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. Report No. SPB-88 July 22, 1997 CUT-OFF ESTABLISHED FOR ADDITIONAL SPACE STATION APPLICATIONS, LETTERS OF INTENT, AND AMENDMENTS TO PENDING APPLICATIONS IN THE 2 GHz FREQUENCY BAND The International Bureau invites (1) amendments to existing applications and (2) new applications for authority to construct, launch and operate U.S.-licensed geostationary and non- geostationary satellite systems and (3) letters of intent to use non-U.S. licensed space stations in providing mobile satellite service to, from and within the United States to be considered in the First 2 GHz Band Processing Round in accordance with the Commission's 2 GHz Allocation Order released March 14, 1997. In that Order, the Commission allocated the 1990-2025 and 2165-2200 MHz frequency bands for the mobile satellite service. Amendments In April 1994 Personal Communications Satellite Corporation (PCSAT) and Celsat America, Inc. (Celsat) filed applications to construct space stations that would utilize the 2 GHz band. These applications are summarized in the attached Appendix A. Therefore, the Bureau invites PCSAT and Celsat to file conforming amendments, if necessary, to update their pending 2 GHz satellite system applications in accordance with the Commission's 2 GHz Allocation Order. New Applicants The Bureau invites new applications to construct, launch, and operate U.S. licensed space stations to provide mobile satellite service in accordance with the Commission's 2 GHz Allocation Order. Non-U.S. Licensed Space Station Applicants The Bureau invites those entities seeking to operate in the United States using non-U.S. licensed space stations, including mobile satellite service operators that propose to provide 2 GHz space segment capacity, to file an earth station application proposing to operate with a non-U.S. licensed space station. Alternatively, these entities may file a letter of intent to provide satellite service in the 2 GHz Band in accordance with the procedures outlined in the Public Notice released by the Commission on April 16, 1997. We do not intend to require space stations who are licensed by or are pursuing a license from another administration to obtain a separate (and duplicative) space station license from the United States before serving the U.S. market. Filings Each conforming amendment, new application, or letter of intent must include a concrete, comprehensive proposal for its proposed system, describing in detail all pertinent technical, operational and ownership aspects of the system and its ability to proceed expeditiously with construction and launch. This should include the information specified in Section 25.114 of the Commission's Rules, 47 CFR  25.114. Those submitting letters of intent or earth station applications to operate with non-U.S. licensed satellites need not, however, file the financial information required under Section 25.114(c)(17) and (18) and Section 25.143(b)(2) through 25.114(b)(3) for systems already in-orbit and operating. For non-U.S. satellite systems that have already completed coordination through the International Telecommunication Union, it is not necessary to file technical information specified in Section 25.114(c)(5) through 25.114(c)(11) and Section 25.114(c)(14), unless the technical characteristics of the proposed system differ from the characteristics established in the ITU coordination process. Pursuant to Section 25.155 of the rules, 47 C.F.R. 25.155, interested parties wishing to file: (1) amendments to existing U.S. space station applications; (2) new U.S. space station applications, (3) earth station applications to operate in the United States, or (4) letters of intent to use non-U.S. licensed space stations to be considered in the First 2 GHz Band Processing Round must do so on or before August 21, 1997. Proposals that fail to provide all required information in their filings as of the cut-off date will be dismissed as unacceptable for filing. Proposals should also include the appropriate filing fee. Applicants filing by the cut-off date will be afforded an opportunity to amend their applications, if necessary, to conform with any requirements and policies that may be adopted subsequently for space stations in these bands. For further information, contact Virginia Marshall at (202) 418-0778, William Kirsch at (202) 418-0764, or Kathleen Campbell at (202) 418-0753. * * * * * * Paperwork Reduction Act Notification Pursuant to 5 CFR  1320.5(b)(1) and (2)(i), potential respondents are notified that they are not required to respond to a collection of information sponsored or conducted by the Federal government unless (1) the collection displays a currently valid OMB control number and (2) notice of the requirement to display the currently valid OMB control number is given. This Public Notice contains collections that have been assigned OMB control numbers 3060-0678 (Part 25) and 3060-0772 (Public Notice, Report No. SPB-80). - FCC - Appendix A These summaries are for information purposes only. They are not intended to initiate a pleading cycle. Rather, we will solicit comment on these applications and any amendments filed, provided they are acceptable for filing, at the same time, we solicit comment on any other proposals deemed acceptable that are filed by the cut-off date. Personal Communications Satellite Corporation File Nos. 24/25-SAT-P-94 On April 7, 1994, PCSAT, a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Mobile Satellite Corporation (AMSC), filed an application to construct two communications satellites for the provision of Mobile Satellite Service (MSS) in the 2 GHz band. The proposed PCSAT system consists of a communications satellite in the arc between 98o and 104o W.L., that would permit PCSAT to serve Hawaii, Puerto Rico and Alaska with a single satellite, and an in-orbit spare that would serve as a backup in case of catastrophic satellite failure. PCSAT proposes to use the 1970-1990 MHz band for the Earth-to-space service link and the 2160-2180 MHz band for the space-to-Earth service link. PCSAT proposes to use the 12,571-12,901 MHz band for feederlinks in the Earth-to-space direction and the 11,202-11,352 MHz band for feederlinks in the space-to-Earth direction. Celsat America, Inc. File Nos. 26/27/28-DSS-P-94 64/65/66-SAT-AMEND-96 On April 8, 1994, Celsat America (Celsat) filed an application for authority to construct, launch and operate its hybrid mobile satellite system. The proposed Celsat system consists of three geostationary communications satellites in orbits at 109.2o W, 89o W and 78o W to operate as a constellation to serve the United States, including Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands, and U.S. coastal waters that would later be operated as part of an integrated mobile hybrid space/ground personal communications system. In its April 8, 1994 application, Celsat requested authorization to construct its satellites to be operated in the following bands: 1970-1990 MHz (mobile uplink); 2160-2180 MHz (mobile downlink); 10.7- 10.95 GHz (feeder uplinks); and 12.75-13.00 GHz (feeder downlinks). On January 19, 1996, Celsat filed an amendment application clarifying that it seeks authority to construct a geostationary satellite system that will operate on 20 MHz (uplink) and 20 MHz (downlink) within the 1990-2025 MHz and 2165-2200 MHz bands.