Satellite Industry Assn. (SIA) can’t support “first- come, first served” approach on space station rules proposed by FCC, Pres. Richard DalBello told us. SIA offered new proposal and opposition to procedural changes in comments to Commission Mon. FCC is seeking amendment of Space Station Licensing Rules and Policies (IB Docket No. 02-34). Commission also is holding 2002 Biennial Regulatory Review -- Streamlining and Other Revisions of Part 25 Governing Licensing and Spectrum Usage by satellite companies (IB Docket No. 00-248). FCC shouldn’t abandon established rules and policies for licensing, SIA said. Adoption of first- come, first-served approach would encourage speculation and inefficient use of spectrum, resulting in significant retreat from statutory obligation to manage spectrum use in public interest, it said. Boeing, PanAmSat, Hughes, Final Analysis, Pegasus, SES Americom and CTIA also filed comments, most of them supporting SIA.
Maritime Telecommunications Network (MTN) asked FCC to protect fixed service with regulations that would govern use of satellite earth stations aboard vessels (ESVs) in fixed satellite service (FSS) networks, company said Mon. in filing. MTN, which provides commercial satellite service (video, telephony and Internet access via C-band dishes) at sea, is concerned about Commission inquiry into authorization of ESVs studying regulatory framework that would allow FS and FSS operators to operate together without harmful interference. FCC launched inquiry (IB 02-10) in Jan. on whether to set specific rules for ESVs, including appropriate regulatory status. Inquiry specifically asks whether ESV should be moved to mobile satellite service (MSS) band, and whether if they stay in FSS band Table of Frequency Allocations should be modified.
Reps. Berman (D-Cal.) and Tauscher (D-Cal.) released Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS) report on reforming satellite technology policy to maintain dominance in space. Report, Preserving America’s Advantage in Satellite Technology, outlines recommendations of CSIS Satellite Commission, saying that if U.S. is to avoid “expensive erosion of its leadership position” in satellite market, new national strategy must be developed that accounts for current “commercial and technological realities” and national security interests and challenges. “Conflicting policies, uncertain goals and an insufficient budgeting process are weakening the technical advantage we currently have,” said Commission member Rep. Goss (R-Fla.). Satellite licensing was transferred to State from Commerce 3 years ago in 1998 Defense Authorization Act after 2 U.S. companies were accused of transferring secret satellite technology to China. White House decision whether to allow State to keep jurisdiction over U.S. satellite exports had been expected after meeting in late March, but nothing has been decided, industry source said. Satellite Industry Assn. (SIA) said it “broadly endorsed the conclusions” of CSIS report. SIA Exec. Dir. Richard Dalbello said: “Communications satellites are commercial items that should not be regulated as military technology.” He said State Dept. licensing was “slow and deliberate” and was “inadequate for fast-paced, competitive commercial world.”
“Congressional action tends to be a blunt instrument” that involves “fights from 5 years ago,” state regulator said last week to explain why regulators were better equipped than legislators to spur broadband. At panel hosted by advisory committee to Congressional Internet Caucus, W.Va. Public Service Commission Dir.-Consumer Advocate Div. Billy Jack Gregg was backed in that assessment by CEA Pres. Gary Shapiro and National Grange Legislative Dir. Leroy Watson, but opposed by CapNet Exec. Dir. Tim Hugo. Hugo also found himself in minority on regulation of new broadband deployment by incumbents, with other 3 reaching rough consensus that old Bell equipment should be subject to existing regulations but new build-outs would operate under new rules. Panel was bit refreshing in that not single member represented ILEC or CLEC, although many arguments echoed theirs, particularly when pro-Bell Tauzin-Dingell bill (HR-1542) was discussed.
“Congressional action tends to be a blunt instrument” that involves “fights from 5 years ago,” state regulator said Thurs. to explain why regulators were better equipped than legislators to spur broadband. At panel hosted by advisory committee to Congressional Internet Caucus, W.Va. Public Service Commission Dir.-Consumer Advocate Div. Billy Jack Gregg was backed in that assessment by CEA Pres. Gary Shapiro and National Grange Legislative Dir. Leroy Watson, but opposed by CapNet Exec. Dir. Tim Hugo. Hugo also found himself in minority on regulation of new broadband deployment by incumbents, with other 3 reaching rough consensus that old Bell equipment should be subject to existing regulations but new build-outs would operate under new rules. Panel was bit refreshing in that not single member represented ILEC or CLEC, although many arguments echoed theirs, particularly when pro-Bell Tauzin-Dingell bill (HR-1542) was discussed.
No decision has been made by White House whether to allow State Dept. to keep jurisdiction over U.S. satellite exports, industry sources said. Representatives of Dept. of Defense (DoD), State Dept. and Commerce Dept. met at White House Tues. to discuss fate of satellite exports, but no details about outcome of meeting were available by our deadline. Satellite licensing was transferred to State from Commerce 3 years ago in 1998 Defense Authorization Act after 2 U.S. companies were accused of transferring secret satellite technology to Chinese. State Dept. had no comment on meeting. Satellite Industry Assn. (SIA) Exec. Dir. Richard Dalbello said: “Congress has gridlocked on this issue and they are waiting for the White House to decide it.”
FCC could issue Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) leading to policy on satellite de-orbiting “in the next month,” said Karl Kensinger, special adviser in International Bureau’s Satellite Div. Commission earlier looked at de- orbiting objectives in 2 GHz processing rounds in Aug. when it issued 8 Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) licenses in 2 GHz spectrum, and still is working on that plan, he told us: “It’s good when U.S.-licensed systems are doing the best they can and are at the forefront of international practice… There are some ambiguities in what the best practices should be, but some sort of disposal process is appropriate.”
Satellite Industry Assn. (SIA), in Feb. 13 letter to FCC, asked agency to “take swift action” to limit harmful interference it said radar detectors cause to many Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) satellite networks. Devices are operating in manner inconsistent with FCC rules and are imposing unacceptable financial burden on VSAT operators, SIA Pres. Richard Dalbello said: “This situation is intolerable.”
Satellite Industry Assn. in letter to FCC Jan. 25 opposed Nextel proposal for realignment of 36 MHz of 800 MHz band to alleviate CMRS public safety interference. SIA asked Commission to preserve 2 GHz MSS spectrum allocation and not reallocate any portion of band to Nextel, saying viability of services to be offered by 2 GHz MSS licensees would be compromised if agency awarded Nextel spectrum. SIA said proposal would result in “delay, confusion and possible increased cost of a more complicated spectrum plan at 2 GHz, which could be extremely damaging to the prospects of many 2 GHz MSS licensees.” In response to Nextel’s contention that proposed realignment wouldn’t cause incumbent licensees to lose any spectrum, SIA said Nextel was aware that FCC had issued eight 2 GHz MSS authorizations and set implementation milestones for systems. Licensees would have to expend billions of dollars in relying on Commission’s allocation by investing in satellites, launch vehicles and major gateway sites, SIA said, and it would be public disservice if Commission didn’t allow adequate time for new entrants in MSS industry to develop their systems and offer services. Assn. said MSS provided communications with rural and remote areas and underserved communities, and tampering with 2 GHz allocation would disrupt FCC’s long-standing objective of offering universal access to basic and advanced telecom services there.
TDK Mediactive (TDKM) unveiled list of 17 videogames it plans to publish in its fiscal year ending March 31, 2003. Calabasas, Cal., game publishing division of TDK Corp. said 17 titles included 4 for PlayStation 2 (PS2), 3 for GameCube, 2 for Xbox, 6 for Game Boy Advance (GBA), one for next generation or other yet to be announced platforms. PS2 games will include Aquaman (4th quarter), Pryzm Chapter One: The Dark Unicorn (Q1), Robotech (3rd quarter), Shrek (4th quarter). GameCube titles will be Robotech (4th quarter), Shrek (3rd quarter) and one title to be announced mid-to-late 2002. Xbox games will be Robotech and Shrek (each 4th quarter). GBA titles will be Aquaman (4th quarter), Dinotopia (2nd quarter), Lady Sia (4th quarter), Robotech (2nd quarter), 2 Shrek titles (first and 4th quarters), Ultimate Book of Spells (3rd quarter). Platform for Mercedes- Benz (4th quarter) has yet to be announced, company said. TDKM CEO Vincent Bitetti said releases of Lady Sia and Shrek in 2001 “marked a breakout year for our growing company.”