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                           Before the
               Federal Communications Commission
                     Washington, D.C. 20554


In the Matter of


GE American Communications, Inc.

Application for Authority to Construct, Launch,
and Operate a Ka-band Satellite System in the
Fixed-Satellite Service
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File Nos. 169 through 173-SAT-P/LA-95  
                   54-SAT-AMEND-97

 



                    ORDER AND AUTHORIZATION


Adopted:  January 30, 2001              Released:  January 31, 2001

By the Chief, International Bureau:

                      I.INTRODUCTION

1.        By this Order, we modify GE American Communications, Inc.'s ("GE Americom's) license
to launch and operate a satellite system in the geostationary-satellite orbit ("GSO") to provide fixed-satellite
service ("FSS") in a portion of the Ka-band.  In particular, we modify GE Americom's license to allow it
to operate inter-satellite links ("ISLs") and to specify downlink operating frequencies. These actions
provide GE Americom with the opportunity to implement a variety of communications services to
consumers in the United States and around the world.

                       II.BACKGROUND
     The GE Americom License

3.     In May 1997, as part of the first Ka-band processing round, the International Bureau ("Bureau")
authorized GE Americom to launch and operate a GSO satellite system to provide fixed-satellite services in
the Ka-band.  GE Americom intends to use this system to provide high-speed data, video, audio,
videoconferencing, medical imagery, online service and access to global databases.  GE Americom's
system consists of nine GSO FSS satellites at five orbital locations.  The GE Americom license permits GE
Americom to operate its service links--satellite transmission links to and from user units--in the 28.35-28.6
GHz and the 29.25-30.0 GHz bands for uplink transmissions and the 19.7-20.2 GHz band for its downlink
transmissions.  The GE Americom Authorization Order, however, did not include additional downlink
spectrum requested by GE Americom. 
     Modification to Add Inter-Satellite Links 

4.     GE Americom did not request operating authority for ISL service in its underlying application. 
Six months later, in November 1997, GE Americom requested the Commission to modify its Authorization
Order to permit use of inter-satellite links in its system.   GE Americom proposed to operate its ISLs on 160
megahertz of spectrum in the 60 GHz band, but it did not specify particular frequencies.  In addition, GE
Americom requested that the Commission modify its milestone deadlines to conform with those applicable
to other Ka-band licensees requesting ISLs.  By employing ISLs, GE Americom's satellites will be able to
communicate directly with each other, which, according to GE Americom, will extend the coverage regions
of satellite systems from different orbit locations. 
5.     At the time GE Americom it filed its modification application for the 60 GHz band, the Bureau
was not in a position to assign ISL frequencies to GE Americom.  The Bureau recognized this in the first-
round licenses it awarded to applicants requesting ISLs.  Specifically, the Bureau noted that the 54.25-58.2
GHz and 59.0-64 GHz bands are shared on a co-equal basis with U.S. Government operations, including
ongoing operations in the inter-satellite and Earth exploration-satellite services.  The National
Telecommunications and Information Administration ("NTIA") expressed concern regarding potential
harmful interference between commercial ISL operations and these government services. In mid-1997, the
United States presented proposals to the then-upcoming World Radiocommunication Conference
("WRC-97") concerning ISL operations in the 64.0-71.0 GHz bands.  These proposals were designed to
allow us to assign ISLs to all first-round Ka-band system applicants requesting them, while addressing
NTIA's interference concerns.
6.     The WRC-97 allocated an additional band at 64.0-71.0 GHz for ISLs for both non-geostationary
orbit ("NGSO") and GSO systems, including those operating in the FSS.   The WRC also limited ISL
operations in the 54.25-59.3 GHz band to communications between GSO satellites.  Additionally, ITU
Radio Regulation S5.556A states that satellites operating in the 54.25-56.9 GHz, 57-58.2 GHz and 59-59.3
GHz bands shall meet the specified power flux-density limit at all altitudes from 0 km to 1000 km above the
Earth's surface.  In June 1998, the Bureau requested that each Ka-band FSS licensee requesting ISL
spectrum update its ISL request in light of the actions taken at WRC-97.  In addition, the Bureau asked
each licensee to provide the Bureau with the specific frequency bands on which it proposes to operate its
ISL service and to coordinate its proposed frequency bands with the other Ka-band licensees requesting ISL
spectrum before it presented its proposal to the Commission.  In response, the GSO FSS Ka-band licensees,
including GE Americom, submitted a report in October 1998 (hereinafter the "GSO FSS Sharing Report"),
concluding that ISLs of the licensed GSO FSS systems could share the same frequencies with few
constraints. 
7. At the same time, Teledesic L.L.C. ("Teledesic"), the only NGSO licensee employing ISLs in
the same frequency bands, also submitted a sharing report (hereinafter the "Teledesic Sharing Report"). 
The Teledesic Sharing Report concluded that Teledesic's ISLs could operate on the same frequencies as the
GSO FSS system ISLs, except for possible mutual interference in the limited case of GSO FSS networks
using ISLs between satellites that are separated by 157 to 162 longitudinal degrees.

8.     After reviewing the GSO FSS Sharing Report, the Bureau concluded that it needed additional
information to support the report's findings.  Accordingly, the Bureau sent a letter to the parties, including
GE Americom, requesting a description of the ISL arrangement, including which satellites at which licensed
orbital locations will communicate with each other through the ISLs, the amount of ISL spectrum required
by each satellite, and the justification for the amount of the ISL spectrum requested.   In its letter, the
Bureau noted that there are additional requests from applicants requesting ISL spectrum in the 40 GHz
band, and that several of the applicants in the second Ka-band processing round also proposed systems
using ISLs.  To maximize the number of systems that could operate in the bands available for ISLs, the
Bureau said it would only authorize first round Ka-band licensees for the specific amount of ISL spectrum
actually required for ISL operations.  In response, in January 2000, GE Americom requested to use 1500
MHz within the 54.25-55.0 GHz, 55.25-55.5 GHz, 57.0-57.25 GHz and 57.8-58.20 GHz frequency bands for
ISLs.

     Service Downlink Bands

9.     In its original application, GE Americom requested 1000 MHz of spectrum at 18.55-18.8 GHz,
19.45-19.7 GHz and 19.7-20.2 GHz bands for its service downlink bands.  The Ka-band arrangement,
however, at that time, designated only a portion of these bands -- specifically the 17.7-18.8 GHz and 19.7-
20.2 GHz bands -- for GSO FSS downlink operations.  Consistent with the band arrangement in effect at
the time we authorized GE Americom to operate on 500 MHz at 19.7-20.2 GHz for its service downlinks. 
We stated that GE Americom could make up the remaining 500 MHz by operating in a portion of the 17.7-
18.8 GHz frequency band.  Nevertheless, because GE Americom had not applied for 500 MHz of spectrum
in this band, and because the Ka-band arrangement in effect at that time required GSO FSS operations in the
17.7-18.8 GHz band to be conducted on a co-primary basis with other services, we found it was premature
to grant GE Americom operating authority in any portion of this band.  Rather, we directed GE Americom
to file a license modification application when it determined which 500 MHz it wished to use in the 17.7-
18.8 GHz band.  Since that time, the Commission has released the 18 GHz Report and Order, which
designates the 18.3-18.8 GHz portion of the 17.7-18.8 GHz band for downlink GSO FSS operations. 
Consequently, we are now in a position to assign the additional 500 megahertz of downlink spectrum to GE
Americom.

                      III.DISCUSSION
     A.   Inter-Satellite Service

2.     Given the sharing studies conducted by the licensees and the actions taken at WRC-97, we can
now assign specific ISL spectrum to GE Americom's system.  First, the ISL sharing analyses performed by
the GSO FSS licensees and Teledesic reasonably accommodate all of the first round licensees that requested
ISLs.  Second, the technical issues with respect to GE's requested ISL bands at 54.25-55.0 GHz, 55.25-55.5
GHz, 57.0-57.25 GHz and 57.8-58.20 GHz bands have been resolved.  Specifically, the WRC-97 adopted
a provision to limit these bands to GSO satellite transmissions and to establish a power flux density
("p.f.d.") limit for ISL operations in these bands.  These p.f.d. limits are to protect Government and non-
Government NGSO satellites operating in the space research (passive) and Earth exploration-satellite
(passive) services.  Any non-Government systems requesting to operate ISLs in these bands will be required
to coordinate with U.S. Government systems through NTIA's Interdepartment Radio Advisory Committee's
Frequency Assignment Subcommittee ("FAS").  The Commission recently implemented the WRC-97
provisions domestically.

3.     GE Americom requests to use 1500 MHz within the 54.25-55.0 GHz, 55.25-55.5 GHz, 57.0-
57.25 GHz, and 57.8-58.20 GHz frequency bands for ISLs.  GE Americom's constellation will consist of
nine satellites located at five different orbital locations, with a single satellite operated at 56° E.L., and two
co-located satellites operating at each of the following locations:  105° W.L., 85° W.L., 17° W.L. and
114.5° E.L. Each satellite will require two 250 MHz channels to transmit to the adjacent GE Americom
spacecraft, one channel for the antenna facing east, and one channel for the antenna facing west.  In
addition, to these two transmit channels, the co-located satellites at the 105° W.L., 85° W.L., 17° W.L., and
114.5° E.L. will each require a third 250 MHz transmit channel, which implies that each satellite at these
locations will require three 250 MHz transmit channels and three 250 MHz receive channels for a total of
six 250 MHz channels.  Thus, each satellite will require 1500 MHz of spectrum.  Each of the 250 MHz ISL
transmit and receive channels requested by GE Americom will be required to support a data rate of 360
Mbps using QPSK modulation. With the use of dual polarization each satellite will be capable of reusing
the same frequency assignments at different orbital locations. GE Americom asserts that the 1500 MHz of
ISL spectrum will allow better coordination among the GE Americom satellites, improving the efficiency
of the system and the quality of transmissions. 

4.     Based on GE Americom's representations, we find that its request for 1500 megahertz of ISL
spectrum is reasonable.  We will therefore authorize GE Americom to conduct ISL operations on 1500 MHz
of spectrum within its requested 54.25-55.0 GHz, 55.25-55.5 GHz, 57.0-57.25 GHz and 57.8-58.20 GHz
bands.  Although GE Americom did not specify its preferred operating frequencies within these ranges, we
will assign GE Americom specific ISL frequencies in this Order so as not to delay system implementation. 
Recognizing GE Americom's plans to use 250 MHz ISL channels we authorize it to conduct its ISL
operations in the 54.25-55.0 GHz, 55.25-55.5 GHz, 57.0-57.25 GHz and 57.8-58.05 GHz bands subject to
coordination among the licensees pursuant to the GSO FSS Sharing Report and the Teledesic Sharing
Report.  If GE prefers to operate on a different 1500 MHz within its requested bands, it may file a request
for license modification.

     E.   Downlink Frequency Bands

6.     Recently, the Commission adopted rules for the deployment of services in the 17.7-20.2 GHz
band ("18 GHz band").  These rules are designed to reduce potential interference among the terrestrial
fixed service and satellite services allocated in the band.  The new band arrangement redesignates much of
the spectrum that had been designated for co-primary satellite and terrestrial use as exclusive spectrum for
either service.  This should reduce the need to coordinate with other services.  Under the band arrangement
adopted in the 18 GHz Report and Order, the Commission retained the 19.7-20.2 GHz band for GSO FSS
primary use, and split the 17.7-18.8 GHz band, originally shared on a co-primary basis by GSO FSS and
fixed service ("FS"), into three designations.  Specifically, the Commission designated 500 megahertz to FS
for primary use in the 17.7-18.3 GHz band, 280 megahertz for co-primary use by GSO FSS and FS in the
18.3-18.58 GHz band, and 220 megahertz to GSO FSS for primary use in the 18.58-18.8 GHz band.  In
adopting this band arrangement, the Commission stated that a total 720 megahertz of unshared GSO FSS
downlink spectrum (the 18.58-18.8 GHz band along with the 19.7-20.2 GHz band), plus the flexible rules
that permit sharing of 280 megahertz at 18.3-18.58 GHz, will provide ample spectrum to satellite systems
and allow multiple systems to operate. 
7.     In its application, GE Americom requested 1000 MHz of downlink spectrum. We authorized
GE Americom for 500 MHz at 19.7-20.2 GHz.  At that time, we stated that the Bureau was not in a
position to grant the additional 500 MHz that it requested in the 18.55-18.8, 19.45-19.7 GHz band.  First,
the requested 250 MHz of spectrum at 19.45-19.7 GHz was inconsistent with the 18 GHz band arrangement
then in effect.  Second, because the 18 GHz band arrangement designated the 17.7-18.8 GHz band for
shared FSS and FS use, we requested FSS operators to file applications for the specific 500 MHz band
segment they wished to use.  The 18 GHz Report and Order designated 500 MHz of spectrum at 18.3-18.8
GHz for downlink GSO FSS operations.  We assign this 500 MHz to GE Americom on our own motion to
satisfy its request for 1000 MHz of downlink spectrum for its service links.  Operations in the shared 280
megahertz at 18.3-18.58 GHz are, of course, subject to the sharing rules adopted in the 18 GHz Report and
Order. 
8.     In addition, GE Americom must coordinate with the U.S. Government systems operating in the
17.7-18.8 GHz band in accordance with footnote US 334 to the Table of Frequency Allocations.  We note
that Government GSO and NGSO FSS networks are presently operating in the 18.3-18.6 GHz and 19.7-20.2 GHz
bands, and plan to operate in accordance with the power flux-density limits contained in the current ITU Radio
Regulations.  Additionally, we note that GE Americom must also comply with footnote US 255 to the
Table of Frequency Allocations which contains additional power flux-density limits in the 18.6-18.8 GHz
to protect the Earth exploration-satellite service (passive) operating in that band.

                       IX.CONCLUSION

10.    Accordingly, upon review, we modify GE Americom's Ka-band system license to include ISL
frequencies and additional downlink frequencies.  These actions provide GE Americom with the
opportunity to provide a variety of advanced broadband communication services to businesses and
consumers around the world.


                       V.ORDERING CLAUSES

11.    Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED that the license granted by Order and Authorization, 12 FCC
Rcd 6475 (Int'l Bur. 1997) IS FURTHER MODIFIED to assign the 54.25-55.0 GHz, 55.25-55.5 GHz, 57.0-
57.25 GHz and 57.8-58.05 GHz bands for inter-satellite link operations, in accordance with Amendment of
Part 2 of the Commission's Rules to Allocate Additional Spectrum to the Inter-Satellite, Fixed, and Mobile
Services and to Permit Unlicensed Devices to Use Certain Segments in the 50.2-50.4 GHz and 51.4-
71.0 GHz Bands, ET Docket No. 99-261, Report and Order, FCC 00-442 (rel. December 22, 2000).

12.    IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that GE American Communications must coordinate its inter-
satellite link operations in accordance with the reports submitted to the Commission entitled, "Sharing of
Various Frequency Bands Allocated to the Inter-Satellite Service" (October 9, 1998) and "Interference
Between Teledesic and GSO Inter-Satellite Links" (October 9, 1998), with the other Ka-band licensees that
are included in the referenced reports.

13.    IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that GE American Communications, Inc. is authorized for an
additional 500 MHz for its downlink operations in the 18.3-18.8 GHz band in accordance to the Report and
Order, In the Matter of Redesignation of the 17.7-19.7 GHz Frequency Band, Blanket Licensing of Satellite
Earth Stations in the 17.7-20.2 GHz and 27.5-30.0 GHz Frequency Bands, and the Allocation of Additional
Spectrum in the 17.3-17.8 GHz and 24.75-25.25 GHz Frequency Bands for Broadcast Satellite Use, Report
and Order, 15 FCC Rcd 13430 (rel. June 22, 2000) ("18 GHz Report and Order").  

14.    IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that GE American Communications shall coordinate the inter-
satellite link operations in the 54.25-55.0 GHz, 55.25-55.5 GHz, 57.0-57.25 GHz and 57.8-58.05 GHz band
through NTIA's Interdepartment Radio Advisory Committee's Frequency Assignment Subcommittee.

15.    IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that GE American Communications, Inc. must coordinate all of
its Ka-band downlink operations with the U.S. government systems in accordance with footnote US334 to
the Table of Frequency Allocations, 47 C.F.R.  2.106.

16.    IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that GE American Communications, Inc. is subject to all terms
and conditions in its original Authorization Order, 12 FCC Rcd. 6475 (1997).

17.    IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the license term for a space station is ten years and that each
license will begin to run on the date GE American Communications, Inc. certifies to the Commission that
a satellite has been successfully placed into orbit and the operations fully conform to the terms and
conditions of this authorization.

18.    IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that GE American Communications, Inc. is afforded thirty days
from the date of the release of this order and authorization to decline this authorization as conditioned. 
Failure to respond within that period will constitute formal acceptance of the authorization as conditioned.

19.    This Order is issued pursuant to Section 0.261 of the Commission's rule on delegations of
authority, 47 C.F.R.   0.261, and is effective upon release.  Petitions for reconsideration under Section
1.106 or applications for review under Section 1.115 of the Commission's rules, 47 C.F.R.  1.106, 1.115,
may be filed within 30 days of the date of public notice of this Order (see 47 C.F.R.  1.4(b)(2)).


                    FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

     
                    Donald Abelson                     
                    Chief, International Bureau