WASHINGTON-The cell-phone industry complained to the Federal Communications Commission that TMI Communications Co. and TerreStar Networks Inc. are seeking “a stealth redistribution” of 2 GHz mobile satellite service spectrum.
The two companies, according to CTIA, made the spectrum request in an April 20 letter to the FCC’s chief of the International Bureau.
“While TMI and TerreStar attempt to use these policies [FCC space station licensing order] to characterize their request as a small, incremental increase in spectrum, they are in reality seeking a 250-percent increase in TMI’s spectrum more than two years before it is even due to launch its satellite,” said CTIA in a May 19 letter to the FCC.
The FCC in 2003 reclaimed a chunk of 2 GHz frequencies from MSS licensees because of the sector’s poor financial condition, but authorized satellite operators to supplement systems with land-based cellular networks. The mobile-phone industry is challenging MSS spectrum flexibility court.
