Globalstar, a world leader in LEO satellite phones, along with Iridium, announced today that that it has filed an application with the FCC for authority to use all of its assigned mobile satellite service (MSS) spectrum for Ancillary Terrestrial Component (ATC) services in the United States.
Earlier this year, the FCC granted Globalstar the authority to use 11 MHz of its 1.6/2.4 GHz satellite radio frequencies for ATC. The latest Globalstar filing is a request by the company to use the remaining portion of its 27.85 MHz for ATC. Mobile Radio Technology has an excellent review of MSS Spectrum issues while Aviation Week reviews the current status.
In the filing, Globalstar “urges the Commission to initiate a rulemaking proceeding to revise section 25.149(a)(iii) of its rules to allow Globalstar to use all of its assigned spectrum in the 1610-1621.35 and 2483.5-2500 MHz bands to provide ATC services.”
“Currently Globalstar is the only MSS operator that is not permitted to use its entire spectrum for ATC,” said Jay Monroe, Chairman and CEO of Globalstar. “This unequal treatment in the FCC’s rules places us at a disadvantage relative to our competitors.”
With its current ATC authority, Globalstar can use 11 MHz of its satellite spectrum for a complementary terrestrial wireless service with integrated mobile voice and data. Using terrestrial ATC base stations and/or repeaters to complement the satellite service, Globalstar will be able to offer services in indoor or downtown urbanized areas that have traditionally limited mobile satellite coverage. A terrestrial repeater could use the same frequencies as their satellite link but the signal would generally be stronger and penetrate better.
SkyTerra claims over 1300 patents on ATC technology. Their Mobile Satellite Ventures is perhaps the largest proponent of terrestrial satellite repeaters. MSV plans a geosychronous mobile satellite service, not unlike Thuraya’s satellite system. In order to deliver a usable signal from 22,000 miles, MSV will use repeaters to compliment their giant spot-beam satelllite.
Satphone operators argue that the Ancillary Terrestrial Component (pdf) is the key to make satellite phone business viable and competitive with cellular providers. Signals are stronger, they penetrate indoors, latency and costs are reduced.
Cellular providers have fought that proposal tooth and nail. Cellular companies claim satphone companies unfairly double dip – they didn’t buy any additional spectrum – they were reusing their satellite spectrum unfairly. Satphone providers argued repeaters were an economic necessity and vital for first responders.
The cellular and satellite lobby fought and lost. The FCC reviewed the political and economic arguments as well as the interference claims and sided with the satphone companies, allowing terrestrial repeaters.
An FCC order (pdf) divided 40 MHz in the 2 GHz (S Band) spectrum equally between TMI/TerreStar and ICO. The allocation upped ICO and TerreStar holdings from 8 MHz to 20 MHz each. That made “2 x 10” capability – 10 MHz of uplink capacity and 10 MHz of downlink capacity – possible. Canadian-based TMI Communications created privately held Mobile Satellite Ventures (MSV), based in Reston, Va., for mobile satellite services in the United States.
MSV and TerreStar both plan advanced mobile satellites in North America. SkyTerra will own 70% of MSV, and Motient will own 74% of TerreStar. MSV’s satellite plans a mid-2009 launch with Terrastar’s satellite soon after. The Canadian/U.S. venture gets complicated with CALEA issues.
Alcatel Alenia Space is conduct a study to evaluate a new Globalstar low-earth orbit system, designed to replace the company’s current constellation.
Related DailyWireless stories include; Satphones Localize, Spot Beam Satellite Launched, Mobile Satellite Access, Inmarsat Launches Spotbeam Satellite.
