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'4  .Times New RomanBold$35;AGOW_e31.a.i.(1)(a)(i)1)a)($      d:3$  1XX.1Ԁ  1    o[X` hp x (#%'0*,.8135@8:<H?AXo  SeeApplicationofOrbitalCommunicationsCorporation,datedFebruary28,1990,FileNo.22DSSP  90(20).(w!2:3$ T!   1XX.1Ԁ  0    d:3$  1XX.1Ԁ  2    o[X` hp x (#%'0*,.8135@8:<H?AXo  TheCommissionhasauthoritytoengageinnegotiatedrulemakingsundertheNegotiatedRulemakingAct  of1990,Pub.L.101648,November28,1990.Negotiatedrulemakinginvolvesthesolicitationofinputfromaffectedparties,meetingasaFederalAdvisoryCommittee.SeeFederalAdvisoryCommitteeAct,5U.S.C.App. @ 2.Throughnegotiatedrulemaking,theCommissionhopestoachievebetter,lesscontestedregulationsbyinvolvinginterestedpartiesinafacetoface,prerulemakingprocessofcooperationanddiscussion.Seegenerally   NoticeofProposedRulemaking,8FCCRcd6330(1993).TheadvisorycommitteeconvenedbytheCommission  consistedoftheCommission,Orbcomm,Starsys,VITAandexistingusersoftheaffectedfrequencybandsandadjacentfrequencybands..XV[X.XXX.XV[Ԁ  d:3$  1XX.1Ԁ  3    o[X` hp x (#%'0*,.8135@8:<H?AXo  ReportoftheBelow1GHzLEONegotiatedRulemakingCommittee,CCDocket9276(September16,  1992)..XV[X.XXX.XV[ i d:3$  1XX.1Ԁ  4    o[X` hp x (#%'0*,.8135@8:<H?AXo  SeeIntheMatterofAmendmentoftheCommission'sRulestoEstablishRulesandPoliciesPertainingto  aNonVoice,NonGeostationaryMobileSatelliteService,ReportandOrder,CCDocketNo.9276,8FCCRcd x 8450(1993)..XV[X.XXX.XV[  d:3$  1XX.1Ԁ  5    o[X` hp x (#%'0*,.8135@8:<H?AXo  OrbitalCommunicationsCorporation,OrderandAuthorization,9FCCRcd6476(1994),recon.denied,  10FCCRcd7801(1995).  d:3$  1XX.1Ԁ  6    o[X` hp x (#%'0*,.8135@8:<H?AXo  StarsysGlobalPositioning,Inc.,OrderandAuthorization,11FCCRcd1237(1995);Volunteersin  TechnicalAssistance,Inc.,OrderandAuthorization,11FCCRcd1358(1995). d$  e[X` hp x (#%'0*,.8135@8:<H?Ae..LeoOne,L.P.SatelliteSystemApplication,datedOctober4,1993.  d$  e[X` hp x (#%'0*,.8135@8:<H?Ae..SeeS.%\  `&Times New RomanSԀSatelliteApplicationAcceptableforFilingCutoffEstablishedforAdditionalApplications,_l$*f9 `2Times New RomanItalic_PublicNotice,ReportNo.DS1459S.%\  `&Times New RomanSԀ(September16,1994).$*f9 `2Times New RomanItalic  d$  e[X` hp x (#%'0*,.8135@8:<H?Ae..InadditiontoLeoOne,thecompaniesfilingsecondprocessingroundapplicationswereCTACommercialSystems,Inc.("CTA"),ESat,Inc.("ESat"),FinalAnalysisCommunicationsServices,Inc.("FAI")andGEAmericanCommunications,Inc.("GEAmericom"). r d$  e[X` hp x (#%'0*,.8135@8:<H?Ae..IntheMatterofVOLUNTEERSINTECHNICALASSISTANCEApplicationforAuthoritytoConstruct,LaunchandOperateaNonVoice,NonGeostationaryMobileSatelliteSystem,FileNo.29SATAMEND95(submittedNov.16,1994). 1 d$  e[X` hp x (#%'0*,.8135@8:<H?Ae..SeeNonVoice,NonGeostationaryLowEarthOrbitSatelliteApplicationsAcceptedforFiling,PublicNotice,ReportNo.DS1484(November25,1994). g d$  e[X` hp x (#%'0*,.8135@8:<H?Ae..SeeApplicationofStarsysforAuthoritytoConstruct,Launch,andOperateaNonVoice,NonGeostationaryMobileSatelliteSystem,OrderandAuthorization,11FCCRcd1237,19and21(1995).  d$  e[X` hp x (#%'0*,.8135@8:<H?Ae..AmendmentofPart25oftheCommission'sRulestoEstablishRulesandPoliciesPertainingtotheSecondProcessingRoundoftheNonVoice,NonGeostationaryMobileSatelliteService,NoticeofProposedRulemaking,IBDocketNo.96220,FCC96426(releasedOctober29,1996). Y d$  e[X` hp x (#%'0*,.8135@8:<H?Ae..StarsysandGEAmericomwithdrewtheirapplicationsfromthesecondprocessinground.OrbitalSciencesCorporation,Orbcomm'sparent,acquiredthesatelliteoperationsofsecondroundapplicantCTA.  d$  e[X` hp x (#%'0*,.8135@8:<H?Ae..SeeJointProposal,datedSeptember19,1997,amongESAT,Inc.,FinalAnalysisCommunicationsServices,Inc.,LeoOneUSACorporation,OrbitalCommunicationsCorporation,OrbitalSciencesCorporationandVolunteersinTechnicalAssistance,Inc.,IBDocketNo.96220.PursuanttotheJointProposal,OrbitalSciencesCorporationagreedtohaveCTA'sparentwithdrawCTA'ssecondprocessingroundapplicationinconnectionwiththegrantofOrbcomm'ssecondprocessingroundapplication. d$  e[X` hp x (#%'0*,.8135@8:<H?Ae..Id.at10.  d$  e[X` hp x (#%'0*,.8135@8:<H?Ae..IntheMatterofPart25oftehCommission'sRulestoEstablishRulesandPoliciesPertainingtotheSecondProcessingRoundoftheNonVoice,NonGeostationartMobileSatelliteService,ReportandOrder,FCC97370(releasedOctober15,1997)("ReportandOrder"). d$  e[X` hp x (#%'0*,.8135@8:<H?Ae..Id.129. d$  e[X` hp x (#%'0*,.8135@8:<H?Ae..Amendment,datedOctober30,1997,FileNo.9SATAMEND98("ConformingAmendment"). 8 d$  e[X` hp x (#%'0*,.8135@8:<H?Ae..AmendmentstoApplicationsForNonVoice,NonGeostationaryMobileSatelliteServiceAcceptedForFiling,PublicNotice,ReportNo.SPB110(November19,1997). d$  e[X` hp x (#%'0*,.8135@8:<H?Ae..See47U.S.C.301. d$  e[X` hp x (#%'0*,.8135@8:<H?Ae..Id.at303(l)(1)and308(a).  d$  e[X` hp x (#%'0*,.8135@8:<H?Ae..VITA's"application"includestheNov.16,1994modificationrequestandallsubsequentamendmentstheretoproperlyfiledwiththeCommission. d$  e[X` hp x (#%'0*,.8135@8:<H?Ae..47U.S.C.309(a). d$  e[X` hp x (#%'0*,.8135@8:<H?Ae..See47C.F.R.25.142(a). d$  e[X` hp x (#%'0*,.8135@8:<H?Ae..ReportandOrder4546. d$  e[X` hp x (#%'0*,.8135@8:<H?Ae..Id.at55. d$  e[X` hp x (#%'0*,.8135@8:<H?Ae..ConformingAmendmentatExhibitB,p.29. k d$  e[X` hp x (#%'0*,.8135@8:<H?Ae..S.%\  `&Times New RomanSId.ThisfootnoteplacesrestrictionsonMobileEarthStationtransmissionsinthe140149.9MHzband. d$  e[X` hp x (#%'0*,.8135@8:<H?Ae..ConformingAmendmentatExhibitB,p.24. d$  e[X` hp x (#%'0*,.8135@8:<H?Ae..ReportandOrderat33,92.  d$  e[X` hp x (#%'0*,.8135@8:<H?Ae..PowerfluxdensitymeansthepowerlevelofasatellitesignalincidentonthesurfaceoftheEarth(measuredbywattspersquaremeter). d$  e[X` hp x (#%'0*,.8135@8:<H?Ae..ConformingAmendmentatExhibitB,p.28. x d$  e[X` hp x (#%'0*,.8135@8:<H?Ae..See47C.F.R.25.142(a)(2)(referencing2.106,Footnote647BwhichrequiresaMSSspacestationlicenseetocoordinatewithterrestrialservicesifthePFDontheearth'ssurfaceexceeds125dB(W/m2/4KHz)). d$  e[X` hp x (#%'0*,.8135@8:<H?Ae0..See47C.F.R.25.142(a)(4). 5 d$  e[X` hp x (#%'0*,.8135@8:<H?Ae..SeeLettertoMs.MagalieSalas,Secretary,FederalCommunicationsCommissionfromJosephA.Godles,AttorneyforVITA(Feb.19,1998).Aspartofthefirstprocessinground,VITArequestedawaiveroftherequirementthatitdemonstratetheabilitytofinanceasecondsatellite.WegrantedthisrequestandfoundVITAfinanciallyqualifiedtoholdalicenseforonesatellite.IntheMatteroftheApplicationofVolunteersinTechnicalAssistanceForAuthoritytoConstruct,LaunchandOperateaNonVoice,NonGeostationaryMobileSatelliteSystem,OrderandAuthorization,DA951620(releasedJuly21,1995),at14("VITAFirstRoundAuthorization"). d$  e[X` hp x (#%'0*,.8135@8:<H?Ae..WAITRadiov.FCC,418F.2d1153,1157(D.C.Cir.1969). j d$  e[X` hp x (#%'0*,.8135@8:<H?Ae..See,e.g.,NorrisSatelliteCommunications,Inc.,11FCCRcd5402(1996),aff'd12FCCRcd22299(1997);NationalExchangeSatellite,Inc.,7FCCRcd1990(Com.Car.Bur.1992);RainbowSatellite,Inc.,MimeoNo.2584(Com.Car.Bur.,releasedFeb.14,1985;UnitedStatesSatelliteSystems,Inc.,MimeoNo.2583(Com.Car.Bur.,releasedFeb.14,1985)(satellitelicensesdeclarednullandvoidforfailuretobeginimplementationasrequiredbylicense).  d$  e[X` hp x (#%'0*,.8135@8:<H?Ae..IntheMatteroftheApplicationofVolunteersinTechnicalAssistanceForAuthoritytoConstruct,LaunchandOperateaNonVoice,NonGeostationaryMobileSatelliteSystem,OrderandAuthorization,DA951630(rel.Jul21,1995)at14  d$  e[X` hp x (#%'0*,.8135@8:<H?Ae..SeeS.%\  `&Times New RomanS47C.F.R.25.142(d).WeimposedthesametypeofrestrictiononBigLeolicensees.See47C.F.R.25.143(h).  d$  e[X` hp x (#%'0*,.8135@8:<H?Ae..AmendmentofCommissionRegulatoryPoliciestoAllowNonUnitedStatesLicensedSpaceStationstoprovideDomesticandInternationalSatelliteServiceintheUnitedStates,ReportandOrder,FCC97399(releasedNov.26,1997)at161167. d$  e[X` hp x (#%'0*,.8135@8:<H?Ae..FirstProcessingRoundReportandOrder18. ! d$  e[X` hp x (#%'0*,.8135@8:<H?Ae..SeeS.%\  `&Times New RomanSԀ47C.F.R.25.111(b). d$  e[X` hp x (#%'0*,.8135@8:<H?Ae..47U.S.C.309.  CRight ParRight-Aligned Paragraph NumbersI.A.1.a.(1)(a)i)a)3|x<6X9`(CourierXx6X@`7X@* `CG TimesXXw PE37XP%\  `&Times New RomanX\  P6G;P'4  .Times New RomanBoldXXn4  pG;X%\  `&Times New RomandXXj\  P6G;XP$*f9 `2Times New RomanItalicW*f9 xr G;X( T$   dHP LaserJet IIISi,,,,,,0##37=CIQYag1.a.i.(1)(a)(i)1)a) ( _'   X(XXX@ XWXX-X(FederalCommunicationsCommissionB(#DA98618XV[XX`XWԈ  ?'' xdEx?* `CG Times'4  .Times New RomanBold%\  `&Times New Roman3~$U T!   _    -X(XXX8-(-XXdd8  ^_`XWXX-X(Beforethe S FEDERALCOMMUNICATIONSCOMMISSIONWashington,D.C.20554.XV[XX`XW +    IntheMatteroftheApplicationof h   )  |    `     h   )o[X` hp x (#%'0*,.8135@8:<H?AXo VOLUNTEERSINTECHNICAL h )  FileNos. p 29SATAMEND95 T   ASSISTANCE     h   )   p   102SATAMEND95 D     `     h   )   p   9SATAMEND98 4  ForAuthorizationtoConstruct, h   )     LaunchandOperateaNonVoice, h   )     NonGeostationaryMobileSatellite h   )   k  Systeminthe148150.05MHzand h ) W  400.15401MHzFrequencyBands h   ) C    ORDERANDAUTHORIZATION     Adopted: ` March31,1998 h   Released: p March31,1998 l BytheChief,InternationalBureau:  I.Introduction   C a $#C    1. ` Bythisorderandauthorization("Order"),weauthorizeVolunteersinTechnical g Assistance("VITA")tolaunchandoperateanadditionalsatelliteinitsnonvoice,nongeostationarymobilesatelliteservice("_NVNG_ԀMSS"or"LittleLEO")systeminlowEarthorbitinthe149.81149.9MHzuplinkandthe400.5983400.645MHzdownlinkfrequencybands.VITAisanonprofit,humanitarianaidorganizationthatprovidesservicestodevelopingnationsaroundtheworld.VITA'sLittleLEOsystemwillprovideeducational,health,environmental,disasterrelief,anddatatechnicalcommunicationsservicesindevelopingcountries.GrantofVITA'sapplicationwillservethepublicinterest,convenienceandnecessitybyprovidinglowcostsatelliteservicesforhumanitarianpurposestodevelopingcountries.  '@!$N _Ԁ   II.  Background  _     2. ` In1990,OrbitalCommunicationsCorporation("Orbcomm")filedanapplicationto ;  construct,launchandoperateaLittleLEOsystem.c b  1      ׀Subsequently,StarsysGlobalPositioning, '  Inc.("Starsys")andVolunteersInTechnicalAssistance,Inc.("VITA")filedapplicationsforLittleLEOsystems.TheCommissionconsideredthesethreeapplicationstogetherinwhatisreferredtoasthefirstLittleLEOprocessinground(the"firstprocessinground").Inthefirstprocessinground,theCommissioninstitutedanegotiatedrulemakingcommitteee  b  2      ׀toconsidersharing  d proposalsandtechnicalrulestogoverntheLittleLEOservice.Duringthesenegotiations,Orbcomm,StarsysandVITAreachedagreementonaspectrumsharingplanthatwouldenableallthreeapplicantstoimplementtheirsystemsintheavailablespectrum.Thenegotiatedrulemakingcommitteeusedthisspectrumsharingplantoissueareportf4  b  3      ׀thatbecamethebasisfortherules   andpoliciesadoptedbytheCommission(the"FirstProcessingRoundReportandOrder")g  b  4      ׀to s  governthelicensingofLittleLEOsystemsinthefirstprocessinground.OrbcommwasissuedthefirstLittleLEOlicenseinOctober1994.h b  5      ׀ThefirstprocessingroundconcludedwhenVITA K  andStarsyswereissuedLittleLEOlicensesinJulyandNovember1995,respectively.i b  6      ׀VITA 7  launchedasatelliteinconformancewithitsfirstprocessingroundauthorization(asmodifiedto # accountforaninitiallaunchfailure)onSeptember23,1997.Thesatelliteisstillinapreoperationalstageandhasnotyetbecomefullyfunctioning.   ..3.` ..` Beforetheconclusionofthefirstprocessinground,LeoOneUSA,L.P.("LeoOne")filedanapplicationrequestingauthoritytoconstructandoperateaLittleLEOsysteminthe148150.05MHzuplinkandthe137138MHzdownlinkfrequencybandstoprovideLittleLeoservicestocustomersworldwide. j   ׀InSeptember1994,weplacedLeoOne'sapplicationonpublicnotice. k   ׀Thepublicnoticeestablisheda"cutoff"dateforfilingapplicationstobeconsideredconcurrentlywiththatofLeoOne.ThisactioncommencedthesecondLittleLEOprocessinground(the"secondprocessinground").SeveralpartiesfiledapplicationsfornewLittleLEOsystemsinresponsetothispublicnotice. m   ׀Inaddition,OrbcommandVITAfiledmodificationstotheirproposedfirstprocessingroundLittleLEOsystems.Initsmodification,VITA(i)soughtauthoritytoconstruct,launch,andoperatethesatellitethathadbeenproposedinthefirstprocessingroundasagroundspare,and(ii)requestedaccesstoallfrequenciesinthe148150.05MHz,137138MHz,and400.15401MHzfrequencybands. n   ׀ Weacceptedthenewapplications,andmodificationapplicationsfiledbyOrbcommandVITA,inthesecondprocessinground. o   ׀WealsodeferredtothesecondprocessingroundconsiderationofaStarsysamendmenttoitsoriginalapplication,filedApril25,1994,afterthe"cutoff"dateforfilingapplicationsinthefirstprocessinground. p   ׀..4.` ..` Unlikethefirstprocessinground,wheresufficientspectrumexistedtoaccommodatetherequestsofalltheapplicants,insufficientspectrumexistedtoaccommodatetheeightLittleLEOsystemsproposedbysecondprocessingroundapplicants.Portionsoftheavailablespectrum,the148150.05MHzuplinkand137138MHzand400.15401MHzdownlinkfrequencybands,werelicensedtoOrbcomm,StarsysandVITAinthefirstprocessinground.Inaddition,asaddressedpreviouslyinthefirstprocessinground,thedownlinkfrequencybandsweresharedwithU.S.Governmentusers.Specifically,theNationalOceanicandAtmosphericAdministration("NOAA")isoperatingameteorologicalsatellitesysteminthe137138MHzdownlinkfrequencyband.Also,theDepartmentofDefense's("DoD")DepartmentofAirForcehasbeenplanningtoimplementameteorologicalsatellitesysteminthe400.15401MHzdownlinkfrequencybandfornationalsecuritypurposes.BecausetheU.S.governmentmeteorologicalsatelliteservicewasallocatedonaprimaryorcoprimarybasisinthesebands,secondprocessingroundLittleLEOlicenseeswouldberequiredtosharethesebandswiththeNOAAandDoDmeteorologicalsatellitesystems.Inlightofthelimitedspectrumavailabletosecondprocessingroundapplicantsaftertheconclusionofthefirstprocessinground,andtherequiredsharingbetweentheNOAAandDoDmeteorologicalsatellitesystemsandthesecondprocessingroundLittleLEOsystems,weinitiatedaNoticeofProposedRulemaking(the"Notice")todeveloprulesandpoliciestogovernthelicensingandoperationofsecondprocessingroundLittleLEOsystemsinthissharingenvironment. q   ..5.` ..` Generally,theNoticeproposedto:(i)excludefirstprocessingroundlicenseesfromparticipationinthesecondprocessingroundinordertoopenLittleLEOservicemarketstonewentrants;(ii)licenseuptothreenewLittleLEOsystemsinthesecondprocessingroundwithspecificfrequencybandregimesidentifiedforeachofthethreesystems;(iii)establishproceduresthatwouldrequiresecondprocessingroundlicenseestoprotecttheoperationsoftheNOAAandDoDmeteorologicalsatellitesystems;and(iv)useauctionstoresolvemutualexclusivityamongsecondprocessingroundapplicants.AlleightapplicantsandotherinterestedpartiescommentedontheproposalsintheNotice.Subsequently,twoapplicantswithdrewfromthesecondprocessingroundandanotherapplicantacquiredthesatelliteoperationsofathirdapplicant. r   ..6.` ..` OnSeptember22,1997,theremainingapplicantsfiledwiththeCommissionamutuallyagreeduponspectrumsharingplan(the"JointProposal")thataccommodatedallremainingsecondprocessingroundapplicantsintheavailablespectrum. s   ׀Generally,thespectrumsharingplanrequiresthattheapplicantssharethe148150.05MHzuplinkfrequencybandwiththeproposedFrenchsatellitesystemS801("S801"),theRussianradionavigationsatelliteservicesystem("TSYKADA")andterrestrialusersoftheband.Theapplicantsagreedtosharethe137138MHzdownlinkfrequencybandwithNOAA,S801,theproposedRussianMeteorsatellitesystemandterrestrialusersoftheband.Finally,theapplicantsagreedtosharethe400.15401MHzfrequencybandwithDoD.TheJointProposalexpresslyrecognizedthatthesecondprocessingroundapplicantswillberequiredtocoordinatetheiroperationswiththeotherusersofthesefrequencybands.AspartoftheJointProposal,theapplicantsagreedtowithdrawallpetitionsandobjectionsagainsteachother'spendingapplications. t   ׀..7.` ..` OnOctober15,1997,theCommissionreleasedaReportandOrder(the"ReportandOrder")inwhichitconcludedthatwithuseofappropriatetransmissiontechniques,propersystemcoordination,timesharingoffrequenciesandtheadoptionoftheJointProposal,therewassufficientspectrumtolicensethefiveremainingsecondprocessingroundapplicants. u   ׀TheReportandOrderdirectedsecondprocessingroundapplicantstoamendtheirapplicationstoconformtotherulesandpoliciesadoptedintheReportandOrder. v   ׀Inresponsetothisrequirement,VITAfiledanamendmentconformingitstechnicalproposaltotherulesandpoliciesadoptedintheReportandOrder(the"ConformingAmendment"). w   ׀..8.` ..` VITA'sConformingAmendment,togetherwiththeconformingamendmentsoftheothersecondprocessingroundapplicants,wereplacedonpublicnotice. x   ׀NocommentswerefiledinresponsetoVITA'sConformingAmendment. .. @..]III.D iscussion .. 9 .` ..` UndertheCommunicationsActof1934,asamended(the"Act"),nopersonshalluseoroperateanyapparatusforthetransmissionofenergyorcommunicationsorsignalsbyradiowithinthejurisdictionoftheUnitedStates,exceptpursuanttoalicensegrantedbyFederalauthority. y   ׀TheCommissionisauthorizedtograntradiolicensestoqualifiedpersonsuponwrittenapplicationtherefor. z   ׀InordertograntVITA'sapplication {   ׀tolaunchandoperate thespacesegmentofitsLittleLEOsystem,theCommissionmust findthatthepublicinterest,convenienceandnecessitywillbeservedbysuchgrant. |   ׀Beforewecanmakethisfinding,VITAmustdemonstratethatitislegally,technicallyandfinanciallyqualifiedtoholdaCommissionlicense }   ׀ A. ..Qualifications..1.` ..` TechnicalQualifications..10.` ..` Applicantsseekingauthoritytolaunch,andoperatesecondprocessingroundLittleLEOsystemsmustmeetthetechnicalrequirementsadoptedintheReportandOrder.IntheReportandOrder,weadoptedthesharingplanagreedtobythepartiesthatwouldaccommodatethreenewLittleLEOsystemsandallowORBCOMMandVITAtoexpandtheirsystems.Specifically,weidentifiedparticularfrequenciesandotheroperatingparametersforeachofthesesystems,whichwedesignatedasSystem1(LeoOne),System2(FAI),System3(ESat),ORBCOMM,andVITA.ConsistentwiththeReportandOrder,VITAproposestooperateanarrowbandsysteminthe149.81149.9MHzuplinkandthe400.5893400.645MHzdownlinkbands. ~   ׀  a.UplinkOperationsinthe149.81149.90MHzBand  ..11.` ..`   ConsistentwiththeJointProposal,theReportandOrderrequiressecondprocessingroundlicenseestoavoidcausingharmfulinterferencetonumeroussatelliteandterrestrialsystemsinthe148149.90MHzband.    ׀Initsconformingamendment,VITAstatesthatitwilloperateitssecondsatelliteinthesamemannerasitsfirstsatellite.    ׀VITAalsoindicatesthatitssystemwillbecapableofcomplyingwithallapplicablecoordinationandoperationrequirementsincludingSection2.106,fn.US323,oftheCommission'sRules,47C.F.R.2.106.    ..12.` ..`  PursuanttotheReportandOrder,VITAssecondroundsatellitemustsharethe149.81149.90MHzuplinkbandwithORBCOMMserviceuplinkoperations.VITAintendstoimplementcochannelsharingwithORBCOMMbyusingrandomaccessprotocol(ALOHA)withautomaticrequestrepeat.    ׀ORBCOMMhasnotraisedanyobjectionstothistechnique.NootherpotentiallyaffectedoperatorshaveraisedconcernsregardingVITA'suplinkoperation.Consequently,weauthorizeVITAtooperateinthe149.81149.90MHzuplinkband.Weexpectthatanypotentialinterferenceconcernsthatmayarisecanaddressedinthecoordinationprocess.@.. b.  DownlinkOperationsinthe400.5983400.645MHzBand  ....13.` ..` PursuanttotheReportandOrder,VITA'ssystemwillsharethe400.5983400.645MHzbandswithFAIbyusingtimesharingtechniques.    ׀TimesharingrequirestjedevelopmentandexchangeofpreciseephemerisdatainordertopredictthecontoursofaVITAsatellite'sprotectionareainadvanceofitsencounterwithanFAIsatellitefootprintoperatingonthesamefrequencychannel.WeexpectVITAandFAItonegotiateatimesharingschemethatwouldallowinterferencefreeoperationofbothsystemsinthesharedband.Tothisend,wewillrequireVITAtoprovideephemerisdatatoFAItoenableFAItopredictaccuratelythefuturelocationandfrequencyemissionsofVITAsatellite.WeexpectFAIandVITAtonegotiatethemostappropriatemeansforexchangingtheephemerisdataandforestablishingtheaccuracyoftheorbitalpropagatoralgorithm.@....14.` ..` VITAcertifiesthatthemaximumpowerfluxdensity("PFD")    ׀producedattheEarthssurfacebyitssatelliteinthe400.5983400.645MHzbandwillnotexceed-125dB(W/m2/4KHz).    ׀BecauseVITAssystemdoesnotexceedthePFDthresholdrequirementforcoordinationwithterrestrialservicesundertheCommission'sRules,itisnotrequiredtocoordinateitssystemwithterrestrialsystems.    ׀Consequently,wefindVITA'sproposedsystemmeetstheCommission'stechnicalrequirements...2.` ..` FinancialQualifications..15.` ..` ConsistentwithSection25.142(a)(4)oftheCommission'sRules,47C.F.R.25.142(a)(4),applicantsforaspacestationauthorizationinthesecondprocessingroundmustdemonstratethattheyhavethefinancesnecessarytoconstructandlaunchtwosatellitesintheirsystemandtooperatethosesatelliteforoneyear.    ׀VITAhasrequestedawaiverofthefinancialqualificationrequirement.    ..16.` ..` Generally,theCommissionmaygrantawaiverwhenthereliefrequestedwouldnotunderminethepolicyobjectiveoftheruleinquestionandwouldotherwiseservethepublicinterest.    ׀Inlightoftheenormouscostsinvolvedinconstructingandlaunchingasatellitesystem,theCommissionhasalwaysconsideredfinancialabilityasignificantfactorindeterminingwhethertheapplicantisqualifiedtoholdalicense.Thisstemsfromourrepeatedexperiencethatlicenseeswithoutsufficientavailableresourcesspendasignificantamountoftimeattemptingtoraisethenecessaryfinancingandthatthoseattemptsoftenendunsuccessfully.    ׀Consequently,whereagranttoanunderfinancedapplicantmayprecludeafullycapitalizedapplicantfromimplementingitsplans,andservicetothepublicmaybeconsequentlydelayed,wehaverequiredastringentfinancialshowingtoensurethatthepublicinterestwouldbeserved...17.` ..` VITAproposestoadd,inthesecondLittleLEOprocessinground,oneadditionalsatellitetoitslicensedonesatellitesystem.ThesmallestsystemproposedbyanotherLittleLEOapplicantisthesixsatellitesystemproposedbyESat;mostoftheothersystemsarecomprisedofconstellationswithmorethantwentysatellites.Giventheseconsiderations,itisextremelyunlikelythatanyfutureapplicantwouldbeinterestedinimplementingaonesatelliteLittleLEOsysteminthespectrumtobeassignedtoVITA.Thus,grantingVITAawaiveroftheCommission'sfinancialqualificationrequirementwillnotprecludeanotherfullycapitalizedapplicantfromimplementingitsplans.WerecognizethatifVITAisnotabletoproceedwithitssecondsatellite,existinglicenseesmaybeabletousethisspectrumtoexpandtheirsystems.Indeed,theJointProposal,whileaccommodatingVITA'ssystem,contemplatesthatVITA'sspectrumwillbeusedbyanotherlicenseeifVITAisnotabletogoforward.Consequently,wefindthatthepolicyobjectivesofthefinancialqualificationstandardwouldnotbeunderminedifwewaivedtherequirementforVITA...18.` ..` Morevoer,wehavepreviouslynotedthesignificantpublicinterestbenefitstobederivedfromVITA'snoncommericalhumanitariansystem.    ׀WerelyonthosesamepublicinterestbenefitsnowindeterminingthatawaiverofthefinancialqualificationstandardstoallowVITAanopportunitytoexpanditslicensedsystemwithanadditionalsatelliteisinthepublicinterest...19.` ..` Ingrantingthiswaiver,wenotethatwewillstrictlyenforcetheimplementationmilestonesinthislicense.IfVITAdoesnotconstructandlaunchitssecondsatellitebytherequireddates,thelicensewillbecomenullandvoidandwewillassignVITA'sspectrumtoanotherlicensee.B...ExclusiveArrangements..20.` ..` AsaLittleLEOlicensee,VITAmustcomplywiththerequirementsofSection25.142(d)oftheCommission'sRulesadoptedintheReportandOrder.Section25.142(d)prohibitsaLittleLEOlicenseefromenteringintoexclusivearrangementswithothercountriesconcerningcommunicationstoandfromtheUnitedStates.    ׀ThepurposeofthisruleistopromotecompetitionintheLittleLEOservicemarketsintheUnitedStates.TheprohibitionagainstexclusivearrangementsreducesthelikelihoodthataLittleLEOlicenseecanforecloseotherLittleLEOlicenseesfromservingaforeignmarket,providingaglobalservice,andcompetingeffectivelywithothersystemsthatservetheUnitedStates...21.` ..`  Whilewe recognizethatspectrumcoordinationandavailabilityaswellasmarketsizeandcommercialopportunitiesinaparticularcountrymaylimitthenumberofsystemsthatcanserveaforeigncountry,ourrulesareclearthatLittleLEOslicenseesmaynotacquireorenjoyanyexclusiverightscreatedbycontractsorworkingarrangements.    C...ConstructionandLaunchMilestones..22.` ..` IntheFirstProcessingRoundReportandOrder,theCommissiongenerallyrequiredalicenseetocommenceconstructionofthefirsttwosatellitesinitsLittleLEOsystemwithinoneyearofgrantofitslicense.    ׀Constructionofthefirsttwosatellitesmustbecompletedwithinthreeyearsofgrant,andlaunchwithinfouryearsofgrant.̀..23.` ..` Consequently,wewillrequireVITAtoadheretothesamemilestoneschedulerequiredforotherLittleLEOlicensees.Specifically,VITAmustbeginconstructionofitssecondsatellitewithinoneyearoflicensegrantandmustlaunchandoperatethissatellitewithinsixyearsofgrant.FailuretomeetthesemilestoneswillautomaticallyrenderVITA'slicenseforthissatellitenullandvoid.D...InternationalCoordination ..24.` ..` Ingeneral,wewillfollowtheapplicableadvancepublication,coordinationandnotificationproceduressetforthintheITURadioRegulationsandforconsultationpursuanttoArticle14oftheINTELSATAgreementandArticle8oftheInmarsatConvention    ׀incoordinatingVITA'ssatellitesanduseofthefrequencyspectrumwithotheraffectedadministrations.VITAshallprovidetheCommissionwithallinformationnecessarytocomplywiththeseprocesses.InviewofVITA'sintentiontolocateearthstationsandoperatemobileuserterminalsinconnectionwithitsLittleLEOsystemoutsideoftheUnitedStates,theCommissionwillretainjurisdictiontorequireVITAtomeetitsinternationalobligationsandtheobligationsofotheradministrations.AllauthorizationsandapprovalsrequiredinconnectionwiththeoperationofVITA'sLittleLEOsystem,including,butnotlimitedto,itsearthstationsandmobileuserterminals,inanothercountrywillremainsolelywithinthehostcountry'sjurisdiction.   ....` ..`  .. ..h..h IV.Conclusion ..25.` ..` WefindthatVITAislegally,technicallyandfinanciallyqualifiedundertheCommission'sRulestolaunchandoperateonespacestationofitsLittleLEOsysteminthosepartsofthe148.81149.9MHzand400.5983400.645MHzfrequencybandsthataredesignatedforVITAinthespectrumsharingplanadoptedintheReportandOrder,subjecttotheconditionssetforthinthisOrder.Accordingly,VITAisauthorizedtobeaCommissionspacesegmentlicenseeand,pursuanttoSection309oftheAct,    ׀wefindthatgrantofVITA'sapplicationforasecondsatellitewillservethepublicinterest,convenienceandnecessity. @..PV.OrderingClauses     ..26.` ..` Accordingly,ITISORDERED,subjecttotheconditionssetforthinthisOrder,thatapplicationFileNos.29SATAMEND95,102SATAMEND95,and9SATAMEND98AREGRANTED,andVolunteersinTechnicalAssistanceISAUTHORIZEDtolaunchandoperateitssecondLittleLEOsatellitetoprovidemobilesatelliteserviceintheUnitedStatesinaccordancewiththefrequencybandsdesignatedforVolunteersinTechnicalAssistanceinthespectrumsharingplanadoptedintheReportandOrder,FCC97370(releasedOctober15,1997),generallyincludingthe149.81149.9MHzand400.5983400.645MHzfrequencybands,inaccordancewiththetechnicalspecificationssetforthinitsapplicationandsubjecttocompliancewiththeprovisionsofParts2and25oftheCommission'sRulesgoverningfrequencyallocationsandsatelliteoperations,unlessexpresslywaivedbytheCommission...27.` ..` ITISFURTHERORDEREDthatVolunteersinTechnicalAssistanceISAUTHORIZEDtooperateanon-voice,non-geostationarymobile-satelliteservicesystemwithserviceuplinksin149.81149.90MHzband...28.` ..` ITISFURTHERORDEREDthatVolunteersinTechnicalAssistanceISAUTHORIZEDtooperateanon-voice,non-geostationarymobile-satelliteservicesystemwithserviceandfeederdownlinksinthe400.5983400.645MHzband...29.` ..` ITISFURTHERORDEREDthat,unlessextendedbytheCommissionforgoodcauseshown,VolunteersinTechnicalAssistance'sauthorizationwillbecomeNULLANDVOIDintheeventthatthespacestationisnotconstructed,launchedandsuccessfullyplacedintooperationinaccordancewiththetechnicalparametersandtermsandconditionsofthisauthorizationbythefollowingdates:bXX` hx (#%'0*,.8135@8:<H?Ab..` ..` ConstructionCommenced..ConstructionCompleted..Launchx..x .. ..` ..` ..` ..` March1999..h..h..March2001..March2002..30.` ..` ITISFURTHERORDEREDthatVolunteersinTechnicalAssistance'sauthorizationtooperateissubjecttothecompletionofcochanneland/oradjacentchannelfrequencysharingcoordinationwiththeotherLittleLEOsecondprocessingroundlicenseesoperatinginthe148149.9MHz,and400.15401MHzfrequencybands...31.` ..` ITISFURTHERORDEREDthatVolunteersinTechnicalAssistance'sauthorizationtooperateissubjecttoadjacentchannelfrequencysharingcoordinationwithgovernmentusersinthe400.15401MHzfrequencybands.   ..32.` ..` ITISFURTHERORDEREDthatthetermofoperationforthespacestationauthorizedbythisOrder,includinganyreplacementspacestationsauthorizedbythisOrder,isatotaloffiveyearsandwillbegintorunontheearlierof:(a)thedatethatVolunteersinTechnicalAssistancecertifiestotheCommissionthatthesatellitehasbeensuccessfullyplacedintoorbitandtheoperationsfullyconformtothetermsandconditionsofthisauthorization;or(b)suchdateasdeterminedbytheCommission...33.` ..` ITISFURTHERORDEREDthatVolunteersinTechnicalAssistanceISAUTHORIZEDtolaunchandoperatetechnicallyidenticalnonvoice,nongeostationarymobilesatelliteservicereplacementsatellitesduringthelicensetermforthepurposeofreplacingitslowEarthorbitingnonvoice,nongeostationarysatelliteauthorizedbythisOrderinaccordancewithtechnicalspecificationssetforthinitsapplicationandconsistentwiththeCommission'sRules,unlessspecificallywaivedbytheCommission.AtnotimeshallareplacementsatellitebeusedinsuchawayastoexceedtheauthorizednumberofactivesatellitesintheLittleLEOsystem...34.` ..` ITISFURTHERORDEREDthatneitherthisauthorizationnoranyrightgrantedbythisauthorization,shallbetransferred,assignedordisposedofinanymanner,voluntarilyorinvoluntarily,orbytransferofcontrolofanycorporationholdingthisauthorization,toanypersonexceptuponapplicationtotheCommissionanduponafindingbytheCommissionthatthepublicinterest,convenienceandnecessitywillbeservedtherebyandthatsuchtransfer,assignmentordisposalotherwisecomplieswiththeActandtheCommission'sRules...35.` ..` ITISFURTHERORDEREDthatVolunteersinTechnicalAssistancewillprepare,within90daysofthereleaseofthisOrder,thenecessaryinformationforsubmissiontotheITUtoinitiatetheadvancepublication,internationalcoordination,andnotificationprocessoftheVolunteersinTechnicalAssistancesysteminaccordancewiththeITURadioRegulationsandforconsultationsinaccordancewithArticleXIVoftheINTELSATAgreementandArticle8oftheInmarsatConvention.UponcompletionoftheseconsultationsandnotificationbytheDepartmentofStatethattheUnitedStateshasfulfilleditsobligationswithrespecttoINTELSATandInmarsat,nofurtheractionbythisCommissionregardingsuchconsultationswillberequired.ThisauthorizationissubjecttocoordinationbetweenVolunteersinTechnicalAssistance'sLittleLEOsystemandanynonU.S.licensedsystemsintheauthorizedfrequencybands.WealsoremindVolunteersinTechnicalAssistancethatnoprotectionfrominterferencecausedbyradiostationsauthorizedbyotherAdministrationsisguaranteedunlesscoordinationproceduresaretimelycompletedor,withrespecttoindividualAdministrations,bycompletingcoordinationagreements.AnyradiostationauthorizationforwhichcoordinationhasnotbeencompletedmaybesubjecttoadditionaltermsandconditionsasrequiredtoeffectcoordinationofthefrequencyassignmentsofotherAdministrations,47C.F.R.25.111(b)...36.` ..` ITISFURTHERORDEREDthat:(a)thislicenseshallnotvestinVolunteersinTechnicalAssistanceanyrighttooperateitsLittleLEOsystemoranyrightintheuseofthefrequenciesdesignatedinthislicensebeyondthetermthereofnorinanyothermannerthanauthorizedherein;and(b)thislicenseshallbesubjecttotheprovisionsofSection706oftheCommunicationsActof1934,asamended,47U.S.C.606...37.` ..` ITISFURTHERORDEREDthatVolunteersinTechnicalAssistanceisafforded30daysfromthedateofreleaseofthisOrdertodeclinethisauthorizationasconditioned.Failuretorespondwithinthatperiodwillconstituteformalacceptanceoftheauthorizationasconditioned...38.` ..` ITISFURTHERORDEREDthatthisOrderisissuedpursuanttoSection0.261oftheCommission'sRulesonDelegationsofAuthority,47C.F.R.0.261.PetitionsforreconsiderationunderSection1.106orapplicationsforreviewunderSection1.115oftheCommission'sRules,47C.F.R.1.106,1.115,maybefiledwithin30daysofthedateofpublicnoticeofthisOrder(see47C.F.R.1.4(b)(2))...39.` ..` ITISFURTHERORDEREDthatthisOrderiseffectiveuponthedateofitsrelease...` ..`  .. ..h..hFEDERALCOMMUNICATIONSCOMMISSION..` ..`  .. ..h..hReginaM.Keeney..` ..`  .. ..h..hChief,InternationalBureau