WASHINGTON-The Federal Communications Commission granted Mobile Satellite Ventures Subsidiary L.L.C. permission to launch a satellite to serve South America and the area between South America and the United States.
The FCC said the authorization will increase competition in the global mobile satellite service market to the benefit of U.S. consumers.
Last November, the Reston, Va., company became the first MSS licensee to win regulatory approval to supplement satellite operations with an ancillary terrestrial component. ATC enables MSV to build and operate land-base cellular networks in conjunction with space-based facilities.
The mobile-phone industry has challenged the legality of the ATC feature in federal appeals court here, but the case is on hold until the FCC rules on petitions for reconsideration of the agency decision allowing mobile satellite operators to employ ATC.
Meanwhile, Inmarsat, a competing satellite carrier, has raised concerns with the FCC about potential interference MSV-ATC could cause to its communications signals. MSV has accused Inmarsat of trying to obstruct competition in the MSS market.
