Attachment Comments

Comments

COMMENT submitted by Mobile Satellite Ventures Subsidiary LLC

Comments

2007-07-18

This document pretains to SES-STA-20070713-00937 for Special Temporal Authority on a Satellite Earth Station filing.

IBFS_SESSTA2007071300937_578779

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


In the matter of




                                      Nce Nes Nes Nt Neet Nes Nee Nes Ned Ne Neeed! Nee Ned Nes Nund! Nee Nes Nus!
SkyWave Mobile Communications,                                                                                       SES—STA—20070716—00943 (Call Sign E030055)
Inc.

Stratos Communications, Inc.                                                                                         SES—STA—20070713—00935   (Call   Sign EO0O0180)
                                                                                                                     SES—STA—20070713—00936   (Call   Sign EO10047)
                                                                                                                     SES—STA—20070713—00937   (Call   Sign E010048)
                                                                                                                     SES—STA—20070713—00938   (Call   Sign E010049)
                                                                                                                     SES—STA—20070713—00939   (Call   Sign EO10050)

Telenor Satellite Inc.                                                                                               SES—STA—20070716—00948 (Call Sign EO00285)
                                                                                                                     SES—STA—20070716—00953 (Call Sign E000283)
                                                                                                                     SES—STA—20070716—00954 (Call Sign E000282)
                                                                                                                     SES—STA—20070716—00951 (Call Sign EO00280)
                                                                                                                     SES—STA—20070716—00950 (Call Sign KA313)
                                                                                                                     SES—STA—20070716—00952 (Call Sign E000284)
                                                                                                                     SES—STA—20070716—00949 (Call Sign WB36)
                                         .




         COMMENTS OF.MOBILE SATELLITE VENTURES SUBSIDIARY LLC


        Mobile Satellite Ventures Subsidiary LLC ("MSV*") hereby files these Comments on the

above—referenced applications filed by SkyWave Mobile Communications, Inc. ("SkyWave"),

Stratos Communications, Inc. ("Stratos"), and Telenor Satellite Inc. ("Telenor") for a ninth 60—

day renewal of existing grants of Special Temporary Authority ("STA") to operate earlier—

generation mobile earth terminals ("MET‘s") using the uncoordinated Inmarsat 4F2 satellite at

52.75° W.L. For the reasons discussed in the attached Comments filed on January 3, 2007 in

response to adrequest for a new STA to operate earlier—generation MET‘s with the uncoordinated

Inmarsat 4F2 satellite, MSV urges the Bureau to continue to apply the conditions imposed on the

original STA grants for earlier—generation services as well as to (i) immediately require Inmarsat




400601516_1.D0C


to return the loaned frequencies and (ii) establish a firm expiration date for these STAs without

Inmarsat having completed coordination of the Inmarsat 4F2 satellite with the United States.

                                     Respectfully submitted,




      e{~
 Bruyé ]%Jécdfils
                                                         fowber LA Mare y
                                                     nflfer AfManner
 Tony Lin                                            Vice President, Regulatory Affairs
 PILLSBURY WINTHROP                                  MOBILE SATELLITE VENTURES
        SHAW PITTMAN LLP                                    SUBSIDIARY LLC
 2300 N Street, NW                               _   10802 Parkridge Boulevard
 Washington, DC 20037—1128                           Reston, Virginia 20191
(202) 663—8000                                       (703) 390—2700

Dated: July 18, 2007


ATTACHMENT


                                                                             —RECEIPT copy
                                                   Before the            |       HLED/ACCEP TED
                               Federal Communications Commission                     ~JAN —
                                      — Washington, D.C. 20554                         ‘AN      —3 2007
                                                                               Federal Communicatio
                                                                                                    ns Commission
  In the matter of                                                                    Office of the Secretary




                                          N/ NN
  Satamatics, Inc.                                File No. SES—STA—20061221—02209 (Call Sign E020074)


          COMMENTS OF MOBILE SATELLITE VENTURES SUBSIDIARY LLC

          Mobile SatelliteVentures Subsidiary LLC ("MSV") hereby files these Comménts on the

  ébove-referenced application filed by Satamatics, Inc. ("Satamatics") for a new grant of Special

  Temporary Authority (‘fSTA”) to operatel eaflier-generation mpbile earth terminéls using fhe

‘ uncoordinated Inmarsat 4F2 satellite at 52.75° W.L. ("Inmarsat 41'*‘2”).1 Satamatics requests that

  thé new STA grant reflect its new owhership that resulted from an unauthorized transfer of

  control in October 2006.‘ MSV 'urges the Bureau to continue to apply the conditions imposed on

  the original STA grant for eaflier-generation services provideci by Satamatics over Inmarsat 4F2

  as well as to (i) immediately terminate Satamatic‘s exisfing STA if this STA request is granted;

. (i1) immediately require Inmarsat to return the loaned frequencies; and (ii1) establiéh a firm

  expiration date for this STA Witho_fit Inmarsat héving co_fnpleted coordinationof the Inmarsat

  4F2 satellite with the United States.   |

         As an initial matter, the Bureau' should make clear that, if this STA is grante_d, Satamgtics

| will be authorized to operate a total of 25,000 Inmarsat D+ termihals' on a tempofary basis, and

| that Satamatics is not authorized to operate pursuant to this "new" STA grant as well as its

 previofis STA grant for a total of 50,000 Inmarsat D+ terminals. Accordingly, if this STA _




   See Satamatics, Inc., Request for Special Temporary Authority, File No. SES—STA—20061221—02209
  (Call Sign E020074) (filed December 21, 2006) ("Satamatics Application").         —


  request is granted, the Bureau should immediately terminate theprevious STA granted to

  S.atamatics .

          Inmarsat continues to refuse to return certain L band frequencies that were coordinated

  under the 1999 Spectrum Sharing Arrangement ("SSA") for MSV and MSV Canada, which |

  loaned them temporarily to Inmarsat, and which Inmarsat has refused to return." Critically,

  Inmarsat‘s refusal to return the loaned frequencies blocks MSV from déploying new, bandwidth—

  intensive services on its present sysfem, including importént pilblic safety services. Public safety .

  offigials have informed the Commissionlthat they are particularly prejudicéd by Inmarsat‘s

  steadfést refusal to return the loaned fr-équencies.3 Among other things, public safety users have

  expressed concern to the Comniiséion that Inmarsat‘s refusal to return the loaned frequencies

  will impedethe critical services MSV offers today to public saféty users. The Commonwealth of

  Kentucky‘s Division of Emergency Management, an MSV user, has inforrfied the Commission

  that the loaned frequencies are "required for MSV to develop new and innovative service for




  * The Bureau has defined these frequencies as "loaned" and described them as "those bandwidth segments
  that were loaned to Inmarsat by MSV and [Mobile Satellite Ventures (Canada) Inc.], either as part of the
_ Revised 1999 Spectrum Sharing Arrangement (October 4, 1999), or later as bilateral arrangements
  between Inmmarsat and MSV and Inmarsat and MSV Canada." See, e.g., Telenor STA Grant, File No.
  SES—STA—20060118—00055 et al (January 18, 2006), at [ 3.
  * See Letter from MISSISSlppl Senator Merle Flowers to Chairman Kevin J. Martm FCC, File No. SES—
  LFS—20050826—01175 et al (May 24, 2006) ("MSV needs L band spectrum it loaned to Inmarsat to be
  returned . . . ."); Letter from Bolivar County (MS) Emergency Management Agency to Chairman Kevin J.
  Martin, FCC, File No. SES—LFS—20050826—01175 et al (May 24, 2006); Letter from City of Orlando
  Emergency Management to Chairman Kevin J. Martin, FCC, File No. SES—LFS—20050826—01175 et al
  (May 24, 2006); Letter from Collier (FL) County Government to Chairman Kevin J. Martin, FCC, File
  No. SES—LFS—20050826—01175 et al (May 26, 2006); Letter from Alliance to Save Florida‘s Trauma Care
 — to Chairman Kevin J. Martin, FCC, File No. SES—LFS—20050826—01175. et al (May 24, 2006); Letter from
_ Hernando County (FL) Emergency Management to Chairman Kevin J. Martin, FCC, File No. SES—LFS—
   20050826—01175 et al (June 12, 2006); Letter from Sheriff Bob Holder, Comal County (TX) Sheriff‘s
   Office, to Chairman Kevin J. Martin, File No. SES—LFS—20050826—01175 et al (September 22, 2006);
  Letter from Kendell Poole, Director of Tennessee Governor‘s Office of Highway Safety, to Chairman
  Kevin J. Martin, File No. SES—LFS—20050826—01175 et al (September 25, 2006); Letter from Dr. Daniel
  D. Canale, Department of Pathology, Baptist Hospital, Nashville, TN, to Chairman Kevin J. Martin, File
  No. SES—LFS—20050826—01175 et al (November 9, 2006).


  public safety users, including additionai services that further improx}e interoperable

  communications.""

         For exémple, as MSV expiained in Comments filed on the Commission‘s Notice bf

  Proposed Rulemaking ("NPRM"‘) seeking input ofi the recom;r.néndatic;ns of the Ifidependent

 Panel Reviewing the Impact of Hurricane Katrina on Communications Networks ("Katrina

, Panel")," MSV.currently offers the orfly satellite—based push—to—talk ("PTT*") service in the

 country tovday.6 This product allows point—to-péint or point—to—multipoint voice communications

 among users in a custgmer-defined group using a PTT handset. Using a customer—defined

 calling group, a public safety user can cofnrfiunicate with one or up to 10,00.0 users —     |

. simultaneously.' With this technology, all users within the call grdup receive the same

 information simultanequsly. During émergencies whgn terrestrial infrastructure is impaired,

 MSV‘s PTT service can.be of critical impofiance ifi keeping first responders informed. In — .

 addition, MSV‘s PTT service can b§ interfaced with existifig ferrestrial—based public safety.

 radios (LMRs) of commercial Enhanced Specialized Mobile Radios (ESMR), and thus serve as a |

 ‘satellite repeater toboth technologies. This gnabies the radios to continue to funcfion' even when |

 the terrestrial infrastr_ucturé- suppo_fiing the LMRQ or ESMRs are destroyed. It ié precisely this

 type of critical, interoperable public safety service that 1s beifig ii‘nbeded by Inmarsat‘s continued

 refusal to return loaned frequencies and continued operation of uncoordinated satellites.




 * See Letter from Commonwealth of Kentucky‘s Division of Emergency Management to Ms. Marlene H.
 Dortch, FCC, File No. SES—LFS—20050826—01175 et al (July 24, 2006); see also Letter from Southwest
 Texas Regional Advisory Council for Trauma to Ms. Marlene H. Dortch, FCC, File No. SES—LFS— _
 20050826—01175 et al (July 17, 2006).
 5 See Recommendations ofthe Independent Panel Reviewing the Impact ofHurricane Katrina on
 Communications Networks, Notice ofProposed Rulemaking, EB Docket No. 06—119, FCC 06—83 (June
 16, 2006) ("NPRM). .                      .
 6 See Comments of Mo\lbile Satellite Ventures Subsidiary LLC, EB Docket No. 06—119 (August 7, 2006).


                                                   3


         Moreover, Inmarsat‘s refusai precludes MSV from using these frequencies to support

 ekisting customers and for testing and deploying its interim—generation and neXt-generafion

 integrated satellite—terrestrial network. Accordingly, operation of earlier—generation services

 with Inmarsat 4F2 pursuant to grant of STA has adversely affected the interference environment

 in the L band.

  |      The Bureau has already tai;en action to prohibit Inmarsat‘s illegal usurpation of loaned

 frequencies for its Broadbafid Global Area Network (“BGAN"") service using the uncoordinated.v

| Inmarsat 4F2.satellite.7 MSV urges the Bureau to take the same action with respect to Inmarsat‘s

 earlier—generation services. While Satamatics and Inmarsat filed reports almost dne year ago

 pertaining to their possible use of loaned frequencies for earlier—generation serviées, the Bureau

 has not yet acted to preclude Inmarsat from using the loaned freciuencie_s for these services.

 These reports. (to the extent they are publicly available) contain absolutely_ fio analytical,

 statistiéal, or 6ther support to justify Inmarsat‘s continued refusal to relinduish the loaned

 frequencies despite the harm that is being caused to MSV and MSV Canada. This harm is

 occurring now and is exacerbated By the refusal of Inmarsat and Satamatics to retfim these

_ frequencies to MSV and MSV Canada.

       —In addifion to requiring an immediate return of the loaned frequencies, MSV urges the

 Bfireau to provide a clear éXpiration date for this STA unless Inmarsat has completedthe

 coordination of the new and relocated inmarsat safiellités ‘and services. Not ohly will successful _

 coordination mitigate the harmful in;cerferénce that would otherwise result from operation of

 Inmarsat‘s uncoordinated satellite, this coordination should also faciiitate, rebanding of L band

 spectrum- into more contiguous frequency blocks that will increase efficient use of L band


 " See, e.g., Stratos Communications, Inb., Grant, File No. SES—STA—20060310—00419 (Call Sign 050249)
 (May 12, 2006), Condition No. 3.


  spectrum® and maximize the potential for offering broadband servicés, which Chairman Martin

  recently explained is the Commission‘s fop priority.9 Indeed% numerous publié safety users and

  government entities have filed letters urging the Commission to promote the coor_dinatiofi of

  contiguous L bandlfrequency assignments in ordér to facilitafc broadband satéllité services for
                      10
  first responders.


  ° The Commission has identified the promotion of "efficient and effective" use of spectrum as one of its
  strategic objectives (see FCC, Strategic Plan: 2006—2011 (September 30, 2005)), and it has recognized:
 the assignment of contiguous frequency blocks as a means of achieving this efficiency. See generally
 Improving Public Safety Communications in the 800 MHz Band, Report and Order, 19 FCC Red 14969
 (August 6, 2004); Amendment ofPart 2 ofthe Commission‘s Rules to Allocate Spectrum Below 3. GHzfor
 Mobile and Fixed Services to Support the Introduction ofNew Advanced Wireless Services, including
  Third Generation Wireless Systems, Third Report and Order, Third Notice ofProposed Rule Making, and
 Second Memorandum Opinion and Order, 18 FCC Red 2223, «[ 68 (2003); Amendment ofPart 2 ofthe
 Commission‘s Rules to Allocate Spectrum Below 3 GHz, Second Report and Order, 17 FCC Red 23193,
 16 (November 15, 2002) ("The record also identifies general benefits of large contiguous blocks of
 harmonized spectrum, including economies of scale in equipment development and quicker deployment
 of advanced services.").
. > See Remarks of FCC Chairman Kevin J. Martin, Imagining the Digital Healthcare Future in the Rural
  West, Montana State University — Bozeman (July 7, 2006) ("Since becoming Chairman about 16 months
 ago, I have made broadband deployment the Commission‘s top priotity. . . .); see also White House, 4
 New Generation ofAmerican Innovation (April 2004) ("The President has called for universal, affordable
  access for broadband technology by the year 2007 and wants to make sure we give Americans plenty of
 ‘technology choices when it comes to purchasing broadband. Broadband technology will enhance our
 Nation‘s economic competitiveness and will help improve education and health care for all Americans.")
  (available at http://www.whitehouse. gov/infocus/technology/economic_policy200404/toc.html); FCC,
 Strategic Plan: 2006—2011 (September 30, 2005) (identifying the promo‘uon of broadband as one of the
_ Commission‘s six general goals for the next five years).
   See Letter from Santa Rosa County (FL) Division of Emergency Management to Chairman Kevin J.
 Martin, FCC, File No. SES—LFS—20050826—01175 et al (June 15, 2006) (asking the Commission to "take
  measure to ensure that satellite providers in our state have access to enough contiguous spectrum to offer.
. the new types of services that will make a difference for our first responders"); See Letter from Charles
  Barbour, Supervisor, Hinds County (MS) to Chairman Kevin J. Martin, FCC, File No. SES—LFS— .
 20050826—01175 et al (May 26, 2006) ("the L band spectrum used currently by five parties needs to be
—redistributed so that all parties‘ shares are contiguous"); Letter from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of
 Florida to Chairman Kevin J. Martin, FCC, File No. SES—LFS—20050826—01175 et al (May 23, 2006);
 Letter from Hinds County (MS) Sheriff‘s Department to Chairman Kevin J. Martin, FCC, Flle No, SES—
 LFS—20050826—01175 et al (May 23, 2006); Letter from Community Development Leagues of America,
 Inc. to Chairman Kevin J. Martin, FCC, File No. SES—LFS—20050826—01175 et al (May 25, 2006); Letter
 from Seminole County (FL) Department of Information Technologies to Chairman Kevin J. Martin, FCC,
 File No. SES—LFS—20050826—01175 et al (June 8, 2006); Letter from Florida Department of Agriculture
 and Consumer Servicés to Chairman Kevin J. Martin, FCC, File No. SES—LFS—20050826—01175 et al
 (May 24, 2006); Letter fromKenneth W. Stolle, Member, Virginia Senate, to Chairman Kevin J. Martin,
 FCC, File No. SES-LFS-20050826—01175 et al (July 12, 2006); Letter from John M. O‘Bannon, III, MD,


          If, however, the Bureau continues to renew STAs for use of Inmarsat‘s new satellite and

  sérvices without insisting that Inmarsat first complete coordination, there are no reasonablé

  prospects that such coordination will ever be successfully completed. Instead, Inmarsat will

  continue to shirk its obligation to coordinate its satellites with other North American L band.

  operatofs, thereby thwarting the Commission‘s goals of increasing efficient spectrum use and

. promoting broadband deployment.

    .                                   Respectfully submitted,




 GLIZ_ [A [A
   Bruce D. Jacobs      .                             Seénnifer A. Manner
  David S. Konczal >                                  Vice President, Regulatory Affairs
  PILLSBURY WINTHROP _                              _ MOBILE SATELLITE VENTURES
  J      SHAW PITTMAN LLP                     .              SUBSIDIARY LLC
   2300 N Street, NW                                   10802 Parkridge Boulevard
  Washington, DC 20037— 1128                          Reston, Virginia 20191
  (202) 663—8000      ‘                               (703) 390—2700       |

 Dated: January 3, 2007




 Delegate 73" District, Member Virginia House of Delegates, to Chairman Kevin J. Martin, FCC, Flle
 No. SES—LFS—20050826—01175 et al (July 28, 2006); Letter from L. Scott Lingamfelter, Member,
 Virginia House of Delegates, to Chairman Kevin J. Martin, FCC, File No. SES—LFS—20050826—01175 et
 al (July 17, 2006); Letter from David B. Albo, Member, Virginia House of Delegates, to Chairman Kevin _
 J. Martin, FCC, File No. SES—LFS—20050826—01175 et al (July 12, 2006); Letter from John W. Jones,
 Executive Director, Virginia Sheriffs‘ Association, to Chairman Kevin J. Martin, FCC, File No. SES—
  LFS—20050826—01175 et al (July 24, 2006); Letter from J. Bradley Reynolds, Commissioner Northeast
_ Ward, Nacogdoches, Texas, to Chairman Kevin J. Martin, FCC, File No. SES—LFS—20050826—01175 et al
 (July 19, 2006); Letter from Steve McCraw, Homeland Security Director, Office of Texas Governor Rick
 Perry, to Chairman Kevin J. Martin (August 31, 2006); Letter from John Wood, Cameron County
 Commissioner, Precinet 2, to Chairman Kevin J. Martin (September 5, 2006); Letter from Mike Krusee,
 Chairman of the Committee on Transportation of the Texas House of Representatives, to Chairman Kevin
 J. Martin, File No. SES—LFS—20050826—01175 et al (October 19, 2006); Letter from Ron Harris, Collin
 County (TX) Judge, to Chairman Kevin J. Martin, File No. SES—LFS—20050826—01175 et al (October 30,
 2006).


                                    CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
           I, Sylvia A. Davis, a secretary with the law firm of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw
  Pittman LLP, hereby certify that on this 3rd day of January 2007, I served a true copy of
  the foregoing by first—class United States mail, postage prepaid, upon the following: —
  John Giusti*                                      Roderick Porter*
  International Bureau                              International Bureau
  Federal Communications Commission                 Federal Communications Commission
  445 12"" Street, S.W. _                           445 12" Street, S.W.    _
  Washington, DC 20554                              Washington, DC 20554 .

  Gardner Foster*®                                  Richard Engelman*
  International Bureau                              International Bureau
  Federal Communications Commission                 Federal Communications Commission
  445 12" Street, S.W.                              445 12" Street, S.W.
  Washington, DC 20554                              Washington, DC 20554

  Robert Nelson*                                    Cassandra Thomas*
  International Bureau                              International Bureau               .
  Federal Communications Commlssmn                  Federal Communications Commission
  445 12" Street, S.W.                              445 12"" Street, S.W.
— Washington, DC 20554                              Washington, DC 20554

 — John Martin*                                     Fern Jarmulnek*
   International Bureau                —            International Bureau
_ Federal Communications Commission                 Federal Communications Commission
. 445 12"" Street, S.W.         '                   445 12"" Street, S.W.
  Washington, DC 20554                              Washington, DC 20554

  Scott Kotler*®                                    Kathyrn Medliecy*
  International Bureau                              International Bureau
  Federal Communications Commlssmn                  Federal Communications Commission
  445 12Street, S.W.        _                       445 12"" Street, S.W.       '
— Washington, DC 20554 >                            Washington, DC 20554 _

  Stephen Duall*                                   _ Howard Griboff*
  International Bureau                              International Bureau
  Federal Communications Commission                 Federal Communications Commission
  445 12"" Street, S.W.                             445 12"" Street, S.W.
  Washington, DC 20554                              Washington, DC 20554

  Brian Hester                                      Alfred M. Mamlet
  Satamatics, Inc.                                  Steptoe & Johnson LLP
  P.O. Box 393                                       1330 Connecticut Avenue N.W.
  Buckeystown, MD 21717                             Washington, D.C. 20036
                                                    Counsel for Satamatics, Inc.


                     i                             cAytuin i. L
                                                   ‘Sylvia A. Davis
  *By electronic rr\%ail


                             CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

       I, Renee Williams, a secretary with the law firm of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw
Pittman LLP, hereby certify that on this 18th day of July 2007, served a true copy of the
foregoing by first—class United States mail, postage prepaid, upon the following:
Keith H. Fagan                                    Alfred M. Mamlet
Telenor Satellite, Inc.                           Steptoe & Johnson LLP
1101 Wootton Parkway                              1330 Connecticut Avenue N.W.
10" Floor                                         Washington, D.C. 20036
Rockyville, MD 20852
                                                  Counsel for Stratos Communications, Inc., and
                                                  SkyWave Mobile Communications, Corp.

John P. Janka                                     Diane J. Cornell
Jeffrey A. Marks                                  Vice President, Government Affairs
Latham & Watkins LLP                              Inmarsat, Inc.
555 Eleventh Street, N.W.                         1101 Connecticut Avenue NW
Suite 1000                                        Suite 1200
Washington, DC 20004                              Washington, DC 20036

Counsel for Inmarsat, Inc.
                                                  Ani Tourian
                                                  SkyWave Mobile Communications, Corp.
                                                  1145 Innovation Drive, Unit 288
                                                  Ottawa, ON Canada K2K 3G8




                                                 Renee Williams



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Document Modified: 2019-04-11 00:42:07

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