Attachment Order

This document pretains to SES-MFS-20050427-00499 for Modification w/ Foreign Satellite (earth station) on a Satellite Earth Station filing.

IBFS_SESMFS2005042700499_441353

                                    Federal Communications Commission                                  DA 05-1890


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


In the matter of                                  )
                                                  )
Applications of DIRECTV Enterprises LLC:          )
                                                  )
Request for Special Temporary Authority to        )                File No. SAT-STA-20050427-00091
Conduct Telemetry, Tracking and Control During )                   Call Sign S2627
the Relocation of DIRECTV 1 to the 72.5º W.L.     )
Orbital Location                                  )
                                                  )
Request for Modification of Blanket Authorization )                File No. SES-MFS-20050427-00499
for 1,000,000 Receive-Only Earth Stations to      )                Call Sign E040024
Provide Direct Broadcast Satellite Service in the )
United States using the Canadian-Authorized       )
DIRECTV 1 Satellite at the 72.5° W.L. Broadcast )
Satellite Service Location                        )
                                                  )
Request for Modification of License to Relocate   )                File No. SAT-MOD-20030613-00120
DIRECTV 1 to the 101º W.L. Orbital Location       )                File No. SAT-AMD-20041112-00208
and Related Request for Special Temporary         )                File No. SAT-STA-20041112-00207
Authority to Operate at that Location             )                Call Sign S2627
                                                  )
Request for Special Temporary Authority to        )
Conduct Telemetry, Tracking and Control During )                   File No. SAT-STA-20050517-00104
the Relocation of DIRECTV 5 to the 109.8° W.L. )                   Call Sign S2673
Orbital Location                                  )

                                      ORDER AND AUTHORIZATION

Adopted: July 14, 2005                                                 Released: July 14, 2005

By the Deputy Chief, Satellite Division, International Bureau:


                                          I.       INTRODUCTION

         1. With this Order, we grant the request of DIRECTV Enterprises, LLC (DIRECTV) for special
temporary authority, for a period not to exceed 180 days from the release of this Order, to relocate its
DIRECTV 1 satellite from its current position at the 101.125º W.L. orbital location to the 72.5º W.L.
orbital location,1 and to conduct Telemetry, Tracking and Control (TT&C) functions for the satellite until
the time it reaches its new location, subject to certain conditions. With this Order, we also grant
DIRECTV’s request for modification of its blanket authority to communicate with 1,000,000 receive-only


        1
            The term “72.5° W.L. orbital location,” as used in this Order, refers to the nominal orbital position for
the relevant Canadian frequency assignment under the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Region 2 Plan
for BSS and Feeder Link Assignments, as contained in Appendix 30A of the Radio Regulations, and to any specific
orbital location within the 72.5±0.2° range defined by such assignment.


                                    Federal Communications Commission                                    DA 05-1890


earth stations, which DIRECTV uses to provide “local-into-local”2 signals to U.S. consumers, which will
now communicate with the DIRECTV 1 satellite. The DIRECTV 1 satellite will operate at the 72.5º
W.L. orbital location under a Canadian space station authorization issued to Telesat Canada (Telesat) by
Industry Canada. Because the United States authorization for DIRECTV 1 will be terminated when it
arrives at the 72.5º W.L. orbital location, we also dismiss, as moot, several pending applications relating
to that space station. Customer traffic will be handed off from DIRECTV 5 to DIRECTV 1 while the
satellites are briefly co-located at the 72.5º W.L. orbital location. Once the hand-off is completed,
DIRECTV proposes to use the DIRECTV 5 satellite to replace a failing satellite at another orbital
location. We grant DIRECTV’s request for special temporary authority to relocate the DIRECTV 5
satellite to the 109.8º W.L. orbital location of the failing satellite (nominally, the 110º W.L. orbital
location) after the hand-off, and to conduct TT&C operations during that drift. Grant of these
applications will permit DIRECTV to commence a series of satellite fleet moves needed to maintain
continuity of service to DIRECTV customers at several locations, necessitated by the deteriorating
condition of another satellite in the DIRECTV fleet.

                                             II.      BACKGROUND

         2. The DIRECTV 5 satellite currently operates at the 72.5º W.L. orbital location pursuant to an
agreement between DIRECTV and Telesat, and under authorization issued by Industry Canada to
Telesat.3 The proposed relocation of the DIRECTV 1 satellite to the 72.5º W.L. orbital location is based
upon a revision to an agreement between DIRECTV and Telesat. The revised agreement will make the
DIRECTV 5 satellite available for use at another, U.S.-licensed orbital location. DIRECTV has agreed to
move the DIRECTV 1 satellite to the 72.5° W.L. orbital location, subject to necessary governmental
approvals in the United States and in Canada. The agreement provides DIRECTV with an exclusive right
to use all of the capacity on the DIRECTV 1 satellite at the 72.5° W.L. orbital location until at least
September 30, 2008, unless DIRECTV launches two of three specific additional satellites before that date.
Under the agreement, DIRECTV may, under certain circumstances, move the DIRECTV 1 satellite to one
of its U.S.-licensed orbital locations,4 upon five days’ notice to Telesat, in the event that DIRECTV 1 is
needed to replace some or all of the capacity of certain other DIRECTV satellites should any of those
satellites fail in orbit.

        3. The agreement states that, once DIRECTV 1 is at the 72.5º W.L. orbital location, it will be
operated under Telesat’s direction and control. DIRECTV will conduct TT&C for DIRECTV 1, on
Telesat’s behalf, from a U.S.-licensed earth station, until Telesat has developed and installed the
necessary facilities in Canada to perform such functions.

        4. On April 27, 2005, DIRECTV filed with the Commission a copy of its agreement with
Telesat, and requested that the agreement be withheld from public inspection pursuant to Sections 0.457
         2
           The term “local-into-local,” as used in this Order, refers to provision via satellite retransmission of local
broadcast channels to subscribers who reside in the local TV station’s market, which is defined as a Designated
Market Area, or “DMA.” See 17 U.S.C. § 122(j)(2)(A). This action is taken pursuant to Section 25.131 of the
Commission’s Rules. See 47 C.F.R. § 25.131(j) (requiring most receive-only Earth stations that would operate with
non-U.S. licensed space stations to be licensed).
         3
            Application of DIRECTV Enterprises, LLC Request for Special Temporary Authority for the DIRECTV
5 Satellite, Application of DIRECTV Enterprises, LLC Request for Blanket Authorization for 1,000,000 Receive
Only Earth Stations to Provide Direct Broadcast Satellite Service in the United States using the Canadian
Authorized DIRECTV 5 Satellite at the 72.5º W.L. Broadcast Satellite Service Location, Order and Authorization,
19 FCC Rcd 15529 (Int’l Bur., Sat. Div. 2004) (DIRECTV 5 Order).
         4
           DIRECTV holds licenses to operate satellites pursuant to the U.S. assignments for the 101º, 110º and
119º W.L. orbital locations under the ITU Region 2 Plan for BSS and Feeder Link Assignments.


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                                    Federal Communications Commission                               DA 05-1890


and 0.459 of the Commission’s rules.5 On the same date, DIRECTV also filed a request for special
temporary authority (STA) to relocate the DIRECTV 1 satellite, and a request for modification of its
existing blanket earth station authorization.6 The Satellite Division of the International Bureau (Division)
issued a Public Notice on April 29, 2005 accepting DIRECTV’s STA request for filing.7 The Division
issued a public notice on May 25, 2005 accepting the DIRECTV blanket earth station request for filing.8
No comments were filed in response to either of these filings.

          5. On May 17, 2005, DIRECTV filed an application for an STA to relocate the DIRECTV 5
satellite, after its customer traffic at the 72.5º W.L. orbital location is transferred to the DIRECTV 1
satellite.9 On May 20, the Division issued a public notice accepting the STA request for filing.10
DIRECTV seeks authority to relocate the DIRECTV 5 satellite to the 109.8º W.L. orbital location, at
which location it has applied to provide Direct Broadcast Service (DBS) on three licensed channels.11 No
comments were filed in response to this request.

                                             III.     DISCUSSION

        A.        STA to Relocate DIRECTV 1

         6. The need to replace DIRECTV 5 with DIRECTV 1 results from the deteriorating condition of
a third satellite, DIRECTV 6, at the 109.8º W.L. orbital location, which has experienced repeated solar
array failures, as recently as March of this year. In order to ensure that the three DBS channels on that
satellite remain fully operational, DIRECTV has turned off payload heaters on board the satellite.
DIRECTV reports that the degradation of operations stemming from the solar array failures is expected to
continue as more arrays fail.12 It is also likely that the solar array failures will be aggravated by the
approaching annual solar eclipses occurring around the autumnal equinox.

       7. DIRECTV explains that the DIRECTV 5 and DIRECTV 6 satellites were designed with the
same operational capabilities, including an antenna design optimized for service from the nominal 110º
W.L. orbital location at which DIRECTV 6 is now providing service. Therefore, DIRECTV 5 is well-

        5
           47 C.F.R. §§ 0.457, 0.459. See DIRECTV Enterprises, LLC, Request for Confidential Treatment (filed
April 27, 2005).
        6
             File No. SAT-STA-20050427-00091; File No. SES-MFS-20050427-00499.
        7
           Policy Branch Information, Satellite Space Applications Accepted for Filing, Report No. SAT-00288
(released April 29, 2005).
        8
         Satellite Communications Services re: Satellite Radio Applications Accepted for Filing, Report No.
SES-007115 (released May 25, 2005).
        9
             File No. SAT-STA 20050517-00104.
        10
             Policy Branch Information, Satellite Space Applications Accepted for Filing, Report No. SAT-00292.
        11
           See Application of DIRECTV Enterprises, LLC for Authorization to Operate DIRECTV 5, a Direct
Broadcast Satellite, at 109.8º W.L., File No. SAT-OA-20050504-00093 (filed May 4, 2005). See also Policy
Branch Information, Satellite Space Applications Accepted for Filing, Report No. SAT-00303 (released July 1,
2005).
        12
            DIRECTV Enterprises, LLC, Request for Special Temporary Authority to Relocate DIRECTV 1 to
72.5° W.L. and to Conduct Telemetry, Tracking and Control Operations for an Interim Period, File No. SAT-STA-
20050427-00091 (DIRECTV 1 STA Application), at 3.


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                                   Federal Communications Commission                            DA 05-1890


suited to replace DIRECTV 6 at the 110º W.L. orbital location, while the DIRECTV 1 satellite, which
does not share that antenna design, is not as well-suited for service at that location.13 At the same time,
DIRECTV 1 is capable of providing the local-into-local services currently provided by DIRECTV 5 at the
72.5º W.L. orbital location.14

         8. Upon review, we find that DIRECTV has shown a grant of this request would serve the
public interest. Specifically, this STA will enable DIRECTV to maintain continuity of DBS service from
the 109.8º W.L. and 72.5º W.L. orbital locations, by authorizing the first in a series of satellite moves that
will allow the replacement of a deteriorating DIRECTV 6 satellite.

         9. The DIRECTV 1 satellite will not be operating under a Commission authorization once the
satellite arrives at the 72.5º W.L. orbital location. Accordingly, we are terminating the DIRECTV 1
license (Call Sign S2627) effective upon the arrival of the DIRECTV 1 satellite at the 72.5º W.L. orbital
location. We also dismiss, as moot, all pending applications affecting the operations of DIRECTV 1
under Commission authority.15

         10. We have exchanged letters with Industry Canada in order to ensure that there is a mutual
understanding regarding the operation of the DIRECTV 1 and DIRECTV 5 satellites. The
understandings, and the factual background for these understandings, are provided as Annex A and are
material considerations for the authorization contained in this Order. In general, the exchange of letters
indicates that space station operations of DIRECTV 1 and DIRECTV 5 at the 72.5° W.L. orbital location
will be pursuant to authorization of Telesat by Industry Canada. The two satellites will both operate for a
brief period at the 72.5° W.L. orbital location, to accommodate testing and the transfer of customer
traffic.

         11. Finally, we address potential concerns about the life of the DIRECTV 1 satellite because it is
a model HS601 satellite. Other satellites of this design have experienced satellite control processor
failures. More particularly, the HS601 satellites are susceptible to a type of satellite control processor
failure called a “tin whisker” failure, referring to the growth of a pure tin crystal, resembling a whisker,
on the input power relay unit.16 One of the satellite control processors on DIRECTV 1 failed on July 5,
1998.17 Since that time, the DIRECTV 1 satellite has continued to operate using its backup satellite
control processor.

        12. We have previously discussed information regarding the tin whisker failure phenomenon in
an application for the DIRECTV 3 satellite, also an HS601 model.18 One of the two satellite control
processors on the DIRECTV 3 satellite failed on May 4, 2002.19 In the DIRECTV 3 proceeding, the
        13
             DIRECTV 1 STA Application at 3.
        14
             See DIRECTV 5 Order, 19 FCC Rcd. 15529.
        15
          File No. SAT-MOD-20030613-00120; File No. SAT-AMD-20041112-00208; and File No. SAT-STA-
20041112-00207.
        16
           See Letter from James Butterworth, Senior Vice President, DIRECTV Enterprises, LLC, to Marlene H.
Dortch, Secretary, Federal Communications Commission (dated June 13, 2005) (DIRECTV Tin Whisker Letter).
        17
             Id. at 2.
        18
           DIRECTV, Inc. Request for Special Temporary Authority for the DIRECTV 3 Satellite, Order, 19 FCC
Rcd 11044 (Sat. Div., Int’l Bur. 2004).
        19
             DIRECTV Tin Whisker Letter at 1.


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                                  Federal Communications Commission                             DA 05-1890


Satellite Division requested additional information on the statistical failure rate of satellite control
processors caused by tin whisker short circuits. In response, DIRECTV relied on a statistical analysis
submitted by PanAmSat after it suffered a similar processor failure.20 The analysis concluded that time in
orbit was the best predictor of future probability for processor failure caused by tin whiskers. DIRECTV
relied upon that analysis to conclude that its DIRECTV 3 satellite had exceeded the time in orbit of all
failed HS601 satellite control processors.

         13. On or about May 31, 2005, the Commission became aware of another HS601 satellite control
processor failure in a satellite that had spent more time in orbit than any prior failure. Since this fact
could call into question the conclusion of the statistical analysis previously relied upon by DIRECTV, the
Satellite Division requested additional information from DIRECTV. In a letter filed June 13, 2005,
DIRECTV provided additional information on tin whisker failures and the potential impact should such a
failure occur with DIRECTV 1.21 DIRECTV concluded that the May 2005 failure was an extreme event,
but nevertheless still within the current model of probability. Assuming the continued validity of the
failure probability model, DIRECTV 1 is well past the time in orbit where another satellite control
processor failure should be expected.22 Based on the information provided by and relied upon by
DIRECTV, we have no basis for requiring it to place DIRECTV 1 in a storage orbit.

        B.          Blanket Authorization for Earth Stations to Communicate with DIRECTV 1

        14. The Commission's DISCO II Order adopted the framework under which the Commission
considers requests for non-U.S. licensed satellite systems to serve the United States.23 To implement this
framework, the Commission established a procedure by which a service provider in the United States
could request immediate access to an in-orbit, foreign satellite that would serve the U.S. market.24 This
procedure requires the service provider to apply for an earth station license that lists the foreign satellite
as an authorized point of communication.

        15. In the DIRECTV 5 Order, we followed the precedent established in the DBAC Order,
examining DIRECTV’s application for blanket earth station authorization at the 72.5º W.L. orbital
location.25 We examined in particular whether there were de jure or de facto barriers to entry for the
provision of analogous service by U.S. operators in Canada, and whether any such barrier would cause
competitive distortions in the United States.26 We considered those factors together with other public
        20
            See PanAmSat Licensee Corp., Further Supplement to STA, File No. SAT-STA-20030324-00039 (filed
April 24, 2003).
        21
             DIRECTV Tin Whisker Letter.
        22
             Id. at 3.
        23
           See Amendment of the Commission's Regulatory Policies to Allow Non-U.S. Licensed Satellites
Providing Domestic and International Service in the United States, Report and Order, IB Docket No. 96-111, 12
FCC Rcd 24094 (1997) (DISCO II or DISCO II Order).
        24
          See DISCO II, 12 FCC Rcd at 24174, ¶ 186. For a more detailed summary of the DISCO II framework,
see Amendment of the Commission's Regulatory Policies to Allow Non-U.S.-Licensed Space Stations to Provide
Domestic and International Satellite Service in the United States, First Order on Reconsideration, 15 FCC Rcd
7207, 7209-10, ¶ 4-5 (1999) further recon. denied 16 FCC Rcd 19794 (2001) (DISCO II First Reconsideration
Order).
        25
          DIRECTV 5 Order, 19 FCC Rcd at 15532-5, citing Digital Broadcasting Application Corp., Order, 18
FCC Rcd 9455 (Int’l Bur. 2003) (DBAC Order).
        26
             Id. at 15532.

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                                Federal Communications Commission                             DA 05-1890


interest considerations to determine whether grant of the request would serve the public interest. We
found that grant of DIRECTV’s application was in the public interest because, among other things, the
application proposed to provide local-into-local services in 24 markets not yet served by DIRECTV,
thereby improving the quality of service to U.S. customers.27 In this case, we find no material difference
in the competitive and public interest considerations for service to U.S. earth stations from the Canadian-
licensed 72.5º W.L. orbital location, whether they communicate with the DIRECTV 5 satellite or the
DIRECTV 1 satellite. Consequently, the conclusions we reached in the DIRECTV 5 Order remain valid
for the instant modification application, which requests communication with the DIRECTV 1 satellite.

         16. In connection with its application for reception of signals from DIRECTV 5 at the 72.5º W.L.
orbital location, DIRECTV indicated that DIRECTV 5 could operate within the envelope created by the
1996 Canadian filing, designated CAN-BSS3.28 DIRECTV also indicated that “unless a BSS system that
is entitled to protection comes into operation, DIRECTV plans to operate at levels that exceed those
notified in the CAN-BSS3 filing on a non-harmful interference basis pursuant to Article 4.4 of the ITU
Radio Regulations.”29 DIRECTV also asserted that these higher levels will be “fully enveloped” by
Canada’s 2003 filing, designated CAN-BSS6, and that “if necessary DIRECTV will be able to switch to
the lower-power operations while maintaining the 24 additional markets without any service interruption
to consumers.”30 We conditioned DIRECTV’s prior blanket earth station authorization for service from
the 72.5° W.L. orbital location consistent with these representations. We retain that condition,
unchanged, in this authorization.

         17. In its application to modify its blanket authorization for one million receive-only earth
stations, DIRECTV seeks authority to replace DIRECTV 5 with DIRECTV 1 as the space station point of
communication at the 72.5° W.L. orbital location. On review of the pending application, as well as the
prior application for service from DIRECTV 5 at that location, we find no material difference in the
coverage contour of the two satellites from the 72.5° W.L. orbital location. We also note that the
DIRECTV 1 satellite operates at a power level that is 1 dBW less than is emitted from DIRECTV 5.
Consequently, we find that the substitution of DIRECTV 1 as the point of communication will not result
in additional interference to adjacent operations. We therefore grant DIRECTV’s application to modify
its blanket earth station authorization, substituting DIRECTV 1 as the space station point of
communication for the authorized earth stations.

        C.         STA to Relocate DIRECTV 5

        18. Upon relocation of DIRECTV 1 to the 72.5° W.L. orbital location, DIRECTV will transfer
customer traffic from DIRECTV 5 to DIRECTV 1. DIRECTV 5 will no longer provide service at that
location. DIRECTV has applied for special temporary authority to conduct TT&C during the relocation
of the DIRECTV 5 space station from the 72.5° W.L. orbital location to the 109.8° W.L. orbital location,
where it will replace DIRECTV 6, a satellite with failing solar panels. The period for public comment on
this STA request has passed. No comments were filed. Thus, we grant DIRECTV authority to conduct
TT&C during the relocation of the DIRECTV 5 from the 72.5° W.L. orbital location to the 109.8° W.L.



        27
             Id.
        28
            DIRECTV 5 Order, 19 FCC Rcd at 15536 ¶ 18, 15538 ¶ 25 (citing Letter from William M. Wiltshire,
Counsel for DIRECTV Enterprises, LLC, to Thomas Tycz, Chief, Satellite Division, dated May 24, 2004, at 2).
        29
             Id.
        30
             Id.


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                                  Federal Communications Commission                               DA 05-1890


orbital location.31 This STA will enable DIRECTV to maintain continuity of DBS service to its
customers from the 109.8º W.L. orbital location.

                                      IV.     ORDERING CLAUSES

        19. Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED that, pursuant to Section 25.120 of the Commission’s rules,
47 C.F.R. § 25.120, the request of DIRECTV Enterprises, LLC to relocate the DIRECTV 1 satellite from
the 101.125º W.L. orbital location to the 72.5º W.L. orbital location and to conduct Telemetry, Tracking
and Control functions during the drift and until January 10, 2006, File No. SAT-STA-20050427-00091, is
GRANTED, subject to the following conditions:

                 i.) During the drift to the 72.5º W.L. orbital location, DIRECTV Enterprises, LLC shall
                 not operate the main communications payload on DIRECTV 1.

                 ii.) DIRECTV Enterprises, LLC shall coordinate all drift orbit Telemetry, Tracking, and
                 Control operations with other potentially affected in-orbit operators.

                 iii.) During relocation of the DIRECTV 1 satellite, operations shall be on a non-harmful
                 interference basis, meaning that DIRECTV Enterprises, LLC shall not cause interference
                 to, and shall not claim protection from interference caused to it by, any other lawfully
                 operating satellites.

                 iv.) In the event that any harmful interference is caused as a result of operations during
                 the relocation of the DIRECTV 1 satellite, DIRECTV Enterprises, LLC, shall cease
                 operations immediately upon notification of such interference and shall inform the
                 Commission immediately, in writing, of such an event.

                 v.) DIRECTV Enterprises, LLC shall provide the Chief, Satellite Division, International
                 Bureau, with 30 days notice (confirmed email considered sufficient) prior to
                 commencement of use of Telesat Canada’s earth stations to provide the earth station
                 segment of Telemetry, Tracking, and Control communications.

         20. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, effective upon the date when the DIRECTV 1 satellite
reaches the 72.5° W.L. orbital location, the license for that satellite (Call Sign S2627) IS TERMINATED.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that DIRECTV Enterprises, LLC, shall inform the Commission, through a
letter to the Chief, Satellite Division, Federal Communications Commission, within five business days
following the date on which the DIRECTV 1 satellite reaches the 72.5° W.L. orbital location.

       21. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that pending applications affecting the DIRECTV 1 satellite,
File No. SAT-MOD-20030613-00120, File No. SAT-AMD-20041112-00208, and File No. SAT-STA-
20041112-00207, are DISMISSED.

       22. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, pursuant to Section 25.137(d) of the Commission’s rules,
47 C.F.R. § 25.137(d), the application of DIRECTV Enterprises, LLC, File No. SES-MFS-20050427-

        31
             Operating authority for DIRECTV 5 at the 109.8° W.L. orbital location will be addressed separately.
DIRECTV has filed an application seeking authority for DIRECTV 5 to replace DIRECTV 6 in providing DBS
service at the 109.8° W.L. orbital location. See SAT-A/O-20050504-00093; Policy Branch Information, Satellite
Space Applications Accepted for Filing, Report No. SAT-00303 (released July 1, 2005). See also, SAT-STA-
20050518-00105 (seeking special temporary authority for up to 180 days, to relocate the DIRECTV 6 satellite from
the 109.8° W.L. orbital location to the 109.7° W.L. orbital location for up to one week to accomplish a customer
traffic hand-off, and thereafter to the 109.5° W.L. orbital location for the remainder of the special temporary
authority).


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                                Federal Communications Commission                              DA 05-1890


00499, IS GRANTED, and the authorization of DIRECTV Enterprises, LLC to use 1,000,000 receive-only
Earth stations to receive transmissions in the 12.2-12.7 GHz frequency band from the 72.5° W.L. orbital
location, Call Sign E040024, IS MODIFIED to specify DIRECTV 1 as the space station point of
communication, until September 30, 2008, consistent with the technical parameters specified in its
application, and subject to the following condition:

                Operations shall be consistent with applicable coordination agreements; to the extent
                such agreements have not been reached, operations shall be on a non-harmful
                interference basis, i.e., operations of the DIRECTV 1 satellite shall not cause interference
                to, and shall not claim protection from, interference caused to it by any other lawfully
                operating satellites.

        23. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, pursuant to Section 25.120 of the Commission’s rules, 47
C.F.R. § 25.120, the request of DIRECTV Enterprises, LLC to relocate the DIRECTV 5 satellite from the
72.5º W.L. orbital location to the 109.8º W.L. orbital location, and to conduct Telemetry, Tracking and
Control functions during the drift, File No. SAT-STA-20050517-00104 is GRANTED, effective upon
successful transfer of customer traffic from the DIRECTV 5 satellite to the DIRECTV 1 satellite at the
72.5º W.L. orbital location, and for a period of 30 days thereafter, subject to the following conditions:

                i.) During the drift and upon arrival at the 109.8º W.L. orbital location, DIRECTV
                Enterprises, LLC shall not operate the main communications payload on DIRECTV 5.

                ii.) DIRECTV Enterprises, LLC shall coordinate all drift orbit Telemetry, Tracking, and
                Control operations with other potentially affected in-orbit operators.

                iii.) During relocation of the DIRECTV 5 satellite, DIRECTV Enterprises, LLC’s
                operations shall be on a non-harmful interference basis, meaning that DIRECTV
                Enterprises, LLC shall not cause interference to, and shall not claim protection from
                interference caused to it by, any other lawfully operating satellites.

                iv.) In the event that any harmful interference is caused as a result of DIRECTV
                Enterprises, LLC’s operations during the relocation of the DIRECTV 5 satellite,
                DIRECTV Enterprises, LLC, shall cease operations immediately upon notification of
                such interference and shall inform the FCC in writing immediately of such an event.

         24. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that DIRECTV Enterprises, LLC, shall inform the
Commission, through a letter to the Chief, Satellite Division, FCC, within five business days following
the date on which the DIRECTV 5 satellite departs the 72.5° W.L. orbital location.

        25. DIRECTV Enterprises, LLC is afforded thirty days to decline these authorizations as
conditioned. Failure to respond within this period will constitute formal acceptance of the authorizations
as conditioned.

         26. This Order is issued pursuant to authority delegated in Section 0.261 of the Commission’s
rules, 47 C.F.R. § 0.261, and is effective upon release.

                                                 FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION


                                                 Cassandra C. Thomas
                                                 Deputy Chief
                                                 Satellite Division
                                                 International Bureau

                                                    8


                             Federa! Communications Commission
                                      Washington, DC20554
inonatonatoris

     June 21, 2005




     Ms. Chantal Beaumier
     Director, Space and Intermational Regulatory Activites
     Radiocommunications and Broadcasting Regulatory Branch
     Industry Conada
     15° Floor, 300 Slter Street
     Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
     KiA 08

             Re:     Operations of the DIRECTV 1 and DIRECTV 5 Space Stations
     Dear Ms. Beaumiec
             This letter is to confirm the informal understandings of the Canadian Department
     of Industry (Industry Canada) and the Federal Communications Commission (CC)
     concerning certain technical issues involved in the operation of Broadcasting Satellite
     Service (BSS) sutelites, known as DIRECTV 1 and DIRECTV 5 by DIRECTV
     Enterprises, LLC (DIRECTV) and Telesst Canada (Telesat),pursuant to an agreement
     between DIRECTV and Telesat. The following explanstion is derived from the
     sgreement.
     The Transaction Between DIRECTV and Telesat
             DIRECTV currently operates the DIRECTV 1 sstelite at the 101.125° W.L.
     orbital location,subject to FCC authonity. The DIRECTV 3 sateliteis currently locared
     atthe 72.5° W.L. orbital location, where it operates pursuant to Canadian suthorization.
             Under a contract between DIRECTV and Telesat, DIRECTV agreed to move the
     DIRECTV 1 serelite to the 72.5° WL.orbitallocation.\ The agreement provides
     DIRECTV with an exclusive right to use all ofthe capacity on the DIRECTV 1 satelite
     at the 72.5° W.L orbitallocation until September 30, 2008, unless replacement
     DIRECTV satelites are Ianched and placed into service before that date.. Uinder the
             ! Thterm 25 W.L orbtal ocajon,"efirs o thnominalorial postonforth relvant
     Canadian fequency assignment underthe U Region 2 Plan for BSS and Feeder Link Asignmentsas
     contined in Appendix 3000A of the Radio Regulations,and o any specifi orbtal cation withn the
     72540 2range defined bysuchassgnment. Where equied by th coten. a spciforbitl locaton
     withinthrange has ben delineted


Chental Beaumier
June 21, 2005
Page 2

agreement, DIRECTV mey, under certai circumstences, move the DIRECTV 1 sutellte
from the 72.5° W.L. orbita location to one of DIRECTV‘s FCC—licensed ortital
locations upon 5 days‘ noticeto Telesat, in the event that DIRECTV 1 is needed o
replace some or all ofthe capacity of certain DIRECTVsatellites due to a satelite or
launch failure. Upon the exercise ofcertain options outlined in the agreement, operations
of DIRECTV 1 atthe 72.5° W.L. orbital location may continue until the end of hfe ofthe
DIRECTV 1 stellie.

        The agreement contemplates hat, once DIRECTV 1 is atthe 72.5° WL. orbital
location, it willbe operated by Telesat pursuant to a separate operations agreement
between DIRECTV and Telesat. DIRECTV will perform telemetty, tracking, and contral
functions (TT&C functions) on behalf of Telesatuntil necessary ground equipment is
operational at Telesat faciitiesin Canada later this year.
       On December 17, 2003, Industry Canada provided Telesat with an approval in
principle to develop and operate a broadcast—satelite space station at the 72.5° W L.
orbital lcation. On April 25, 2005, Telesat applied to Industry Canada for approval to
replace the DIRECTV 5 satelite, which currently operates at the 72.5° WL. orbital
location, with the DIRECTV 1 satelite. This application also contemplates the
concurrent operation of both the DIRECTV 1 and DIRECTV 5 satellites atthe 72.5°
WLL and 72.7° WIL. orbitallcations, respectively, for a shorttime to accommodate
satellit testing and transfer of traffic. DIRECTV has filed with the FCC a request for
special temporary authority to move the DIRECTV 1 satellitefrom is currently
authorized location to the 72.5° W.. orbital location, and a request to deploy earth
stations in the United States that would receive signals from DIRECTV 1, once licensed
by Industry Canada for operations at the 72.5° W L. orbital location. DIRECTV has also
requested authority from the FCC to subsequently relocate the DIRECTV 5 setelite to
the 109.8° W.Lorbita location.
       The agreement requires DIRECTV to take steps necessary to comply with United
States export control regulations.
Informal Understandings Between Industry Canada and the FCC on certain
technical issues concerning operation of DIRECTV 1 and DIRECTV 5:
        1t is my understanding that our two agencies have concurred on the following
technicalissues conceming the operation of DIRECTV 1:
  1.   At the 72.5° W.Lorbital location, both the DIRECTV 5 and the DIRECTV 1
       spacecraft will operate subject to Canadian authority. Because this location is a
       Canadion entry to the Region 2 Plan of Appendix 3030A ofthe TTU Radio
       Regilations, the Canadian administration will have responsibility for compliance
       with the TTU Radio Regulations (including the requirement for licensing as
       specified in Artcle 18.1 ofthe Redio Regulations, and any applicable agreement—


Chantal Beaumicr
June 21, 2005
Page 3

        seeking procedures) in connection with operation ofthe DIRECTV 1 satellite and
        DIRECIYV 5 satelites atthe 72.5° W.L. orbital location.

  2.    Fora short period of time to sccommodate the testing of DIRECTV 1 at 72.5¢
        W.L. and the transfer of customer raffifrom DIRECTV 5 to DIRECTV 1, the
        DIRECTV 5 satelite will be relocated to and operate atthe 72.7" W.L.. orbital
        location subject to Canadian authority.
  3.    Operation of the DIRECTV 1 and DIRECTV 5 satellites at any location other
        than at the 72.5° W.L. orbital location, except for the short period of time noted in
        2 above, will be subject to liconsing by the FCC, including any operations as a
        result of equipment failure in the satellite that results in the inability to maintain
        the satelite within =0.1 degrees of is assigned position at the 72.5° W.L. orbital
        location.
  4.    Industry Canada, through the Director,Space and International Regulstory
        Activities, once the Canadian licensee has been informed, will provide the FCC
        with four (4) days‘ advance written notice (e—mail with confirmed receipt from
        the FCC‘s Chicf, Intemational Bureau, Satellite Division, will be considered
        sufficient)of any planned termination or expiration of the Canadian License for
        the DIRECTV 1 sstelite.
  5.   DIRECTV‘s ability to use the DIRECTV 1 suellte, in the event of a fuilure of a
       DIRECTV satellite, within the time frame specified in the DIRECTVTelesat
       agreement,is a private contractual matter between DIRECTV and Telesat.
  6.   Industry Canad will condition the DIRECTV 1 License to require Telesat to
       maintain, barring catastrophic failure of satellte components, the capability to de—
       orbit the DIRECTV 1 spacecraft to an orbit consistent with TTU Recommendation
       5.1003—1, Environmental Profection of the Geostationary—Satelite Orbit.
       The informal understandings set forth in this etter concerning aperation ofthe
DIRECTV 1 and DIRECTV 5 satelltes do not constitute a concurrence by the FCC or
the United States Administration with any Canadian filings with the ITU
Radiocommunication Bureau atthe 72.3° W L.. orbitallocation under Appendices 30 or
30A of the TTU Radio Regulations. T is my understanding that the FCC and Industry
Canada will separately, and as part ofthe agreement—secking process applicable under
the TTU Radio Regulations, work in good faith to complete that process,insofar as
recessary, in connection with the operation of the DIRECTV 1 satelite at the 72.5° W.L.
orbital location
         The FCC has not issued any of the authorizations that would be necessary to
provide direct—to—home services to customers in the United States using the DIRECTV 1
satellite at the 72.5° W L. orbital location, orthe DIRECTV 5 satelite at the 109.8° W.L.
orbitallcation. ‘The FCC has received both an application for special temporary


Chantal Beaurier
June 21, 2005
Pagea

suthority torelocate the DIRECTV 1 satelite to the 72.5° W.L. orbitallocation, and an
application for a blanket authorization ofearth stations secking to receive direct—to—home
transmissions in the United Suites from the DIRECTV 1 satelite atthe 72.5° W. orbital
Jecation. These applications will reguire separate action by the RCC. ‘The RCC has also
eceived an application for authority to relocate the DIRECTV 5 satellie from 72.5° WL.
to 109.6° W.L., and an application for a U.S.license to operate DIRECTV 5 at109.8°
WL. This exchange of lexers does not constitute approval of any of these applications.
       In the event of the failure of a DIRECTV satelite,and upon the exercise by
DIRECTV of its contractualrights to move the satelte, and in the event that there are
any provistons in Telesat‘s license from Industry Canade, or any provisions in the
Canadian laws and regulations governing the telecommunications operstions of Telesst
Canada that would precude or othernise limit the exercise of DIRECTV‘s contractual
1ights within the time frames specified in the DIRECTV/Telesat agreement,the FCC
would appreciate the opporturity to consult with Industry Canada, prior to any exercise
of such lieensing authority, or applications of such law or regulations by Industry
Canada. I would appreciate acknowledgment ofthese views and expression of any views
which Industry Canada may have concerning the mater discussed in this paragraph. Let
me also express the FCC‘s willingness t discuss this matter further, in the event, t a
Iuter dat, it becomes necessary to do so.
       Lestly, all notices, inquiries, and correspondeace from Indusiry Canada
concerning these matters should be directed to the Chief, Satelite Division,International
Bureau (phone number 202418—0719)(e—mail: Thomas:Tyer@feczov, with a copy to
StevenSpaeth@fec.gov and Mark Young@fee.g0v), on the part of the RCC. ‘The FCC
will forward all notices, inquines, and correspondence concerning these matters to the
Direstor,Space and International Regulatory Activites (Phone number 613.998.3819) (e—
mail beaumierchantal@icge.ca) on the partof Industry Canada. Please let us know if
this address subsequently changes.


Chantal Beaumier
June 21, 2005
Page S


        If the foregoing corresponds to your understanding of the informal arrangements
between our two agencies concerning the various technical issues involved in he
relocation of DIRECTV 1 to the 72.5° W.L. orbitallcation and operation at that
lecation, and the relocation of DIRECTV 5 tothe 72.7° W.L and 109.8° W.L. orital
lecations, please confitmby retum leter. Thank you—
                                            Sincerely,
                                                                keseat
                                              Shaw 33 t                    se
                                            Thomas . Tyce
                                            Chief
                                            Sarellte Division

ec:   Paul Bush
      VicePresident, Broadcasting &Corporate Development
      Telesat Canada

      Michael W. Palkovic
      Executive Vice President and Chicf Financial Officer
      DIRECTV Enterprises, LLC


+1   Industry Canad.   Industre Canada

     1SiirSin
     Owea. 0 kinces


                                                           Our File: 05043—1
        JSH 24 2005                                                  (EDRMS# 30196)



     Thomas S. Tyer
     Chict, Satelite Division
     International Bureau
     Federal Communications Commission
     Washington, D.C. 20554

     Dear Mr. Tyr
               Thank you for your leter of Jure 21, 2005 setting out our informal
     common understandings conceming certain technical issues involved in the
     operation of a Broadcasting—Satelite Service (BSS) satelites known by Telesat
     Canada (Telesat) and DIRECTV Enterprises, LLC (DIRECTV as DIRECTV 1
     and DIRECTV 5.

               1 am pleased to provide my confirmation of our informal
     understandings and acknowledgement ofthe other views expressed in your letter
     Additionally, Industry Canada acknowledaes that, in the event of termination of
     the lease agreement owing to the filure of a DIRECTV satelite, DIRECTV‘s
     ability to use the DIRECTV 1 sateliteat an orbitalposition licensed by the FCC
     is a private contractual matter between DIRECTV and Telesat. Nonetheless,
     should there be any provisions in Telesat‘slicence, or any provisions in the
     Canadian laws and regulations governing the telecommunications of Telesat
     Canada, that would preclude or otherwise imit the exercise of DIRECTV‘s
     contractualrights to terminate the ease and use the satellte within the time
     frames specified in the DIRECTV/Telesat agreement, the FCC would be
     informed, t the extent possible under th circumstanees and the law, of the
     exercise of icensing authority, oapplication oflaw or regulation by Industry
     Canada.




     Canad#


          Once again, I want to express my appreciation for the support your
administration is giving to this kind of commercial arrangement to faciitate the
delivery ofimportant and valuable satelite services in our respective countres.
                                             Sincerely,


                                           /yfi/w riadts,
                                             Chantal Beaumicr
                                             Director, Space and International
                                             Regulatory Activites


cc; Paul Bush, Telesat Canada



Document Created: 2005-07-14 17:09:12
Document Modified: 2005-07-14 17:09:12

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