FCC grants Globalstar, Iridium L-band spectrum, ATC plans out for comment

The Federal Communications Commission agreed to divide mobile satellite service L-band spectrum between CDMA operator Globalstar Inc. and TDMA operator Iridium Satellite L.L.C., while soliciting public comment on a plan to give Globalstar ancillary terrestrial component authority on most of its MSS frequencies.
The agency’s actions give Globalstar and Iridium each exclusive MSS use of 7.775 megahertz of spectrum in the L-band (1.6 GHz) and sets the stage for Globalstar to incorporate ATC in more than 19 megahertz of the 27.85 megahertz of spectrum it controls in the L-band and S-band (2.4-2.5 GHz).
Globalstar petitioned the FCC in June 2006 to use supplemental terrestrial wireless facilities across all of its MSS frequencies, but the agency said doing so posed potential interference to Iridium and land-based wireless broadband networks. At the same time, the FCC is willing to allow Globalstar to integrate ATC in nearly twice as many a frequencies as currently authorized.
“We are extremely pleased with the FCC’s proposal to increase our ATC authority, which would provide Globalstar with the ability to continue its leadership role in the development of innovative products and services and to work with others to develop a broader range of seamless terrestrial and satellite voice and high-speed data wireless solutions,” said Jay Monroe, CEO and chairman of Globalstar.
Monroe added: “Developing the potential of our ATC authority is one of the cornerstones of our business strategy. We are gratified that the commission declined to permit additional sharing by Iridium in our L-band down to 1616 MHz, which would have diminished the amount of spectrum available to us for ATC. We are, however, considering our options regarding the FCC’s adjustment to the boundary between Globalstar’s and Iridium’s spectrum in the U.S.”
Monroe stressed the FCC’s ruling on the L-band spectrum assignments has no effect outside the United States where Globalstar still has access to 27.85 megahertz of satellite spectrum.