WASHINGTON-U.K.-based Inmarsat Ltd. applied to the Federal Communications Commission for a 2 GHz mobile satellite service license that would allow it to offer interoperable communications to first responders and homeland defense officials, adding a new twist to current efforts by satellite companies to regain access to 2 GHz spectrum and licenses reclaimed by federal regulators in recent years.
“Inmarsat services on the 2 GHz band will enhance our role as a provider of reliable, safety-related government and commercial communications services,” said Andy Sukawaty, chief executive officer of Inmarsat and former president of Sprint PCS. “The devastating effects of the recent Gulf Coast hurricanes have demonstrated the need for interoperable communications services for emergency responders and political officials. The 2 GHz band will allow Inmarsat to continue its long legacy of supporting the communications needs of the U.S. military, civil defense and all agencies associated with homeland security.”
Inmarsat said it wants to provide next-generation global 2 GHz MSS offerings by 2010.
When mobile-phone service was disrupted during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, MSS operators continued to provide communications to local, state and federal officials. That success could improve their chances to recover 2 GHz frequencies that are now in regulatory limbo.
Six of the original eight 2 GHz MSS operators either have had their licenses revoked by the FCC for construction failure or voluntarily have returned licenses. Various 2 GHz MSS operators that lost licenses are fighting at the FCC and in court to have their satellite permits reinstated.
The remaining 2 GHz MSS operators are ICO Satellite Services and TMI Communications and Co. Ltd.
In April, TMI asked the FCC to redistribute spectrum freed as a result of the return of 2 GHz MSS licenses earlier this year by Iridium L.L.C., the Boeing Co. and Celsat America Inc.
When the FCC awarded the eight 2 GHz licenses in 2001, it divided a total of 70 megahertz among them. Then, in 2003, reacting to the mobile-phone industry’s request that all MSS frequencies be reclaimed from the faltering mobile-satellite sector, the FCC took away 30 megahertz. But in doing so, the FCC authorized MSS operators to supplement satellites with land-based cellular networks. The mobile-phone industry opposed giving MSS operators such regulatory flexibility, but the FCC rejected cellular carriers’ complaints.
Now, cellular carriers are voicing opposition to TMI’s request that returned 2 GHz MSS spectrum be redistributed to it and ICO. The FCC has an open rulemaking examining that very question.
The Senate Commerce Committee last Thursday postponed a hearing that was to include testimony from officials of MSS operators Mobile Satellite Ventures L.P. and Iridium Satellite L.L.C., as well as from Motorola Inc. and M/A-COM Wireless Systems on disaster communications interoperability. Inmarsat provided written testimony to the committee.
