Globalstar May Face Tough Path for Terrestrial Operations, Say Executives

Globalstar’s path forward for offering terrestrial service in its mobile satellite service (MSS) spectrum appears to have several immediate obstacles, said industry executives. Globalstar maintains that the use of its terrestrial spectrum is relatively straightforward since the agency previously approved Globalstar’s use of ancillary terrestrial spectrum. Globalstar, which had its ATC abilities suspended, hopes to regain ATC compliance to use Big Low Earth Orbit L-band (1610-1617.775 MHz) and the S-band (2483.5-2495 MHz) terrestrially. Globalstar has said it should receive an FCC ATC gating criteria waiver, similar to the one received by LightSquared and being sought by Dish Network, that would allow Globalstar to offer terrestrial-only service.

Globalstar’s L-band spectrum seems to face the most difficult way forward for terrestrial-only use, said executives. That spectrum, which is near LightSquared’s -- though further away from the GPS spectrum, would likely get an especially close review given the troubles of LightSquared, said the executives. Globalstar would have to “expect scrutiny” despite the differences between the swaths of spectrum, said a satellite industry executive. MSS consultant Tim Farrar agreed: “There’s likely to be pretty extensive testing before specific deployment in L-band."

The GPS industry has already voiced concern over the idea. The GPS Industry Council (GIC)recently told the FCC that Globalstar’s requests for similar treatment as Dish are self-serving and the two companies have different regulatory standings (http://xrl.us/bmjswh). As such, the FCC shouldn’t treat Globalstar’s L-band spectrum the same as the S-band, which has already gone through a proceeding on its ability to provide terrestrial service. The FCC should go through a proceeding in the L-band to look at possible impacts on GPS and other services if the agency wants that spectrum used terrestrially, said the GIC. In preparation, “we are doing our part to reach to the GPS community,” said Globalstar General Counsel Barbee Ponder. Ponder said Globalstar “would like to engage in discussions ahead of time” so that “any concerns are addressed up front,” rather than coming up within a proceeding.

Iridium, which shares some spectrum with Globalstar, has also continued to dog Globalstar in its efforts. Iridium told the FCC the L-band is very much distinct from the S-band and the satellite allocation must be maintained as the primary use for increased use by the U.S. government and first responders. Ponder said Iridium considers Globalstar’s ability to offer terrestrial service as a “competitive advantage in competitive marketplace.” Farrar agreed, saying any slowing of investment in Globalstar, which is likely very closely related to convince investors of its ability to offer terrestrial service, is helpful from a competitive aspect. Iridium didn’t comment.

Globalstar’s best chances for terrestrial-only services are in the S-band, said Farrar. The major impediment there is a long time disagreement over a Broadcast Auxiliary Services on channel A10 at 2483.5-2500 MHz. “As long as the spectrum is co-channel, its never going to work,” said Dane Ericksen, co-chair of the Engineers for the Integrity of Broadcast Auxiliary Services Spectrum, which has fought with Globalstar for years on the issue. That may change because there is talk of moving the A10 channel, which is used for electronic news gathering and other services, said Ericksen and FCC filings show.

The “refarming” would move A10 so it would only go up to 2486 MHz, said Ericksen. Globalstar, who had long fought the idea, recently said it would be open to it, said Ericksen. The FCC would first need to issue another rulemaking notice as part of its ongoing MSS proceeding or begin another proceeding, said Ericksen. Following a proceeding, it would likely only take about 6 months to complete the move, due to more frequency-flexible radios in the field, he said. The ongoing look at the collapse of Open Range, which had leased Globalstar’s S-band spectrum, shouldn’t affect any FCC review of the issue, said Ponder.