[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 82 (Friday, April 28, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 20909-20914]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-10427]
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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
47 CFR Part 2
[ET Docket No. 91-280; FCC 95-114]
Mobile-Satellite Service at 148-149.9 MHz
AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.
ACTION: Final Rule; Petition for Reconsideration.
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SUMMARY: By this action, we deny a Petition for Reconsideration filed
by STARSYS, Inc. (STARSYS). In its petition, STARSYS requests either
that the Commission increase the permissible duty cycle from 0.25% to
1.0% per 15 minute interval for those systems in the low-Earth orbit
(LEO) mobile-satellite service (MSS) operating in the 148-149.9 MHz
band that use code division multiple access (CDMA) spread spectrum
systems and which do not utilize a system that avoids frequencies used
by other services in [[Page 20910]] this band, or in the alternative,
that the Commission exempt from the duty cycle limitation CDMA systems
operating below a certain power density. We are taking this action
because we continue to believe that the power density and duty cycle
requirements we adopted are necessary to prevent interference to
incumbent government fixed and mobile operations that will share this
band with LEO MSS on a co-primary basis.
EFFECTIVE DATE: May 30, 1995.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ray LaForge, Office of Engineering and Technology, telephone (202) 739-
0598.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission's
Memorandum Opinion and Order in ET docket No. 91-280, adopted March 14,
1995 and released March 30, 1995. The complete text of this Memorandum
Opinion and Order is available for inspection and copying during normal
business hours in the FCC Public Reference Center (Room 239), 1919 M
Street, NW, Washington, DC. The complete text of this Memorandum
Opinion and Order also may be purchased from the Commission's
duplication contractor, International Transcription Service, Inc., 2100
M Street, NW, Suite 140, Washington DC 20036, (202) 857-3800.
Summary of Memorandum Opinion and Order
1. STARSYS argued that the Commission has created redundant and
excessive interference protection criteria by adopting both maximum
power density and duty cycle limitations. It contends that either
limitation alone is sufficient to provide protection to existing fixed
and mobile government users. STARSYS requested that the Commission
exempt LEO MSS systems using CDMA spread spectrum that operate with
E.I.R.P. power densities below -16 dBW/4kHz from compliance with the
0.25% per 15 minute transmission duty cycle limitation. Alternatively,
STARSYS requests that the Commission modify the 0.25% per 15 minute
transmission time limit for CDMA systems to 1.0% per 15 minute period.
2. STARSYS stated that the duty cycle limit of 0.25% per 15 minute
interval was intended to accommodate a data transmission rate of 4800
bits per second (bps) that was specified in its 1990 license
application to construct and operate a system using CDMA spread
spectrum. However, it now claims that unanticipated interference in the
148-149.9 MHz band may force it to use a lower data transmission rate
of 1200 bps, which, with a duty cycle of 0.25% per 15 minute interval,
will result in an intolerably low data throughput. It argued that with
a duty cycle of 1.0% per 15 minute period, its system would achieve
throughput approximately equivalent to the throughput achieved with a
data rate of 4800 bps when used with a duty cycle of 0.25% per 15
minute period. Accordingly, STARSYS requested that the duty cycle be
increased to 1.0% to accommodate its lowering of the transmission rate
to 1200 bps.
3. NTIA, as representative of the government users of the 148-149.9
MHz band, opposed STARSYS' request for relaxation of the duty cycle
requirement. NTIA submitted a report to the Commission through the
Interdepartment Radio Advisory Committee. The report concludes that in
cases in which multiple earth stations exist within range of specific
government mobile systems, the duty cycle limitation adopted by the
Commission is necessary to protect these government systems.
4. We recognize that the power and duty cycle requirements will
impose limitations on satellite operations in the 148-149.9 MHz band.
However, we must ensure that adequate protection is afforded to the
incumbent government users of the band. The regulations adopted in the
Report and Order, ET Docket 92-28, 8 FCC Rcd 812, 58 FR 16360 (March
26, 1993), to provide this protection were developed through lengthy
negotiations between the Commission and NTIA and in consultation with
potential LEO MSS users. Therefore, to the extent STARSYS is requesting
a change of our rules that now impose both the power density and duty
cycle limitations, we do not find an adequate basis in the petition or
the comments to make such a change. Moreover, to the extent STARSYS is
requesting a waiver of these rules, we find that STARSYS has failed to
sustain its heavy burden for a waiver. STARSYS has not shown how
exempting it from the duty cycle requirement will better serve the
public interest, particularly in light of NTIA's report, with which we
agree, that the duty cycle limitation is necessary to protect
government users in this band.
5. We also deny STARSYS' request to modify the duty cycle
limitation for CDMA systems. As we have stated above, NTIA's report
indicates that the duty cycle limitation we adopted is necessary to
protect government users in this band. The development and provision of
LEO MSS must not result in unacceptable interference to those users.
Therefore, we will not modify the duty cycle limitation for CDMA
systems.
6. Accordingly, STARSYS' Petition for Reconsideration is DENIED. We
are also republishing in the Amendatory Text a copy of the final rules
since the original rules were not depicted accurately at the time of
the Report and Order. This action is taken pursuant to Sections 4(i),
7(a), 303(c), 303(g), and 303(r) of the Communications Act of 1934, as
amended, 47 U.S.C. Sections 154(i), 157(a), 303(c), 303(g) and 303(r).
List of Subjects in 47 CFR Part 2
Radio.
Federal Communications Commission.
William F. Caton,
Acting Secretary.
Amendatory Text
Part 2 of Chapter I of Title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations
is amended as follows:
PART 2--FREQUENCY ALLOCATIONS AND RADIO TREATY MATTERS: GENERAL
RULES AND REGULATIONS
1. The authority citation in Part 2 continues to read:
Authority: Sec. 4, 302, 303, and 307 of the Communications Act
of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. Sections 154, 154(i), 302, 303,
303(r), and 307, unless otherwise noted.
2. Section 2.106, the Table of Frequency Allocations is amended as
follows:
a. The entries for 137.0-138.0, 146.0-149.9, 149.9-150.05, 399.9-
400.05, and 400.15-401.0 MHz are removed and new entries for 137-138.0,
146.0-148, 148-149.9, 149.9-150.05, 399.9-400.05, and 400.15-401 MHz
are added in numerical order.
b. International Footnotes Nos. 599A, 599B, 608A, 608B, 608C, 609B,
647A, and 647B are added.
c. United States (US) Footnotes US318, US319, US320, US322, US323,
US324, US325, and US326 are
The additions, and revisions read as follows:
Sec. 2.106 Table of Frequency Allocations.
* * * * *
[[Page 20911]]
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International Table United States Table FCC use designators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Region 1 Region 2 Region 3 Government Non-Government Special-use
allocation MHz allocation MHz allocation MHz allocation MHz allocation MHz Rule part(s) frequencies
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * * *
*
137.0-137.025 137.0-137.025 137.0-137.025 137.0-137.025 137.0-137.025 ..............
SPACE OPERATION SPACE OPERATION SPACE OPERATION SPACE OPERATION SPACE OPERATION SATELLITE
(space-to- (space-to- (space-to- (space-to- (space-to- COMMUNICATION
Earth) Earth) Earth) Earth) Earth) S (25)
METEOROLOGICAL- METEOROLOGICAL- METEOROLOGICAL- METEOROLOGICAL- METEOROLOGICAL-
SATELLITE SATELLITE SATELLITE SATELLITE SATELLITE
(space-to- (space-to- (space-to- (space-to- (space-to-
Earth) Earth) Earth) Earth) Earth)
SPACE RESEARCH SPACE RESEARCH SPACE RESEARCH SPACE RESEARCH SPACE RESEARCH
(space-to- (space-to- (space-to- (space-to- (space-to-
Earth) Earth) Earth) Earth) Earth)
MOBILE- MOBILE- MOBILE- MOBILE- MOBILE-
SATELLITE SATELLITE SATELLITE SATELLITE SATELLITE
(space-to- (space-to- (space-to- (space-to- (space-to-
Earth) 599B Earth) 599B Earth) 599B Earth) 599B Earth) 599B
Fixed Fixed Fixed US318 US319 US318 US319
Mobile except Mobile except Mobile except US320 US320
aeronautical aeronautical aeronautical
mobile (R) mobile (R) mobile (R)
596 597 598 599 596 597 598 599 596 597 598 599 599A 599A
599A 599A 599A
137.025-137.175 137.025-137.175 137.025-137.175 137.025-137.175 137.025-137.175
SPACE OPERATION SPACE OPERATION SPACE OPERATION SPACE OPERATION SPACE OPERATION SATELLITE
(space-to- (space-to- (space-to- (space-to- (space-to- COMMUNICATION
Earth) Earth) Earth) Earth) Earth) S (25)
METEOROLOGICAL- METEOROLOGICAL- METEOROLOGICAL- METEOROLOGICAL- METEOROLOGICAL-
SATELLITE SATELLITE SATELLITE SATELLITE SATELLITE
(space-to- (space-to- (space-to- (space-to- (space-to-
Earth) Earth) Earth) Earth) Earth)
SPACE RESEARCH SPACE RESEARCH SPACE RESEARCH SPACE RESEARCH SPACE RESEARCH
(space-to- (space-to- (space-to- (space-to- (space-to-
Earth) Earth) Earth) Earth) Earth)
MOBILE- MOBILE- MOBILE- MOBILE- MOBILE-
SATELLITE SATELLITE SATELLITE SATELLITE SATELLITE
(space-to- (space-to- (space-to- (space-to- (space-to-
Earth) 599B Earth) 599B Earth) 599B Earth) 599B Earth) 599B
Fixed Fixed Fixed US318 US319 US318 US319
Mobile except Mobile except Mobile except US320 US320
aeronautical aeronautical aeronautical
mobile (R) mobile (R) mobile (R)
596 597 598 599 596 597 598 599 596 597 598 599 599A 599A
599A 599A 599A
137.175-137.825 137.175-137.825 137.175-137.825 137.175-137.825 137.175-137.825
SPACE OPERATION SPACE OPERATION SPACE OPERATION SPACE OPERATION SPACE OPERATION SATELLITE
(space-to- (space-to- (space-to- (space-to- (space-to- COMMUNICATION
Earth) Earth) Earth) Earth) Earth) S (25)
METEOROLOGICAL- METEOROLOGICAL- METEOROLOGICAL- METEOROLOGICAL- METEOROLOGICAL-
SATELLITE SATELLITE SATELLITE SATELLITE SATELLITE
(space-to- (space-to- (space-to- (space-to- (space-to-
Earth) Earth) Earth) Earth) Earth)
SPACE RESEARCH SPACE RESEARCH SPACE RESEARCH SPACE RESEARCH SPACE RESEARCH
(space-to- (space-to- (space-to- (space-to- (space-to-
Earth) Earth) Earth) Earth) Earth)
MOBILE- MOBILE- MOBILE- MOBILE- MOBILE-
SATELLITE SATELLITE SATELLITE SATELLITE SATELLITE
(space-to- (space-to- (space-to- (space-to- (space-to-
Earth) 599B Earth) 599B Earth) 599B Earth) 599B Earth) 599B
Fixed Fixed Fixed US318 US319 US318 US319
Mobile except Mobile except Mobile except US320 US320
aeronautical aeronautical aeronautical
mobile (R) mobile (R) mobile (R)
596 597 598 599 596 597 598 599 596 597 598 599 599A 599A
599A 599A 599A
137.825-138.0 137.825-138.0 137.825-138.0 137.825-138.0 137.825-138.0
[[Page 20912]]
SPACE OPERATION SPACE OPERATION SPACE OPERATION SPACE OPERATION SPACE OPERATION SATELLITE
(space-to- (space-to- (space-to- (space-to- (space-to- COMMUNICATION
Earth) Earth) Earth) Earth) Earth) S (25)
METEOROLOGICAL- METEOROLOGICAL- METEOROLOGICAL- METEOROLOGICAL- METEOROLOGICAL-
SATELLITE SATELLITE SATELLITE SATELLITE SATELLITE
(space-to- (space-to- (space-to- (space-to- (space-to-
Earth) Earth) Earth) Earth) Earth)
SPACE RESEARCH SPACE RESEARCH SPACE RESEARCH SPACE RESEARCH SPACE RESEARCH
(space-to- (space-to- (space-to- (space-to- (space-to-
Earth) Earth) Earth) Earth) Earth)
MOBILE- MOBILE- MOBILE- MOBILE- MOBILE-
SATELLITE SATELLITE SATELLITE SATELLITE SATELLITE
(space-to- (space-to- (space-to- (space-to- (space-to-
Earth) 599B Earth) 599B Earth) 599B Earth) 599B Earth) 599B
Fixed Fixed Fixed US318 US319 US318 US319
Mobile except Mobile except Mobile except US320 US320
aeronautical aeronautical aeronautical
mobile (R) mobile (R) mobile (R)
596 597 598 599 596 597 598 599 596 597 598 599 599A 599A
599A 599A 599A
* * * * * *
*
146.0-148 146.0-148 146.0-148 146.0-148 146.0-148
FIXED AMATEUR AMATEUR ............... AMATEUR AMATEUR (97)
MOBILE except FIXED
aeronautical MOBILE
Mobile (R) 607
608
148-149.9 148-149.9 148-149.9 148-149.9 148-149.9
FIXED FIXED FIXED FIXED MOBILE- SATELLITE
MOBILE except MOBILE MOBILE MOBILE SATELLITE COMMUNICATION
aeronautical MOBILE- MOBILE- MOBILE- (Earth-to- (25)
mobile (R) SATELLITE SATELLITE SATELLITE space) 599B
MOBILE- (Earth-to- (Earth-to- (Earth-to- US319 US320
SATELLITE space) 599B space) 599B space) 599B US323 US325
(Earth-to- US319 US320
space) 599B US323 US325
608 608A 608C 608 608A 608C 608 608A 608C 608 608A US10 608 608A US10
G30
149.9-150.05 149.9-150.05 149.9-150.05 149.9-150.05 149.9-150.05
RADIO- RADIO- RADIO- RADIO- RADIO-
NAVIGATION- NAVIGATION- NAVIGATION- NAVIGATION- NAVIGATION-
SATELLITE SATELLITE SATELLITE SATELLITE SATELLITE
LAND MOBILE- LAND MOBILE- LAND MOBILE- LAND MOBILE- LAND MOBILE-
SATELLITE SATELLITE SATELLITE SATELLITE SATELLITE
(Earth-to- (Earth-to- (Earth-to- (Earth-to- (Earth-to-
space) 599 space) 599 space) 599 space) 599B space) 599B
609B 609B. 609B. US319 US322. US319 US322.
608B 609 609A 608B 609 609A 608B 609 609A 608B 609A 608B 609A
* * * * * *
*
399.9-400.05 399.9-400.05 399.9-400.05 399.9-400.05 399.9-400.05 ..............
RADIO- RADIO- RADIO- RADIONAVIGATION- RADIONAVIGATION-
NAVIGATION- NAVIGATION- NAVIGATION- SATELLITE SATELLITE
SATELLITE SATELLITE SATELLITE MOBILE- MOBILE-
SATELLITE SATELLITE
(Earth-to- (Earth-to-
space) US319 space) US319
US326 US326
609 645B 609 645B 609 645B 645B 645B
* * * * * *
*
400.15-401 400.15-401 400.15-401 400.15-401 400.15-401
[[Page 20913]]
METEOROLOGICAL METEOROLOGICAL METEOROLOGICAL METEOROLOGICAL METEOROLOGICAL SATELLITE
AIDS AIDS AIDS AIDS AIDS COMMUNICA-
METEORO-LOGICAL- METEORO-LOGICAL- METEORO-LOGICAL- (radiosonde) (radiosonde) (25)
SATELLITE SATELLITE SATELLITE METEOROLOGICAL- METEOROLOGICAL-
(space-to- (space-to- (space-to- SATELLITE SATELLITE
Earth) Earth) Earth) (space-to- (space-to-
SPACE RESEARCH SPACE RESEARCH SPACE RESEARCH Earth) Earth)
(space-to- (space-to- (space-to- SPACE RESEARCH SPACE RESEARCH
Earth) 647A Earth) 647A Earth) 647A (space-to- (space-to-
MOBILE- MOBILE- MOBILE- Earth) 647A Earth) 647A
SATELLITE SATELLITE SATELLITE MOBILE- MOBILE-
(space-to- (space-to- (space-to- SATELLITE SATELLITE
Earth) 599B Earth) 599B Earth) 599B (space-to- (space-to-
Space-Operation Space-Operation Space-Operation Earth) 599B Earth) 599B
(space-to- (space-to- (space-to- US319 US320 US319 US320
Earth) Earth) Earth) US324 US324
Space Operation Space Operation
(space-to- (space-to-
Earth) Earth)
647 647B 647 647B 647 647B 647 647B US70 647 647B US70
* * * * * *
*
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Footnotes
* * * * *
599A The use of the band 137-138 MHz by the mobile-satellite
service is subject to the application of the coordination and
notification procedures set forth in Resolution RES46 (WARC-92).
However, coordination of a space station of the mobile-satellite
service with respect to terrestrial services is required only if the
power flux-density produced by the station exceeds -125 dB(W/
m2/4 kHz) at the Earth's surface. The above power flux-density
limit shall apply until such time as a competent world
administrative radio conference revises it. In making assignments to
the space stations in the mobile-satellite service in the above
band, administrations shall take all practicable steps to protect
the radio astronomy service in the 150.05-153 MHz band from harmful
interference from unwanted emissions.
599B The use of the bands 137-138 MHz, 148-149.9 MHz and 400.15-
401 MHz by the mobile-satellite service and the band 149.9-150.05
MHz by the land mobile-satellite service is limited to non-
geostationary-satellite systems.
* * * * *
608A The use of the band 148-149.9 MHz by the mobile-satellite
service is subject to the application of the coordination and
notification procedures set forth in Resolution RES46 (WARC-92). The
mobile-satellite service shall not constrain the development and use
of fixed, mobile and space operation services in the band 148-149.9
MHz. Mobile earth stations in the mobile-satellite service shall not
produce a power flux-density in excess of -150 dB(W/m2/4 kHz)
outside national boundaries.
608B The use of the band 149.9-150.05 MHz by the land mobile-
satellite service is subject to the application of the coordination
and notification procedures set forth in Resolution RES46 (WARC-92).
The land mobile-satellite service shall not constrain the
development and use of the radionavigation-satellite service in the
band 149.9-150.05 MHz. Land mobile earth stations of the land
mobile-satellite service shall not produce power flux-density in
excess of -150 dB(W/m2/4kHz) outside national boundaries.
608C Stations of the mobile-satellite service in the band 148-
149.9 MHz shall not cause harmful interference to, or claim
protection from stations of the fixed or mobile services in the
following countries: Algeria, the Federal Republic of Germany, Saudi
Arabia, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Brunei
Darussalam, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Canada, Cyprus, Colombia, Congo,
Cuba, Denmark, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Ecuador, Spain,
Ethiopia, the Russian Federation, Finland, France, Ghana, Greece,
Honduras, Hungary, Iran, Ireland, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Japan,
Jordan, Kenya, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mali,
Malta, Mauritania, Mozambique, Namibia, Norway, New Zealand, Oman,
Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, the Netherlands, Phillippines,
Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Syria, Romania, the United Kingdom,
Singapore, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Suriname, Swaziland,
Tanzania, Chad, the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic, Thailand,
Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, Yemen and Yugoslavia that operate in
accordance with the Table of Frequency Allocations.
* * * * *
609B In the band 149.9-150.05MHz, the allocation to the land
mobile-satellite service shall be on a secondary basis until 1
January 1997.
* * * * *
647A The band 400.15-401 MHz is also allocated to the space
research service in the space-to-space direction for communications
with manned space vehicles. In this application, the space research
service will not be regarded as a safety service.
647B The use of the band 400.15-401 MHz by the mobile-satellite
service is subject to the application of the coordination and
notification procedures set forth in Resolution RES46 (WARC-92).
However, coordination of a space station of the mobile-satellite
service with respect to terrestrial services is required only if the
power flux-density produced by the station exceeds -125 dB(W/
m2/4kHz) at the Earth's surface. The above power flux-density
limit shall apply until such time as a competent world
administrative radio conference revises it. In making assignments to
the space stations in the mobile-satellite service in the above
band, administrations shall take all practicable steps to protect
the radio astronomy service in the band 406.1-410 MHz from harmful
interference from unwanted emissions.
* * * * *
United States (US) Footnotes
* * * * *
US318 Until January 1, 2000, the use of the 137-138 MHz band by
the mobile-satellite service will be secondary to Government
satellite operations in the subbands: 137.333-137.367, 137.485-
137.515, 137.605-137.635 and 137.753-137.787 MHz.
US319 In the 137-138, 148-149.9, 149.9-150.05, 399.9-400.05, and
400.15-401 MHz bands, Government stations in the mobile-satellite
service shall be limited to earth stations operating with non-
Government satellites.
US320 Use of the 137-138, 148-149.9, and 400.15-401 MHz bands by
the mobile-satellite service is limited to non-voice, non-
geostationary satellite systems and may include satellite links
between land earth stations at fixed locations.
* * * * *
US322 The 149.9-150.05 MHz band is allocated to the mobile-
satellite service (Earth-to-space) on a primary basis after 1
January 1997 and shall be limited to non- [[Page 20914]] voice, non-
geostationary satellite systems, including satellite links between
land earth stations. Before 1 January 1997 use of this band on a
secondary basis for the mobile satellite service is allowed for land
earth stations at fixed locations.
US323 In the 148-149.9 MHz band, no individual mobile earth
station shall transmit, on the same frequency being actively used by
fixed and mobile stations and shall transmit no more than 1% of the
time during any 15 minute period; except, individual mobile earth
stations in this band that do not avoid frequencies actively being
used by the fixed and mobile services shall not exceed a power
density of -16 dBW/4kHz and shall transmit no more than 0.25% of the
time during any 15 minute period. Any single transmission from any
individual mobile earth station operating in this band shall not
exceed 450 ms in duration and consecutive transmissions from a
single mobile earth station on the same frequency shall be separated
by at least 15 seconds. Land earth stations in this band shall be
subject to electromagnetic compatibility analysis and coordination
with terrestrial fixed and mobile stations.
US324 Government and non-Government satellite systems in the
400.15-401 MHz band shall be subject to electromagnetic
compatibility analysis and coordination.
US325 In the band 148-149.9 MHz fixed and mobile stations shall
not claim protection from land earth stations in the mobile-
satellite service that have been previously coordinated; Government
fixed and mobile stations exceeding 27 dBW EIRP, or an emission
bandwidth greater than 38 kHz, will be coordinated with existing
mobile-satellite service space stations.
US326 The 399.9-400.05 MHz band is allocated to the mobile-
satellite service (Earth-to-space) on a primary basis after January
1, 1997 and shall be limited to non-voice, non-geostationary
satellite systems, including satellite links between land earth
stations.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 95-10427 Filed 4-27-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-M
