Globalstar Inc.’s bid to secure additional mobile satellite service spectrum for land-based networks – including a possible WiMAX system covering hundreds of rural communities – is drawing criticism based on fears of interference to wireless broadband licensees. Competitive concerns could be at work as well.
“The commission should reject Globalstar’s request and its transparent attempt to establish its MSS operation as a terrestrial service with an ancillary satellite component,” cellphone industry association CTIA told the Federal Communications Commission.
The FCC in November asked for public comment on Globalstar’s petition for expanded ancillary terrestrial component (ATC) authority. The agency at that time agreed to divide L-band (1.6 GHz) spectrum between CDMA-based Globalstar and TDMA-based Iridium Satellite L.L.C., giving each operator 7.775 megahertz. Globalstar has ATC authorization in L-band frequencies, but also wants it for S-band (2.4-2.5 GHz) spectrum – which would total more than 19 megahertz of the 27.85 megahertz it controls.
WiMAX deployment plans
Globalstar’s campaign for broader MSS-ATC licensing is tied to its WiMAX plans. In October, Globalstar entered in an arrangement with Open Range Communications Inc., of Centennial, Colo., to deploy TDD-based wireless broadband service, initially in 500 rural locales covering 6 million people.
In October, the Department of Agriculture awarded Open Range a $268 million rural broadband loan. Open Range said it also secured an agreement to receive $95 million of private-equity funding as part of the loan package with the federal government.
The Wireless Communications Association International urged the FCC against taking any measures in the Globalstar ATC proceeding that would increase the potential for interference to 2 GHz wireless broadband licensees it represents. WCA, like CTIA, also stressed that regulators should not feel obliged to accommodate Globalstar’s business moves.
“This notice and comment rulemaking proceeding is not the proper place for the commission to evaluate whether the relationship between Globalstar and Open Range comports with the applicable commission rules,” WCA stated. At the same time, the trade group said the limited information that’s available raises serious questions about whether Globalstar would retain control of ATC facilities.
Sprint Nextel Corp. said the FCC should affirm its tentative decision not to approve ATC in the 2.4-2.5 GHz band.
Rural broadband promises
Globalstar replied that it is technically feasible to deploy MSSATC on its unshared L- and Sband channels without causing disruption to other licensed services. The MSS operator also stressed the need of realizing a goal shared by many policymakers and lawmakers alike: rural broadband access. MSS operators, which struggled mightily in the past decade, already have benefited from policymakers’ desire for communications redundancy following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
“Further delay in the completion of this proceeding could destroy this opportunity to bridge the digital divide by greatly increasing America’s rural broadband deployment,” said Globalstar. “Delay also risks preventing Globalstar … from moving ahead with the deployment of other MSS-ATC service offerings and taking advantage of the network, spectrum and economic efficiencies that the commission intended ATC authority would provide to MSS licensees.”
