authority to operate the User Terminals in the United States is

consistent with the Commission’s “fundamental approach: [to] encourage the private sector to




11
  See OneWeb Market Access Grant, ¶¶ 23-25. Additionally, OneWeb hereby certifies that it is
planning to use a contention protocol, and such contention protocol usage will be reasonable. See
47 C.F.R. § 25.115(i).
12
     See supra nn. 1, 3.
13
     OneWeb Market Access Grant, at ¶ 1.


                                                  5


invest and innovate and allow market forces to deliver value to American consumers.” 14 As

OneWeb has emphasized and the Commission has recognized, NGSO-provisioned connectivity

will be a critical component of efforts to bridge the digital divide in the United States. 15

OneWeb in particular will be able to provide innovative services and applications to markets that

previously were not possible. 16 The expeditious grant of the instant application will contribute to

closing the digital divide and allow OneWeb to provide innovative connectivity where terrestrial

providers cannot.




14
  See Statement of Chairman Ajit Pai, FCC Boosts Satellite Broadband Connectivity &
Competition, FCC (Nov. 15, 2018).
15
  See Jeffrey Hill, FCC Chairman Wants to Cultivate Innovation in Space, VIA SATELLITE (Feb.
2019), https://www.satellitetoday.com/government-military/2019/01/22/fcc-chairman-wants-to-
cultivate-innovation-in-space/ (Chairman Pai stating he is “bullish” about satellite systems being
the best solution to bridging the digital divide in the United States).
16
   See Mark Holmes, Greg Wyler, The Definitive 2018 Interview, VIA SATELLITE (Dec. 2018),
http://interactive.satellitetoday.com/via/december-2018/greg-wyler-the-definitive-2018-
interview/ (OneWeb will work to ensure that “emergency response vehicles are outfitted
appropriately so that they can maintain continuous, low latency connectivity” that “can continue
after a hurricane and an emergency”).


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IV.    Conclusion

       For the foregoing reasons, OneWeb respectfully requests authority to operate the User

Terminals in the United States.

Respectfully submitted,

 /s/ Eric Graham                                   Brian Weimer
 Eric Graham                                       Douglas Svor
 Regulatory Affairs, North America                 Samuel Swoyer
 WorldVu Satellites Limited                        Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP
 1785 Greensboro Station Place, Tower 3            2099 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Suite 100
 McLean, VA 22102                                  Washington, DC 20006
                                                   (202) 747-1930
                                                   bweimer@sheppardmullin.com

                                                   Counsel to WorldVu Satellites Limited
 September 30, 2019




                                               7


                                        APPENDIX A

       As a supplement to the information contained in the Schedule B attached to the Form

312, OneWeb provides the following additional technical information:



          •   For entry cell E49, the appropriate input unit is dBW/4 kHz.


                                 APPENDIX B: RADIATION HAZARD REPORTS

In accordance with OET Bulletin 65, this Radiation Hazard Report measured radiation exposure
levels in seven zones for two cases—general population and occupational—at the closest point to
the uncontrolled area of any testing location and measured at the lowest elevation angle of any
testing location. The radiation levels calculated for each zone in Section I(B) and Section II(B)
are derived from the respective calculations made in Section I(A) and Section II(A). The results
in Section I(C) for OneWeb’s 12 dB/K Dual Parabolic antenna and Section II(C) for OneWeb’s
15 dB/K Dual Parabolic antenna illustrate any radiation hazard that may exist for the general
public and/or occupationally will be mitigated by a protective layer covering the antenna.

I.         Intellian 12 dB/K Dual Parabolic Antenna

           A.       Defined & Calculated Variables for OET Bulletin 65

                                               OET 65 Calculated
       Variables         Value        Unit                              Formula        Value         Unit
                                                  Variables
                 D=
                                                                λ=
            Aperture       0.75   Meters                                       c/F        0.0210   Meters
                                                         Wavelength
           Diameter
                  d=                                             PI =
         Subreflector     0.085   Meters         Total Antenna Input           P*p          1.15   Watts
           Diameter                                           Power
                  η=
                                                                 A=
            Aperture       70%    Percentage                               π(D/2)2       0.44179   Meters2
                                                    Area of reflector
           Efficiency
                                                                  a=
     FCC Designation        Ku    Band                        area of       π(d/2)2      0.00567   Meters2
                                                        sub-reflector
                  F=                                             G=           G=
                          14250   MHz                                                 8780.28545   Linear
           Frequency                                   Antenna Gain        4πηA/λ2
                  P=
          Transmitter      1.15   Watts            Antenna Gain dB      10log10(G)         39.44   dBi
         Power Watts
                  p=
                                                               Rnf =
           Number of         1    #                                     Rnf = D2/4λ         6.68   Meters
                                                  Near-Field Region
         Transmitters
                 Rua =
      Closest Point to
                           0.38   Meters                                                    6.68   >Meters
        Uncontrolled
                 Area                              Transition Region      >Rnf <Rff
                 Rua =
      Elevation angle       37    Degrees                                                  16.04   <Meters
      at closest point
                                                                                           16.04   Meters
                                                                Rff =         Rff =
                                                                                                   Meters
                                                    Far-Field Region       0.6D2/λ          12.1
                                                                                                   AGL


       B.     Radiation Levels in Each Zone

                                                                    Exposure Limits Met
                                                                  General
 Radiation Analysis Zone      Formula       Level     Value                    Occupational
                                                                  Public
                                                                <1mW/cm2        <5mW/cm2
 1     Power Sub-reflector          4PI/a   81.064 mW/cm2          No              No
 2         Antenna Surface         4PI/A     1.041 mW/cm2          No              Yes
 3   Main Reflector Ground          PI/A     0.260 mW/cm2          Yes             Yes
                      Snf =
 4               Near-Field     4η(PI/A)     0.729 mW/cm2           Yes             Yes
            Power Density
                 Transition
 5                            Snf*Rnf/Rnf    0.729 mW/cm2           Yes             Yes
       Max Power Density
                  Far-Field
 6                            PI*G/4πR2      0.312 mW/cm2           Yes             Yes
       Max Power Density
 7      Off-axis Near Field    Snf-20dB 0.00729 mW/cm2              Yes             Yes

       C.     Results

OneWeb’s 12 dB/K Dual Parabolic antenna creates no general population nor occupational
radiation hazard. Zones 3 through 7 create no radiation hazard concerns because the radiation
levels are below the acceptable exposure limits. Although Zone 1 (Power Sub-reflector) exceeds
the acceptable general population and occupational radiation exposure limits and Zone 2
(Antenna Surface) exceeds the acceptable general population radiation exposure limits, there
remains no radiation hazard concern because these zones are contained within a protective
radome. Accordingly, there is no risk of radiation exposure beyond the acceptable limits.


II.        Intellian 15 dB/K Dual Parabolic Antenna

           A.       Defined & Calculated Variables for OET Bulletin 65

                                               OET 65 Calculated
      Variables          Value        Unit                              Formula        Value         Unit
                                                  Variables
                 D=
                                                                λ=
            Aperture        1.0   Meters                                       c/F        0.0210   Meters
                                                         Wavelength
           Diameter
                  d=                                             PI =
         Subreflector     0.085   Meters         Total Antenna Input           P*p          0.58   Watts
           Diameter                                           Power
                  η=
                                                                 A=
            Aperture       70%    Percentage                               π(D/2)2       0.78540   Meters2
                                                    Area of reflector
           Efficiency
                                                                  a=
  FCC Designation           Ku    Band                        area of       π(d/2)2      0.00567   Meters2
                                                        sub-reflector
                  F=                                             G=           G=
                          14250   MHz                                                 15609.3963   Linear
           Frequency                                   Antenna Gain        4πηA/λ2
                  P=
          Transmitter      0.58   Watts            Antenna Gain dB      10log10(G)         41.93   dBi
         Power Watts
                  p=
                                                               Rnf =
           Number of         1    #                                     Rnf = D2/4λ        11.88   Meters
                                                  Near-Field Region
         Transmitters
                 Rua =
      Closest Point to
                           0.52   Meters                                                   11.88   >Meters
        Uncontrolled
                 Area                              Transition Region      >Rnf <Rff
                 Rua =
      Elevation angle       37    Degrees                                                  28.52   <Meters
      at closest point
                                                                                           28.52   Meters
                                                                Rff =         Rff =
                                                                                                   Meters
                                                    Far-Field Region       0.6D2/λ          21.5
                                                                                                   AGL


       B.     Radiation Levels in Each Zone

                                                                    Exposure Limits Met
                                                                  General
 Radiation Analysis Zone      Formula       Level     Value                    Occupational
                                                                  Public
                                                                <1mW/cm2        <5mW/cm2
 1     Power Sub-reflector          4PI/a   40.885 mW/cm2          No              No
 2         Antenna Surface         4PI/A     0.295 mW/cm2          Yes             Yes
 3   Main Reflector Ground          PI/A     0.074 mW/cm2          Yes             Yes
                      Snf =
 4               Near-Field     4η(PI/A)     0.207 mW/cm2           Yes             Yes
            Power Density
                 Transition
 5                            Snf*Rnf/Rnf    0.207 mW/cm2           Yes             Yes
       Max Power Density
                  Far-Field
 6                            PI*G/4πR2      0.089 mW/cm2           Yes             Yes
       Max Power Density
 7      Off-axis Near Field    Snf-20dB 0.00207 mW/cm2              Yes             Yes

       C.     Results

OneWeb’s 15 dB/K Dual Parabolic antenna creates no general population nor occupational
radiation hazard. Zones 2 through 7 create no radiation hazard concerns because the radiation
levels are below the acceptable exposure limits. Although Zone 1 (Power Sub-reflector) exceeds
the acceptable general population and occupational radiation exposure limits, there remains no
radiation hazard concern because this zone is contained within a protective radome.
Accordingly, there is no risk of radiation exposure beyond the acceptable limits.


                       APPENDIX C: ANTENNA PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

          OneWeb respectfully submits that the Commission’s antenna performance standards

contained in Section 25.209 of the Commission’s rules are not applicable to NGSO user

terminals. 17 Section 25.209 currently contains performance standards for gateway earth stations

in the Ku-band, but no such corresponding provision for user terminals. 18

          In developing the original regulatory framework for NGSO FSS systems, the

Commission explicitly declined to “specify an NGSO FSS customer premises earth station

reference antenna pattern.” 19 The NGSO Order similarly declined to adopt any antenna

performance standard for NGSO user terminals, noting that it was “premature to adopt any

additional technical limitations to promote sharing among NGSO FSS systems.” 20

          Accordingly, the antenna performance standard currently contained in the Commission’s

rules are inapplicable to OneWeb’s request for authority to operate the User Terminals in the

United States. 21



17
     See 47 C.F.R. § 25.209.
18
  See id. at § 25.209(h) (specifying performance standards for Ku-band gateway antennas). As a
result, the requirements in Section 25.132 requiring FSS applications to include certifications of
the results of a series of radiation pattern tests is similarly inapplicable. See 47 C.F.R. §
25.132(a)(1).
19
  Amendment of Parts 2 and 25 of the Commission's Rules to Permit Operation of NGSO FSS
Systems Co-Frequency with GSO and Terrestrial Systems in the Ku-Band Frequency Range, 16
FCC Rcd. 4096, 4187 at ¶ 240 (2000)
20
     NGSO Order, at ¶ 55.
21
  OneWeb notes that other NGSO FSS applicants have taken a similar approach when seeking
authority for Ku-band user terminals in the United States. See, e.g., SpaceX Services,
Application for Blanket Licensed Earth Stations, IBFS File No. SES-LIC-20190211-00151 (filed
Feb. 1, 2019).



Document Created: 2019-09-30 14:10:46
Document Modified: 2019-09-30 14:10:46

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