The FCC has issued an Order that allows mobile satellite service (MSS) operator Globalstar to provide low power terrestrial service using spectrum that was originally set aside for ancillary terrestrial components (ATCs) of MSS service. In 2003, the Commission adopted rules for licensing and operation of ATCs, including in the 2483.5-2495 MHz band where Globalstar will operate its terrestrial network. The Commission’s rules enabled an MSS operator with an FCC-issued space station license to also obtain blanket authority for operation of ATC stations throughout the United States as long as the MSS licensee met certain prerequisites, or “gating criteria”. The goal of these “gating criteria” was to ensure that the provision of ATC would be ancillary to and offered in conjunction with the provision of MSS. In its Order, the Commission found that relaxing certain of the gating criteria, specifically the criterion that required ATC to be integrated with the MSS service, was justified in light of the fact that Globalstar has continued to invest heavily in its MSS services deployment. The Commission noted that Globalstar launched 24 new second-generation satellites to replenish its MSS constellation between 2010 and 2013 and has invested more than $1 billion over the last few years in this new satellite constellation and second-generation ground infrastructure. Under the circumstances, the Commission found a waiver of the gating criteria to allow Globalstar to provide a low power terrestrial service that would serve the public interest.
