Wave Issue 0303 2/7/03 Article 1-01

***FCC Grants Terrestrial Flexibility to Satellite Services
(February 10)

Fulfilling expectations, the FCC ruled today that providers of
satellite communications can add a terrestrial component to their
networks, to boost their signals in areas where satellite signals
are blocked. This ruling gives satellite service providers such
as Mobile Satellite Ventures and Iridium the go-ahead to begin
the process of deploying terrestial antenna towers to build-out
their networks--known as ancilliary terrestrial components
(ATCs).

Limiting the ruling to the 2 GHz MSS band, the L-band, and the
Big LEO Bands, the Commission further limited the deployment of
the terrestrial component to certain "core frequencies" of these
bands, to minimize interference with adjacent services. In
order to qualify for ATC, a satellite provider must meet five
criteria:

(1) has launched and operates its own satellite facilities;
(2) provides substantial satellite service to the public;
(3) provides integrated ATC;
(4) observes existing satellite geographic coverage requirements;
and
(5) limits ATC operations only to the authorized satellite
footprint.

Satellite companies are expected to immediately begin raising
financing to fund their ATC deployments.

www.fcc.gov