Mobile-Satellite Service at 148-149.9 MHz

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Part 2

[ET Docket No. 91-280; FCC 95-114]

Mobile-Satellite Service at 148-149.9 MHz

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Final Rule; Petition for Reconsideration.

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SUMMARY: By this action, we deny a Petition for Reconsideration filed

by STARSYS, Inc. (STARSYS). In its petition, STARSYS requests either

that the Commission increase the permissible duty cycle from 0.25% to

1.0% per 15 minute interval for those systems in the low-Earth orbit

(LEO) mobile-satellite service (MSS) operating in the 148-149.9 MHz

band that use code division multiple access (CDMA) spread spectrum

systems and which do not utilize a system that avoids frequencies used

by other services in [[Page 20910]] this band, or in the alternative,

that the Commission exempt from the duty cycle limitation CDMA systems

operating below a certain power density. We are taking this action

because we continue to believe that the power density and duty cycle

requirements we adopted are necessary to prevent interference to

incumbent government fixed and mobile operations that will share this

band with LEO MSS on a co-primary basis.

EFFECTIVE DATE: May 30, 1995.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ray LaForge, Office of Engineering and Technology, telephone (202) 739-

0598.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission's

Memorandum Opinion and Order in ET docket No. 91-280, adopted March 14,

1995 and released March 30, 1995. The complete text of this Memorandum

Opinion and Order is available for inspection and copying during normal

business hours in the FCC Public Reference Center (Room 239), 1919 M

Street, NW, Washington, DC. The complete text of this Memorandum

Opinion and Order also may be purchased from the Commission's

duplication contractor, International Transcription Service, Inc., 2100

M Street, NW, Suite 140, Washington DC 20036, (202) 857-3800.

Summary of Memorandum Opinion and Order

1. STARSYS argued that the Commission has created redundant and

excessive interference protection criteria by adopting both maximum

power density and duty cycle limitations. It contends that either

limitation alone is sufficient to provide protection to existing fixed

and mobile government users. STARSYS requested that the Commission

exempt LEO MSS systems using CDMA spread spectrum that operate with

E.I.R.P. power densities below -16 dBW/4kHz from compliance with the

0.25% per 15 minute transmission duty cycle limitation. Alternatively,

STARSYS requests that the Commission modify the 0.25% per 15 minute

transmission time limit for CDMA systems to 1.0% per 15 minute period.

2. STARSYS stated that the duty cycle limit of 0.25% per 15 minute

interval was intended to accommodate a data transmission rate of 4800

bits per second (bps) that was specified in its 1990 license

application to construct and operate a system using CDMA spread

spectrum. However, it now claims that unanticipated interference in the

148-149.9 MHz band may force it to use a lower data transmission rate

of 1200 bps, which, with a duty cycle of 0.25% per 15 minute interval,

will result in an intolerably low data throughput. It argued that with

a duty cycle of 1.0% per 15 minute period, its system would achieve

throughput approximately equivalent to the throughput achieved with a

data rate of 4800 bps when used with a duty cycle of 0.25% per 15

minute period. Accordingly, STARSYS requested that the duty cycle be

increased to 1.0% to accommodate its lowering of the transmission rate

to 1200 bps.

3. NTIA, as representative of the government users of the 148-149.9

MHz band, opposed STARSYS' request for relaxation of the duty cycle

requirement. NTIA submitted a report to the Commission through the

Interdepartment Radio Advisory Committee. The report concludes that in

cases in which multiple earth stations exist within range of specific

government mobile systems, the duty cycle limitation adopted by the

Commission is necessary to protect these government systems.

4. We recognize that the power and duty cycle requirements will

impose limitations on satellite operations in the 148-149.9 MHz band.

However, we must ensure that adequate protection is afforded to the

incumbent government users of the band. The regulations adopted in the

Report and Order, ET Docket 92-28, 8 FCC Rcd 812, 58 FR 16360 (March

26, 1993), to provide this protection were developed through lengthy

negotiations between the Commission and NTIA and in consultation with

potential LEO MSS users. Therefore, to the extent STARSYS is requesting

a change of our rules that now impose both the power density and duty

cycle limitations, we do not find an adequate basis in the petition or

the comments to make such a change. Moreover, to the extent STARSYS is

requesting a waiver of these rules, we find that STARSYS has failed to

sustain its heavy burden for a waiver. STARSYS has not shown how

exempting it from the duty cycle requirement will better serve the

public interest, particularly in light of NTIA's report, with which we

agree, that the duty cycle limitation is necessary to protect

government users in this band.

5. We also deny STARSYS' request to modify the duty cycle

limitation for CDMA systems. As we have stated above, NTIA's report

indicates that the duty cycle limitation we adopted is necessary to

protect government users in this band. The development and provision of

LEO MSS must not result in unacceptable interference to those users.

Therefore, we will not modify the duty cycle limitation for CDMA

systems.

6. Accordingly, STARSYS' Petition for Reconsideration is DENIED. We

are also republishing in the Amendatory Text a copy of the final rules

since the original rules were not depicted accurately at the time of

the Report and Order. This action is taken pursuant to Sections 4(i),

7(a), 303(c), 303(g), and 303(r) of the Communications Act of 1934, as

amended, 47 U.S.C. Sections 154(i), 157(a), 303(c), 303(g) and 303(r).

List of Subjects in 47 CFR Part 2

Radio.

Federal Communications Commission.

William F. Caton,

Acting Secretary.

Amendatory Text

Part 2 of Chapter I of Title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations

is amended as follows:

PART 2--FREQUENCY ALLOCATIONS AND RADIO TREATY MATTERS: GENERAL

RULES AND REGULATIONS

1. The authority citation in Part 2 continues to read:

Authority: Sec. 4, 302, 303, and 307 of the Communications Act

of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. Sections 154, 154(i), 302, 303,

303(r), and 307, unless otherwise noted.

2. Section 2.106, the Table of Frequency Allocations is amended as

follows:

a. The entries for 137.0-138.0, 146.0-149.9, 149.9-150.05, 399.9-

400.05, and 400.15-401.0 MHz are removed and new entries for 137-138.0,

146.0-148, 148-149.9, 149.9-150.05, 399.9-400.05, and 400.15-401 MHz

are added in numerical order.

b. International Footnotes Nos. 599A, 599B, 608A, 608B, 608C, 609B,

647A, and 647B are added.

c. United States (US) Footnotes US318, US319, US320, US322, US323,

US324, US325, and US326 are

The additions, and revisions read as follows:

Sec. 2.106 Table of Frequency Allocations.

* * * * *

[[Page 20911]]

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International Table United States Table FCC use designators

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Region 1 Region 2 Region 3 Government Non-Government Special-use

allocation MHz allocation MHz allocation MHz allocation MHz allocation MHz Rule part(s) frequencies

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * * *

*

137.0-137.025 137.0-137.025 137.0-137.025 137.0-137.025 137.0-137.025 ..............

SPACE OPERATION SPACE OPERATION SPACE OPERATION SPACE OPERATION SPACE OPERATION SATELLITE

(space-to- (space-to- (space-to- (space-to- (space-to- COMMUNICATION

Earth) Earth) Earth) Earth) Earth) S (25)

METEOROLOGICAL- METEOROLOGICAL- METEOROLOGICAL- METEOROLOGICAL- METEOROLOGICAL-

SATELLITE SATELLITE SATELLITE SATELLITE SATELLITE

(space-to- (space-to- (space-to- (space-to- (space-to-

Earth) Earth) Earth) Earth) Earth)

SPACE RESEARCH SPACE RESEARCH SPACE RESEARCH SPACE RESEARCH SPACE RESEARCH

(space-to- (space-to- (space-to- (space-to- (space-to-

Earth) Earth) Earth) Earth) Earth)

MOBILE- MOBILE- MOBILE- MOBILE- MOBILE-

SATELLITE SATELLITE SATELLITE SATELLITE SATELLITE

(space-to- (space-to- (space-to- (space-to- (space-to-

Earth) 599B Earth) 599B Earth) 599B Earth) 599B Earth) 599B

Fixed Fixed Fixed US318 US319 US318 US319

Mobile except Mobile except Mobile except US320 US320

aeronautical aeronautical aeronautical

mobile (R) mobile (R) mobile (R)

596 597 598 599 596 597 598 599 596 597 598 599 599A 599A

599A 599A 599A

137.025-137.175 137.025-137.175 137.025-137.175 137.025-137.175 137.025-137.175

SPACE OPERATION SPACE OPERATION SPACE OPERATION SPACE OPERATION SPACE OPERATION SATELLITE

(space-to- (space-to- (space-to- (space-to- (space-to- COMMUNICATION

Earth) Earth) Earth) Earth) Earth) S (25)

METEOROLOGICAL- METEOROLOGICAL- METEOROLOGICAL- METEOROLOGICAL- METEOROLOGICAL-

SATELLITE SATELLITE SATELLITE SATELLITE SATELLITE

(space-to- (space-to- (space-to- (space-to- (space-to-

Earth) Earth) Earth) Earth) Earth)

SPACE RESEARCH SPACE RESEARCH SPACE RESEARCH SPACE RESEARCH SPACE RESEARCH

(space-to- (space-to- (space-to- (space-to- (space-to-

Earth) Earth) Earth) Earth) Earth)

MOBILE- MOBILE- MOBILE- MOBILE- MOBILE-

SATELLITE SATELLITE SATELLITE SATELLITE SATELLITE

(space-to- (space-to- (space-to- (space-to- (space-to-

Earth) 599B Earth) 599B Earth) 599B Earth) 599B Earth) 599B

Fixed Fixed Fixed US318 US319 US318 US319

Mobile except Mobile except Mobile except US320 US320

aeronautical aeronautical aeronautical

mobile (R) mobile (R) mobile (R)

596 597 598 599 596 597 598 599 596 597 598 599 599A 599A

599A 599A 599A

137.175-137.825 137.175-137.825 137.175-137.825 137.175-137.825 137.175-137.825

SPACE OPERATION SPACE OPERATION SPACE OPERATION SPACE OPERATION SPACE OPERATION SATELLITE

(space-to- (space-to- (space-to- (space-to- (space-to- COMMUNICATION

Earth) Earth) Earth) Earth) Earth) S (25)

METEOROLOGICAL- METEOROLOGICAL- METEOROLOGICAL- METEOROLOGICAL- METEOROLOGICAL-

SATELLITE SATELLITE SATELLITE SATELLITE SATELLITE

(space-to- (space-to- (space-to- (space-to- (space-to-

Earth) Earth) Earth) Earth) Earth)

SPACE RESEARCH SPACE RESEARCH SPACE RESEARCH SPACE RESEARCH SPACE RESEARCH

(space-to- (space-to- (space-to- (space-to- (space-to-

Earth) Earth) Earth) Earth) Earth)

MOBILE- MOBILE- MOBILE- MOBILE- MOBILE-

SATELLITE SATELLITE SATELLITE SATELLITE SATELLITE

(space-to- (space-to- (space-to- (space-to- (space-to-

Earth) 599B Earth) 599B Earth) 599B Earth) 599B Earth) 599B

Fixed Fixed Fixed US318 US319 US318 US319

Mobile except Mobile except Mobile except US320 US320

aeronautical aeronautical aeronautical

mobile (R) mobile (R) mobile (R)

596 597 598 599 596 597 598 599 596 597 598 599 599A 599A

599A 599A 599A

137.825-138.0 137.825-138.0 137.825-138.0 137.825-138.0 137.825-138.0

[[Page 20912]]

SPACE OPERATION SPACE OPERATION SPACE OPERATION SPACE OPERATION SPACE OPERATION SATELLITE

(space-to- (space-to- (space-to- (space-to- (space-to- COMMUNICATION

Earth) Earth) Earth) Earth) Earth) S (25)

METEOROLOGICAL- METEOROLOGICAL- METEOROLOGICAL- METEOROLOGICAL- METEOROLOGICAL-

SATELLITE SATELLITE SATELLITE SATELLITE SATELLITE

(space-to- (space-to- (space-to- (space-to- (space-to-

Earth) Earth) Earth) Earth) Earth)

SPACE RESEARCH SPACE RESEARCH SPACE RESEARCH SPACE RESEARCH SPACE RESEARCH

(space-to- (space-to- (space-to- (space-to- (space-to-

Earth) Earth) Earth) Earth) Earth)

MOBILE- MOBILE- MOBILE- MOBILE- MOBILE-

SATELLITE SATELLITE SATELLITE SATELLITE SATELLITE

(space-to- (space-to- (space-to- (space-to- (space-to-

Earth) 599B Earth) 599B Earth) 599B Earth) 599B Earth) 599B

Fixed Fixed Fixed US318 US319 US318 US319

Mobile except Mobile except Mobile except US320 US320

aeronautical aeronautical aeronautical

mobile (R) mobile (R) mobile (R)

596 597 598 599 596 597 598 599 596 597 598 599 599A 599A

599A 599A 599A

* * * * * *

*

146.0-148 146.0-148 146.0-148 146.0-148 146.0-148

FIXED AMATEUR AMATEUR ............... AMATEUR AMATEUR (97)

MOBILE except FIXED

aeronautical MOBILE

Mobile (R) 607

608

148-149.9 148-149.9 148-149.9 148-149.9 148-149.9

FIXED FIXED FIXED FIXED MOBILE- SATELLITE

MOBILE except MOBILE MOBILE MOBILE SATELLITE COMMUNICATION

aeronautical MOBILE- MOBILE- MOBILE- (Earth-to- (25)

mobile (R) SATELLITE SATELLITE SATELLITE space) 599B

MOBILE- (Earth-to- (Earth-to- (Earth-to- US319 US320

SATELLITE space) 599B space) 599B space) 599B US323 US325

(Earth-to- US319 US320

space) 599B US323 US325

608 608A 608C 608 608A 608C 608 608A 608C 608 608A US10 608 608A US10

G30

149.9-150.05 149.9-150.05 149.9-150.05 149.9-150.05 149.9-150.05

RADIO- RADIO- RADIO- RADIO- RADIO-

NAVIGATION- NAVIGATION- NAVIGATION- NAVIGATION- NAVIGATION-

SATELLITE SATELLITE SATELLITE SATELLITE SATELLITE

LAND MOBILE- LAND MOBILE- LAND MOBILE- LAND MOBILE- LAND MOBILE-

SATELLITE SATELLITE SATELLITE SATELLITE SATELLITE

(Earth-to- (Earth-to- (Earth-to- (Earth-to- (Earth-to-

space) 599 space) 599 space) 599 space) 599B space) 599B

609B 609B. 609B. US319 US322. US319 US322.

608B 609 609A 608B 609 609A 608B 609 609A 608B 609A 608B 609A

* * * * * *

*

399.9-400.05 399.9-400.05 399.9-400.05 399.9-400.05 399.9-400.05 ..............

RADIO- RADIO- RADIO- RADIONAVIGATION- RADIONAVIGATION-

NAVIGATION- NAVIGATION- NAVIGATION- SATELLITE SATELLITE

SATELLITE SATELLITE SATELLITE MOBILE- MOBILE-

SATELLITE SATELLITE

(Earth-to- (Earth-to-

space) US319 space) US319

US326 US326

609 645B 609 645B 609 645B 645B 645B

* * * * * *

*

400.15-401 400.15-401 400.15-401 400.15-401 400.15-401

[[Page 20913]]

METEOROLOGICAL METEOROLOGICAL METEOROLOGICAL METEOROLOGICAL METEOROLOGICAL SATELLITE

AIDS AIDS AIDS AIDS AIDS COMMUNICA-

METEORO-LOGICAL- METEORO-LOGICAL- METEORO-LOGICAL- (radiosonde) (radiosonde) (25)

SATELLITE SATELLITE SATELLITE METEOROLOGICAL- METEOROLOGICAL-

(space-to- (space-to- (space-to- SATELLITE SATELLITE

Earth) Earth) Earth) (space-to- (space-to-

SPACE RESEARCH SPACE RESEARCH SPACE RESEARCH Earth) Earth)

(space-to- (space-to- (space-to- SPACE RESEARCH SPACE RESEARCH

Earth) 647A Earth) 647A Earth) 647A (space-to- (space-to-

MOBILE- MOBILE- MOBILE- Earth) 647A Earth) 647A

SATELLITE SATELLITE SATELLITE MOBILE- MOBILE-

(space-to- (space-to- (space-to- SATELLITE SATELLITE

Earth) 599B Earth) 599B Earth) 599B (space-to- (space-to-

Space-Operation Space-Operation Space-Operation Earth) 599B Earth) 599B

(space-to- (space-to- (space-to- US319 US320 US319 US320

Earth) Earth) Earth) US324 US324

Space Operation Space Operation

(space-to- (space-to-

Earth) Earth)

647 647B 647 647B 647 647B 647 647B US70 647 647B US70

* * * * * *

*

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

International Footnotes

* * * * *

599A The use of the band 137-138 MHz by the mobile-satellite

service is subject to the application of the coordination and

notification procedures set forth in Resolution RES46 (WARC-92).

However, coordination of a space station of the mobile-satellite

service with respect to terrestrial services is required only if the

power flux-density produced by the station exceeds -125 dB(W/

m2/4 kHz) at the Earth's surface. The above power flux-density

limit shall apply until such time as a competent world

administrative radio conference revises it. In making assignments to

the space stations in the mobile-satellite service in the above

band, administrations shall take all practicable steps to protect

the radio astronomy service in the 150.05-153 MHz band from harmful

interference from unwanted emissions.

599B The use of the bands 137-138 MHz, 148-149.9 MHz and 400.15-

401 MHz by the mobile-satellite service and the band 149.9-150.05

MHz by the land mobile-satellite service is limited to non-

geostationary-satellite systems.

* * * * *

608A The use of the band 148-149.9 MHz by the mobile-satellite

service is subject to the application of the coordination and

notification procedures set forth in Resolution RES46 (WARC-92). The

mobile-satellite service shall not constrain the development and use

of fixed, mobile and space operation services in the band 148-149.9

MHz. Mobile earth stations in the mobile-satellite service shall not

produce a power flux-density in excess of -150 dB(W/m2/4 kHz)

outside national boundaries.

608B The use of the band 149.9-150.05 MHz by the land mobile-

satellite service is subject to the application of the coordination

and notification procedures set forth in Resolution RES46 (WARC-92).

The land mobile-satellite service shall not constrain the

development and use of the radionavigation-satellite service in the

band 149.9-150.05 MHz. Land mobile earth stations of the land

mobile-satellite service shall not produce power flux-density in

excess of -150 dB(W/m2/4kHz) outside national boundaries.

608C Stations of the mobile-satellite service in the band 148-

149.9 MHz shall not cause harmful interference to, or claim

protection from stations of the fixed or mobile services in the

following countries: Algeria, the Federal Republic of Germany, Saudi

Arabia, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Brunei

Darussalam, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Canada, Cyprus, Colombia, Congo,

Cuba, Denmark, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Ecuador, Spain,

Ethiopia, the Russian Federation, Finland, France, Ghana, Greece,

Honduras, Hungary, Iran, Ireland, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Japan,

Jordan, Kenya, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mali,

Malta, Mauritania, Mozambique, Namibia, Norway, New Zealand, Oman,

Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, the Netherlands, Phillippines,

Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Syria, Romania, the United Kingdom,

Singapore, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Suriname, Swaziland,

Tanzania, Chad, the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic, Thailand,

Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, Yemen and Yugoslavia that operate in

accordance with the Table of Frequency Allocations.

* * * * *

609B In the band 149.9-150.05MHz, the allocation to the land

mobile-satellite service shall be on a secondary basis until 1

January 1997.

* * * * *

647A The band 400.15-401 MHz is also allocated to the space

research service in the space-to-space direction for communications

with manned space vehicles. In this application, the space research

service will not be regarded as a safety service.

647B The use of the band 400.15-401 MHz by the mobile-satellite

service is subject to the application of the coordination and

notification procedures set forth in Resolution RES46 (WARC-92).

However, coordination of a space station of the mobile-satellite

service with respect to terrestrial services is required only if the

power flux-density produced by the station exceeds -125 dB(W/

m2/4kHz) at the Earth's surface. The above power flux-density

limit shall apply until such time as a competent world

administrative radio conference revises it. In making assignments to

the space stations in the mobile-satellite service in the above

band, administrations shall take all practicable steps to protect

the radio astronomy service in the band 406.1-410 MHz from harmful

interference from unwanted emissions.

* * * * *

United States (US) Footnotes

* * * * *

US318 Until January 1, 2000, the use of the 137-138 MHz band by

the mobile-satellite service will be secondary to Government

satellite operations in the subbands: 137.333-137.367, 137.485-

137.515, 137.605-137.635 and 137.753-137.787 MHz.

US319 In the 137-138, 148-149.9, 149.9-150.05, 399.9-400.05, and

400.15-401 MHz bands, Government stations in the mobile-satellite

service shall be limited to earth stations operating with non-

Government satellites.

US320 Use of the 137-138, 148-149.9, and 400.15-401 MHz bands by

the mobile-satellite service is limited to non-voice, non-

geostationary satellite systems and may include satellite links

between land earth stations at fixed locations.

* * * * *

US322 The 149.9-150.05 MHz band is allocated to the mobile-

satellite service (Earth-to-space) on a primary basis after 1

January 1997 and shall be limited to non- [[Page 20914]] voice, non-

geostationary satellite systems, including satellite links between

land earth stations. Before 1 January 1997 use of this band on a

secondary basis for the mobile satellite service is allowed for land

earth stations at fixed locations.

US323 In the 148-149.9 MHz band, no individual mobile earth

station shall transmit, on the same frequency being actively used by

fixed and mobile stations and shall transmit no more than 1% of the

time during any 15 minute period; except, individual mobile earth

stations in this band that do not avoid frequencies actively being

used by the fixed and mobile services shall not exceed a power

density of -16 dBW/4kHz and shall transmit no more than 0.25% of the

time during any 15 minute period. Any single transmission from any

individual mobile earth station operating in this band shall not

exceed 450 ms in duration and consecutive transmissions from a

single mobile earth station on the same frequency shall be separated

by at least 15 seconds. Land earth stations in this band shall be

subject to electromagnetic compatibility analysis and coordination

with terrestrial fixed and mobile stations.

US324 Government and non-Government satellite systems in the

400.15-401 MHz band shall be subject to electromagnetic

compatibility analysis and coordination.

US325 In the band 148-149.9 MHz fixed and mobile stations shall

not claim protection from land earth stations in the mobile-

satellite service that have been previously coordinated; Government

fixed and mobile stations exceeding 27 dBW EIRP, or an emission

bandwidth greater than 38 kHz, will be coordinated with existing

mobile-satellite service space stations.

US326 The 399.9-400.05 MHz band is allocated to the mobile-

satellite service (Earth-to-space) on a primary basis after January

1, 1997 and shall be limited to non-voice, non-geostationary

satellite systems, including satellite links between land earth

stations.

* * * * *

[FR Doc. 95-10427 Filed 4-27-95; 8:45 am]

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