PUBLIC NOTICE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 1919 M STREET N.W. WASHINGTON, DC 20554 ______________________________________________ News media Information 202/418-0500. Recorded listing of releases and texts 202/418-2222. DA 95-2273 Report No. SPB-29 November 1, 1995 SATELLITE POLICY BRANCH INFORMATION: Ka-BAND SATELLITE APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED FOR FILING; REQUEST FOR COMMENT ON Ka-BAND FEEDER LINK APPLICATION Fifteen applicants have filed new, amended or modified applications in response to Public Notice, Report No. SPB-20, DA 95-1689 (released July 28, 1995), which established a cut-off date for Ka-Band satellite system applications. The cut-off date was established after Hughes Communications Galaxy, Inc; KaStar Satellite Communications, Inc.; Loral Aerospace Holdings, Inc.; PanAmSat Corporation; and Teledesic Corporation submitted applications for authority to construct, launch and operate Ka-band satellite systems. Upon initial review, the Commission has found the following applications acceptable for filing. The Commission reserves the right to return the applications, however, if it determines upon further review that they are defective or not in conformance with the Commission's rules, regulations or policies. AT&T Corporation File Nos. 156-162-SAT-P/LA-95 AT&T Corporation has filed an application to construct, launch and operate a global constellation of 12 GSO satellites, "VoiceSpan," in seven orbital locations and to construct four partial Ka-band satellites as ground spares. AT&T requests the following distribution of its proposed satellites: one satellite at 103 W.L. serving North America; two satellites at 93 W.L. serving the U.S.; one satellite at 54 W.L. serving the Caribbean/South America; two satellites at 1 W.L. serving Africa; two satellites at 42 E.L. serving Europe; two satellites at 92 E.L. serving Asia/India; and two satellites at 116 E.L. serving Asia/Australia. AT&T proposes to use 1 GHz of spectrum with uplink frequencies at 29.0-30.0 GHz (international), 28.35-28.6 GHz (domestic U.S.) and 29.25-30.0 GHz (domestic U.S.) and downlink frequencies at 19.2- 20.2 GHz and intersatellite links in the 59-64 GHz band. AT&T proposes to offer electronic messaging and mailboxes, multimedia bridging, software distribution, and voice communications services. Comm, Inc. File Nos. 163-166--SAT-P/LA-95 Comm, Inc. has filed an application to construct, launch and operate a constellation of four GSO satellites to be known as "Millenium." It requests the following orbital assignments: 105o W.L, 103o W.L., 88o W.L. and 86o W.L. Comm, Inc. proposes to use 750 MHz of spectrum in each direction at 28.35-28.60 GHz for service links; 29.50-30.0 GHz for uplinks; 18.55-18.80 GHz and 19.70-20.20 GHz for its downlinks; and intersatellite frequencies in the 59.5-60.5 GHz and 62.5-63.5 GHz bands. Proposed service offerings include broadband domestic and international services, including video, image, fax, audio and computer data, to the Western Hemisphere. EchoStar Satellite Corporation File Nos. 167/168-SAT-P/LA-95 EchoStar Satellite Corporation has filed an application to construct, launch and operate two GSO satellites to be located at 119o W.L. and 85o W.L. EchoStar requests use of the 29.5-30.0 GHz frequency band for uplinks and the 19.7-20.2 GHz frequency band for downlinks. Proposed intersatellite links are at 59 GHz East to West and 61 GHz West to East. Proposed services include a digital satellite transmission system that will provide full CONUS two-way services including high speed switched data, video and video telephone satellite communications services. GE American Communications, Inc. File Nos. 169-173-SAT-P/LA-95 GE American Communications, Inc. (GE Americom) has filed an application to construct, launch and operate a constellation of nine GSO satellites at five orbital locations called "GE*Star." GE Americom requests the following distribution of its proposed satellites: two satellites at 106o W.L. serving the U.S.; two satellites at 82o W.L. -- one serving South America and the other serving between the southern United States and Mexico, Caribbean, and Central America; two satellites at 16o E.L. serving Europe; one satellite at 38o E.L. serving India, Saudia Arabia, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka; two satellites at 108o E.L. -- one serving Japan and Southeast Asia, the other serving the Western Pacific, Australia, and New Zealand. GE Americom proposes to use uplink frequencies at 28.35-28.6 GHz and 29.25-30.0 GHz and downlink frequencies at 18.55-18.80 and 19.45-20.2 GHz bands. Proposed service offerings include broadband, high speed digital communications, video, audio, videotelephony and videoconferencing services. Hughes Communications Galaxy, Inc. File Nos. 174-181-SAT-P/LA-95 Hughes Communications Galaxy, Inc. has filed an application to construct, launch and operate a hybrid satellite system consisting of 20 satellites, utilizing both Ka-band FSS and Ku-band BSS frequencies at 15 orbital locations. This application expands its pending applications to provide Ka-band satellite service (see File Nos. 3/4-DSS-P/LA-94; CSS-94-021-025). The proposed Ka-band payloads would be operational at each of the 15 locations, and the proposed Ku-band BSS payloads would be operational at 11 orbital locations. Hughes requests the following distribution of its proposed satellites: Ka-band and Ku-band orbital locations: 36o E.L. serving western Europe and Scandinavia; 41o E.L. serving Africa, Turkey, and the Arabian Peninsula; 48o E.L. serving eastern Europe; 54o E.L. serving western Russia; 101o E.L. serving Iran & the Indian subcontinent; 125o E.L. serving China; 149o E.L. serving Indonesia, the Philippines, and Southeast Asia; 164o E.L. serving Japan, Korea, and Taiwan; 173o E.L. serving Papua New Guinea, Australia and New Zealand; 67o W.L. and 49 W.L. serving Central and South America. The following locations are requested for service in the Ka-band only: 25 E.L. serving Europe and Africa; 110 E.L. serving Asia and the Pacific; 101 W.L. and 99 W.L. serving North America. Hughes proposes using 2.5 GHz of spectrum available in the Ka-band for FSS, except in the United States where it proposes to use 1 GHz at each of the two requested orbital locations. Proposed intersatellite links are at 22.55-23.55, 32.0-33.0, 54.25-58.25, and 59-64 GHz. Service proposals include high capacity, two-way, interactive services and the ability to provide direct-to-home and other forms of video distribution on a global basis. KaStar Satellite Communications Corp. File No. 203-SAT-P/LA-95 KaStar Satellite Communications Corp. has filed an application to construct, launch and operate an additional domestic GSO satellite in the FSS to operate in conjunction with the Ka-band satellite proposed in File No. 127-SAT-P/LA-95. KaStar is seeking to locate these satellites at 95o W.L. and 140o W.L. serving CONUS, Alaska, and Hawaii. KaStar proposes to operate one satellite in the 29.0-29.5 GHz frequency band for uplinks and the 19.2-19.7 GHz frequency band for downlinks and the other at 29.5- 30.0 GHz for uplinks and the 19.7-20.0 GHz for its downlinks. Proposed intersatellite links are in the 61.9-62.3 GHz band. Proposed services include high speed switched data, video and video telephone service. In addition, KaStar has requested a waiver of the financial qualification requirement. Lockheed Martin Corporation File Nos. 182-186-SAT-P/LA-95 Lockheed Martin Corporation has filed an application to construct, launch and operate a constellation of nine GSO satellites located in 5 orbital positions called "Astrolink." Proposed orbital locations include: two satellites at 96o W.L. serving the Americas; two satellites at 37o E.L. serving Europe, Africa and West Asia; two satellites at 115o E.L. serving East Asia and Australia; two satellites at 29o W.L. serving the Atlantic, and one satellite at 168o E.L. serving Oceania. Lockheed proposes service uplinks in the 29.5-30.0 GHz range and downlinks at 19.7-20.2 GHz. Links to high traffic gateway terminals would operate in the 28.35-28.6 and 29.25-29.5 GHz frequency bands for uplink and 18.55-18.8 and 19.45-19.7 GHz frequency bands for downlink with intersatellite links in the 54.25-58.2 and 59.0-64.0 GHz bands. Proposed services include global coverage offering digital communications services, including voice, data and video transmission. Loral Aerospace Holdings, Inc. ("LAHI") File Nos. 187-SAT-AMEND-95 188/189-SAT-P/LA-95 Loral Aerospace Holdings, Inc. (LAHI) has filed an application proposing to expand its pending CyberStar system (see File Nos. 109-SAT-P/LA-95, 110-SAT-P-95) into a global wireless interactive multimedia transmission system with three GSO satellites, interconnected by intersatellite links, and one ground spare. Requested orbital locations are 110o W.L. serving North America; 29.5o E.L. serving Europe; and 105.5o E.L. serving Asia. LAHI proposes use of 750 MHz of the band with uplinks at 28.35-28.6 GHz and 29.5- 30.0 GHz and downlinks at 18.95-20.20 GHz, and intersatellite links in the 60 GHz band. Proposed services include video telephony and videoconferencing, medical and technical tele-imaging and high data rate computer transmission. Morning Star Satellite Co., L.L.C. File Nos. 190-193-SAT-P/LA-95 Morning Star Satellite Co., L.L.C. has filed an application to construct, launch and operate four hybrid, GSO, separate system, international communication satellites. Morning Star requests orbital locations at 148o W.L. serving the western United States, Canada, Hawaii and Alaska; 69.5o W.L. serving the eastern United States, southern Canada, Puerto Rico, and parts of Latin America; 107.4o E.L. serving Asia; and 30o E.L. serving Europe. Morning Star requests frequencies in the 20 and 30 GHz band with Ku-band frequencies for downlinks. In addition, Morning Star requests a waiver of financial qualifications requirement. NetSat 28 File No. 194-SAT-P/LA-95 NetSat 28 has filed an application to construct, launch and operate one GSO Ka-band satellite in the domestic FSS to be located at 103o W.L. serving CONUS. Proposed frequencies include: uplinks at 28.35-28.6 and 29.25-29.5 GHz and downlinks at 18.55-18.8 and 19.45-20.2 GHz. Proposed services include ubiquitous nationwide access to broadband communications services. Orion Asia Pacific Corporation File No. 206-SAT-AMEND-95 Orion Asia Pacific Corporation has filed an amendment to its application for authority to construct, launch and operate a new separate international communications satellite system. In File No. CSS-94-009, Orion Asia seeks authority to construct, launch and operate Orion F-6, a Ku-band international separate system satellite to be located at 126 E.L. This amendment seeks to modify the system design of the Orion F-6 to include a Ka-band payload for services in the Asia-Pacific Region. The proposed Ka-band payload would primarily support high speed digital transmissions throughout the Asia-Pacific region in addition to intra-regional services using four steerable spot beams. Orion Atlantic, L.P. File No. 204-SAT-ML-95 Orion Atlantic, L.P. has filed an application for modification of its authority to construct, launch and operate the Orion F-2 international separate system satellite to include a Ka-band payload. Orion Atlantic is authorized to construct, launch and operate a Ku-band international separate system satellite at 47 W.L. The proposed Ka-band payload will consist of two high-gain fixed and two high-gain steerable spot beams, primarily providing high speed digital trans-Atlantic services and for intra-regional services within North America, South America and West Africa. Orion Network Systems, Inc. File Nos. 195-197-SAT-P/LA-95 205-SAT-AMEND-95 Orion Network Systems, Inc. has filed an application to construct, launch and operate three domestic GSO satellites in the Ka-band FSS -- Orion F-7, F-8, and F-9 -- to become part of the Orion global network. In addition, Orion has filed an amendment to add a Ka-band payload to its pending application to construct, launch and operate the Orion F-4 domestic fixed-satellite in the Ku-band at 127 W.L. (See File No. 74-SAT-P/LA-95). Orion requests the following orbital locations: 93o W.L. serving CONUS, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands (Orion F-7); 78o E.L. serving Indian Ocean region, locations in Southern Africa, Australia, Southeast Asia and China (Orion F-8); and 83o W.L serving CONUS, portions of Alaska and Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands (Orion F-9). Frequency bands: uplinks: 28.35- 28.60 GHz, 29.25-29.5 GHz and 29.50-30.0 GHz; downlinks: 18.55-18.80 GHz, 19.45-19.7 GHz and 19.70-20.20 GHz. Proposed services include digitally compressed video; digital audio; and voice and multimedia services. In addition, Orion requests deferral of the financial showing requirement. PanAmSat Corporation File Nos. 198/199-SAT-P/LA-95 202-SAT-AMEND-95 PanAmSat Corporation has filed an application to construct, launch and operate an international Ka-band satellite system consisting of two satellites -- PAS-10 and PAS-11. PanAmSat seeks to locate PAS-10 at 58 W.L. and PAS-11 at 79 W.L., both serving the United States, Latin America, Europe and Western Africa. Proposed services include broad range of video programming, and data and voice services. In File No. 117-SAT-AMEND-95, PanAmSat requested the addition of Ka-band frequencies to its pending PAS-9 international separate system satellite. With File No. 202-SAT-AMEND-95, PanAmSat rescinds that request and removes Ka-band frequencies from the PAS-9 satellite. VisionStar, Inc. File No. 200-SAT-P/LA-95 VisionStar, Inc. has filed an application for authority to construct, launch and operate one domestic satellite to operate in the FSS, in conjunction with the proposed LMDS system, to be located at 105 W.L. serving the United States. VisionStar proposes to use 1000 MHz of spectrum with uplinks at 28.35-28.6 GHz, 29.25-29.5 GHz, and 29.50-30.0 GHz and downlinks at 18.55-18.8 GHz, 19.45-19.7 GHz, and 19.70-20.2 GHz. Proposed services include an integrated local, regional and national video programming service and interactive services, distance learning and video conferencing. In addition, VisionStar requests a waiver of the financial qualifications requirements. Comments or petitions on the foregoing applications may be filed on or before December 15, 1995. Replies and oppositions may be filed on or before December 29, 1995. Responses may be filed on or before January 10, 1996. * * * * * TRW Inc. File No. 155-SAT-ML-95 TRW Inc. has filed an application for modification of its Above 1 GHz Mobile Satellite Service authorization to specify 300 MHz of feeder link frequencies at 29.2-29.5 GHz for uplinks and at 19.4-19.7 GHz for downlinks, in view of U.S. proposals at WRC-95. In accordance with the Order and Authorization, 10 FCC Rcd 2263, 19 (Intl. Bur. 1995), comments or petitions on this request may be filed on or before December 15, 1995. Replies and oppositions may be filed on or before December 29, 1995. Responses may be filed on or before January 10, 1996. * * * * * All applications and subsequent pleadings will be available for public inspection in the International Reference Center at 2000 M Street, N.W., Room 102, Washington, D.C. during its normal operating hours. Copies of these documents may be obtained from ITS, Inc., 2100 M Street, NW, Suite 140, Washington, D.C. 20037, (202) 857-3800. For further information, contact Kathleen Campbell or Jennifer Gilsenan at (202) 739-0735. - FCC -