Globalstar Inc (GSAT)

[novicetrader1]

Nice article about Globalstar getting its order published in the federal registry yesterday. Starts the 30 day clock for any objections to the rule. GLTA

https://www.law360.com/articles/886352/globalstar-can-use-its-bandwidth-for-broadband-fcc-says

Here is article if you don't want to register.

By Natalie Olivo

Law360, New York (January 31, 2017, 3:47 PM EST) -- Satellite telecommunications provider Globalstar Inc. has gotten the green light to use its current spectrum for terrestrial broadband after narrowing an earlier request for expansion, according to a final rule the Federal Communications Commission published in the Federal Register Tuesday.
The document will establish a framework that allows Globalstar, the sole mobile-satellite service licensee in the 2,483.5 to 2,495 megahertz band, to use its spectrum to deploy a terrestrial low-power network, the filing said. Globalstar had previously asked to expand into unlicensed spectrum as well, but in November revised its proposal to specify the operations of its low-power terrestrial system in just its licensed 11.5 megahertz of spectrum, which is currently used for satellite services, the rule said.

In addition, the FCC said the Federal Register document modifies its rules on the operation of an ancillary terrestrial component for mobile-satellite service systems operating in the 2,483.5 to 2,495 megahertz band.

Barbee Ponder, general counsel and vice president at Globalstar, told Law360 on Tuesday, “We are very pleased with the substance of the Federal Communications Commission’s report and order published today in the Federal Register.”

Ponder added, “The commission voted unanimously to release the order at the end of last year, and we look forward to exercising our new terrestrial authority to meet the mobile broadband needs of our nation’s consumers.”

As part of the commission's measures to address interference issues, the rule includes the requirement for a network operating system, or NOS, that must have a point of contact available at all times with the technical capability to address and resolve interference issues, with contact information available publicly on the licensee’s website.

“The NOS must have the capability to control the operation of all low-power transmitters so that it can address any interference concerns by whatever means necessary, including but not limited to reducing power or terminating operations at a particular location or installation,” the rule said.

The final rule comes after the two leaders of the Congressional Hearing Health Caucus urged the FCC in April to proceed with caution on a proposed Wi-Fi spectrum expansion, which they worried would take up airwaves currently used by Bluetooth-equipped hearing aids.

Reps. David B. McKinley, R-W.Va., and Mike Thompson, D-Calif., asked that the commission ensure the request by Globalstar to use its satellite spectrum for public Wi-Fi has enough technical data guaranteeing that hearing assistance devices will not be unduly harmed

Signal interference with a variety of technologies had been a major concern as the FCC mulled the notice of proposed rule-making for the expansion first issued at the beginning of November 2013.

In a late-March 2016 letter addressed to Sen. David Vitter, R-La., outgoing FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler spoke of interference worries from spectrum users with interests in broadcast auxiliary service, broadband radio service and educational broadband service in addition to the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth concerns.

The FCC has been carefully considering Globalstar's proposal, Wheeler said in the letter included in the expansion proceedings, while noting “strong disagreements” on the chances for interference with licensed and unlicensed services that continue to persist.

For its part, Globalstar had continued to argue that it will “be a good neighbor” to services using both licensed and unlicensed spectrum, according to a late-March filing with the FCC discussing conversations with commission staff.

“We discussed safeguards that will minimize any risk of disruption to other services, including effective equipment certification procedures and Globalstar’s proposed network operating system ('NOS'),” the company said at the time. “Globalstar’s NOS will provide a rapid-response platform for operators of licensed and unlicensed services to provide notice of any claimed interference to their services, and mitigation of harmful interference in the highly unlikely event that it occurs.”

--Additional reporting by Bryan Koenig. Editing by Jill Coffey.