FCC received more than dozen petitions for reconsideration of its March ultra-wideband (UWB) order, seeking review on wide array of issues, ranging from power limits to transparency of device testing that Commission had planned over next year. Petitions reflected similar split of views that had made original proceeding controversial, including filings from numerous UWB developers that cited types of devices that couldn’t be deployed under certain provisions they argued were more restrictive than needed to protect against interference. Among companies that urged FCC to tighten certain power limits and not add flexibility to others were Sprint, Cingular Wireless, XM Radio, Sirius Satellite Radio, Satellite Industry Assn., Air Transport Assn., Qualcomm. They cited continuing interference concerns, characterizing limits of final order as insufficiently protective for systems such as GPS, PCS wireless systems, satellite radio.
Radar detectors are causing interference to satellite operations and FCC should adopt rules to limit emissions, Microspace said in ex parte filing Thurs. Microspace joined Satellite Industry Assn. (SIA) and Hughes Network Systems (HNS) in charging that interference from radar detectors was severely hurting VSAT operations. Microspace is suffering technical and financial hardships because of interference, filing said. Microspace provides satellite, video and audio broadcast services for business applications. Customers include weather information providers, financial information networks, paging carriers and others who depend on Microspace to deliver satellite services in real time.
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.”