FCC grants Globalstar preliminary approval for ATC operations

The Federal Communications Commission agreed to allow Globalstar Inc. to make greater use of land-based wireless facilities in mobile satellite service frequencies licensed to the company.
“This action will allow greater capacity and flexibility for MSS/ATC [ancillary terrestrial component], and will allow CDMA Big LEO [low earth orbit] MSS/ATC systems to provide improved service to customers, particularly in urban and underserved rural areas of the United States,” the FCC stated.
The agency said it took steps to prevent Globalstar ATC operations from causing harmful interference to other services.
“Developing the potential of our satellite spectrum and ATC authority is one of the cornerstones of our business strategy, thus we are extremely pleased with the decision and appreciate the FCC’s diligence in completing this process promptly,” said Globalstar CEO and Chairman Jay Monroe. “This decision provides potential partners with both the ability and the incentive to proceed with plans to develop and offer innovative and high quality ATC wireless services in conjunction with our satellite services. We can also continue our leadership role by working with Open Range Communications to establish the first rural broadband WiMAX service and by continuing to develop other innovative products and services using seamless satellite and terrestrial networks.”
Cellular association CTIA had accused Globalstar of trying to transform its mobile satellite service operation into a terrestrial service with an ancillary satellite component.
In its ruling, the FCC replied, “It appears that Globalstar plans to use its MSS system for access to Open Range’s network only when no ATC base station is within range of the customer’s mobile terminal. Given CTIA’s concerns, and Globalstar’s and Open Range’s stated plans, we reiterate that there are several technical and operational requirements to which Globalstar must adhere to operate ATC under the commission’s rules.”