Globalstar Begins Seeking International Regulatory OKs for TLPS Plans
By the end of Q1, Globalstar expects to have started regulatory proceedings in at least four countries with a combined population of 375 million as it looks for international regulatory approval of its terrestrial broadband plans (see 1701120035), the company said Monday. In meetings with New York analysts and in an interview with us, General Counsel Barbee Ponder said the company initiated applications in three countries, which he didn't name, in January and plans to make that at least four by March's end. He told us Globalstar plans to make similar filings in other, unnamed countries through this year. With a goal ultimately of worldwide authority for the spectrum, he said that "it will be ongoing for quite some time."
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Ponder called it "very possible" that the company could have some regulatory approvals by year's end, "especially given the FCC's unanimous decision" in December approving its terrestrial low-power service broadband plans (see 1612230060). The countries where Globalstar has applications all had reached out to the company previously, and it has been in discussions with them since, Ponder said.
The 11.5 MHz of approved terrestrial spectrum in the U.S. represents 3.7 billion MHz-POPs, with its primary use being in high-density dedicated non-macro cell deployments the company said in presentations to analysts. It's seeking an additional 6.2 billion MHz-POPs via the Q1 filings outside the U.S.
While the FCC granted the company terrestrial authority in the U.S. for use in 2483.5-2495 MHz, its global band plans have it applying to use 16.5 MHz -- 2483.5-2500 MHz. Ponder said the U.S. is the only country where Globalstar has co-primary use of that upper 5 MHz, whereas in international jurisdictions the company is licensed on a primary basis up to 2500 MHz with broadband radio service (BRS) and educational broadband service spectrum not starting until above 2500 MHz.
If granted internationally, that additional 5 MHz will give Globalstar expanded ability for a wider channel or wider guard bands, Ponder said, adding, "Not that we think those are necessary." He said Globalstar plans "essentially the same service" internationally as in the U.S.
FCC revision of rules regarding operation of an ancillary terrestrial component (ATC) for mobile satellite systems in the band are set to go into effect 30 days after the publication of the rules in the Federal Register, with that publication scheduled to happen Tuesday, said a notice Monday. The FCC order said single-licensee control of low-power terrestrial operations and mobile satellite service operations in the 11.5 MHz band "is essential to effect coordination between the space and terrestrial operations and to ensure the continuation of MSS operations" there. The order changes the gating criteria rules and relaxes the integrated services rule covering ATC in the band. The order also revised the unwanted emissions limits at the 2483.5 edge of the band and set limits for emissions above 2495 MHz, while also requiring that interference to a BRS station from an ATC station is the ATC's burden to resolve.