[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 83 (Monday, May 1, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 21048-21052]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-10418]
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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
47 CFR Part 2
[ET Docket No. 92-28; FCC 95-70]
Mobile-Satellite Service at 1610-1626.5 and 2483.5-2500 Mhz
AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.
ACTION: Final rule; clarification and correction of typographical
errors.
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SUMMARY: This Memorandum Opinion and Order (MO&O) affirms the decision
in the Report and Order (R&O) in this proceeding to allocate the 1610-
1626.5 MHz (1.6 GHz) and 2483.5-2500 MHz (2.4 GHz) bands for
geostationary orbit (GSO) and non-geostationary orbit (low-Earth orbit
or LEO) mobile-satellite service (MSS) use, and clarifies that the
Commission made no finding in that decision as to whether both types of
systems would be authorized. We also clarify the meaning of
international footnotes RR753F and RR731E, but defer to the
International Telecommunication Union (ITU) 1995 World
Radiocommunications Conference (WRC-95) action on modification of these
footnotes. Finally, we note that we will explore with the National
Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) the
possibility of Government or shared Government/non-Government bands
being made available to assist in satisfying MSS/radiodetermination
satellite service (RDSS) feeder link requirements.
EFFECTIVE DATE: May 31, 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. 92-28 adopted on February
24, 1995 and released on March 20, 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 20554. 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. In the R&O, (See ET Docket No. 92-28, 9 FCC Rcd 536, 59 FR 9413
(1993)) we allocated the 1.6 and 2.4 GHz bands for LEO and GSO MSS on a
primary basis. We stated that this allocation supports the growing
demand for mobile communications, permits the introduction of new
satellite services, and conforms to the 1992 World Administrative Radio
Conference (WARC-92) spectrum allocation for these bands.
2. On March 30, 1994, Loral Qualcomm Satellite Services, Inc.
(LQSS) filed a Petition for Clarification and Partial Reconsideration
of the R&O requesting that the Commission (1) clarify that the R&O was
intended only to allocate spectrum for MSS but did not establish
eligibility requirements for MSS licensees; (2) increase the power flux
density (PFD) values in RR753F and clarify that these values represent
thresholds that determine when coordination with terrestrial users is
required, rather than absolute limits; (3) modify RR731E to apply a -15
dBW/4 kHz EIRP limit to all MSS uplinks and eliminate the requirement
for protection of aeronautical radionavigation systems; and (4)
identify spectrum below 15 GHz that can be used for MSS feeder links.
3. We concur with LQSS that the R&O made no finding on the
desirability of LEO versus GSO systems. In the Notice of Proposed Rule
Making (NPRM) (see ET Docket 92-28, 7 FCC Rcd 6414, 57 FR 43434
(September 21, 1992)) we proposed to require MSS systems licensed in
the 1.6 and 2.4 GHz bands to operate in non-geostationary orbits. The
R&O did not make any determination of this issue. However, the recent
Report and Order in the service rules proceeding decided this issue in
favor of LEO satellite systems. See CC Docket No. 92-166, 9 FCC Rcd
5936, 59 FR 53294 (1994).
4. Further in regard to footnote RR753F, in the R&O, we concluded
that the international footnotes adopted for the 1.6 and 2.4 GHz bands
by WARC-92 were intended to form the basis for international
notification and coordination of various satellite systems, and to
ensure that new and existing systems are afforded protection from
harmful interference. We therefore adopted footnote RR753F
domestically. While the PFD values prescribed by RR753F may be viewed
by LQSS as excessively conservative, we believe that the proper forum
for modifying these values is WRC-95. However, we concur with LQSS and
commenting parties that these values were not intended as absolute
limits. We thus clarify that the PFD values prescribed by RR753F are
coordination thresholds that may be exceeded with the consent of all
affected parties. [[Page 21049]]
5. Further, RR731E was one of the bases for international agreement
on the use of the 1.6 GHz band for the implementation of new mobile-
satellite services. We believe that the proper forum for modifying this
footnote is WRC-95. However, consistent with our interpretation of
RR753F, we clarify that the EIRP values may be exceeded with the
consent of all affected parties.
6. In the R&O, we noted that there may be difficulties in
identifying spectrum below 15 GHz for MSS LEO feeder link operations.
We stated that we would be exploring all options to ensure that
adequate unencumbered spectrum is available for feeder link
requirements. In a recent Report to NTIA, we recommended that the
shared Government/non-Government bands at 3600-3700 and 5850-5925 MHz
be made available for exclusive non-Government use. We noted that the
3600-3700 MHz band was identified in our negotiated rule making
regarding MSS above 1 GHz as one of the more likely candidates for MSS/
RDSS feeder link spectrum. We intend to explore with NTIA the
possibility of feeder link spectrum being made available from these and
other existing Government or shared Government/non-Government bands
that may be reallocated for exclusive non-Government use.
7. Accordingly, It is Ordered, that the Petition for Clarification
and Partial Reconsideration submitted by Loral Qualcomm Satellite
Services, Inc. Is Granted to the extent indicated herein, and Is Denied
in all other respects. This action is taken pursuant to Sections 4(i),
303(c), (f), (g), and (r) of the Communications Act of 1934, as
amended, 47 U.S.C. sections 154(i), 303(c), (f), (g), and (r). Since
there were a few typographical errors in the Table as published in the
R&O, we are also placing below in Amendatory Text a corrected copy of
the Table of Frequency Allocations, 47 CFR 2.106, that reflects all of
the modifications to the Table that were made in the R&O.
List of Subjects 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 continue 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 1610-1626.5 MHz are removed and new entries for
1610-1626.5 MHz are added in numerical order.
b. The entry for 2483.5-2500 MHz is removed and a new entry for
2483.5-2500 MHz is added in numerical order.
c. The entries for the 22.5-22.55, 22.55-23, 24.25-24.45, 24.45-
24.65, and 24.65-24.75 GHz are removed and new entries for 22.5-22.55,
22.55-23, 24.25-24.45, 24.45-24.65, and 24.65-24.75 GHz are added in
numerical order.
d. INTERNATIONAL FOOTNOTES Nos. 731E, 731F, 753F, 881A, 881B, 882E,
882F, and 882G are added; and Nos. 733A, 733E, 734, 753, and 753C are
revised.
e. UNITED STATES (US) FOOTNOTE US319 is revised and NON-GOVERNMENT
(NG) FOOTNOTE NG147 is revised.
The additions, deletions, and revisions read as follows:
Sec. 2.106 Table of Frequency Allocations.
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)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * * *
*
1610-1610.6 1610-1610.6 1610-1610.6 1610-1610.6 1610-1610.6 ............
AERONAUTICAL AERONAUTICAL AERONAUTICAL AERONAUTICAL AERONAUTICAL AVIATION ...............
RADIONAVIGATIO RADIONAVIGATIO RADIONAVIGATIO RADIONAVIGATI RADIONAVIGATI (87)
N N N ON ON SATELLITE
MOBILE RADIODETERMINAT MOBILE- RADIODETERMINA RADIODETERMINA COMMUNICATI
SATELLITE ION SATELLITE SATELLITE TION- TION- ON (25)
(Earth-to- (Earth-to- (Earth-to- SATELLITE SATELLITE
space) space) space) (Earth-to- (Earth-to-
MOBILE RADIODETERMINAT space) space)
SATELLITE ION-SATELLITE MOBILE- MOBILE-
(Earth-to- (Earth-to- SATELLITE SATELLITE
space) space) (Earth-to- (Earth-to-
space) space)
722 727 730 731 722 731E 732 722 727 730 722 731E 732 722 731E 732 ............ ...............
731E 732 733 733 733A 733C 731E 732 733 733 733A 733E 733 733A 733E
733A 733B 733E 733D 733E 733A 733B 733E US208 US260 US208 US260
733F US319 US319
1610.6-1613.8 1610.6-1613.8 1610.6-1613.8 1610.6-1613.8 1610.6-1613.8 ............ ...............
[[Page 21050]]A AERONAUTICAL AERONAUTICAL AERONAUTICAL AERONAUTICAL AVIATION ...............
ERONAUTICAL RADIONAVIGATIO RADIONAVIGATIO RADIONAVIGATI RADIONAVIGATI (87)
RADIONAVIGATIO N N ON ON SATELLITE
N RADIODETERMINAT MOBILE- RADIODETERMINA .............. COMMUNICATI
MOBILE ION-SATELLITE SATELLITE TION- RADIODETERMINA ON (25)
SATELLITE (Earth-to- (Earth-to- SATELLITE TION
(Earth-to- space) space) (Earth-to- SATELLITE
space) MOBILE- RADIO-ASTRONOMY space) (Earth-to-
RADIO-ASTRONOMY SATELLITE Radiodeterminat MOBILE- space)
(Earth-to- ion-Satellite SATELLITE MOBILE
space) (Earth-to- (Earth-to- SATELLITE
RADIO-ASTRONOMY space) space) (Earth-to-
RADIO- space)
ASTRONOMY RADIO-
ASTRONOMY
722 727 730 731 722 731E 732 722 727 730 722 731E 732 722 731E 732 ............ ...............
731E 732 733 733 733A 733C 731E 732 733 733 733A 733E 733 733A 733E
733A 733B 733E 733D 733E 734 733A 733B 733E 734 US208 734 US208
733F 734 734 US260 US319 US260 US319
1613.8-1626.5 1613.8-1626.5 1613.8-1626.5 1613.8-1626.5 1613.8-1626.5 ............ ...............
AERONAUTICAL AERONAUTICAL AERONAUTICAL AERONAUTICAL AERONAUTICAL AVIATION ...............
RADIONAVIGATIO RADIONAVIGATIO RADIONAVIGATIO RADIONAVIGATI RADIONAVIGATI (87)
N N N ON ON SATELLITE
MOBILE RADIODETERMINAT MOBILE RADIODETERMINA RADIODETERMINA COMMUNICATI
SATELLITE ION-SATELLITE SATELLITE TION- TION ON (25)
(Earth-to- (Earth-to- (Earth-to- SATELLITE SATELLITE
space) space) space) (Earth-to- (Earth-to-
Mobile- MOBILE- Radiodeterminat space) space)
Satellite SATELLITE ion-Satellite MOBILE- MOBILE
(space-to- (Earth-to- (Earth-to- SATELLITE SATELLITE
Earth) space) space) (Earth-to- (Earth-to-
Mobile Mobile space) space)
Satellite Satellite Mobile- Mobile
(space-to- (space-to- Satellite Satellite
Earth) Earth) (space-to- (space-to-
Earth) Earth)
722 727 730 731 722 731E 731F 722 727 730 722 731E 731F 722 731E 731F ............ ...............
731E 731F 732 732 733 733A 731E 731F 732 732 733 733E 732 733 733E
733 733A 733B 732C 733D 733E 733 733A 733B US208 US260 US208 US260
733E 733F 733E US319 US319
* * * * * *
*
2483.5-2500 2483.5-2500 2483.5-2500 2483.5-2500 2483.5-2500 ............ ...............
FIXED FIXED FIXED RADIODETERMINA RADIODETERMINA SATELLITE ...............
MOBILE MOBILE MOBILE TION- TION- COMMUNICATI
MOBILE- RADIODETERMINAT RADIO-LOCATION SATELLITE SATELLITE ON (25)
SATELLITE ION-SATELLITE MOBILE- (space-to- (space-to-
(space-to- (space-to- SATELLITE Earth) 753A Earth) 753A
Earth) Earth) 753A (space-to- MOBILE MOBILE
Radiolocation RADIOLOCATION Earth) SATELLITE SATELLITE
MOBILE- Radiodeterminat (space-to- (space-to-
SATELLITE ion-Satellite Earth) Earth)
(space-to- (space-to-
Earth) Earth) 753A
733F 752 753 752 753D 753F 752 753C 753F 752 753F US41 752 753F US41 ............ ...............
753A 753B 753C US319 US319 NG147
753F
* * * * * *
*
22.50-22.55 22.50-22.55 22.50-22.55 22.50-22.55 22.50-22.55 ............ ...............
FIXED FIXED FIXED FIXED FIXED DOMESTIC ...............
MOBILE MOBILE MOBILE MOBILE MOBILE PUBLIC
US211 US211 FIXED (21)
PRIVATE
OPERATIONAL
FIXED
MICROWAVE
(94)
22.55-23 22.55-23 22.55-23 22.55-23 22.55-23 ............ ...............
[[Page 21051]]F FIXED FIXED FIXED FIXED DOMESTIC
IXED INTER-SATELLITE INTER-SATELLITE INTER- INTER- PUBLIC
INTER-SATELLITE MOBILE MOBILE SATELLITE SATELLITE FIXED (21)
MOBILE MOBILE MOBILE PRIVATE
OPERATIONAL
FIXED
MICROWAVE
(94)
SATELLITE
COMMUNICATI
ONS (25).
879 879 879 879 US278 879 US278 ............ ...............
* * * * * *
*
24.25-24.45 24.25-24.45 24.25-24.45 24.25-24.45 24.25-24.45 ............ ...............
FIXED RADIONAVIGATION RADIONAVIGATION RADIONAVIGATIO RADIONAVIGATIO AVIATION ...............
FIXED N N (87)
MOBILE
24.45-24.65 24.45-24.65 24.45-24.65 24.45-24.65 24.45-24.65 ............ ...............
FIXED RADIONAVIGATION RADIONAVIGATION INTER- INTER- SATELLITE ...............
INTER-SATELLITE INTER-SATELLITE FIXED SATELLITE SATELLITE COMMUNICATI
INTER-SATELLITE RADIONAVIGATIO RADIONAVIGATIO ON (25)
MOBILE N N
882E 882E 882E 882E ............ ...............
24.65-24.75 24.65-24.75 24.65-24.75 24.65-24.75 24.65-24.75 ............ ...............
FIXED INTER-SATELLITE FIXED INTER- INTER- SATELLITE ...............
INTER-SATELLITE RADIO-LOCATION INTER-SATELLITE SATELLITE SATELLITE COMMUNICATI
SATELLITE MOBILE RADIO-LOCATION- RADIO-LOCATION- ON (25)
(Earth-to- 882E 882F SATELLITE SATELLITE
space) (Earth-to- (Earth-to-
space) space)
* * * * * *
*
International Footnotes
* * * * *
731E--The use of the band 1610-1626.5 MHz by the mobile-
satellite service (Earth-to-space) and by the radiodetermination-
satellite service (Earth-to-space) is subject to the application of
the coordination and notification procedures set forth in Resolution
46 (WARC-92). A mobile earth station operating in either of the
services in this band shall not produce an e.i.r.p. density in
excess of -15 dB(W/4 kHz) in the part of the band used by systems
operating in accordance with the provisions of No. 732, unless
otherwise agreed by the affected administrations. In the part of the
band where such systems are not operating, a value of -3 dB (W/4
kHz) is applicable. Stations of the mobile-satellite service shall
not cause harmful interference to, or claim protection from,
stations in the aeronautical radionavigation service, stations
operating in accordance with the provisions of No. 732 and stations
in the fixed service operating in accordance with the provisions of
No. 730.
731F--The use of the band 1613.8-1626.5 MHz by the mobile-
satellite service (space-to-Earth) is subject to the application of
the coordination and notification procedures set forth in Resolution
46 (WARC-92).
* * * * *
733A--With respect to the radiodetermination-satellite and
mobile-satellite services the provisions of No. 953 do not apply in
the frequency band 1610-1626.5 MHz.
* * * * *
733E--Harmful interference shall not be caused to stations of
the radio astronomy service using the band 1610.6-1613.8 MHz by
stations of the radiodetermination-satellite and mobile-satellite
services. (No. 2904 applies.)
734--In making assignments to stations of other services,
administrations are urged to take all practicable steps to protect
the radio astronomy service in the band 1610.6-1613.8 MHz from
harmful interference. Emissions from space or air-borne stations can
be particularly serious sources of interference to the radio
astronomy service (see Nos. 343 and 344 and Article 36).
* * * * *
753--Different category of service: in France, the band 2450-
2500 MHz is allocated on a primary basis to the radiolocation
service (see No. 425). Such use is subject to agreement with
administrations having service operating or planned to operate in
accordance with the Table of Frequency Allocations which may be
affected.
* * * * *
753C--Different category of service: in Angola, Australia,
Bangladesh, Burundi, China, Cote d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, India, the
Islamic Republic of Iran, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon,
Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Mali, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea,
Senegal, Sudan, Swaziland, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Zaire
and Zambia, the allocation of the band 2483.5-2500 MHz to the
radiodetermination-satellite service (space-to-Earth) is on a
primary basis (see No. 425) subject to agreement obtained under the
procedure of Article 14 with other countries not listed in this
provision.
* * * * *
753F--The use of the band 2483.5-2500 MHz by the mobile-
satellite and the radiodetermination-satellite services is subject
to the application of the coordination and notification procedures
set forth in Resolution 46 (WARC-92). Coordination of space stations
of the mobile-satellite and radiodetermination-satellite services
with respect to terrestrial services is required only if the power
flux-density produced at the Earth's surface exceeds the limits in
No. 2566. In respect of assignments operating in this band, the
provisions of Section II, paragraph 2.2 of Resolution 46 (WARC-92)
shall also be applied to geostationary [[Page 21052]] transmitting
space stations with respect to terrestrial stations.
* * * * *
881A--Use of the 25.25-27.5 GHz band by the inter-satellite
service is limited to space research and Earth exploration-satellite
applications, and also transmissions of data originating from
industrial and medical activities in space.
881B--Space services using non-geostationary satellites
operating in the inter-satellite service in the band 27-27.5 GHz are
exempt from the provisions of No. 2613.
* * * * *
882E--The inter-satellite service shall not claim protection
from harmful interference from airport surface detection equipment
stations of the radionavigation service.
882F--Additional allocation: in Japan, the band 24.65-25.25 GHz
is also allocated to the radionavigation service on a primary basis
until 2008.
882G--In the band 24.75-25.25 GHz, feeder links to stations of
the broadcasting-satellite service shall have priority over other
users in the fixed-satellite service (Earth-to-space). Such other
users shall protect and shall not claim protection from existing and
future operating feeder-link networks to such broadcasting satellite
stations.
* * * * *
United States (US) Footnotes
* * * * *
US319--In the 137-138, 148-149.9, 149.9-150.05, 399.9-400.5,
400.15-401, 1610-1626.5, and 2483.5-2500 MHz bands, Government
stations in the mobile-satellite service shall be limited to earth
stations operating with non-Government space stations.
* * * * *
Non-Government (NG) Footnotes
* * * * *
NG147--Stations in the broadcast auxiliary service and private
radio services licensed as of July 25, 1985, or on a subsequent date
following as a result of submitting an application for license on or
before July 25, 1985, may continue to operate on a primary basis
with the mobile-satellite service and the radiodetermination
satellite service.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 95-10418 Filed 4-28-95; 8:45 am]
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