Attachment 20140325150511.pdf

This document pretains to SES-MOD-19950221-01399 for Modification on a Satellite Earth Station filing.

IBFS_SESMOD1995022101399_1040046

                                                FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
SATELLITE ENGINEERING BRANCH                          INTERNATIONAL BUREAU                     FILE NO:        681—DSE—MP/L —95 (    )
SATELLITE & RADIO COM. DIVISION                                                                FEE NO: 8160277—007 CALL SIGN: £900081—
                                                                                                                       SITE—ID :
DATES:   FILED:   02/21/1995      LOGGED:    03/01/1995       UPDATED:   08/03/1995         PUBLIC NOTICE:   /   /

APPLICANT :  AMSC SUBSIDIARY CORPORATION                                                                             APPLICANT CODE: AMSC
SITE ADDRESS: 30,000 Mobile Earth Stations                             CITY:                            COUNTY:   (30,000 units)  STATE:
INFORMATIVE: This modification was granted by Order and Authorization, DA 95—1701, dated                                        COORDINATES
              August 1,   1995.                                                                                               t t t h t h 6 < 6 ——~=
                                                                                                                                                LAT
                                                                                                                                                LONG




STATUS: AC    —08/01/1995— —Js                                       INTERIM ACTION: — / /         —o 0/            —o—    Lo
CURRENT STATION AUTHORIZATION:             420—DSE—P/L    —90        SERVICE CODES: DLM,     —MES—C—TR
ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION:                                                POINTS OF COMMUNICATION:    AMSC—1,,,,
                                                                                  por g P

CONDITIONS: 2932
                                                                      EIRP       EIRP DEN.     ASSOCIATED       SPECIAL
                  FREQUENCIES (MHz) POL            EMISSION           (dBw)    (dBW/4kHz)     ANTENNA(S)      PROVISIONS
           1. R 1530.0000— 1559.0000 C             1K20GID
           2. R 1530.0000— 1559.0000 C             2K40GID
           3. R 1530.0000— 1559.0000 C             4K80GID
           4. R 1530.0000— 1559.0000 C             9K60GID
           5. T 1626.5000— 1660.5000 C             1K20GID            14.00       14.00
           6. m 1626.5000— 1660.5000 C             2K40G1D            17 .00      17 .00
           7. T 1626.5000— 1660.5000 c             4Kk80G1D           20 .00      20 .00
           8. T 1626.5000— 1660.5000 C             9Kk60G1D           23 .00      23 .00




                                                   RECORD OF COMMISSION ACTION
\//)APPROVED           )JDISMISSED     (      )DENIED     (     ) SURRENDERED    (   )APPROVED AS MODIFIED ABOVE
EY§;3@«’62441¢N/                                                  on 3/( kp~ pursuant to autHoRrITY DELEGATED BY
COMMISSION ACTION REPORTED TO APPLICANT BY                                                                  on
          DATA ENTRY:                 DATE: oSe REFERRED TO:                                                  DATE:___/ / _
          FEES :                               DATE:____/____/____   REFERRED   TO:                           DATE: ___/
          APP. COMPLETE:                       DATE:____/____/___    REFERRED   TO:                           DATE: ____/
          TECHNICAL :                          DATE:____/___/____    REFERRED   TO:                           DATE:____/_
          LEGAL:                               DATE:____/____/____   REFERRED   TO:                           DATE:____/__


                           UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
                      FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

              RADIO STATION AUTHORIZATION

                                             {( page   1 )

                                                                          CALL SIGN: E900081
                                                                          FILE NO.: 681—DSE—MP/L—95

NAME:; AMSC SUBSIDIARY CORPORATION

MODIFIED CONSTRUCTION PERMIT AND LICENSE
                                             DATE OF GRANT:   AUGUST  1, 1995
COMMON CARRIER                               EXPIRATION DATE: JANUARY 21, 2002
NATURE OF SERVICE: DOMESTIC LAND MOBILE—SATELLITE SERVICE
CLASS OF    STATION:    MOBILE EARTH STATION
                                                                          LATITUDE          LONGITUDE
LOCATION OF STATION:
  STATION ADDRESS: 30,000 Mobile Earth Stations
                          ((30,000 units)         County),

sSUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE COMMUNICATIONS ACT OF 1934, THE COMMUNICATIONS
SATELLITE ACT OF 1962, SUBSEQUENT ACTS AND TREATIES, AND ALL PRESENT AND FUTURE
REGULATIONS MADE BY THIS COMMISSION,   AND FURTHER SUBJECT TO THE CONDITIONS AND
REQULIREMENTS SET FORTH IN THIS PERMIT AND LICENSE, THE GRANTEE IS AUTHORIZED TO
CONSTRUCT,   USE  AND  OPERATE THE RADIO FACILITIES DESCRIBED BELOW FOR RADIO
COMMUNICATIONS FOR THE TERM BEGINNING JANUARY 21, 1992 (3 A.M. EASTERN STANDARD
TIME) AND ENDING JANUARY 21, 2002 (3 A.M. EASTERN STANDARD TIME}).
THE REQUIRED DATE OF COMPLETION OF CONSTRUCTION IS JANUARY 21, 1997.   GRANTEE
MUST FILE WITH THE COMMISSION A CERTIFICATION UPON COMPLETION OF CONSTRUCTION.

1.    PARTICULARS OF OPERATIONS
                                                               EIRP
                                                              DENSITY            SPECIAL PROVISIONS
         FREQUENCIES (MHz)                        EIRP        (dBw/   ASSOCIATED (REFER TO FCC
         AND POLARIZATION             EMISSION    (dBW}         4kHz) ANTENNA(S)         FORM 488 —A)

 1.    1530.000—    1559.000   L,R    1K20GID      =o = +       8 = oo®
 2.    1530.000—    1559.000   L,R    2K40GID      #o h 00      s = o=
 3.    1530.000—    1559.000   L,R    4K80GID      o m 8        8 = oo
 4.    1530.000—    1559.000   L,R    9K60GID      =o e e       00 + o®
 5.    16§26.500—   1660.500   L,R    1K20GID      14.00        14.00
 6.    16§26.500—   1660.500   L,R    2K40GID      17.00        17.00
 7.    1626.500—    1660.500   L,R    4K80GID      20.00        20.00
 8.    1626.500—    1660.500   L,.R   9K60GILID    23.00        23.00

2.    FREQUENCY COORDINATION LIMITS                                                                  *

                         Satellite Arc             Elevation    Azimuth              Max. EIRP
                          (Deg. Long.)               (Degrees)  (Degrees)            Density to
        Frequency Limits Hast     West             Easgt West East West              Horizion   Associated
              (MHz)            Limit       Limit Lim.         Lim.   Limit Limit     (dBW/4kHz)   Antenna(s)

 1.    1530.000—    1559.000    15.0wW—183.5W             =                —
 2.    1626.500—    1660.500    15.0W—183.5wW             =                —




                                                                                              FCC Form 488


                             UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
                        FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

               RADIO STATION AUTHORIZATION

                                              { page        2 )

                                                                          CALL SIGN: E900081
                                                                          FILE NO.: 6§81—DSE—MP/L—95

RECEIVING SYSTEM NOISE TEMPERATURE:
RECEIVING SYSTEM NOISE TEMPERATURE (Continued) :
                          240 KELVIN AT      DEGREES ELEVATION AND                                              MHz

3.    POINTS OF COMMUNICATIONS —— THE FOLLOWING SPACE STATIONS LOCATED IN THE GEO—
      STATIONARY SATELLITE ORBIT CONSISTENT WITH SECTIONS 1 AND 2 OF THIS LICENSE:
      a.  satellite(s)

4.    TRANSMITTING EQUIPMENT
                                                                                                        OUTPUT
      UNITS MANUFACTURER                                             MODEL NUMBER                  POWER —WATTS
 1.      1 to be determined                                          to be determined                     20 .0

5.    ANTENNA FACILITIES                                     SITE/ELEVATION:                      METERS AMSL


             DIAMETER                                                                           MAX.    ANT.    HT.
     UNITS   (Meters)   FEED MANUFACTURER                     MODEL NUMBER                        (Meters)
 1.      1     0 .15    OTHR   to be    determined            TO BE DETERMINED                                 AMSL
             MAXIMUM GAIN(S) :         5.0   dBi   at   1    GHz    5.0   dBi    at   1   GHz                  AGL


 2.      1     0 .40    OTHR to be determined                 TO BE DETERMINED                                 AMSL
             MAXIMUM GAIN(S) :     14.0      dBi   at   1   GHz    14.0   dBi    at   1   GHz                  AGL




6. REMOTE CONTROL POINT:                                             CALL SIGN:
     LOCATION: 1233 20TH STREET,               N.W.,    SUITE 301
               wWASHINGTON                                                 ,   DC 20036—

7. ANTENNA STRUCTURE MARKING AND LIGHTING REQUIREMENTS: NONE

ATTACHED FCC FORMS 488—A AND 488—B (STANDARD PROVISIONS) ARE INCORPORATED
INTO THIS AUTHORIZATION.   SPECIAL PROVISION REFERENCE NUMBERS ARE LISTED
IN SECTION 1 ABOVE; GENERAL PROVISION REFERENCE NUMBERS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
               (1) : 2932




                                                                                                       FCC Form 488


                               FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
                                    INTERNATIONAL BUREAU

                                        ANTENNA DATA REPORT

SEND TO:  ANTENNA SURVEY BRANCH                                    RETURN TO:;   SATELLITE ENGINEERING BRANCH
DATE FILED:  O02/21/1995                                           ATTN: JS

APPLICANT: AMSC SUBSIDIARY CORPORATION                                                     ANALYSIS RECORD



FILE NUMBER :          681—DSE—MP/L —95      CALL SIGN: E900081                           RECEIVED :
                                              SITE—ID:
SITE LOCATION ADDR:          30,000 Mobile Earth Stations                                 RETURNED :
             COUNTY:          (30,000 units)
        CITY/STATRE:         ,                                                            HELD FOR FAA ACTION:

COORDINATES:             *        **      LAT                  *       **     LONG        FAA ACTION/FILE:

SITE ELEVATION:                   FEET                                                    COMPLETED :

MAXIMUM ANTENNA HEIGHT:           lst                        FEET   (AGL)                 REVIEWED :
                                  2nd                        FEET   (AMSL)
                                                                                          ACTION:



(    )    NEW EARTH STATION ANTENNA
(    )   MODIFICATION OF EXISTING EARTH STATION ANTENNA

                             TO BE COMPLETED BY ANTENNA SURVEY BRANCH

17.7 NOTIFICATION CRITERIA              (FILE NOTICE OF PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION WITH FAA
     ON FORM FAA—7460—1)

{(   )   (A)    PROPOSED ANTENNA STRUCTURE EXCEEDS 200 FEET IN HEIGHT AGL
(    )   (B)    (1) EXCEEDS 100:1 SLOPE FOR AN AIRPORT WITH A RUNWAY OF MORE
                    THAN 3,200 FEET IN LENGTH (EXTENDS 20,000 FEET)
(    )          (2) EXCEEDS 50:1 SLOPE FOR AN AIRPORT WITH RUNWAYS NO MORE THAN
                    3,200 FEET IN LENGTH (EXTENDS 10,000 FEET)
(0   )          (3) EXCEEDS 25:1 SLOPE FOR A HELIPORT. (EXTENDS 5,000 FEET)
(    )   (C)    SITE IS WITHIN AIRPORT BOUNDARY.
(    )   (D)    SITE IS IN INSTRUMENT APPROACH AREA AND APPEARS CRITICAL.

17 .14         EXEMPTION FROM NOTICE:           (   )   (A)    20 FOOT CRITERIA       (        )   (B)   SHIELDING

ATIRPORT:                                                   ELEVATION AND LONGEST RUNWAY:
ANTENNA HEIGHT ABOVE AIRPORT:                               DISTANCE FROM RUNWAY:
FAA ACTION REQUIRED: (            )¥ES                      OBSTRUCTION CRITERIA EXCEEDED: ( ) YES
                     (              xo                  ,                                  ()1xo
NO OBSTRUCTION MARKING REQUIRED: (V/§/                                      FAA ACTION: (          ) CLEARED
                                                                                           (       )   DISAPPROVED

MARKING REQUIRED,        FORM 715

REMARKS :


                               FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
                                    INTERNATIONAL BUREAU

                                         ANTENNA DATA REPORT

SEND TO:  ANTENNA SURVEY BRANCH                                      RETURN TO:     SATELLITE ENGINEERING BRANCH
DATE FILED:  02/21/1995                                              ATTN: JS

APPLICANT: AMSC SUBSIDIARY CORPORATION                                                         ANALYSIS RECORD



FILE NUMBER:           681—DSE—MP/L        —95CALL SIGN: E900081                              RECEIVED :
                                               SITE—ID :
SITE LOCATION ADDR:           30,000 Mobile Earth Stations                                    RETURNED :
            CoOUNnTY:          (30,000 units)
        CITY/STATE:           ,                                                               HELD FOR FAA ACTION:

COORDINATES:             *         * *     LAT                   *       * *     LONG         FAA ACTION/FILE:

SITE ELEVATION:                     FEET                                                      COMPLETED :

MAXIMUM ANTENNA HEIGHT:            lst                       FEET     (AGL)                   REVIEWED :
                                   2nd                       FEET     (AMSL)
                                                                                              ACTION:



(   )     NEW EARTH STATION ANTENNA
(   )     MODIFICATION OF EXISTING EARTH STATION ANTENNA

                             TO BE COMPLETED BY ANTENNA SURVEY BRANCH

17.7 NOTIFICATION CRITERIA               (FILE NOTICE OF PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION WITH FAA
     ON FORM FAA—7460—1)

(   )    (A)    PROPOSED ANTENNA STRUCTURE EXCEEDS 200 FEET IN HEIGHT AGL
(   )    (B)    (1) EXCEEDS 100:1 SLOPE FOR AN AIRPORT WITH A RUNWAY OF MORE
                    THAN 3,200 FEET IN LENGTH (EXTENDS 20,000 FEET)
(   )           (2) EXCEEDS 50:1 SLOPE FOR AN AIRPORT WITH RUNWAYS NO MORE THAN
                    3,200 FEET IN LENGTH (EXTENDS 10,000 FEET)
(   )           (3) EXCEEDS 25:1 SLOPE FOR A HELIPORT. (EXTENDS 5,000 FEET)
(   )    (C)    SITE IS WITHIN AIRPORT BOUNDARY.
(   )    (D)    SITE IS IN INSTRUMENT APPROACH AREA AND APPEARS CRITICAL.

17 .14         EXEMPTION FROM NOTICE:        . (     )     (A)   20 FOOT CRITERIA        —(        )   (B)   SHIELDING

AIRPORT :                                                  ELEVATION AND LONGEST RUNWAY:

ANTENNA HEIGHT ABOVE AIRPORT:                              DISTANCE FROM RUNWAY:

FAA ACTION REQUIRED:           (   ) YES                   OBSTRUCTION CRITERIA EXCEEDED:                     (   ) YES
                               (   +4 xo                                                                      (—4 xo
NO OBSTRUCTION MARKING REQUIRED:                   (1/§'                       FAA ACTION:     (       )   CLEARED
                                                                                               (       )   DISAPPROVED

MARKING REQUIRED,        FORM 715

REMARKS :


                                                                                             DA 95—1701
                                                Before the
                            FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
                                         Washington, D.C. 20554




In re Application of

AMSC SUBSIDIARY CORPORATION                                                    File No. 681—DSE—MP/L—95

For Modification of its Blanket License to
Construct and Operate 30,000 L—Band Mobile
Earth Stations



                                   ORDER AND AUTHORIZATION

            Adopted: August 1 , 1995                                Released: August 1 , 1995

By the Chief, International Bureau:

                                          I. INTRODUCTION

          1.      AMSC Subsidiary Corporation has launched its first satellite. It now seeks to use that
satellite to serve its customers, replacing the satellite capacity it is leasing from its competitors.
Toward that end, AMSC has filed an application to modify its current interim authorization, which
permits it to operate up to 30,000 data mobile earth terminals (METs) to provide land mobile—satellite
service (LMSS).‘ Its interim authorization permits the use of facilities leased from Comsat and
Inmarsat in the lower L—band (1530—1544/1626.5—1645.5 MHz).® This modification application
requests authorization to shift the LMSS service to AMSC‘s own satellite, AMSC—1.

        2.      We grant AMSC‘s application in part, subject to certain technical and operational
conditions in keeping with prior Commission decisions. In conjunction with our earlier authorization
for AMSC to operate 200,000 voice MET‘s,* this authorization permits AMSC to expand its range of



   ‘   See In the Matter of the Application of American Mobile Satellite Corporation for Blanket License for
        30,000 Mobile Earth Stations, 7 F.C.C. Red. 942 (1992) (Blanket Authorization).

   *   Comsat has been authorized to lease Inmarsat space segment capacity on the Marisat F—1 AOR (Atlantic
       Ocean Region) satellite located at 106° W.L. and to lease an earth station at Southbury, Connecticut to
       AMSC for this service. See Blanket Authorization, supra, at para. 3.

   >   Public Notice of the application appeared on March 8, 1995 (Report No. DS—1512, page 2). Petitions and
       comments were filed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Aeronautical Radio, Inc. (ARINC),
       Motorola Satellite Communications, Inc., and TRW, Inc. Loral/QUALCOMM Partnership, L.P. filed its
       informal comments late, but in the interest of a full record we will consider them.

       See note 8, infra.


services using its AMSC—1 space segment, and completes a major step in the creation of competition
in the provision of messaging service on a worldwide basis.


                                            II. BACKGROUND

        3.      In the Blanket Authorization, AMSC was authorized to operate 30,000 low data rate
METs anywhere in the United States for domestic LMSS communications using Inmarsat‘s Marisat F—
1 AOR satellite, pending dedication of AMSC‘s own satellite system. That order also required
AMSC, Rockwell, and other domestic LMSS providers‘ to file a transition plan with the Commission
within 90 days after launch of AMSC‘s satellite to assure a smooth and expeditious migration of
domestic LMSS traffic to the upper L—band (1545—1559/1646.5—1660.5 MHz) AMSC system.©° The
Commission imposed no other technical requirements on LMSS terminals."‘

        4.      AMSC now seeks authority to operate a total of 30,000 METs on a permanent basis
through its AMSC—1 space segment. It currently operates some 3100 MET‘s in the lower L—band using
leased Inmarsat facilities. Of these, AMSC asks to move 1900 to the upper L—band. It seeks to
continue serving the other 1200 in the lower L—band through AMSC—1, since they are only capable of
operating in the lower L—band. AMSC says it will use the remainder of its permanently authorized
30,000 MET‘s in the upper L—band for future growth.

       5.       AMSC states that the technical specifications for its data METs, which are essentially
Inmarsat "Standard—C" units, are the same as those discussed in the Blanket Authorization. AMSC
says the change is only that the terminals will use the AMSC—1 space segment (instead of Inmarsat)
and operate over a different range of frequencies. Other than the 1200 existing METS which can
operate only in the lower L—band, the 30,000 METs for which AMSC seeks permanent authority will
be capable of operating in both the lower L—band and in the upper L—band, where AMSC is now
authorized to operate its satellite.‘



       Rockwell International Corporation was similarly authorized to operate 15,000 METs as a customer of
       AMSC.    Blanket Authorization, supra. Other interim LMSS providers were also authorized, subject to
       obtaining a lease from Comsat to access Inmarsat space station capacity. Id.

   °   This application is filed pursuant to this requirement.

   ‘   See Blanket Authorization, supra. See also In the Matter of the Application of American Mobile Satellite
       Corporation for Blanket License for 30,000 Mobile Earth Stations, 8 F.C.C. Red. 6310 (1993) (30,000
       METs Reconsideration).

   8   See AMSC Licensing Order, 4 F.C.C. Red 6041 (1989), Final Decision on Remand, 7 F.C.C. Red. 266
       (1992); aff‘d sub nom. Aeronautical Radio, Inc. v. FCC, 983 F.2d 75 (1993) (authorization to provide
       services in the upper L—band). See also 200,000 METs Blanket, File 2823—DSE—P/L—93, DA—95—482,
       released March 13, 1995 (authorization to use up to 200,000 voice METs in the upper L—band). We stated,
       at para. 13 of the 200,000 METs Blanket, that "This MET operating authorization . . . encompasses
       operation only in the frequencies 1545—1559/1646.5—1660.5 MHz [the upper L—band]." The issue of
       AMSC‘s permanent use of the lower L—band for its services is pending in File No. 59—DSS—MP—MP/ML—93.
       In view of the complex policy and legal issues associated with that proceeding, and the lack of any detailed
       justification by AMSC, we deny AMSC‘s request at note 3 of the subject application for Special Temporary
       Authority to operate its 30,000 METs in the lower L—band. However, we will grant AMSC Special
       Temporary Authority so that it can continue to operate its extant MET‘s using its AMSC—1 space segment.


        6.       In both the upper L—band and the lower L—band. Mobile Satellite Service (MSS)
operators such as AMSC must be able to provide "real—time preemptive capability" for certain safety
and distress services." In the upper L—band. the relevant safety—related service is the Aeronautical
Mobile Satellite (Route) Service (AMS(R)S), while in the lower L—band the relevant service is the
Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). AMSC‘s proposal to transition its METs
from the lower L—band to the upper L—band thus requires us to determine whether AMSC‘s new METs
are consistent with the safety requirements of a different range of frequencies, in which somewhat
different safety considerations may apply.


                                             III. DISCUSSION

        7.      We will modify AMSC‘s authorization to permit operation of up to 30,000 MET‘s in
the upper L—band, on the condition that those MET‘s provide real—time preemptive capability as
described in this Order.   However, as we discuss below, we will not authorize AMSC‘s operation of
its existing 3100 METs in the upper L—band because of concerns expressed by aeronautical authorities
over the real—time preemptive capabilities of these terminals. Instead, we will allow AMSC to
continue operating its existing MET‘s in the lower L—band temporarily, until it can introduce MET‘s that
satisfy the concerns of the aeronautical community. We will also grant AMSC special temporary
authority to operate AMSC—1 in the lower L—band so that the existing METs can migrate to AMSC‘s
own satellite as required by our prior orders.

         8.      Upper L—band and Real—Time Preemption. The upper L—band is allocated to both
Mobile Satellite Service (MSS) and AMS(R)S, which governs safety—related communications and
regularity of aircraft flight. In its AMSC Licensing Order, the Commission required AMSC to
incorporate into its overall system design whatever minimum requirements for aeronautical satellite
communications systems are endorsed internationally through the International Civil Aviation




        transition to the upper L—band.

   °    Section 2.106 of the Commission‘s Rules contains the Table of Frequency Allocations. The Table includes
        footnotes which denote stipulations applicableto both U.S. Government and non—Government stations. Each
        such footnote contains the "US" prefix. Other footnotes in the Table apply to international spectrum use;
        these do not contain a prefix. Footnote US308 states that in the 1549.5—1558.5/1651—1660 MHz bands the
        AMS(R)S requirements that cannot be accommodated in the 1545—1549.5 MHz, 1558.5—1559 MHz, 1646.5—
        1651 MHz and 1660—1660.5 MHz bands shall have priority access with real—time preemptive capability with
        respect to communications in the MSS.      Systems not interoperable with AMS(R)S shall operate on a
        secondary basis. Account shall be taken of the priority of safety—related communications in the MSS. Note
        729A states generally that, notwithstanding any other provision of the Radio Regulations relating to
        restrictions in the use of the bands allocated to AMS(R)S for public correspondence, the bands 1545—1555
        MHz and 1646.5—1656.5 MHz may be authorized by administrations for public correspondence with aircraft
        earth stations. Note 730C, which applies to United States domestic service, states that the band 1555—
        1559/1656.5—1660 MHz is allocated to MSS on a primary basis subject to the conditions that AMS(R)S shall
        have priority access and immediate availability over all other mobile—satellite communications within a
        network operating under this provision; mobile—satellite systems shall be interoperable with the AMS(R)S;
        and account shall be taken of the priority of safety—related communications in the other MSS services.

                                                       3


Organization.‘"

        9.      This issue was also raised in the 200.000 METs proceeding, following intervention of
the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Telecommunications and Information
Administration (NTIA) on the matter of protection of safety—related communications and distress
communications in the upper L—band."" in the 200,000 METs Order, the Commission conditioned
AMSC‘s use of the upper L—band on several operational/technical conditions, including:

        (1)       All MET‘s that do not continuously monitor a separate signalling channel
                  shall have provision for signalling within the communications channel; and

        (2)       Each MET shall automatically inhibit its transmissions on any or all channels
                  receiving a channel—shut—off command on a signalling or communications channel it is
                  receiving from its associated Land Earth Station."

The voice MET‘s at issue in 200,000 METs complied with these conditions. Both the voice METs and
AMSC‘s operating system function in a "full—duplex" mode (i.e., simultaneous transmission and
reception of signals) permitting preemption of MSS for AMS(R)S traffic on a virtually instantaneous
basis." This comports with ITU Regulations Footnote 730C, which requires immediate availability of
AMS(R)S, and Footnote US308, which requires real—time preemptive access for AMS(R)S."

         10.    AMSC states that its data terminals will operate in a "half—duplex" mode —— that is,
they cannot receive signals while they are transmitting. The instruction to the data MET to cease
transmitting comes from a land earth station on a TDM (time division multiplexed) carrier, but the
MET cannot act on that instruction while it is transmitting. In a worst—case situation, a data MET
could transmit for as long as several minutes, though AMSC‘s data indicate that in 99% of cases the
data MET transmissions are 4 or fewer seconds in duration.

        11.     NTIA and FAA object to AMSC‘s request because the 30,000 AMSC MET‘s are half—
duplex rather than full—duplex terminals. FAA says this means they cannot comply with Footnote
US308 to the U.S. Table of Allocations, or with Footnote 730C of the ITU‘s table of frequency
allocations, which require immediate preemption of non—AMS(R)S for AMS(R)S transmissions. FAA
recommends that the FCC: (1) require that AMSC METs be modified for full—duplex operation, with
real—time preemptive capability, or (2) grant authority for AMSC to allow continued use of extant
terminals with the AMSC—1 satellite in the lower L—band only.




        See AMSC Licensing Order, supra.

   !!   200,000 METs Blanket, supra.

    *   Id., para. 18.

   5    See Supplemental Letter to Secretary, FCC from Chief Scientist, AMSC, dated March 23, 1995, at 3. See
        also Letter to Secretary, FCC from Senior Scientist, AMSC, dated June 20, 1995.

   *    See Section 2.106 of the Commission‘s Rules, 47 C.F.R. § 2.106.

                                                     4


        12.      ARINC agrees with FAA and NTIA that the most critical issue in the development of
MSS capabilities was the ability of METs to remain "under control" of the system and to be
responsive to directions to cease transmission should the spectrum be needed for AMS(R)S. ARINC
states that despite AMSC‘s acknowledgement that the METs for which it now seeks authorization are
subject to preemption for AMS(R)S, the application does not "meet these requirements.""" The AMSC
application, ARINC asserts, reveals that the AMSC METs will transmit in response to a time—division—
multiplex forward channel from the AMSC‘s control center, but during transmission cannot be
interrupted. This period. ARINC states, can be up to 7.5 minutes in duration. ARINC concludes that
AMSC‘s METs violate the conditions of the NTIA/FAA requirement for immediate cessation of
transmissions should AMS(R)S need access to the frequencies.          Moreover, ARINC notes, the AMSC
METs cannot be shut down by AMSC in the event they are subject to a "stuck carrier.""°        ARINC
states that without the ability to provide preemptive access, the AMSC MET‘s could prevent
transmission of critical aeronautical safety communications traffic and are therefore not interoperable
with the AMS(R)S, as required. ARINC states further that the FCC should consult with NTIA and
FAA prior to issuing any authorization to AMSC."

        13.      In its Consolidated Reply and Opposition, AMSC states that 99.8% of the data
messages on its current service using over 7,000 METs (3100 AMSC and 4000 Rockwell) are less
than 9 seconds in length, with 99 percent of transmissions less than four seconds, though technically
the maximum length of a transmission could be 7.5 minutes. AMSC further states that it can send a
signal to the terminals which will automatically limit the maximum length of transmissions to ten
seconds." Thus, AMSC suggests that the vast majority of data transmissions, even on half—duplex
terminals, could be preempted in seconds. More fundamentally, AMSC argues that a number of
features of its overall system, working together, enable the AMSC system to provide real—time
preemption even though not every AMSC terminal can do so. AMSC states that its Network
Operations Center will continuously monitor not only the data traffic, but also voice traffic and all
other types of traffic on the AMSC system. The Network Operations Center will allocate frequencies
to these various networks, taking frequencies away from lower—priority users and giving them to
higher—priority users, such as AMS(R)S users. In addition, the Network Operations Center will always
maintain a "reserve pool" of unoccupied frequencies, which can be allocated to AMS(R)S without
preempting any other user. Furthermore, AMSC states that the data MET‘sat issue here are expected
to occupy less than ten percent of the total spectrum AMSC can access as a result of international
coordination. The vast majority of its frequencies will be used by its voice MET‘s, which are full—
duplex terminals and can be preempted almost instantly. AMSC also says that there is no existing or
planned satellite—based domestic aviation safety system using the upper L—band.

      14.     The time required to transfer resources to an aviation safety network will vary but
AMSC states that all the satellite resources of data networks can be shifted to an aviation safety



   ‘$   ARINC Petition at 4.

   8    1d. at 6. "Stuck carrier" refers to a transmitter that is erroneously switched to the transmit mode for an
        extended period.

   _    Also see TRW Comments at 5.

   3    AMSC Technical Appendix at 5.


system within less than 48 seconds, and most within less than 12 seconds." AMSC asserts that neither
FAA nor ARINC has presented any evidence to refute the practical feasibility of the AMSC basic
approach."      AMSC claims that the key determinant in preemption of its MET‘s is the time required by
the terminal protocols to insure a shut—off response of the outbound signalling channel. It asserts that
the METs® typical transmissions are so short that their length will have "no impact on the amount of
time required to shift resources to an AMS(R)S network."*‘

         15.    AMSC also opposes the options proposed by the FAA. It states that modifying the
METs to make them full—duplex is too expensive, some $500 per terminal, with a major design
required that would take a year to complete. The only option is to replace the terminals, which would
cost several thousand dollars each and "cause tremendous disruption."" The other option proffered by
FAA, limiting operations to the lower L—band, AMSC terms a reasonable short—term approach."

        16.          In its Reply, ARINC asserts that statistical explanations are not enough, and that in the
48 second interval AMSC says may be required to implement preemption, two aircraft closing at 1200
mph may collide. ARINC adds that placing half—duplex equipment in a portion of the band amounts
to band segmentation, and that MSS terminals "have never been proven to be capable of yielding
frequencies for higher priority transmissions.""*

        17.          The primary question before us with regard to preemption is whether AMSC‘s
statistical, systematic approach to achieving real—time preemption satisfies Footnotes US308 and 730C.
We cannot conclude that it does. AMSC‘s engineering defense of its "systemic" approach to real—time
preemption is convincing, and we might well accept it were it not for the vigorous opposition of
NTIA. However, the aeronautical community was very much opposed to any band—sharing between
commercial services such as AMSC‘s and safety—related services such as AMS(R)S.         The current
"generic" MSS allocation in the upper L—band was adopted only after aeronautical interests were
assured that all licensed MSS systems would provide real—time preemptive access to spectrum. While
AMSC‘s arguments that it has satisfied this condition are reasonable, we are reluctant to overrule
NTIA —— and its concern that accepting these arguments would be perceived by the aeronautical
community as a breach of the agreement which permitted the MSS allocation. Therefore, we conclude
that AMSC may not use its half—duplex MET‘s in the upper L—band at this time. We proceed to
discuss whether AMSC may continue to operate its data MET‘s in the lower L—band, as suggested by
FAA and NTIA.

        18.      Lower L—band and preemption. Just as footnote US308 protects AMS(R)S in the




   !°   AMSC at 8.

   *    Id. at 13.

   *‘   Id. at 14.

   "    fd..

   "    Id. at 17.

   **   ARINC Reply at 5.


upper L—band. US315 is intended to protect maritime mobile—satellite distress and safety
communications domestically by providing priority access and real—time preemptive capability for
distress and safety communications." The language of US315 is sufficiently similar to US308 that we
cannot conclude that US3O08 requires full—duplex METs but US315 does not. We are therefore
inclined to believe that AMSC ( like Inmarsat, Mexico, and others) currently provides mobile satellite
service in the lower L—band frequencies using METs that do not comply fully with the requirements of
Footnote US315 to Section 2.106 of the Commission‘s Rules. The low data rate "Standard C"
terminal and similar models used by AMSC and others do not operate in a full—duplex mode and
therefore are not capable of real—time termination of METs transmission (i.e., they cannot interrupt a
transmission once it has commenced).

         19.     However, the maritime distress and safety services have been operational for years and
are sufficiently robust and dynamic to permit us to consider less rigorous enforcement of US315 than
we must require for the aeronautical services under US308. The aeronautical distress and safety—
related services are untested and are potentially more time—sensitive than their maritime counterparts
due to higher aeronautical vehicle velocities. We also note that the half—duplex MMSS METs
currently in use have not adversely affected the effectiveness of the Global Maritime Distress and
Safety System (GMDSS), although operation of the GMDSS began only three years ago and is not
fully implemented. In the next two years, however, there may be a substantial increase in the number
of MMSS MET‘s in use worldwide.

        20.      Based on AMSC‘s statistical analysis of average message length and related
information, we believe that, under current conditions, existing data MET‘s in the lower L—band will
provide sufficient distress and safety communication priority to comply with the intent of US31S. For
these reasons we believe it appropriate to issue a temporary waiver of Footnote US315 to Section
2.106 of our Rules. This waiver will continue to require AMSC to operate on a secondary basis to,
and avoid harmful interference to, GMDSS. These MET‘s also must avoid harmful interference to
maritime distress and safety communications, e.g., GMDSS." Further, the waiver applies only to
METs currently used by AMSC, and only insofar as they are used to access AMSC‘s space segment.
The waiver will terminate two years from release of this order. in this way, we can be reasonably
assured that when MMSS MET‘s are more prevalent and GMDSS preemption therefore potentially
more urgent, the requirements of US315 will be followed strictly." We will condition our waiver on


   5*   US315 states as follows: In the frequency bands 1530—1544 MHz and 1626.5—1645.5 MHz maritime mobile—
        satellite distress and safety communications, e.g., GMDSS, shall have priority access with real—time
        preemptive capability in the mobile—satellite service. Communications of mobile—satellite system stations
        not participating in the GMDSS shall operate on a secondary basis to distress and safety communications
        of stations operating in the GMDSS. Account shall be taken of the priority of safety—related
        communications in the mobile—satellite service.

   *"   AMSC states that it is working with the U.S. Coast Guard to meet requirements established by the
        International Maritime Organization, which oversees GMDSS, to permit the U.S. to certify AMSC as a
        participant in the GMDSS. According to AMSC, that process should be complete within one to two years.

   "    At the end of the waiver period no AMSC data METs will be in the lower L—band, unless the Commission
        so authorizes it in the lower L—band proceeding. This will complete implementation of the transition plan
        required by our Blanket Authorization. We expect transition of all AMSC METs from Inmarsat space
        segment to AMSC—1 by the end of 1995, as stated in Letter to Secretary, FCC from Regulatory Counsel,

                                                       7


AMSC maintaining its continued use of its AMSC Network Operations Center management and
operational standards as set forth in its application and pleadings. We will also require AMSC to
maintain the current message—length statistics as indicated in its application and pleadings.

        21.     Lower L—band emission suppression. Motorola and Loral argue,. independently of
US315, that AMSC should not be permitted to operate its METs in the lower L—band because of the
danger that out—of—band emissions from AMSC‘s METs will interfere with the "Big LEO" service.
Motorola had agreed that out—of—band emission by AMSC at line—of—sight distances from IRIDIUM‘s
terminals "could interfere with the [RIDIUM system."*" Motorola further stated that the secondary
status of IRIDIUM‘s downlinks in this band cannot "protect [AMSC] from further scrutiny" because
AMSC also will interfere with [RIDIUM‘s uplinks, and because the temporary authority sought by
AMSC for use of the lower L—band does not permit interference with an authorized user of the
spectrum,. whether primary or secondary." On June 28, 1995, however, Motorola submitted a letter by
which it withdrew its opposition on this issue. Motorola now states that the terminals being
manufactured for AMSC "will not cause unacceptable interference to the IRIDIUM System in the
spectrum assigned to it so long as AMSC‘s terminals operate in the Earth—to—space direction above
1631.5 MHz.""° While Motorola and AMSC appear to have resolved their technical differences on the
out—of—band issue, Loral still objects. We must, therefore, respond to the arguments raised.

        22.         Loral states that AMSC‘s technical analysis regarding out—of—band emissions into the
1610—1626.5 MHz band "remains speculative because there are no technical rules for operation in the
lower L—band.""‘ Loral further states that use of METs by AMSC in the lower L—band, prior to
adoption of service rules and technical standards in that band, would necessitate coordination with
users of licensed systems in the 1610—1626.5 MHz band. This, it concludes, "would prejudice
coordination.""" For the extant 5,000 lower L—band METs, AMSC "should present a ‘transition plan‘
to its dedicated system as the Commission requested in the grant of interim authority. This transition
plan should, as contemplated by that Order, detail the manner in which AMSC will move these users
from the lower L—band to the upper L—band, Loral adds. No transition plan is needed for the 25,000
nonoperational MET‘s because it would be absurd to ‘transition‘ nonoperational MET‘s authorized to
use spectrum for which AMSC holds no license.""

        23.         AMSC asserts that Motorola and Loral vastly exaggerate the danger of interference.‘"*



        AMSC, dated July 6, 1995.

   *    Motorola Reply at 7.

   *    {d. at 7—8.

   °    Motorola Letter at 1.
   00   td.


   *    {d. at 3.

   }    Id., Loral Reply at 4.

   *    1d. at 23.


AMSC also asserts that its METs fully comply with the Commission‘s rules and "have considerably
lower out—of—band emissions than terminals that are operating or will operate in the lower L—band on
MSS systems of Inmarsat, Canada, Mexico, Australia, and others."" AMSC includes a technical
appendix that purports to show technical compliance with preemption requirements and out—of—band
emissions.

         24.     Section 25.202(f) of the Commission‘s Rules contains the out—of—band emissions limits
that apply to the instant case. Quite apart from Motorola and AMSC‘s agreement, we note that there
is nothing in the record that clearly demonstrates that the emission limitations of Section 25.202(f) do
not adequately protect the adjacent services for the vast majority of imaginable cases. Moreover, at
this time we do not know whether AMSC will operate on a permanent basis in the lower L—band or, if
it does, precisely what frequencies it will use. While AMSC appears to have agreed to remain above
1631.5 MHz, there may be changes due to the complexities of satellite coordination with other
countries‘ systems. As a general matter, we believe that further questions concerning out—of—band
emissions should in the first instance be addressed by the parties themselves.""           In sum, we believe
that any perceived potential for interference should be resolved in a cooperative way, based on
technical analysis and discussion among the users of the spectrum.

        25.      QOperation of AMSC—1. Our limited, temporary waiver of US315 does not, by itself,
enable AMSC to complete the transition of its current users from Inmarsat space segment to AMSC‘s
own satellite, because AMSC—1 is not licensed to operate in the lower L—band. In light of our
determination that the lower L—band is the only portion of the spectrum in which AMSC‘s data MET‘s
can operate, we must consider whether AMSC must continue to serve those MET‘s via leased Inmarsat
space segment, or whether instead we should, sua sponte, grant AMSC Special Temporary Authority
to operate AMSC—1 in the lower L—band for the purpose of serving existing METs."

        26.      AMSC‘s application included a request for authority to continue operating 1200
terminals in the lower L—band even if we permitted AMSC to move the rest of its MET‘s into the
upper L—band. TRW opposed that request on the specific ground that AMSC has no authority to
operate MET‘s via its own space segment in the lower L—band. TRW states that the Commission
granted AMSC the authority to construct up to 30,000 MET‘s to be capable of operating in the upper
L—band, authorizing AMSC to operate on an interim basis in the lower L—band via Inmarsat space
segment "until AMSC‘s upper L—band dedicated domestic mobile satellite service (MSS) is ready. n38
TRW alleges that AMSC is attempting to obtain operating authority in the lower L—band which the
Commission has specifically denied it. Moreover, TRW argues, it would be competitively




   5    1d. at 24.

   *    There is nothing in our rules that precludes Motorola and AMSC from discussing methods for preventing
        or reducing anticipated interference. To that extent, we encourage the parties to work together to solve their
        potential interference problems.   See Section 21.100(d) of the Rules.

    —   See 47 U.S.C. § 309(A).
   *    TRW Comments at 3.


disadvantaged were AMSC permitted to use the lower L—band. Loral shares this view."

         27.     The long—term use of the lower L—band is currently being considered by the
Commission in File No. 59—DSS—MP—MP/ML—93. We cannot and do not predict whether the
Commission will ultimately assign that spectrum to AMSC or to other applicants. We conclude,
however. that the public interest would be served by granting AMSC a 180—day STA for serving
existing data METs in the lower L—band from AMSC—1. Doing so will permit AMSC to speed the
implementation of the first domestic MSS system —— a policy the Commission has long pursued. In
addition. no other MET users in the lower L—band will be prejudiced by an STA,. since service to
AMSC‘s METs from AMSC—1 will be technically indistinguishable from their perspective. Nor will
Inmarsat be prejudiced, since the Commission‘s prior orders contemplated that AMSC would be
operating its data METs via AMSC—1 by this time. Finally, we reject any suggestion that this STA in
any way predetermines the outcome of File No. 59—DSS—MP—MP/ML—93.

        28.      GPS. We are concerned that AMSC‘s system include sufficient out—of—band emission
suppression to protect the Global Positioning System (GPS) and the Russian Global Navigation
Satellite System (GLONASS) which operate on frequencies near L—band. In its application, AMSC
states that it complies with the criteria for meeting the spurious emission level standards to protect
GPS contained in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) among the FCC, NTIA, and FAA." The
purpose of the MOU is to assure coexistence between GPS and GLONASS receivers and MSS METs
operating in bands near the frequency bands used by GPS and GLONASS receivers, including METs
to be used with AMSC‘s satellites. The provisions of the MOU establish specific out—of—band
emissions limitations and notification requirements in the event of detected harmful interference.*‘ We
believe that these provisions resolve any concern with regard to AMSC‘s data MET‘s causing harmful
interference to GPS receivers from AMSC‘s METs operating in bands near the frequency bands used
by GPS and GLONASS recelivers.

        29.      Radiation Hazard Analysis.     In a supplemental filing (Analysis) dated March 31,
1995, AMSC provides a radiation hazard analysis for its data METs. AMSC states that its data METs
will not exceed the revised maximum permissible exposure (MPE) limits established in IEEE/ANSI
C95.1—1992 for separation distances of 4.4 inches for the 17 dBW Mobile Messaging Service (MMS)
METs and 3.1 inches for the 10 dBW METs." It further states that there will be fewer than 2,000 of
the 17 dBW MMS METs in use. AMSC observes that the antennas typically will be mounted on top
of a tractor—trailer cab and that "it is highly unlikely than any person will be closer than 4.4" or 3.1" to


   *    Loral Letter at 2.

   *    See FCC Press Release (November 18, 1994).

   *‘   RTCA (formerly The Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics) Special Committee 165 (SC—165) is
        currently developing equipment performance standards in the L—band, as well as the standards for MET‘s
        adopted in the Commission‘s proceedings. See American Mobile Satellite Corp., 7 F.C.C. Red. 942, 945—47
        (1992). See also RTCA, Guidance on AMSS End—to—End System Performance (DO—215, may 13, 1993);
        RTCA, Minimum Operational Standards for AMSS, Part A (DO—210 Part A, June 19, 1992), and Part B
        (DO—210 Part B, May 13, 1993). RTCA SC—159, WG—6, is currently addressing matters of interference to
        Global Navigation Satellite Systems by MSS operations.

   *    See Notice of Proposed Rule Making, ET Docket No. 93—62, 8 F.C.C. Red 2849 (1993).

                                                      10


the antenna for a 30 minute period.""

       30.     The MPE limit under ANSI €95.1—1992 is 1.1 mW/em‘. AMSC indicates in its
Supplement that the power density of its 17 dBW MET at 4.4 inches is 1.06 mW/em*." The power
density of its 10 dBW MET at 4.4 inches is 0.21 mW/em*‘. (The power density of the 6 dBW MET
we calculate at 4.4 inches to be 0.08 mW/cm‘, based on AMSC‘s stated duty cycle of 1/30.) AMSC
Analysis at 2. Applying the 1.1 mW/em‘ standard of ANSI €C95.1—1992, i.e., in an uncontrolled
environment at full power over 30 minutes, we find that the 17 dBW (50.1 watt) MET requires a
distance from the body of some 60 em (23.7 inches); the 10 dBW(10 watt) MET requires about 27
cm (10.6 inches); and the 6 dBW (4 watt) MET requires 17 cm (6.7 inches). However, according to
AMSC, a typical MET transmits a maximum of 1 minute over a period of 30 minutes, and only .003%
of the messages sent by AMSC‘s MMS terminals during a test period exceeded one minute. Further,
as indicated earlier, over 99% of these messages were less than 4 seconds in duration. If we were to
assume a MET transmits fifteen 4—second messages in 30 minutes, for a total of 1 minute in 30
minutes, the MPE limits under ANSI C95.1—1992 would be met by all 3 MET types. Such an
assumption appears to represent a conservative estimate of the duty cycle that can be expected for the
subject METs.     Based on this analysis, we find that AMSC‘s METs meet the ANSI C—95—1992 MPE
limit and are in compliance with Commission Rules regarding radiation hazards. We note, however,
that subsequent Commission action in ET Docket No. 93—62 may affect future AMSC METs."

                                            IV. CONCLUSION

        31.     Our authorization to AMSC to operate up to 30,000 data METs using its AMSC—1
space segment represents a further step in the creation of competition in the provision of messaging
service on a worldwide basis. Accordingly, we find, pursuant to sections 309 and 319 of the
Communications Act of 1934, that the public interest will be served by granting AMSC authority to
continue to operate its data MET‘s in the lower L—band, pursuant to a temporary waiver of note US3 15
of Section 2.106 of the Rules. This waiverwill expire two years from the release of this order. We
also find that the public interest would be served by granting AMSC Special Temporary Authority to
serve existing METs from AMSC—1 in the lower L—band. This space segment STA will expire 180
days from release of this order, or upon release of the Commission‘s final order on operation and
licensing in the lower L—band, whichever occurs first." We also find that AMSC may construct and


   4   AMSC states that the typical maximum time for any MMS transmission is l minute. As discussed below,
       only .003% of AMSC‘s customers‘ messages exceeded one minute during the month February 1995. Over
       99% of these messages were less than 4 seconds in duration.

   *   AMSC assumes a duty cycle of 1/30, i.e., a typical maximum message transmission time from an MMS
       terminal of 1 minute over any 30 minute period.

   "   ET Docket No. 93—62 addresses revised standards for radiofrequency radiation emissions, including exposure
       guidelines for people using various kinds of radio transmitting devices. The currently applicable standard
       for these frequency bands under Commission Rules is in ANSI C95—.1—1982, and is 5 mW/cm*. See 47
       C.F.R. § 1.1307(b).

   *   The Special Temporary Authority issued to permit AMSC to utilize its AMSC—1 space segment to support
       its existing lower L—band METs expires 180 days from release of this order. Any subsequent extensions
       will in no event extend beyond the life of the waiver.

                                                      11


operate any portion ofits previously authorized METs in the upper—L band., if the METs comply with
the full—duplex requirement and the other,. related requirements for priority and preemption discussed
above.

        32.     We are, in effect. freezing the number of data MET‘s that AMSC may continue to use
in the lower L—band, but we are permitting AMSC to install up to 30,000 such MET‘s in the upper L—
band.

                                      V. ORDERING CLAUSES

        33.      Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED that, pursuant to Section 0.261 of the Commission‘s
rules on delegated authority, application File No. 68 1—DSE—MP/L—95, IS GRANTED and AMSC
Subsidiary, Inc. IS AUTHORIZED by Special Temporary Authority for 180 days from the release
date of this order to operate AMSC—1 space segment in the lower L—band (1530—1544/1626.5—1645.5
MHz) throughout the United States, subject to the conditions set forth. AMSC IS FURTHER
AUTHORIZED to construct and operate any portion of its 30,000 MET‘s throughout the United States,
using its AMSC—1 space segment in the upper L—band (1545—1559/1646.5—1660.5 MHz), provided such
MET‘s operate in a full—duplex mode and fully comply with the requirements of Footnotes 730C and
US308 to Section 2.106 of the Rules, and as set forth herein.

       34.    IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Footnote US315 to Section 2.106 of the
Commission‘s Rules [S WAIVED to permit AMSC to operate all its MET‘s in use on the date of
release of this order in the lower L—band on a non—real—time preemptive basis, subject to the
operational and response parameters set forth in AMSC‘s application and pleadings in this proceeding.
Under this waiver, AMSC shall operate on a secondary basis to safety and distress communications of
those stations operating in the GMDSS. Further, the waiver shall terminate two years from the date of
release of this order. Authority to operate in the lower L—band pursuant to Special Temporary
Authority shall be limited to those MET‘s in use in the lower L—band on the date of release of this
order, and such Special Temporary Authority shall terminate contemporaneously with the waiver.

      35.     IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that AMSC shall file annual system usage reports,
commencing with the effective date of this Order, containing the number of METs operating in the
lower L—band and in the upper L—band, and maximum and average message length statistics for those
data METs operating in the lower L—band. Such reports shall be submitted to the Chief, Satellite and
Radiocommunication Division, International Bureau.

        36.     IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that AMSC‘s data METs SHALL CONFORM to the
provisions of the Memorandum of Understanding among the FCC, NTIA and FAA discussed at
paragraph 28, herein.

                                                  FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

                                              :    Sun “-flzew
                                                   cott Blake Harris
                                                  Chief, International Bureau




                                                    12



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