Earth Stations Aboard Aircraft Communicating With Fixed-Satellite Service Geostationary-Orbit Space Stations, 14920-14932 [2013-04428]
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 46 / Friday, March 8, 2013 / Rules and Regulations
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS
COMMISSION
47 CFR Parts 2 and 25
[IB Docket No. 12–376; FCC 12–161]
Earth Stations Aboard Aircraft
Communicating With Fixed-Satellite
Service Geostationary-Orbit Space
Stations
Federal Communications
Commission.
ACTION: Final rule.
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AGENCY:
SUMMARY: In this Report and Order, the
Federal Communications Commission
(Commission) provides for the efficient
licensing of two-way in-flight
broadband services, including Internet
access, to passengers and flight crews
aboard commercial airliners and private
aircraft. Specifically, the Report and
Order establishes technical and
licensing rules for Earth Stations Aboard
Aircraft (ESAA), i.e., earth stations on
aircraft communicating with FixedSatellite Service (FSS) geostationaryorbit (GSO) space stations operating in
the 10.95–11.2 GHz, 11.45–11.7 GHz,
11.7–12.2 GHz (space-to-Earth or
downlink) and 14.0–14.5 GHz (Earth-tospace or uplink) frequency bands.
DATES: Effective April 8, 2013, except
for §§ 25.132(b)(3), and 25.227(b), (c),
and (d), which contain new information
collection requirements that require
approval by the Office of Management
and Budget (OMB) under the PRA. The
Federal Communications Commission
will publish a document in the Federal
Register announcing such approval and
the relevant effective date.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Andrea Kelly, Satellite Division,
International Bureau, (202) 418–0719, or
Howard Griboff, Policy Division,
International Bureau, (202) 418–1460.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a
summary of the Commission’s Report
and Order, adopted on December 20,
2012, and released on December 28,
2012 (FCC 12–161). The full text of this
document is available for inspection
and copying during normal business
hours in the Commission Reference
Center, 445 12th Street SW.,
Washington, DC 20554. The document
is also available for download over the
Internet at https://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/
edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-12161A1.doc. The complete text may also
be purchased from the Commission’s
copy contractor, Best Copy and Printing,
in person at 445 12th Street SW., Room
CY–B402, Washington, DC 20554, via
telephone at (202) 488–5300, via
facsimile at (202) 488–5563, or via email
at Commission@bcpiweb.com.
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Summary of the Report and Order
On January 18, 2005, the Commission
adopted the Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking in IB Docket No. 05–20
(Order) (70 FR 20508–01), recognizing
the emergence of the new market for
geostationary-orbit (GSO) Fixed-Satellite
Service (FSS) operations by proposing
more flexible use of the 11.7–12.2 GHz
and 14.0–14.5 GHz bands while
protecting existing terrestrial and
satellite services from harmful
interference. The Order proposed to
allocate the 11.7–12.2 GHz (space-toEarth) frequency band on a primary
basis for transmissions to earth stations
onboard airborne aircraft from GSO FSS
space stations, and the 14.0–14.5 GHz
(Earth-to-space) frequency band on a
secondary basis for transmissions to
GSO FSS space stations from earth
stations onboard airborne aircraft. The
Order also proposed technical and
licensing rules for these systems. In this
Report and Order, the Commission
allocates ESAA on a primary basis in
the 11.7–12.2 GHz (space-to-Earth)
band, allocating ESAA on an
unprotected basis in the 10.95–11.2 GHz
and 11.45–11.7 GHz (space-to-Earth)
bands, and allocating ESAA on a
secondary basis in the 14.0–14.5 GHz
band (Earth-to-space). In addition, this
Report and Order requires ESAA
licensees to coordinate their operations
with stations in the Space Research
Service and the Radioastronomy Service
to prevent interference and adopts
technical rules for the operation of
ESAA systems to ensure that ESAA
systems do not interfere with other FSS
users or terrestrial Fixed Service (FS)
users. Further, this Report and Order
adopts licensing requirements and
operational requirements for ESAA for
both U.S.-registered aircraft and for nonU.S.-registered aircraft operating in U.S.
airspace and requires all ESAA
licensees to operate consistently with
the Communications Assistance to Law
Enforcement Act (CALEA). At this time,
the Report and Order declines to extend
certain requirements concerning 1.5/1.6
GHz safety services to other frequency
bands, including those used by ESAA.
Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
The Regulatory Flexibility Act of
1980, as amended (RFA), requires that a
regulatory flexibility analysis be
prepared for notice-and-comment rule
making proceedings, unless the agency
certifies that ‘‘the rule will not, if
promulgated, have a significant
economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities.’’ The RFA
directs agencies to provide a description
of and, where feasible, an estimate of
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the number of small entities that may be
affected by the rules adopted herein.
The RFA generally defines the term
‘‘small entity’’ as having the same
meaning as the terms ‘‘small business,’’
‘‘small organization,’’ and ‘‘small
governmental jurisdiction.’’ In addition,
the term ‘‘small business’’ has the same
meaning as the term ‘‘small business
concern’’ under the Small Business Act.
A small business concern is one that: (1)
Is independently owned and operated;
(2) is not dominant in its field of
operation; and (3) satisfies any
additional criteria established by the
Small Business Administration (SBA).
In light of the rules adopted in this
Report and Order, we find that the
category of Satellite
Telecommunications licensees is
affected by the new rules. Two
economic census categories address the
satellite industry. The first category has
a small business size standard of $15
million or less in average annual
receipts, under SBA rules. The second
has a size standard of $25 million or less
in annual receipts. The category of
Satellite Telecommunications
‘‘comprises establishments primarily
engaged in providing
telecommunications services to other
establishments in the
telecommunications and broadcasting
industries by forwarding and receiving
communications signals via a system of
satellites or reselling satellite
telecommunications.’’ Census Bureau
data for 2007 show that 512 Satellite
Telecommunications firms that operated
for that entire year. Of this total, 464
firms had annual receipts of under $10
million, and 18 firms had receipts of
$10 million to $24,999,999.
Consequently, the Commission
estimates that the majority of Satellite
Telecommunications firms are small
entities that might be affected by our
action. The second category, i.e., ‘‘All
Other Telecommunications’’ comprises
‘‘establishments primarily engaged in
providing specialized
telecommunications services, such as
satellite tracking, communications
telemetry, and radar station operation.
This industry also includes
establishments primarily engaged in
providing satellite terminal stations and
associated facilities connected with one
or more terrestrial systems and capable
of transmitting telecommunications to,
and receiving telecommunications from,
satellite systems. For this category,
Census Bureau data for 2007 show that
there were a total of 2,383 firms that
operated for the entire year. Of this
total, 2,347 firms had annual receipts of
under $25 million and 12 firms had
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annual receipts of $25 million to
$49,999,999. Consequently, the
Commission estimates that the majority
of All Other Telecommunications firms
are small entities that might be affected
by our action. Commission records
reveal that there are approximately 20
space station licensees and operators in
the 10.95–11.2 GHz, 11.45–11.7 GHz,
11.7–12.2 GHz and 14.0–14.5 GHz
frequency bands. The Commission does
not request or collect annual revenue
information concerning such licensees
and operators, and thus is unable to
estimate the number of geostationary
space station licensees and operators
that would constitute a small business
under the SBA definition cited above, or
apply any rules providing special
consideration for geostationary space
station licensees and operators that are
small businesses. Currently there are
approximately 2,879 operational FixedSatellite Service transmit/receive earth
stations authorized for use in the band.
The Commission does not request or
collect annual revenue information, and
thus is unable to estimate the number of
earth stations that would constitute a
small business under the SBA
definition. In this Report and Order, we
require satellite operators to maintain
tracking data on the location of airborne
terminals for one year. This database
will assist investigations of radio
frequency interference claims. ESAA
operators must name a point of contact
to maintain information about location
and frequencies used by ESAA
terminals. Such information will assist
in investigating radio frequency
interference claims. The Commission
does not expect significant costs
associated with these proposals.
Therefore, we do not anticipate that the
burden of compliance will be greater for
smaller entities. The RFA requires that,
to the extent consistent with the
objectives of applicable statutes, the
analysis shall discuss significant
alternatives such as: (1) The
establishment of differing compliance or
reporting requirements or timetables
that take into account the resources
available to small entities; (2) the
clarification, consolidation, or
simplification of compliance and
reporting requirements under the rule
for small entities; (3) the use of
performance, rather than design,
standards; and (4) an exemption from
coverage of the rule, or any part thereof,
for small entities. In adopting blanket
licensing with 15-year terms for
conforming ESAA terminals, the Report
and Order simplifies the application
process for ESAA and establishes
licensing terms consistent with other
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satellite-based services, such as ESV and
VMES. Thus, adoption of the rules
should reduce the costs associated with
obtaining and maintaining authority to
operate an ESAA network.
Final Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
Analysis
This Report and Order contains new
or modified information collection
requirements subject to the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), Public
Law 104–13 (44. U.S.C. 3501–3520). The
requirements will be submitted to the
Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) for review under section 3507(d)
of the PRA. OMB, the general public,
and other Federal agencies will be
invited to comment on the new or
modified information collection
requirements contained in this
proceeding in a separate notice that will
be published in the Federal Register
inviting comment on the new or revised
requirements. The requirements will not
go into effect until OMB has approved
them and the Commission has
published a notice announcing the
effective date of the information
collection requirements. In addition,
pursuant to the Small Business
Paperwork Relief Act of 2002, Public
Law 107–198, see 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(4),
we previously sought specific comment
on how the Commission might further
reduce the information collection
burden for small business concerns with
fewer than 25 employees. In Report and
Order, we have assessed the effects of
the new rules that impose various
requirements on ESAA providers, and
find that the collection of information
requirements will not have a significant
impact on small business concerns with
fewer than 25 employees.
Congressional Review Act
The Commission will send a copy of
this Report and Order to Congress and
the Government Accountability Office
pursuant to the Congressional Review
Act, see 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A).
Ordering Clauses
It is ordered that, pursuant to the
authority contained in sections 4(i), 4(j),
7(a), 302(a), 303(c), 303(e), 303(f),
303(g), 303(j), 303(r), and 303(y) of the
Communications Act of 1934, as
amended, 47 U.S.C. 154(i), 154(j),
157(a), 302(a), 303(c), 303(e), 303(f),
303(g), 303(j), 303(r), 303(y), this Report
and Order in IB Docket No. 05–20 is
adopted.
It is further ordered that parts 2 and
25 of the Commission’s rules are
amended and shall be effective 30 days
after the date of publication in the
Federal Register, except for
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§§ 25.132(b)(3), and 25.227(b), (c), and
(d), which contain new information
collection requirements that require
approval by the Office of Management
and Budget (OMB) under the PRA. The
Federal Communications Commission
will publish a document in the Federal
Register announcing such approval and
the relevant effective date.
It is further ordered that the final
regulatory flexibility analysis, as
required by section 604 of the
Regulatory Flexibility Act, is adopted.
It is further ordered that the
International Bureau is delegated
authority to issue Public Notices
consistent with this Report and Order.
It is further ordered that IB Docket No.
05–20 is terminated.
It is further ordered that the
Commission’s Consumer and
Governmental Affairs Bureau, Reference
Information Center shall send a copy of
this Report and Order and the related
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking,
including the final regulatory flexibility
analysis and initial regulatory flexibility
analysis, to the Chief Counsel for
Advocacy of the Small Business
Administration, in accordance with
section 603(a) of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601, et seq.
List of Subjects in 47 CFR Parts 2 and
25
Frequency allocations, Satellites.
Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene H. Dortch,
Secretary.
Final Rule
For the reasons discussed in the
preamble, the Federal Communications
Commission amends 47 CFR parts 2 and
25 as follows:
PART 2—FREQUENCY ALLOCATIONS
AND RADIO TREATY MATTERS;
GENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS
1. The authority citation for Part 2
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 47 U.S.C. 154, 302a, 303, and
336, unless otherwise noted.
2. Amend § 2.106, the Table of
Frequency Allocations, to read as
follows:
■ a. Pages 47–49 are revised.
■ b. In the list of United States (US)
Footnotes, footnote US133 is added in
alphanumerical order.
■ c. In the list of non-Federal
Government (NG) Footnotes, footnotes
NG52, NG54, and NG55 are added in
alphanumerical order and footnotes
NG104, NG182, NG184, and NG186 are
removed.
The revisions and additions read as
follows:
■
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Table of Frequency Allocations.
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Region 1 Table
10-10.45
FIXED
MOBILE
RADIOLOCATION
Amateur
10-14 GHz (SHF)
International Table
Region 2 Table
10-10.45
RADIOLOCATION
Amateur
Region 3 Table
10-10.45
FIXED
MOBILE
RADIOLOCATION
Amateur
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08MRR1
5.479 US128
10.5-10.55
RADIOLOCATION US59
10.55-10.6
10.6-10.68
EARTH EXPLORATIONSATELLITE (passive)
SPACE RESEARCH (passive)
FCC Rule Part(s)
Private Land Mobile (90)
Amateur Radio (97)
5.479 US128 NG50
10.45-10.5
Amateur
Amateur-satellite
Radiolocation US108
US128 NG50
Private Land Mobile (90)
10.55-10.6
FIXED
Fixed Microwave (101)
10.6-10.68
EARTH EXPLORATIONSATELLITE (passive)
FIXED US265
SPACE RESEARCH (passive)
US130 US131 US265
US130 US131
10.68-10.7
EARTH EXPLORATION-SATELLITE (passive)
RADIO ASTRONOMY US74
SPACE RESEARCH (passive)
US131 US246
10.7-11.7
10.7-11.7
FIXED
FIXED-SATELLITE (space-toEarth) 5.441 US131 US211
NG52
US131 US211
11.7-12.2
11.7-12.2
FIXED-SATELLITE (space-toEarth) 5.485 5.488
NG55 NG143 NG183 NG187
Satellite Communications (25)
Fixed Microwave (101)
Satellite Communications (25)
14923
5.479
5.479 5.480
5.479
10.45-10.5
RADIOLOCATION
Amateur
Amateur-satellite
5.481
10.5-10.55
10.5-10.55
FIXED
FIXED
MOBILE
MOBILE
Radiolocation
RADIOLOCATION
10.55-10.6
FIXED
MOBILE except aeronautical mobile
Radiolocation
10.6-10.68
EARTH EXPLORATION-SATELLITE (passive)
FIXED
MOBILE except aeronautical mobile
RADIO ASTRONOMY
SPACE RESEARCH (passive)
Radiolocation
5.149 5.482 5.482A
10.68-10.7
EARTH EXPLORATION-SATELLITE (passive)
RADIO ASTRONOMY
SPACE RESEARCH (passive)
5.340 5.483
10.7-11.7
10.7-11.7
FIXED
FIXED
FIXED-SATELLITE (space-to-Earth) FIXED-SATELLITE (space-to-Earth) 5.441 5.484A
5.441 5.484A (Earth-to-space)
MOBILE except aeronautical mobile
5.484
MOBILE except aeronautical mobile
11.7-12.5
11.7-12.1
11.7-12.2
FIXED 5.486
FIXED
FIXED
FIXED-SATELLITE (space-Io-Earth) MOBILE except aeronautical mobile
MOBILE except aeronautical
5.484A 5.488
mobile
BROADCASTING
Mobile except aeronautical mobile
BROADCASTING
BROADCASTING-SATELLITE 5.492
BROADCASTING-SATELLITE
5.485
5.492
12.1-12.2
FIXED-SATELLITE (space-to-Earth)
5.484A 5.488
5.485 5.489
5.487 5.487A
Page 47
United States Table
Federal Table
Non-Federal Table
10-10.5
10-10.45
RADIOLOCATION US108
Amateur
G32
Radiolocation US108
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5.487 5.487A
12.5-12.75
FIXED-SATELLITE (space-toEarth) 5.484A (Earth-to-space)
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5.487A 5.488 5.490
12.7-12.75
FIXED
FIXED-SATELLITE (Earth-to-space)
MOBILE except aeronautical mobile
5.484A 5.487
12.5-12.75
FIXED
FIXED-SATELLITE (space-to-Earth)
5.484A
MOBILE except aeronautical mobile
BROADCASTING-SATELLITE 5.493
Frm 00018
5.494 5.495 5.496
12.75-13.25
FIXED
FIXED-SATELLITE (Earth-to-space) 5.441
MOBILE
Space research (deep space) (space-to-Earth)
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4725
13.25-13.4
EARTH EXPLORATION-SATELLITE (active)
AERONAUTICAL RADIONAVIGATION 5.497
SPACE RESEARCH (active)
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5.498A 5.499
13.4-13.75
EARTH EXPLORATION-SATELLITE (active)
RADIOLOCATION
SPACE RESEARCH 5.501A
Standard frequency and time signal-satellite (Earth-to-space)
5.499 5.500 5.501 5.501 B
08MRR1
13.75-14
FIXED-SATELLITE (Earth-to-space) 5.484A
RADIOLOCATION
Earth exploration-satellite
Standard frequency and time signal-satellite (Earth-to-space)
Space research
5.499 5.500 5.501 5.502 5.503
ER08MR13.003
12.2-12.5
FIXED
FIXED-SATELLITE (space-to-Earth)
MOBILE except aeronautical mobile
BROADCASTING
12.2-12.75
12.75-13.25
US251
13.25-13.4
EARTH EXPLORATIONSATELLITE (active)
AERONAUTICAL
RADIONAVIGATION 5.497
SPACE RESEARCH (active)
5.498A
13.4-13.75
EARTH EXPLORATIONSATELLITE (active)
RADIOLOCATION G59
SPACE RESEARCH 5.501A
Standard frequency and time
signal-satellite (Earth-to-space)
5.501B
13.75-14
RADIOLOCATION G59
Standard frequency and time
signal-satellite (Earth-to-space)
Space research US337
US356 US357
12.2-12.7
FIXED
BROADCASTING-SATELLITE
5.487A 5.488 5.490
12.7-12.75
FIXED NGl18
FIXED-SATELLITE
(Earth-to-space )
MOBILE
12.75-13.25
FIXED NGl18
FIXED-SATELLITE
(Earth-to-space) 5.441 NG52
MOBILE
US251 NG53
13.25-13.4
AERONAUTICAL
RADIONAVIGATION 5.497
Earth exploration-satellite (active)
Space research (active)
13.4-13.75
Earth exploration-satellite (active)
Radiolocation
Space research
Standard frequency and time
signal-satellite (Earth-to-space)
13.75-14
FIXED-SATELLITE
(Earth-to-space) US337
Standard frequency and time
signal-satellite (Earth-to-space)
Space research
Radiolocation
US356 US357
Satellite Communications (25)
Fixed Microwave (101)
TV Broadcast Auxiliary (74F)
Cable TV Relay (78)
Fixed Microwave (101)
Satellite Communications (25)
TV Broadcast Auxiliary (74F)
Cable TV Relay (78)
Fixed Microwave (101)
Aviation (87)
Private Land Mobile (90)
Satellite Communications (25)
Private Land Mobile (90)
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12.2-12.7
FIXED
MOBILE except aeronautical mobile
BROADCASTING
BROADCASTING-SATELLITE 5.492
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14-17.7 GHz (SHF)
International Table
Reg ion 2 Table
Reg ion 1 Table
14-14.25
FIXED-SATELLITE (Earth-to-space) 5.457A 5.457B 5.484A 5.506 5.506B
RADIONAVIGATION 5.504
Mobile-satellite (Earth-to-space) 5.504B 5.504C 5.506A
Space research
Region 3 Table
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5.504A 5.505
14.25-14.3
FIXED-SATELLITE (Earth-to-space) 5.457A 5.457B 5.484A 5.506 5.506B
RADIONAVIGATION 5.504
Mobile-satellite (Earth-to-space) 5.504B 5.506A 5.508A
Space research
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5.504A 5.505 5.508
14.3-14.4
14.3-14.4
FIXED
FIXED-SATELLITE (Earth-to-space)
5.457A 5.484A 5.506 5.506B
FIXED-SATELLITE (Earth-to-space)
5.457A 5.457B 5.484A 5.506 5.506B Mobile-satellite (Earth-to-space)
5.506A
MOBILE except aeronautical mobile
Radianavigatian-satellite
Mobile-satellite (Earth-to-space) 5.504B
5.506A 5.509A
Radianavigatian-satellite
5.504A
5.504A
14.4-14.47
FIXED
FIXED-SATELLITE (Earth-to-space) 5.457A 5.457B 5.484A 5.506 5.506B
MOBILE except aeronautical mobile
Mobile-satellite (Earth-to-space) 5.504B 5.506A 5.509A
Space research (space-to-Earth)
5.504A
14.47-14.5
FIXED
FIXED-SATELLITE (Earth-to-space) 5.457A 5.457B 5.484A 5.506 5.506B
MOBILE except aeronautical mobile
Mobile-satellite (Earth-to-space) 5.504B 5.506A 5.509A
Radio astronomy
5.149 5.504A
14.5-14.8
FIXED
FIXED-SATELLITE (Earth-to-space) 5.510
MOBILE
Space research
14.8-15.35
FIXED
MOBILE
Space research
14.2-14.4
FCC Rule Part(s)
Satellite Communications
(25)
US133
14.2-14.47
FIXED-SATELLITE (Earth-to-space)
NG54 NG183 NG187
Mobile-satellite (Earth-to-space)
14.3-14.4
FIXED
FIXED-SATELLITE (Earth-to-space)
5.457A 5.484A 5.506 5.506B
MOBILE except aeronautical mobile
Mobile-satellite (Earth-to-space)
5.504B 5.506A 5.509A
Radianavigatian-satellite
5.504A
14.4-14.47
Fixed
Mobile
14.47-14.5
Fixed
Mobile
14.47-14.5
FIXED-SATELLITE (Earth-to-space)
NG54 NG183 NG187
Mobile-satellite (Earth-to-space)
US133 US203 US342
14.5-14.7145
FIXED
Mobile
Space research
14.7145-14.8
MOBILE
Fixed
Space research
14.8-15.1365
MOBILE
SPACE RESEARCH
Fixed
US310
US133 US203 US342
14.5-14.8
14.8-15.1365
J.J§3jO
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United States Table
Federal Table
Non-Federal Table
14-14.2
14-14.2
Space research US133
FIXED-SATELLITE (Earth-to-space)
NG54 NG183 NG187
Mobile-satellite (Earth-to-space)
Space research
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United States (US) Footnotes
*
*
*
*
*
US133 In the bands 14–14.2 GHz
and 14.47–14.5 GHz, the following
provisions shall apply to the operations
of Earth Stations Aboard Aircraft
(ESAA):
(a) In the band 14–14.2 GHz, ESAA
licensees proposing to operate within
radio line-of-sight of the coordinates
specified in 47 CFR 25.227(c) are subject
to prior coordination with NTIA in
order to minimize harmful interference
to the ground terminals of NASA’s
Tracking and Data Relay Satellite
System (TDRSS).
(b) In the band 14.47–14.5 GHz,
operations within radio line-of-sight of
the radio astronomy stations specified
in 47 CFR 25.226(d)(2) are subject to
coordination with the National Science
Foundation in accordance with 47 CFR
25.227(d).
*
*
*
*
*
Non-Federal Government (NG)
Footnotes
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES
*
*
*
*
*
NG52 Except as otherwise provided
for herein, use of the bands 10.7–11.7
GHz (space-to-Earth) and 12.75–13.25
GHz (Earth-to-space) by geostationary
satellites in the fixed-satellite service
(FSS) shall be limited to international
systems, i.e., other than domestic
systems. In the sub-bands 10.95–11.2
GHz and 11.45–11.7 GHz, Earth Stations
on Vessels (ESV), Vehicle-Mounted
Earth Stations (VMES), and Earth
Stations Aboard Aircraft (ESAA) as
regulated under 47 CFR part 25 may be
authorized for the reception of FSS
emissions from geostationary satellites,
subject to the condition that these earth
stations shall not claim protection from
transmissions of non-Federal stations in
the fixed service.
*
*
*
*
*
NG54 In the band 14–14.5 GHz,
Earth Stations Aboard Aircraft (ESAA)
as regulated under 47 CFR part 25 may
be authorized to communicate with
geostationary satellites in the fixedsatellite service (Earth-to-space), subject
to the condition that ESAA shall not
claim protection from, nor cause
interference to, earth stations at given
positions (where the given position may
be a specified fixed point or any fixed
point within specified areas).
NG55 In the band 11.7–12.2 GHz,
Earth Stations Aboard Aircraft (ESAA)
as regulated under 47 CFR part 25 are
an application of the fixed-satellite
service and may be authorized to
communicate with geostationary
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satellites in the fixed-satellite service
(space-to-Earth) on a primary basis.
*
*
*
*
*
PART 25—SATELLITE
COMMUNICATIONS
3. The authority citation for Part 25
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 47 U.S.C. 701–744. Interprets
or applies Sections 4, 301, 302, 303, 307, 309,
and 332 of the Communications Act, as
amended, 47 U.S.C. 154, 301, 302, 303, 307,
309, and 332 unless otherwise noted.
4. Section 25.115 is amended by
revising paragraph (a)(2)(iii) to read as
follows:
■
§ 25.115 Application for earth station
authorizations.
*
*
*
*
*
(a) * * *
(2) * * *
(iii) The earth station is not an ESV,
VMES or ESAA.
*
*
*
*
*
■ 5. Section 25.130 is amended by
revising paragraph (a) introductory text
to read as follows:
§ 25.130 Filing requirements for
transmitting earth stations.
(a) Applications for a new or modified
transmitting earth station facility shall
be submitted on FCC Form 312, and
associated Schedule B, accompanied by
any required exhibits, except for those
earth station applications filed on FCC
Form 312EZ pursuant to § 25.115(a). All
such earth station license applications
must be filed electronically through the
International Bureau Filing System
(IBFS) in accordance with the
applicable provisions of part 1, subpart
Y of this chapter. Additional filing
requirements for Earth Stations on
Vessels are described in §§ 25.221 and
25.222. Additional filing requirements
for Vehicle-Mounted Earth Stations are
described in § 25.226. Additional filing
requirements for Earth Stations Aboard
Aircraft are described in § 25.227. In
addition, applicants that are not
required to submit applications on Form
312EZ, other than ESV, VMES or ESAA
applicants, must submit the following
information to be used as an
‘‘informative’’ in the public notice
issued under § 25.151 as an attachment
to their application:
*
*
*
*
*
■ 6. Section 25.132 is amended by
revising paragraph (b)(3) to read as
follows:
§ 25.132 Verification of earth station
antenna performance standards.
*
*
*
(b) * * *
PO 00000
Frm 00020
*
Fmt 4700
*
Sfmt 4700
(3) Applicants seeking authority to
use an antenna that does not meet the
standards set forth in § 25.209(a) and
(b), pursuant to the procedure set forth
in § 25.220, § 25.221, § 25.222, § 25.223,
§ 25.226 or § 25.227, are required to
submit a copy of the manufacturer’s
range test plots of the antenna gain
patterns specified in paragraph (b)(1) of
this section.
*
*
*
*
*
■ 7. Section 25.201 is amended by
adding a definition of Earth Stations
Aboard Aircraft (ESAA) in alphabetical
order to read as follows:
§ 25.201
Definitions.
*
*
*
*
*
Earth Stations Aboard Aircraft
(ESAA). ESAA is an earth station or
earth stations, operating from an
aircraft, that receives from and transmits
to geostationary satellite orbit FixedSatellite Service space stations and
operates within the United States
pursuant to the requirements set out
§ 25.227.
*
*
*
*
*
■ 8. Section 25.202 is amended by
adding paragraph (a)(11) to read as
follows:
§ 25.202 Frequencies, frequency tolerance
and emission limitations.
*
*
*
*
*
(a)(11)(i) The following frequencies
are available for use by Earth Stations
Aboard Aircraft (ESAA):
10.95–11.2 GHz (space-to-Earth)
11.45–11.7 GHz (space-to-Earth)
11.7–12.2 GHz (space-to-Earth)
14.0–14.5 GHz (Earth-to-space)
(ii) ESAAs shall be authorized as set
forth in § 25.227.
*
*
*
*
*
■ 9. Section 25.203 is amended by
revising the introductory text in
paragraph (c), and paragraphs (d) and
(k) to read as follows:
§ 25.203
Choice of sites and frequencies.
*
*
*
*
*
(c) Prior to the filing of its application,
an applicant for operation of an earth
station, other than an ESV, VMES or
ESAA, shall coordinate the proposed
frequency usage with existing terrestrial
users and with applicants for terrestrial
station authorizations with previously
filed applications in accordance with
the following procedure:
*
*
*
*
*
(d) An applicant for operation of an
earth station, other than an ESV, VMES
or an ESAA, shall also ascertain
whether the great circle coordination
distance contours and rain scatter
coordination distance contours,
E:\FR\FM\08MRR1.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 46 / Friday, March 8, 2013 / Rules and Regulations
computed for those values of parameters
indicated in § 25.251 (Appendix 7 of the
ITU RR) for international coordination,
cross the boundaries of another
Administration. In this case, the
applicant shall furnish the Commission
copies of these contours on maps drawn
to appropriate scale for use by the
Commission in effecting coordination of
the proposed earth station with the
Administration(s) affected.
*
*
*
*
*
(k) An applicant for operation of an
earth station, other than an ESV, VMES
or an ESAA, that will operate with a
geostationary satellite or nongeostationary satellite in a shared
frequency band in which the nongeostationary system is (or is proposed
to be) licensed for feeder links, shall
demonstrate in its applications that its
proposed earth station will not cause
unacceptable interference to any other
satellite network that is authorized to
operate in the same frequency band, or
certify that the operations of its earth
station shall conform to established
coordination agreements between the
operator(s) of the space station(s) with
which the earth station is to
communicate and the operator(s) of any
other space station licensed to use the
band.
*
*
*
*
*
■ 10. Section 25.204 is amended by
adding paragraph (k) to read as follows:
§ 25.204
Power limits.
*
*
*
*
*
(k) Within radio line-of-sight of the
Tracking and Data Relay System
Satellite (TDRSS) sites identified in
§ 25.227(c), ESAA transmissions in the
14.0–14.2 GHz (Earth-to-space) band
shall not exceed an EIRP spectral
density towards or below the horizon of
12.5 dBW/MHz, and shall not exceed an
EIRP towards or below the horizon of
16.3 dBW.
■ 11. Section 25.205 is amended by
adding paragraph (d) to read as follows:
§ 25.205 Minimum angle of antenna
elevation.
*
*
*
*
(d) While on the ground, ESAAs shall
not be authorized for transmission at
angles less than 5° measured from the
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES
*
15 - 10 log10 (N) - 25 log10q ........................
-6 - 10 log10 (N) ...........................................
18 - 10 log10 (N) - 25 log10q ........................
-24 - 10 log10 (N) .........................................
-14 - 10 log10 (N) .........................................
where theta (q) is the angle in degrees
from the line connecting the focal point
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plane of the horizon to the direction of
maximum radiation. While in flight
there is no minimum angle of antenna
elevation.
■ 12. Section 25.209 paragraph (f) is
revised to read as follows:
§ 25.209
Antenna performance standards.
*
*
*
*
*
(f) An earth station with an antenna
not conforming to the standards of
paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section
will be authorized only if the applicant
meets its burden of demonstrating that
its antenna will not cause unacceptable
interference. For ESVs in the C-band,
this demonstration must comply with
the procedures set forth in § 25.221. For
ESVs in the Ku-band, this
demonstration must comply with the
procedures set forth in § 25.222. For
VMES, this demonstration shall comply
with the procedures set forth in
§ 25.226. For ESAAs, this demonstration
shall comply with the procedures set
forth in § 25.227. For feeder-link earth
stations in the 17/24 GHz BSS, this
demonstration must comply with the
procedures set forth in § 25.223. For
other FSS earth stations, this
demonstration must comply with the
procedures set forth in §§ 25.218 or
25.220. In any case, the Commission
will impose appropriate terms and
conditions in its authorization of such
facilities and operations.
*
*
*
*
*
■ 13. Section 25.218 is amended by
revising the section heading and
paragraph (a)(1) to read as follows:
§ 25.218 Off-axis EIRP density envelope
for FSS earth station operators.
(a) * * *
(1) ESV, VMES and ESAA
Applications
*
*
*
*
*
■ 14. Section 25.220 is amended by
revising paragraph (a)(1) to read as
follows:
§ 25.220 Non-conforming transmit/receive
earth station operations.
(a)(1) This section applies to earth
station applications other than ESV,
VMES, ESAA and 17/24 GHz BSS feeder
link applications in which the proposed
earth station operations do not fall
dBW/4
dBW/4
dBW/4
dBW/4
dBW/4
kHz
kHz
kHz
kHz
kHz
..................................................
..................................................
..................................................
..................................................
..................................................
For
For
For
For
For
of the antenna to the orbital location of
the target satellite in the plane of the
PO 00000
Frm 00021
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
14927
within the applicable off-axis EIRP
density envelope specified in § 25.218.
*
*
*
*
*
■ 15. Add § 25.227 to Subpart C of Part
25 to read as follows:
§ 25.227 Blanket licensing provisions for
Earth Stations Aboard Aircraft (ESAAs)
receiving in the 10.95–11.2 GHz (space-toEarth), 11.45–11.7 GHz (space-to-Earth), and
11.7–12.2 GHz (space-to-Earth) frequency
bands and transmitting in the 14.0–14.5 GHz
(Earth-to-space) frequency band, operating
with Geostationary Satellites in the FixedSatellite Service.
(a) The following ongoing
requirements govern all ESAA licensees
and operations in the 10.95–11.2 GHz
(space-to-Earth), 11.45–11.7 GHz (spaceto-Earth), 11.7–12.2 GHz (space-toEarth) and 14.0–14.5 GHz (Earth-tospace) frequency bands receiving from
and transmitting to geostationary orbit
satellites in the Fixed-Satellite Service.
ESAA licensees shall comply with the
requirements in either paragraph (a)(1),
(a)(2) or (a)(3) of this section and all of
the requirements set forth in paragraphs
(a)(4) through (a)(16) and paragraphs (c),
(d), and (e) of this section. Paragraph (b)
of this section identifies items that shall
be included in the application for ESAA
operations to demonstrate that these
ongoing requirements will be met.
(1) The following requirements shall
apply to an ESAA that uses transmitters
with off-axis EIRP spectral-densities
lower than or equal to the levels in
paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section. ESAA
licensees operating under this section
shall provide a detailed demonstration
as described in paragraph (b)(1) of this
section. The ESAA transmitter also shall
comply with the antenna pointing and
cessation of emission requirements in
paragraphs (a)(1)(ii) and (iii) of this
section.
(i) An ESAA licensee shall not exceed
the off-axis EIRP spectral-density limits
and conditions defined in paragraphs
(a)(1)(i)(A) through (D) of this
subsection.
(A) The off-axis EIRP spectral-density
for co-polarized signals emitted from the
ESAA, in the plane of the geostationary
satellite orbit (GSO) as it appears at the
particular earth station location, shall
not exceed the following values:
.....
.....
.....
.....
.....
1.5° ≤ q ≤ 7°
7° < q ≤ 9.2°
9.2° < q ≤ 48°
48° < q ≤ 85°
85° < q ≤ 180°
GSO. The plane of the GSO is
determined by the focal point of the
E:\FR\FM\08MRR1.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 46 / Friday, March 8, 2013 / Rules and Regulations
density, N is the maximum expected
number of co-frequency simultaneously
transmitting ESAA earth stations in the
same satellite receiving beam. For the
purpose of this subsection, the peak
EIRP density of an individual sidelobe
shall not exceed the envelope defined
above for q between 1.5° and 7.0°. For
q greater than 7.0°, the envelope shall be
antenna and the line tangent to the arc
of the GSO at the orbital location of the
target satellite. For ESAA networks
using frequency division multiple
access (FDMA) or time division
multiple access (TDMA) techniques, N
is equal to one. For ESAA networks
using multiple co-frequency
transmitters that have the same EIRP
18 - 10 log10 (N) - 25log log10q ...................
-24 - 10 log10 (N) .........................................
-14 - 10 log10 (N) .........................................
dBW/4 kHz ..................................................
dBW/4 kHz ..................................................
dBW/4kHz ....................................................
where q and N are defined in paragraph
(a)(1)(i)(A). This off-axis EIRP spectraldensity applies in any plane that
includes the line connecting the focal
point of the antenna to the orbital
location of the target satellite with the
exception of the plane of the GSO as
defined in paragraph (a)(1)(i)(A) of this
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES
5 - 10 log10 (N) - 25log10q ...........................
-16 - 10 log10 (N) .........................................
where q and N are defined in paragraph
(a)(1)(i)(A). This off-axis EIRP spectraldensity applies in the plane of the
geostationary satellite orbit as it appears
at the particular earth station location.
(ii) Each ESAA transmitter shall meet
one of the following antenna pointing
requirements:
(A) Each ESAA transmitter shall
maintain a pointing error of less than or
equal to 0.2° between the orbital
location of the target satellite and the
axis of the main lobe of the ESAA
antenna; or
(B) Each ESAA transmitter shall
declare a maximum antenna pointing
error that may be greater than 0.2°
provided that the ESAA does not exceed
the off-axis EIRP spectral-density limits
in paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section,
taking into account the antenna pointing
error.
(iii) Each ESAA transmitter shall meet
one of the following cessation of
emission requirements:
(A) For ESAAs operating under
paragraph (a)(1)(ii)(A) of this section, all
emissions from the ESAA shall
automatically cease within 100
milliseconds if the angle between the
orbital location of the target satellite and
the axis of the main lobe of the ESAA
antenna exceeds 0.5°, and transmission
shall not resume until such angle is less
than or equal to 0.2°, or
(B) For ESAA transmitters operating
under paragraph (a)(1)(ii)(B) of this
section, all emissions from the ESAA
shall automatically cease within 100
milliseconds if the angle between the
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For .....
For .....
For .....
section. For the purpose of this
subsection, the envelope shall be
exceeded by no more than 10% of the
sidelobes provided no individual
sidelobe exceeds the EIRP density
envelope given above by more than 6
dB. The region of the main reflector
spillover energy is to be interpreted as
dBW/4kHz ....................................................
dBW/4kHz ....................................................
Frm 00022
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
3.0° ≤ q ≤ 48°
48° < q ≤ 85°
85° < q ≤ 180°
a single lobe and shall not exceed the
envelope by more than 6 dB.
(C) The off-axis EIRP spectral-density
for cross-polarized signals emitted from
the ESAA shall not exceed the following
values:
For .....
For .....
orbital location of the target satellite and
the axis of the main lobe of the ESAA
antenna exceeds the declared maximum
antenna pointing error and shall not
resume transmissions until such angle is
less than or equal to the declared
maximum antenna pointing error.
(2) The following requirements shall
apply to an ESAA, or ESAA system, that
uses off-axis EIRP spectral-densities in
excess of the levels in paragraph (a)(1)(i)
of this section. An ESAA, or ESAA
network, operating under this
subsection shall file certifications and
provide a detailed demonstration as
described in paragraph (b)(2) of this
section.
(i) The ESAA shall transmit only to
the target satellite system(s) referred to
in the certifications required by
paragraph (b)(2) of this section.
(ii) If a good faith agreement cannot be
reached between the target satellite
operator and the operator of a future
satellite that is located within 6 degrees
longitude of the target satellite, the
ESAA operator shall accept the powerdensity levels that would accommodate
that adjacent satellite.
(iii) The ESAA shall operate in
accordance with the off-axis EIRP
spectral-densities that the ESAA
supplied to the target satellite operator
in order to obtain the certifications
listed in paragraph (b)(2) of this section.
The ESAA shall automatically cease
emissions within 100 milliseconds if the
ESAA transmitter exceeds the off-axis
EIRP spectral-densities supplied to the
target satellite operator and
PO 00000
exceeded by no more than 10% of the
sidelobes, provided no individual
sidelobe exceeds the envelope given
above by more than 3 dB.
(B) In all directions other than along
the GSO, the off-axis EIRP spectraldensity for co-polarized signals emitted
from the ESAA shall not exceed the
following values:
1.8° < q ≤ 7°
7° < q ≤ 9.2°
transmission shall not resume until
ESAA conforms to the off-axis EIRP
spectral densities supplied to the target
satellite operator.
(iv) In the event that a coordination
agreement discussed in paragraph
(b)(2)(ii) of this section is reached, but
that coordination agreement does not
address protection from interference for
the earth station, that earth station will
be protected from interference to the
same extent that an earth station that
meets the requirements of § 25.209 of
this title would be protected from
interference.
(3) The following requirements shall
apply to an ESAA system that uses
variable power-density control of
individual simultaneously transmitting
co-frequency ESAA earth stations in the
same satellite receiving beam. An ESAA
system operating under this subsection
shall provide a detailed demonstration
as described in paragraph (b)(3) of this
section.
(i) The effective aggregate EIRP
density from all terminals shall be at
least 1 dB below the off-axis EIRP
density limits defined in paragraph
(a)(1)(i)(A) through (C), with the value of
N=1. In this context the term ‘‘effective’’
means that the resultant co-polarized
and cross-polarized EIRP density
experienced by any GSO or non-GSO
satellite shall not exceed that produced
by a single transmitter operating 1 dB
below the limits defined in paragraph
(a)(1)(i)(A) through (C). The individual
ESAA transmitter shall automatically
cease emissions within 100
E:\FR\FM\08MRR1.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 46 / Friday, March 8, 2013 / Rules and Regulations
milliseconds if the ESAA transmitter
exceeds the off-axis EIRP density limits
minus 1 dB specified above. If one or
more ESAA transmitters causes the
aggregate off-axis EIRP-densities to
exceed the off-axis EIRP density limits
minus 1dB specified above, then the
transmitter or transmitters shall cease or
reduce emissions within 100
milliseconds of receiving a command
from the system’s network control and
monitoring center. An ESAA system
operating under this subsection shall
provide a detailed demonstration as
described in paragraph (b)(3)(i) of this
section.
(ii) The following requirements shall
apply to an ESAA that uses off-axis
EIRP spectral-densities in excess of the
levels in paragraph (a)(3)(i) of this
section. An ESAA system operating
under this subsection shall file
certifications and provide a detailed
demonstration as described in
paragraphs (b)(3)(ii) and (b)(3)(iii) of this
section.
(A) If a good faith agreement cannot
be reached between the target satellite
operator and the operator of a future
satellite that is located within 6 degrees
longitude of the target satellite, the
ESAA shall operate at an EIRP density
defined in (a)(3)(i) of this section.
(B) The ESAA shall operate in
accordance with the off-axis EIRP
spectral-densities that the ESAA
supplied to the target satellite operator
in order to obtain the certifications
listed in paragraph (b)(3)(ii) of this
section. The individual ESAA terminals
shall automatically cease emissions
within 100 milliseconds if the ESAA
transmitter exceeds the off-axis EIRP
spectral-densities supplied to the target
satellite operator. The overall system
shall be capable of shutting off an
individual transmitter or the entire
system if the aggregate off-axis EIRP
spectral-densities exceed those supplied
to the target satellite operator.
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES
-132 + 0.5 · q ...............................................
-112 ..............................................................
dB(W/(m2 · MHz)) ........................................
dB(W/(m2 · MHz)) ........................................
Where: q is the angle of arrival of the
radio-frequency wave (degrees above the
horizontal) and the aforementioned
limits relate to the pfd and angles of
arrival would be obtained under freespace propagation conditions.
(14) All ESAA terminals operated in
U.S. airspace must be licensed by the
Commission.
(15) For ESAA systems operating over
international waters, ESAA operators
will certify that their target space station
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(C) The ESAA shall transmit only to
the target satellite system(s) referred to
in the certifications required by
paragraph (b)(3) of this section.
(4) An applicant filing to operate an
ESAA terminal or system and planning
to use a contention protocol shall certify
that its contention protocol use will be
reasonable.
(5) There shall be a point of contact
in the United States, with phone
number and address, available 24 hours
a day, seven days a week, with authority
and ability to cease all emissions from
the ESAA.
(6) For each ESAA transmitter, a
record of the vehicle location (i.e.,
latitude/longitude/altitude), transmit
frequency, channel bandwidth and
satellite used shall be time annotated
and maintained for a period of not less
than one year. Records shall be recorded
at time intervals no greater than one (1)
minute while the ESAA is transmitting.
The ESAA operator shall make this data
available, in the form of a comma
delimited electronic spreadsheet, within
24 hours of a request from the
Commission, NTIA, or a frequency
coordinator for purposes of resolving
harmful interference events. A
description of the units (i.e., degrees,
minutes, MHz * * *.) in which the
records values are recorded will be
supplied along with the records.
(7) In the 10.95–11.2 GHz (space-toEarth) and 11.45–11.7 GHz (space-toEarth) frequency bands ESAAs shall not
claim protection from interference from
any authorized terrestrial stations to
which frequencies are either already
assigned, or may be assigned in the
future.
(8) An ESAA terminal receiving in the
11.7–12.2 GHz (space-to-Earth) bands
shall receive protection from
interference caused by space stations
other than the target space station only
to the degree to which harmful
interference would not be expected to
be caused to an earth station employing
PO 00000
Frm 00023
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
an antenna conforming to the referenced
patterns defined in paragraphs (a) and
(b) of section 25.209 and stationary at
the location at which any interference
occurred.
(9) Each ESAA terminal shall
automatically cease transmitting within
100 milliseconds upon loss of reception
of the satellite downlink signal or when
it detects that unintended satellite
tracking has happened or is about to
happen.
(10) Each ESAA terminal should be
subject to the monitoring and control by
an NCMC or equivalent facility. Each
terminal must be able to receive at least
‘‘enable transmission’’ and ‘‘disable
transmission’’ commands from the
NCMC and must automatically cease
transmissions immediately on receiving
any ‘‘parameter change command,’’
which may cause harmful interference
during the change, until it receives an
‘‘enable transmission’’ command from
its NCMC. In addition, the NCMC must
be able to monitor the operation of an
ESAA terminal to determine if it is
malfunctioning.
(11) Each ESAA terminal shall be selfmonitoring and, should a fault which
can cause harmful interference to FSS
networks be detected, the terminal must
automatically cease transmissions.
(12) Unless otherwise stated all ESAA
system that comply with the off-axis
EIRP spectral-density limits in
paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section may
request ALSAT authority.
(13) ESAA providers operating in the
international airspace within line-ofsight of the territory of a foreign
administration where fixed service
networks have primary allocation in this
band, the maximum power flux density
(pfd) produced at the surface of the
Earth by emissions from a single aircraft
carrying an ESAA terminal should not
exceed the following values unless the
foreign Administration has imposed
other conditions for protecting its fixed
service stations:
For .....
For .....
operators have confirmed that proposed
ESAA operations are within coordinated
parameters for adjacent satellites up to
6 degrees away on the geostationary arc.
(16) Prior to operations within the
foreign nation’s airspace, the ESAA
operator will ascertain whether the
relevant administration has operations
that could be affected by ESAA
terminals, and will determine whether
that administration has adopted specific
requirements concerning ESAA
14929
q ≤ 40°
40° < q ≤ 90°
operations. When the aircraft enters
foreign airspace, the ESAA terminal
would be required to operate under the
Commission’s rules, or those of the
foreign administration, whichever is
more constraining. To the extent that all
relevant administrations have identified
geographic areas from which ESAA
operations would not affect their radio
operations, ESAA operators would be
free to operate within those identified
areas without further action. To the
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extent that the foreign administration
has not adopted requirements regarding
ESAA operations, ESAA operators
would be required to coordinate their
operations with any potentially affected
operations.
(b) Applications for ESAA operation
in the 14.0–14.5 GHz (Earth-to-space)
band to GSO satellites in the FixedSatellite Service shall include, in
addition to the particulars of operation
identified on Form 312, and associated
Schedule B, the applicable technical
demonstrations in paragraphs (b)(1),
(b)(2) or (b)(3) and the documentation
identified in paragraphs (b)(4) through
(b)(8) of this section.
(1) An ESAA applicant proposing to
implement a transmitter under
paragraph (a)(1) of this section shall
demonstrate that the transmitter meets
the off-axis EIRP spectral-density limits
contained in paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this
section. To provide this demonstration,
the application shall include the tables
described in paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this
section or the certification described in
paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this section. The
ESAA applicant also shall provide the
value N described in paragraph
(a)(1)(i)(A) of this section. An ESAA
applicant proposing to implement a
transmitter under paragraph (a)(1)(ii)(A)
of this section shall provide the
certifications identified in paragraph
(b)(1)(iii) of this section. An ESAA
applicant proposing to implement a
transmitter under paragraph (a)(1)(ii)(B)
of this section shall provide the
demonstrations identified in paragraph
(b)(1)(iv) of this section.
(i) Any ESAA applicant filing an
application pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
of this section shall file three tables and/
or graphs depicting off-axis EIRP
density masks defined by § 25.227(a)
and measured off-axis EIRP density
levels of the proposed earth station
antenna in the direction of the plane of
the GSO; the co-polarized EIRP density
in the elevation plane, that is, the plane
perpendicular to the plane of the GSO;
and cross-polarized EIRP density. Each
table shall provide the EIRP density
level at increments of 0.1° for angles
between 0° and 10° off-axis, and at
increments of 5° for angles between 10°
and 180° off-axis.
(A) For purposes of the off-axis EIRP
density table in the plane of the GSO,
the off-axis angle is the angle in degrees
from the line connecting the focal point
of the antenna to the orbital location of
the target satellite, and the plane of the
GSO is determined by the focal point of
the antenna and the line tangent to the
arc of the GSO at the orbital position of
the target satellite.
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16:06 Mar 07, 2013
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(B) For purposes of the off-axis copolarized EIRP density table in the
elevation plane, the off-axis angle is the
angle in degrees from the line
connecting the focal point of the
antenna to the orbital location of the
target satellite, and the elevation plane
is defined as the plane perpendicular to
the plane of the GSO defined in
paragraph (b)(1)(i)(A) of this section.
(C) For purposes of the crosspolarized EIRP density table, the off-axis
angle is the angle in degrees from the
line connecting the focal point of the
antenna to the orbital location of the
target satellite and the plane of the GSO
as defined in paragraph (b)(1)(i)(A) of
this section will be used.
(ii) An ESAA applicant shall include
a certification, in Schedule B, that the
ESAA antenna conforms to the gain
pattern criteria of § 25.209(a) and (b),
that, combined with the maximum
input power density calculated from the
EIRP density less the antenna gain,
which is entered in Schedule B,
demonstrates that the off-axis EIRP
spectral density envelope set forth in
paragraphs (a)(1)(i)(A) through
(a)(1)(i)(C) of this section will be met
under the assumption that the antenna
is pointed at the target satellite.
(iii) An ESAA applicant proposing to
implement a transmitter under
paragraph (a)(1)(ii)(A) of this section
shall:
(A) Demonstrate that the total tracking
error budget of their antenna is within
0.2° or less between the orbital location
of the target satellite and the axis of the
main lobe of the ESAA antenna. As part
of the engineering analysis, the ESAA
applicant must show that the antenna
pointing error is within three sigma (,)
from the mean value; and
(B) Demonstrate that the antenna
tracking system is capable of ceasing
emissions within 100 milliseconds if the
angle between the orbital location of the
target satellite and the axis of the main
lobe of the ESAA antenna exceeds 0.5°.
(iv) An ESAA applicant proposing to
implement a transmitter under
paragraph (a)(1)(ii)(B) of this section
shall:
(A) Declare, in its application, a
maximum antenna pointing error and
demonstrate that the maximum antenna
pointing error can be achieved without
exceeding the off-axis EIRP spectraldensity limits in paragraph (a)(1)(i) of
this section; and
(B) Demonstrate that the ESAA
transmitter can detect if the transmitter
exceeds the declared maximum antenna
pointing error and can cease
transmission within 100 milliseconds if
the angle between the orbital location of
the target satellite and the axis of the
PO 00000
Frm 00024
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
main lobe of the ESAA antenna exceeds
the declared maximum antenna
pointing error, and will not resume
transmissions until the angle between
the orbital location of the target satellite
and the axis of the main lobe of the
ESAA antenna is less than or equal to
the declared maximum antenna
pointing error.
(2) An ESAA applicant proposing to
implement a transmitter under
paragraph (a)(2) of this section and
using off-axis EIRP spectral-densities in
excess of the levels in paragraph (a)(1)(i)
of this section shall provide the
following certifications and
demonstration as exhibits to its earth
station application:
(i) A statement from the target satellite
operator certifying that the proposed
operation of the ESAA has the potential
to receive harmful interference from
adjacent satellite networks that may be
unacceptable.
(ii) A statement from the target
satellite operator certifying that the
power density levels that the ESAA
applicant provided to the target satellite
operator are consistent with the existing
coordination agreements between its
satellite(s) and the adjacent satellite
systems within 6° of orbital separation
from its satellite(s).
(iii) A statement from the target
satellite operator certifying that it will
include the power-density levels of the
ESAA applicant in all future
coordination agreements.
(iv) A demonstration from the ESAA
operator that the ESAA system will
comply with all coordination
agreements reached by the satellite
operator and is capable of detecting and
automatically ceasing emissions within
100 milliseconds when the transmitter
exceeds the off-axis EIRP spectraldensities supplied to the target satellite
operator.
(3) An ESAA applicant proposing to
implement an ESAA system under
paragraph (a)(3) of this section and
using variable power-density control of
individual simultaneously transmitting
co-frequency ESAA earth stations in the
same satellite receiving beam shall
provide the following certifications and
demonstration as exhibits to its earth
station application:
(i) The applicant shall make a detailed
showing of the measures it intends to
employ to maintain the effective
aggregate EIRP density from all
simultaneously transmitting cofrequency terminals operating with the
same satellite transponder at least 1 dB
below the off-axis EIRP density limits
defined in paragraphs (a)(1)(i)(A)
through (C) of this section. In this
context the term ‘‘effective’’ means that
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the resultant co-polarized and crosspolarized EIRP density experienced by
any GSO or non-GSO satellite shall not
exceed that produced by a single ESAA
transmitter operating at 1 dB below the
limits defined in paragraphs (a)(1)(i)(A)
through (C) of this section. The
applicant also must demonstrate that an
individual transmitter and the entire
ESAA system is capable of
automatically ceasing emissions within
100 milliseconds if the aggregate off-axis
EIRP-densities exceed the off-axis EIRP
density limits minus 1 dB, as set forth
in paragraph (a)(3)(i) of this section. The
International Bureau will place this
showing on public notice along with the
application.
(ii) An applicant proposing to
implement an ESAA system under
paragraph (a)(3)(ii) of this section that
uses off-axis EIRP spectral-densities in
excess of the levels in paragraph (a)(3)(i)
of this section shall provide the
following certifications, demonstration
and list of satellites as exhibits to its
earth station application:
(A) A detailed showing of the
measures the applicant intends to
employ to maintain the effective
aggregate EIRP density from all
simultaneously transmitting cofrequency terminals operating with the
same satellite transponder at the EIRP
density limits supplied to the target
satellite operator. The International
Bureau will place this showing on
Public Notice along with the
application.
(B) A statement from the target
satellite operator certifying that the
proposed operation of the ESAA has the
potential to create harmful interference
to satellite networks adjacent to the
target satellite(s) that may be
unacceptable.
(C) A statement from the target
satellite operator certifying that the
aggregate power-density levels that the
ESAA applicant provided to the target
satellite operator are consistent with the
existing coordination agreements
between its satellite(s) and the adjacent
satellite systems within 6° of orbital
separation from its satellite(s).
(D) A statement from the target
satellite operator certifying that it will
include the aggregate power-density
levels of the ESAA applicant in all
future coordination agreements.
(E) A demonstration from the ESAA
operator that the ESAA system is
capable of detecting and automatically
ceasing emissions within 100
milliseconds when an individual
transmitter exceeds the off-axis EIRP
spectral-densities supplied to the target
satellite operator and that the overall
system is capable of shutting off an
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:06 Mar 07, 2013
Jkt 229001
individual transmitter or the entire
system if the aggregate off-axis EIRP
spectral-densities exceed those supplied
to the target satellite operator.
(F) An identification of the specific
satellite or satellites with which the
ESAA system will operate.
(4) There shall be an exhibit included
with the application describing the
geographic area(s) in which the ESAA
will operate.
(5) Any ESAA applicant filing for an
ESAA terminal or system and planning
to use a contention protocol shall
include in its application a certification
that will comply with the requirements
of paragraph (a)(4) of this section.
(6) The point of contact referred to in
paragraph (a)(5) of this section shall be
included in the application.
(7) Any ESAA applicant filing for an
ESAA terminal or system shall include
in its application a certification that will
comply with the requirements of
paragraphs (a)(6), (a)(9), (a)(10), and
(a)(11) of this section.
(8) All ESAA applicants shall submit
a radio frequency hazard analysis
determining via calculation, simulation,
or field measurement whether ESAA
terminals, or classes of terminals, will
produce power densities that will
exceed the Commission’s radio
frequency exposure criteria. ESAA
applicants with ESAA terminals that
will exceed the guidelines in § 1.1310 of
this chapter for radio frequency
radiation exposure shall provide, with
their environmental assessment, a plan
for mitigation of radiation exposure to
the extent required to meet those
guidelines. All ESAA licensees shall
ensure installation of ESAA terminals
on aircraft by qualified installers who
have an understanding of the antenna’s
radiation environment and the measures
best suited to maximize protection of
the general public and persons
operating the vehicle and equipment.
An ESAA terminal exhibiting radiation
exposure levels exceeding 1.0 mW/cm2
in accessible areas, such as at the
exterior surface of the radome, shall
have a label attached to the surface of
the terminal warning about the radiation
hazard and shall include thereon a
diagram showing the regions around the
terminal where the radiation levels
could exceed 1.0 mW/cm2.
(c)(1) Operations of ESAAs in the
14.0–14.2 GHz (Earth-to-space)
frequency band in the radio line-of-sight
of the NASA TDRSS facilities on Guam
(latitude 13°36′55″ N, longitude
144°51′22″ E) or White Sands, New
Mexico (latitude 32°20′59″ N, longitude
106°36′31″ W and latitude 32°32′40″ N,
longitude 106°36′48″ W) are subject to
coordination with the National
PO 00000
Frm 00025
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
14931
Aeronautics and Space Administration
(NASA) through the National
Telecommunications and Information
Administration (NTIA) Interdepartment
Radio Advisory Committee (IRAC).
Licensees shall notify the International
Bureau once they have completed
coordination. Upon receipt of such
notification from a licensee, the
International Bureau will issue a public
notice stating that the licensee may
commence operations within the
coordination zone in 30 days if no party
has opposed the operations.
(2) When NTIA seeks to provide
similar protection to future TDRSS sites
that have been coordinated through the
IRAC Frequency Assignment
Subcommittee process, NTIA will notify
the Commission’s International Bureau
that the site is nearing operational
status. Upon public notice from the
International Bureau, all Ku-band ESAA
licensees shall cease operations in the
14.0–14.2 GHz band within radio lineof-sight of the new TDRSS site until the
licensees complete coordination with
NTIA/IRAC for the new TDRSS facility.
Licensees shall notify the International
Bureau once they have completed
coordination for the new TDRSS site.
Upon receipt of such notification from
a licensee, the International Bureau will
issue a public notice stating that the
licensee may commence operations
within the coordination zone in 30 days
if no party has opposed the operations.
The ESAA licensee then will be
permitted to commence operations in
the 14.0–14.2 GHz band within radio
line-of-sight of the new TDRSS site,
subject to any operational constraints
developed in the coordination process.
(d)(1) Operations of ESAA in the
14.47–14.5 GHz (Earth-to-space)
frequency band in the radio line-of-sight
of radio astronomy service (RAS)
observatories observing in the 14.47–
14.5 GHz band are subject to
coordination with the National Science
Foundation (NSF). The appropriate NSF
contact point to initiate coordination is
Electromagnetic Spectrum Manager,
NSF, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1045,
Arlington VA 22203, fax 703–292–9034,
email esm@nsf.gov. Licensees shall
notify the International Bureau once
they have completed coordination.
Upon receipt of the coordination
agreement from a licensee, the
International Bureau will issue a public
notice stating that the licensee may
commence operations within the
coordination zone in 30 days if no party
has opposed the operations.
(2) A list of applicable RAS sites and
their locations can be found in
§ 25.226(d)(2) Table 1.
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(3) When NTIA seeks to provide
similar protection to future RAS sites
that have been coordinated through the
IRAC Frequency Assignment
Subcommittee process, NTIA will notify
the Commission’s International Bureau
that the site is nearing operational
status. Upon public notice from the
International Bureau, all Ku-band ESAA
licensees shall cease operations in the
14.47–14.5 GHz band within the
relevant geographic zone of the new
RAS site until the licensees complete
coordination for the new RAS facility.
Licensees shall notify the International
Bureau once they have completed
coordination for the new RAS site and
shall submit the coordination agreement
to the Commission. Upon receipt of
such notification from a licensee, the
International Bureau will issue a public
notice stating that the licensee may
commence operations within the
coordination zone in 30 days if no party
has opposed the operations. The ESAA
licensee then will be permitted to
commence operations in the 14.47–14.5
GHz band within the relevant
coordination distance around the new
RAS site, subject to any operational
constraints developed in the
coordination process.
[FR Doc. 2013–04428 Filed 3–7–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 111207737–2141–02]
RIN 0648–XC543
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of
Pollock in the Bering Sea and Aleutian
Islands
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: NMFS is reallocating the
projected unused amounts of the Aleut
Corporation’s pollock directed fishing
allowance and the Community
Development Quota from the Aleutian
Islands subarea to the Bering Sea
subarea directed fisheries. These actions
are necessary to provide opportunity for
harvest of the 2013 total allowable catch
of pollock, consistent with the goals and
objectives of the Fishery Management
Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea
and Aleutian Islands Management Area.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local
time (A.l.t.), March 8, 2013, until 2400
hrs, December 31, 2013, Alaska local
time.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Steve Whitney, 907–586–7269.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS
manages the groundfish fishery in the
BSAI exclusive economic zone
according to the Fishery Management
Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea
and Aleutian Islands Management Area
(FMP) prepared by the North Pacific
Fishery Management Council (Council)
under authority of the MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Act. Regulations governing
fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance
with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50
CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679.
In the Aleutian Islands subarea, the
portion of the 2013 pollock total
allowable catch (TAC) allocated to the
Aleut Corporation’s directed fishing
allowance (DFA) is 15,500 metric tons
(mt) and the Community Development
Quota (CDQ) is 1,900 mt as established
by the final 2013 and 2014 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the
BSAI (78 FR 13813, March 1, 2013).
As of March 1, 2013, the
Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS,
(Regional Administrator) has
determined that 10,500 mt of Aleut
Corporation’s DFA and 1,900 mt of
pollock CDQ in the Aleutian Islands
subarea will not be harvested.
Therefore, in accordance with
§ 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(4), NMFS
reallocates 10,500 mt of Aleut
Corporation’s DFA and 1,900 mt of
pollock CDQ from the Aleutian Islands
subarea to the 2013 Bering Sea subarea
allocations. The 1,900 mt of pollock
CDQ is added to the 2013 Bering Sea
CDQ DFA. The remaining 10,500 mt of
pollock is apportioned to the AFA
Inshore sector (50 percent), AFA
catcher/processor sector (40 percent),
and the AFA mothership sector (10
percent). The 2013 pollock incidental
catch allowance remains at 33,699 mt.
As a result, the harvest specifications for
pollock in the Aleutian Islands subarea
included in the final 2013 and 2014
harvest specifications for groundfish in
the BSAI (78 FR 13813, March 1, 2013)
are revised as follows: 5,000 mt to Aleut
Corporation’s DFA and 0 mt to CDQ
pollock. Furthermore, pursuant to
§ 679.20(a)(5), Table 3 of the final 2013
and 2014 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the BSAI (78 FR 13813,
March 1, 2013) is revised to make 2013
pollock allocations consistent with this
reallocation. This reallocation results in
adjustments to the 2013 Aleut
Corporation and CDQ pollock
allocations established at § 679.20(a)(5).
TABLE 3—FINAL 2013 AND 2014 ALLOCATIONS OF POLLOCK TACS TO THE DIRECTED POLLOCK FISHERIES AND TO THE
CDQ DIRECTED FISHING ALLOWANCES (DFA) 1
[Amounts are in metric tons]
2013 A
season 1
2013
Allocations
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES
Area and sector
Bering Sea subarea ..............................................................
CDQ DFA ..............................................................................
ICA1 .......................................................................................
AFA Inshore ..........................................................................
AFA Catcher/Processors 3 ....................................................
Catch by C/Ps .......................................................................
Catch by CVs 3 ......................................................................
Unlisted C/P Limit 4 ...............................................................
AFA Motherships ...................................................................
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:06 Mar 07, 2013
Jkt 229001
PO 00000
1,259,400
126,600
33,699
549,551
439,640
402,271
37,369
2,198
109,910
Frm 00026
A season
DFA
n/a
50,640
n/a
219,820
175,856
160,908
14,948
879
43,964
Fmt 4700
2013 B
season 1
SCA
harvest
limit 2
n/a
35,448
n/a
153,874
123,099
n/a
n/a
n/a
30,775
Sfmt 4700
B season
DFA
n/a
75,960
n/a
329,730
263,784
241,363
22,422
1,319
65,946
2014 A
season 1
2014
Allocations
1,247,000
124,700
33,669
544,316
435,452
398,439
37,013
2,177
108,863
E:\FR\FM\08MRR1.SGM
08MRR1
A season
DFA
n/a
49,880
n/a
217,726
174,181
159,376
14,805
871
43,545
SCA
harvest
limit 2
n/a
34,916
n/a
152,408
121,927
n/a
n/a
n/a
30,482
2014 B
season 1
B season
DFA
n/a
74,820
n/a
326,589
261,271
239,063
22,208
1,306
65,318
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 46 (Friday, March 8, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 14920-14932]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-04428]
[[Page 14920]]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
47 CFR Parts 2 and 25
[IB Docket No. 12-376; FCC 12-161]
Earth Stations Aboard Aircraft Communicating With Fixed-Satellite
Service Geostationary-Orbit Space Stations
AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In this Report and Order, the Federal Communications
Commission (Commission) provides for the efficient licensing of two-way
in-flight broadband services, including Internet access, to passengers
and flight crews aboard commercial airliners and private aircraft.
Specifically, the Report and Order establishes technical and licensing
rules for Earth Stations Aboard Aircraft (ESAA), i.e., earth stations
on aircraft communicating with Fixed-Satellite Service (FSS)
geostationary-orbit (GSO) space stations operating in the 10.95-11.2
GHz, 11.45-11.7 GHz, 11.7-12.2 GHz (space-to-Earth or downlink) and
14.0-14.5 GHz (Earth-to-space or uplink) frequency bands.
DATES: Effective April 8, 2013, except for Sec. Sec. 25.132(b)(3), and
25.227(b), (c), and (d), which contain new information collection
requirements that require approval by the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) under the PRA. The Federal Communications Commission will
publish a document in the Federal Register announcing such approval and
the relevant effective date.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrea Kelly, Satellite Division,
International Bureau, (202) 418-0719, or Howard Griboff, Policy
Division, International Bureau, (202) 418-1460.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission's Report
and Order, adopted on December 20, 2012, and released on December 28,
2012 (FCC 12-161). The full text of this document is available for
inspection and copying during normal business hours in the Commission
Reference Center, 445 12th Street SW., Washington, DC 20554. The
document is also available for download over the Internet at https://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-12-161A1.doc. The
complete text may also be purchased from the Commission's copy
contractor, Best Copy and Printing, in person at 445 12th Street SW.,
Room CY-B402, Washington, DC 20554, via telephone at (202) 488-5300,
via facsimile at (202) 488-5563, or via email at
Commission@bcpiweb.com.
Summary of the Report and Order
On January 18, 2005, the Commission adopted the Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking in IB Docket No. 05-20 (Order) (70 FR 20508-01), recognizing
the emergence of the new market for geostationary-orbit (GSO) Fixed-
Satellite Service (FSS) operations by proposing more flexible use of
the 11.7-12.2 GHz and 14.0-14.5 GHz bands while protecting existing
terrestrial and satellite services from harmful interference. The Order
proposed to allocate the 11.7-12.2 GHz (space-to-Earth) frequency band
on a primary basis for transmissions to earth stations onboard airborne
aircraft from GSO FSS space stations, and the 14.0-14.5 GHz (Earth-to-
space) frequency band on a secondary basis for transmissions to GSO FSS
space stations from earth stations onboard airborne aircraft. The Order
also proposed technical and licensing rules for these systems. In this
Report and Order, the Commission allocates ESAA on a primary basis in
the 11.7-12.2 GHz (space-to-Earth) band, allocating ESAA on an
unprotected basis in the 10.95-11.2 GHz and 11.45-11.7 GHz (space-to-
Earth) bands, and allocating ESAA on a secondary basis in the 14.0-14.5
GHz band (Earth-to-space). In addition, this Report and Order requires
ESAA licensees to coordinate their operations with stations in the
Space Research Service and the Radioastronomy Service to prevent
interference and adopts technical rules for the operation of ESAA
systems to ensure that ESAA systems do not interfere with other FSS
users or terrestrial Fixed Service (FS) users. Further, this Report and
Order adopts licensing requirements and operational requirements for
ESAA for both U.S.-registered aircraft and for non-U.S.-registered
aircraft operating in U.S. airspace and requires all ESAA licensees to
operate consistently with the Communications Assistance to Law
Enforcement Act (CALEA). At this time, the Report and Order declines to
extend certain requirements concerning 1.5/1.6 GHz safety services to
other frequency bands, including those used by ESAA.
Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980, as amended (RFA), requires
that a regulatory flexibility analysis be prepared for notice-and-
comment rule making proceedings, unless the agency certifies that ``the
rule will not, if promulgated, have a significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities.'' The RFA directs agencies to
provide a description of and, where feasible, an estimate of the number
of small entities that may be affected by the rules adopted herein. The
RFA generally defines the term ``small entity'' as having the same
meaning as the terms ``small business,'' ``small organization,'' and
``small governmental jurisdiction.'' In addition, the term ``small
business'' has the same meaning as the term ``small business concern''
under the Small Business Act. A small business concern is one that: (1)
Is independently owned and operated; (2) is not dominant in its field
of operation; and (3) satisfies any additional criteria established by
the Small Business Administration (SBA). In light of the rules adopted
in this Report and Order, we find that the category of Satellite
Telecommunications licensees is affected by the new rules. Two economic
census categories address the satellite industry. The first category
has a small business size standard of $15 million or less in average
annual receipts, under SBA rules. The second has a size standard of $25
million or less in annual receipts. The category of Satellite
Telecommunications ``comprises establishments primarily engaged in
providing telecommunications services to other establishments in the
telecommunications and broadcasting industries by forwarding and
receiving communications signals via a system of satellites or
reselling satellite telecommunications.'' Census Bureau data for 2007
show that 512 Satellite Telecommunications firms that operated for that
entire year. Of this total, 464 firms had annual receipts of under $10
million, and 18 firms had receipts of $10 million to $24,999,999.
Consequently, the Commission estimates that the majority of Satellite
Telecommunications firms are small entities that might be affected by
our action. The second category, i.e., ``All Other Telecommunications''
comprises ``establishments primarily engaged in providing specialized
telecommunications services, such as satellite tracking, communications
telemetry, and radar station operation. This industry also includes
establishments primarily engaged in providing satellite terminal
stations and associated facilities connected with one or more
terrestrial systems and capable of transmitting telecommunications to,
and receiving telecommunications from, satellite systems. For this
category, Census Bureau data for 2007 show that there were a total of
2,383 firms that operated for the entire year. Of this total, 2,347
firms had annual receipts of under $25 million and 12 firms had
[[Page 14921]]
annual receipts of $25 million to $49,999,999. Consequently, the
Commission estimates that the majority of All Other Telecommunications
firms are small entities that might be affected by our action.
Commission records reveal that there are approximately 20 space station
licensees and operators in the 10.95-11.2 GHz, 11.45-11.7 GHz, 11.7-
12.2 GHz and 14.0-14.5 GHz frequency bands. The Commission does not
request or collect annual revenue information concerning such licensees
and operators, and thus is unable to estimate the number of
geostationary space station licensees and operators that would
constitute a small business under the SBA definition cited above, or
apply any rules providing special consideration for geostationary space
station licensees and operators that are small businesses. Currently
there are approximately 2,879 operational Fixed-Satellite Service
transmit/receive earth stations authorized for use in the band. The
Commission does not request or collect annual revenue information, and
thus is unable to estimate the number of earth stations that would
constitute a small business under the SBA definition. In this Report
and Order, we require satellite operators to maintain tracking data on
the location of airborne terminals for one year. This database will
assist investigations of radio frequency interference claims. ESAA
operators must name a point of contact to maintain information about
location and frequencies used by ESAA terminals. Such information will
assist in investigating radio frequency interference claims. The
Commission does not expect significant costs associated with these
proposals. Therefore, we do not anticipate that the burden of
compliance will be greater for smaller entities. The RFA requires that,
to the extent consistent with the objectives of applicable statutes,
the analysis shall discuss significant alternatives such as: (1) The
establishment of differing compliance or reporting requirements or
timetables that take into account the resources available to small
entities; (2) the clarification, consolidation, or simplification of
compliance and reporting requirements under the rule for small
entities; (3) the use of performance, rather than design, standards;
and (4) an exemption from coverage of the rule, or any part thereof,
for small entities. In adopting blanket licensing with 15-year terms
for conforming ESAA terminals, the Report and Order simplifies the
application process for ESAA and establishes licensing terms consistent
with other satellite-based services, such as ESV and VMES. Thus,
adoption of the rules should reduce the costs associated with obtaining
and maintaining authority to operate an ESAA network.
Final Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 Analysis
This Report and Order contains new or modified information
collection requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
(PRA), Public Law 104-13 (44. U.S.C. 3501-3520). The requirements will
be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review
under section 3507(d) of the PRA. OMB, the general public, and other
Federal agencies will be invited to comment on the new or modified
information collection requirements contained in this proceeding in a
separate notice that will be published in the Federal Register inviting
comment on the new or revised requirements. The requirements will not
go into effect until OMB has approved them and the Commission has
published a notice announcing the effective date of the information
collection requirements. In addition, pursuant to the Small Business
Paperwork Relief Act of 2002, Public Law 107-198, see 44 U.S.C.
3506(c)(4), we previously sought specific comment on how the Commission
might further reduce the information collection burden for small
business concerns with fewer than 25 employees. In Report and Order, we
have assessed the effects of the new rules that impose various
requirements on ESAA providers, and find that the collection of
information requirements will not have a significant impact on small
business concerns with fewer than 25 employees.
Congressional Review Act
The Commission will send a copy of this Report and Order to
Congress and the Government Accountability Office pursuant to the
Congressional Review Act, see 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A).
Ordering Clauses
It is ordered that, pursuant to the authority contained in sections
4(i), 4(j), 7(a), 302(a), 303(c), 303(e), 303(f), 303(g), 303(j),
303(r), and 303(y) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47
U.S.C. 154(i), 154(j), 157(a), 302(a), 303(c), 303(e), 303(f), 303(g),
303(j), 303(r), 303(y), this Report and Order in IB Docket No. 05-20 is
adopted.
It is further ordered that parts 2 and 25 of the Commission's rules
are amended and shall be effective 30 days after the date of
publication in the Federal Register, except for Sec. Sec.
25.132(b)(3), and 25.227(b), (c), and (d), which contain new
information collection requirements that require approval by the Office
of Management and Budget (OMB) under the PRA. The Federal
Communications Commission will publish a document in the Federal
Register announcing such approval and the relevant effective date.
It is further ordered that the final regulatory flexibility
analysis, as required by section 604 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act,
is adopted.
It is further ordered that the International Bureau is delegated
authority to issue Public Notices consistent with this Report and
Order.
It is further ordered that IB Docket No. 05-20 is terminated.
It is further ordered that the Commission's Consumer and
Governmental Affairs Bureau, Reference Information Center shall send a
copy of this Report and Order and the related Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking, including the final regulatory flexibility analysis and
initial regulatory flexibility analysis, to the Chief Counsel for
Advocacy of the Small Business Administration, in accordance with
section 603(a) of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601, et seq.
List of Subjects in 47 CFR Parts 2 and 25
Frequency allocations, Satellites.
Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene H. Dortch,
Secretary.
Final Rule
For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Federal
Communications Commission amends 47 CFR parts 2 and 25 as follows:
PART 2--FREQUENCY ALLOCATIONS AND RADIO TREATY MATTERS; GENERAL
RULES AND REGULATIONS
0
1. The authority citation for Part 2 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 47 U.S.C. 154, 302a, 303, and 336, unless otherwise
noted.
0
2. Amend Sec. 2.106, the Table of Frequency Allocations, to read as
follows:
0
a. Pages 47-49 are revised.
0
b. In the list of United States (US) Footnotes, footnote US133 is added
in alphanumerical order.
0
c. In the list of non-Federal Government (NG) Footnotes, footnotes
NG52, NG54, and NG55 are added in alphanumerical order and footnotes
NG104, NG182, NG184, and NG186 are removed.
The revisions and additions read as follows:
[[Page 14922]]
Sec. 2.106 Table of Frequency Allocations.
* * * * *
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P
[[Page 14923]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR08MR13.002
[[Page 14924]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR08MR13.003
[[Page 14925]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR08MR13.004
BILLING CODE 6712-01-C
[[Page 14926]]
* * * * *
United States (US) Footnotes
* * * * *
US133 In the bands 14-14.2 GHz and 14.47-14.5 GHz, the following
provisions shall apply to the operations of Earth Stations Aboard
Aircraft (ESAA):
(a) In the band 14-14.2 GHz, ESAA licensees proposing to operate
within radio line-of-sight of the coordinates specified in 47 CFR
25.227(c) are subject to prior coordination with NTIA in order to
minimize harmful interference to the ground terminals of NASA's
Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS).
(b) In the band 14.47-14.5 GHz, operations within radio line-of-
sight of the radio astronomy stations specified in 47 CFR 25.226(d)(2)
are subject to coordination with the National Science Foundation in
accordance with 47 CFR 25.227(d).
* * * * *
Non-Federal Government (NG) Footnotes
* * * * *
NG52 Except as otherwise provided for herein, use of the bands
10.7-11.7 GHz (space-to-Earth) and 12.75-13.25 GHz (Earth-to-space) by
geostationary satellites in the fixed-satellite service (FSS) shall be
limited to international systems, i.e., other than domestic systems. In
the sub-bands 10.95-11.2 GHz and 11.45-11.7 GHz, Earth Stations on
Vessels (ESV), Vehicle-Mounted Earth Stations (VMES), and Earth
Stations Aboard Aircraft (ESAA) as regulated under 47 CFR part 25 may
be authorized for the reception of FSS emissions from geostationary
satellites, subject to the condition that these earth stations shall
not claim protection from transmissions of non-Federal stations in the
fixed service.
* * * * *
NG54 In the band 14-14.5 GHz, Earth Stations Aboard Aircraft (ESAA)
as regulated under 47 CFR part 25 may be authorized to communicate with
geostationary satellites in the fixed-satellite service (Earth-to-
space), subject to the condition that ESAA shall not claim protection
from, nor cause interference to, earth stations at given positions
(where the given position may be a specified fixed point or any fixed
point within specified areas).
NG55 In the band 11.7-12.2 GHz, Earth Stations Aboard Aircraft
(ESAA) as regulated under 47 CFR part 25 are an application of the
fixed-satellite service and may be authorized to communicate with
geostationary satellites in the fixed-satellite service (space-to-
Earth) on a primary basis.
* * * * *
PART 25--SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS
0
3. The authority citation for Part 25 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 47 U.S.C. 701-744. Interprets or applies Sections 4,
301, 302, 303, 307, 309, and 332 of the Communications Act, as
amended, 47 U.S.C. 154, 301, 302, 303, 307, 309, and 332 unless
otherwise noted.
0
4. Section 25.115 is amended by revising paragraph (a)(2)(iii) to read
as follows:
Sec. 25.115 Application for earth station authorizations.
* * * * *
(a) * * *
(2) * * *
(iii) The earth station is not an ESV, VMES or ESAA.
* * * * *
0
5. Section 25.130 is amended by revising paragraph (a) introductory
text to read as follows:
Sec. 25.130 Filing requirements for transmitting earth stations.
(a) Applications for a new or modified transmitting earth station
facility shall be submitted on FCC Form 312, and associated Schedule B,
accompanied by any required exhibits, except for those earth station
applications filed on FCC Form 312EZ pursuant to Sec. 25.115(a). All
such earth station license applications must be filed electronically
through the International Bureau Filing System (IBFS) in accordance
with the applicable provisions of part 1, subpart Y of this chapter.
Additional filing requirements for Earth Stations on Vessels are
described in Sec. Sec. 25.221 and 25.222. Additional filing
requirements for Vehicle-Mounted Earth Stations are described in Sec.
25.226. Additional filing requirements for Earth Stations Aboard
Aircraft are described in Sec. 25.227. In addition, applicants that
are not required to submit applications on Form 312EZ, other than ESV,
VMES or ESAA applicants, must submit the following information to be
used as an ``informative'' in the public notice issued under Sec.
25.151 as an attachment to their application:
* * * * *
0
6. Section 25.132 is amended by revising paragraph (b)(3) to read as
follows:
Sec. 25.132 Verification of earth station antenna performance
standards.
* * * * *
(b) * * *
(3) Applicants seeking authority to use an antenna that does not
meet the standards set forth in Sec. 25.209(a) and (b), pursuant to
the procedure set forth in Sec. 25.220, Sec. 25.221, Sec. 25.222,
Sec. 25.223, Sec. 25.226 or Sec. 25.227, are required to submit a
copy of the manufacturer's range test plots of the antenna gain
patterns specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section.
* * * * *
0
7. Section 25.201 is amended by adding a definition of Earth Stations
Aboard Aircraft (ESAA) in alphabetical order to read as follows:
Sec. 25.201 Definitions.
* * * * *
Earth Stations Aboard Aircraft (ESAA). ESAA is an earth station or
earth stations, operating from an aircraft, that receives from and
transmits to geostationary satellite orbit Fixed-Satellite Service
space stations and operates within the United States pursuant to the
requirements set out Sec. 25.227.
* * * * *
0
8. Section 25.202 is amended by adding paragraph (a)(11) to read as
follows:
Sec. 25.202 Frequencies, frequency tolerance and emission
limitations.
* * * * *
(a)(11)(i) The following frequencies are available for use by Earth
Stations Aboard Aircraft (ESAA):
10.95-11.2 GHz (space-to-Earth)
11.45-11.7 GHz (space-to-Earth)
11.7-12.2 GHz (space-to-Earth)
14.0-14.5 GHz (Earth-to-space)
(ii) ESAAs shall be authorized as set forth in Sec. 25.227.
* * * * *
0
9. Section 25.203 is amended by revising the introductory text in
paragraph (c), and paragraphs (d) and (k) to read as follows:
Sec. 25.203 Choice of sites and frequencies.
* * * * *
(c) Prior to the filing of its application, an applicant for
operation of an earth station, other than an ESV, VMES or ESAA, shall
coordinate the proposed frequency usage with existing terrestrial users
and with applicants for terrestrial station authorizations with
previously filed applications in accordance with the following
procedure:
* * * * *
(d) An applicant for operation of an earth station, other than an
ESV, VMES or an ESAA, shall also ascertain whether the great circle
coordination distance contours and rain scatter coordination distance
contours,
[[Page 14927]]
computed for those values of parameters indicated in Sec. 25.251
(Appendix 7 of the ITU RR) for international coordination, cross the
boundaries of another Administration. In this case, the applicant shall
furnish the Commission copies of these contours on maps drawn to
appropriate scale for use by the Commission in effecting coordination
of the proposed earth station with the Administration(s) affected.
* * * * *
(k) An applicant for operation of an earth station, other than an
ESV, VMES or an ESAA, that will operate with a geostationary satellite
or non-geostationary satellite in a shared frequency band in which the
non-geostationary system is (or is proposed to be) licensed for feeder
links, shall demonstrate in its applications that its proposed earth
station will not cause unacceptable interference to any other satellite
network that is authorized to operate in the same frequency band, or
certify that the operations of its earth station shall conform to
established coordination agreements between the operator(s) of the
space station(s) with which the earth station is to communicate and the
operator(s) of any other space station licensed to use the band.
* * * * *
0
10. Section 25.204 is amended by adding paragraph (k) to read as
follows:
Sec. 25.204 Power limits.
* * * * *
(k) Within radio line-of-sight of the Tracking and Data Relay
System Satellite (TDRSS) sites identified in Sec. 25.227(c), ESAA
transmissions in the 14.0-14.2 GHz (Earth-to-space) band shall not
exceed an EIRP spectral density towards or below the horizon of 12.5
dBW/MHz, and shall not exceed an EIRP towards or below the horizon of
16.3 dBW.
0
11. Section 25.205 is amended by adding paragraph (d) to read as
follows:
Sec. 25.205 Minimum angle of antenna elevation.
* * * * *
(d) While on the ground, ESAAs shall not be authorized for
transmission at angles less than 5[deg] measured from the plane of the
horizon to the direction of maximum radiation. While in flight there is
no minimum angle of antenna elevation.
0
12. Section 25.209 paragraph (f) is revised to read as follows:
Sec. 25.209 Antenna performance standards.
* * * * *
(f) An earth station with an antenna not conforming to the
standards of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section will be authorized
only if the applicant meets its burden of demonstrating that its
antenna will not cause unacceptable interference. For ESVs in the C-
band, this demonstration must comply with the procedures set forth in
Sec. 25.221. For ESVs in the Ku-band, this demonstration must comply
with the procedures set forth in Sec. 25.222. For VMES, this
demonstration shall comply with the procedures set forth in Sec.
25.226. For ESAAs, this demonstration shall comply with the procedures
set forth in Sec. 25.227. For feeder-link earth stations in the 17/24
GHz BSS, this demonstration must comply with the procedures set forth
in Sec. 25.223. For other FSS earth stations, this demonstration must
comply with the procedures set forth in Sec. Sec. 25.218 or 25.220. In
any case, the Commission will impose appropriate terms and conditions
in its authorization of such facilities and operations.
* * * * *
0
13. Section 25.218 is amended by revising the section heading and
paragraph (a)(1) to read as follows:
Sec. 25.218 Off-axis EIRP density envelope for FSS earth station
operators.
(a) * * *
(1) ESV, VMES and ESAA Applications
* * * * *
0
14. Section 25.220 is amended by revising paragraph (a)(1) to read as
follows:
Sec. 25.220 Non-conforming transmit/receive earth station operations.
(a)(1) This section applies to earth station applications other
than ESV, VMES, ESAA and 17/24 GHz BSS feeder link applications in
which the proposed earth station operations do not fall within the
applicable off-axis EIRP density envelope specified in Sec. 25.218.
* * * * *
0
15. Add Sec. 25.227 to Subpart C of Part 25 to read as follows:
Sec. 25.227 Blanket licensing provisions for Earth Stations Aboard
Aircraft (ESAAs) receiving in the 10.95-11.2 GHz (space-to-Earth),
11.45-11.7 GHz (space-to-Earth), and 11.7-12.2 GHz (space-to-Earth)
frequency bands and transmitting in the 14.0-14.5 GHz (Earth-to-space)
frequency band, operating with Geostationary Satellites in the Fixed-
Satellite Service.
(a) The following ongoing requirements govern all ESAA licensees
and operations in the 10.95-11.2 GHz (space-to-Earth), 11.45-11.7 GHz
(space-to-Earth), 11.7-12.2 GHz (space-to-Earth) and 14.0-14.5 GHz
(Earth-to-space) frequency bands receiving from and transmitting to
geostationary orbit satellites in the Fixed-Satellite Service. ESAA
licensees shall comply with the requirements in either paragraph
(a)(1), (a)(2) or (a)(3) of this section and all of the requirements
set forth in paragraphs (a)(4) through (a)(16) and paragraphs (c), (d),
and (e) of this section. Paragraph (b) of this section identifies items
that shall be included in the application for ESAA operations to
demonstrate that these ongoing requirements will be met.
(1) The following requirements shall apply to an ESAA that uses
transmitters with off-axis EIRP spectral-densities lower than or equal
to the levels in paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section. ESAA licensees
operating under this section shall provide a detailed demonstration as
described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section. The ESAA transmitter
also shall comply with the antenna pointing and cessation of emission
requirements in paragraphs (a)(1)(ii) and (iii) of this section.
(i) An ESAA licensee shall not exceed the off-axis EIRP spectral-
density limits and conditions defined in paragraphs (a)(1)(i)(A)
through (D) of this subsection.
(A) The off-axis EIRP spectral-density for co-polarized signals
emitted from the ESAA, in the plane of the geostationary satellite
orbit (GSO) as it appears at the particular earth station location,
shall not exceed the following values:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
15 - 10 log10 (N) - 25 dBW/4 kHz...... For..... 1.5[deg] <=
log10[theta]. [theta] <=
7[deg]
-6 - 10 log10 (N)........... dBW/4 kHz...... For..... 7[deg] <
[theta] <=
9.2[deg]
18 - 10 log10 (N) - 25 dBW/4 kHz...... For..... 9.2[deg] <
log10[theta]. [theta] <=
48[deg]
-24 - 10 log10 (N).......... dBW/4 kHz...... For..... 48[deg] <
[theta] <=
85[deg]
-14 - 10 log10 (N).......... dBW/4 kHz...... For..... 85[deg] <
[theta] <=
180[deg]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
where theta ([theta]) is the angle in degrees from the line connecting
the focal point of the antenna to the orbital location of the target
satellite in the plane of the GSO. The plane of the GSO is determined
by the focal point of the
[[Page 14928]]
antenna and the line tangent to the arc of the GSO at the orbital
location of the target satellite. For ESAA networks using frequency
division multiple access (FDMA) or time division multiple access (TDMA)
techniques, N is equal to one. For ESAA networks using multiple co-
frequency transmitters that have the same EIRP density, N is the
maximum expected number of co-frequency simultaneously transmitting
ESAA earth stations in the same satellite receiving beam. For the
purpose of this subsection, the peak EIRP density of an individual
sidelobe shall not exceed the envelope defined above for [theta]
between 1.5[deg] and 7.0[deg]. For [theta] greater than 7.0[deg], the
envelope shall be exceeded by no more than 10% of the sidelobes,
provided no individual sidelobe exceeds the envelope given above by
more than 3 dB.
(B) In all directions other than along the GSO, the off-axis EIRP
spectral-density for co-polarized signals emitted from the ESAA shall
not exceed the following values:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
18 - 10 log10 (N) - 25log dBW/4 kHz...... For..... 3.0[deg] <=
log10[theta]. [theta] <=
48[deg]
-24 - 10 log10 (N).......... dBW/4 kHz...... For..... 48[deg] <
[theta] <=
85[deg]
-14 - 10 log10 (N).......... dBW/4kHz....... For..... 85[deg] <
[theta] <=
180[deg]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
where [theta] and N are defined in paragraph (a)(1)(i)(A). This off-
axis EIRP spectral-density applies in any plane that includes the line
connecting the focal point of the antenna to the orbital location of
the target satellite with the exception of the plane of the GSO as
defined in paragraph (a)(1)(i)(A) of this section. For the purpose of
this subsection, the envelope shall be exceeded by no more than 10% of
the sidelobes provided no individual sidelobe exceeds the EIRP density
envelope given above by more than 6 dB. The region of the main
reflector spillover energy is to be interpreted as a single lobe and
shall not exceed the envelope by more than 6 dB.
(C) The off-axis EIRP spectral-density for cross-polarized signals
emitted from the ESAA shall not exceed the following values:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 - 10 log10 (N) - dBW/4kHz....... For..... 1.8[deg] <
25log10[theta]. [theta] <=
7[deg]
-16 - 10 log10 (N).......... dBW/4kHz....... For..... 7[deg] <
[theta] <=
9.2[deg]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
where [theta] and N are defined in paragraph (a)(1)(i)(A). This off-
axis EIRP spectral-density applies in the plane of the geostationary
satellite orbit as it appears at the particular earth station location.
(ii) Each ESAA transmitter shall meet one of the following antenna
pointing requirements:
(A) Each ESAA transmitter shall maintain a pointing error of less
than or equal to 0.2[deg] between the orbital location of the target
satellite and the axis of the main lobe of the ESAA antenna; or
(B) Each ESAA transmitter shall declare a maximum antenna pointing
error that may be greater than 0.2[deg] provided that the ESAA does not
exceed the off-axis EIRP spectral-density limits in paragraph (a)(1)(i)
of this section, taking into account the antenna pointing error.
(iii) Each ESAA transmitter shall meet one of the following
cessation of emission requirements:
(A) For ESAAs operating under paragraph (a)(1)(ii)(A) of this
section, all emissions from the ESAA shall automatically cease within
100 milliseconds if the angle between the orbital location of the
target satellite and the axis of the main lobe of the ESAA antenna
exceeds 0.5[deg], and transmission shall not resume until such angle is
less than or equal to 0.2[deg], or
(B) For ESAA transmitters operating under paragraph (a)(1)(ii)(B)
of this section, all emissions from the ESAA shall automatically cease
within 100 milliseconds if the angle between the orbital location of
the target satellite and the axis of the main lobe of the ESAA antenna
exceeds the declared maximum antenna pointing error and shall not
resume transmissions until such angle is less than or equal to the
declared maximum antenna pointing error.
(2) The following requirements shall apply to an ESAA, or ESAA
system, that uses off-axis EIRP spectral-densities in excess of the
levels in paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section. An ESAA, or ESAA
network, operating under this subsection shall file certifications and
provide a detailed demonstration as described in paragraph (b)(2) of
this section.
(i) The ESAA shall transmit only to the target satellite system(s)
referred to in the certifications required by paragraph (b)(2) of this
section.
(ii) If a good faith agreement cannot be reached between the target
satellite operator and the operator of a future satellite that is
located within 6 degrees longitude of the target satellite, the ESAA
operator shall accept the power-density levels that would accommodate
that adjacent satellite.
(iii) The ESAA shall operate in accordance with the off-axis EIRP
spectral-densities that the ESAA supplied to the target satellite
operator in order to obtain the certifications listed in paragraph
(b)(2) of this section. The ESAA shall automatically cease emissions
within 100 milliseconds if the ESAA transmitter exceeds the off-axis
EIRP spectral-densities supplied to the target satellite operator and
transmission shall not resume until ESAA conforms to the off-axis EIRP
spectral densities supplied to the target satellite operator.
(iv) In the event that a coordination agreement discussed in
paragraph (b)(2)(ii) of this section is reached, but that coordination
agreement does not address protection from interference for the earth
station, that earth station will be protected from interference to the
same extent that an earth station that meets the requirements of Sec.
25.209 of this title would be protected from interference.
(3) The following requirements shall apply to an ESAA system that
uses variable power-density control of individual simultaneously
transmitting co-frequency ESAA earth stations in the same satellite
receiving beam. An ESAA system operating under this subsection shall
provide a detailed demonstration as described in paragraph (b)(3) of
this section.
(i) The effective aggregate EIRP density from all terminals shall
be at least 1 dB below the off-axis EIRP density limits defined in
paragraph (a)(1)(i)(A) through (C), with the value of N=1. In this
context the term ``effective'' means that the resultant co-polarized
and cross-polarized EIRP density experienced by any GSO or non-GSO
satellite shall not exceed that produced by a single transmitter
operating 1 dB below the limits defined in paragraph (a)(1)(i)(A)
through (C). The individual ESAA transmitter shall automatically cease
emissions within 100
[[Page 14929]]
milliseconds if the ESAA transmitter exceeds the off-axis EIRP density
limits minus 1 dB specified above. If one or more ESAA transmitters
causes the aggregate off-axis EIRP-densities to exceed the off-axis
EIRP density limits minus 1dB specified above, then the transmitter or
transmitters shall cease or reduce emissions within 100 milliseconds of
receiving a command from the system's network control and monitoring
center. An ESAA system operating under this subsection shall provide a
detailed demonstration as described in paragraph (b)(3)(i) of this
section.
(ii) The following requirements shall apply to an ESAA that uses
off-axis EIRP spectral-densities in excess of the levels in paragraph
(a)(3)(i) of this section. An ESAA system operating under this
subsection shall file certifications and provide a detailed
demonstration as described in paragraphs (b)(3)(ii) and (b)(3)(iii) of
this section.
(A) If a good faith agreement cannot be reached between the target
satellite operator and the operator of a future satellite that is
located within 6 degrees longitude of the target satellite, the ESAA
shall operate at an EIRP density defined in (a)(3)(i) of this section.
(B) The ESAA shall operate in accordance with the off-axis EIRP
spectral-densities that the ESAA supplied to the target satellite
operator in order to obtain the certifications listed in paragraph
(b)(3)(ii) of this section. The individual ESAA terminals shall
automatically cease emissions within 100 milliseconds if the ESAA
transmitter exceeds the off-axis EIRP spectral-densities supplied to
the target satellite operator. The overall system shall be capable of
shutting off an individual transmitter or the entire system if the
aggregate off-axis EIRP spectral-densities exceed those supplied to the
target satellite operator.
(C) The ESAA shall transmit only to the target satellite system(s)
referred to in the certifications required by paragraph (b)(3) of this
section.
(4) An applicant filing to operate an ESAA terminal or system and
planning to use a contention protocol shall certify that its contention
protocol use will be reasonable.
(5) There shall be a point of contact in the United States, with
phone number and address, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week,
with authority and ability to cease all emissions from the ESAA.
(6) For each ESAA transmitter, a record of the vehicle location
(i.e., latitude/longitude/altitude), transmit frequency, channel
bandwidth and satellite used shall be time annotated and maintained for
a period of not less than one year. Records shall be recorded at time
intervals no greater than one (1) minute while the ESAA is
transmitting. The ESAA operator shall make this data available, in the
form of a comma delimited electronic spreadsheet, within 24 hours of a
request from the Commission, NTIA, or a frequency coordinator for
purposes of resolving harmful interference events. A description of the
units (i.e., degrees, minutes, MHz * * *.) in which the records values
are recorded will be supplied along with the records.
(7) In the 10.95-11.2 GHz (space-to-Earth) and 11.45-11.7 GHz
(space-to-Earth) frequency bands ESAAs shall not claim protection from
interference from any authorized terrestrial stations to which
frequencies are either already assigned, or may be assigned in the
future.
(8) An ESAA terminal receiving in the 11.7-12.2 GHz (space-to-
Earth) bands shall receive protection from interference caused by space
stations other than the target space station only to the degree to
which harmful interference would not be expected to be caused to an
earth station employing an antenna conforming to the referenced
patterns defined in paragraphs (a) and (b) of section 25.209 and
stationary at the location at which any interference occurred.
(9) Each ESAA terminal shall automatically cease transmitting
within 100 milliseconds upon loss of reception of the satellite
downlink signal or when it detects that unintended satellite tracking
has happened or is about to happen.
(10) Each ESAA terminal should be subject to the monitoring and
control by an NCMC or equivalent facility. Each terminal must be able
to receive at least ``enable transmission'' and ``disable
transmission'' commands from the NCMC and must automatically cease
transmissions immediately on receiving any ``parameter change
command,'' which may cause harmful interference during the change,
until it receives an ``enable transmission'' command from its NCMC. In
addition, the NCMC must be able to monitor the operation of an ESAA
terminal to determine if it is malfunctioning.
(11) Each ESAA terminal shall be self-monitoring and, should a
fault which can cause harmful interference to FSS networks be detected,
the terminal must automatically cease transmissions.
(12) Unless otherwise stated all ESAA system that comply with the
off-axis EIRP spectral-density limits in paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this
section may request ALSAT authority.
(13) ESAA providers operating in the international airspace within
line-of-sight of the territory of a foreign administration where fixed
service networks have primary allocation in this band, the maximum
power flux density (pfd) produced at the surface of the Earth by
emissions from a single aircraft carrying an ESAA terminal should not
exceed the following values unless the foreign Administration has
imposed other conditions for protecting its fixed service stations:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
-132 + 0.5 [middot] [thgr].. dB(W/(m\2\ For..... [thgr] <=
[middot] MHz)). 40[deg]
-112........................ dB(W/(m\2\ For..... 40[deg] <
[middot] MHz)). [thgr] <=
90[deg]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Where: [thgr] is the angle of arrival of the radio-frequency wave
(degrees above the horizontal) and the aforementioned limits relate to
the pfd and angles of arrival would be obtained under free-space
propagation conditions.
(14) All ESAA terminals operated in U.S. airspace must be licensed
by the Commission.
(15) For ESAA systems operating over international waters, ESAA
operators will certify that their target space station operators have
confirmed that proposed ESAA operations are within coordinated
parameters for adjacent satellites up to 6 degrees away on the
geostationary arc.
(16) Prior to operations within the foreign nation's airspace, the
ESAA operator will ascertain whether the relevant administration has
operations that could be affected by ESAA terminals, and will determine
whether that administration has adopted specific requirements
concerning ESAA operations. When the aircraft enters foreign airspace,
the ESAA terminal would be required to operate under the Commission's
rules, or those of the foreign administration, whichever is more
constraining. To the extent that all relevant administrations have
identified geographic areas from which ESAA operations would not affect
their radio operations, ESAA operators would be free to operate within
those identified areas without further action. To the
[[Page 14930]]
extent that the foreign administration has not adopted requirements
regarding ESAA operations, ESAA operators would be required to
coordinate their operations with any potentially affected operations.
(b) Applications for ESAA operation in the 14.0-14.5 GHz (Earth-to-
space) band to GSO satellites in the Fixed-Satellite Service shall
include, in addition to the particulars of operation identified on Form
312, and associated Schedule B, the applicable technical demonstrations
in paragraphs (b)(1), (b)(2) or (b)(3) and the documentation identified
in paragraphs (b)(4) through (b)(8) of this section.
(1) An ESAA applicant proposing to implement a transmitter under
paragraph (a)(1) of this section shall demonstrate that the transmitter
meets the off-axis EIRP spectral-density limits contained in paragraph
(a)(1)(i) of this section. To provide this demonstration, the
application shall include the tables described in paragraph (b)(1)(i)
of this section or the certification described in paragraph (b)(1)(ii)
of this section. The ESAA applicant also shall provide the value N
described in paragraph (a)(1)(i)(A) of this section. An ESAA applicant
proposing to implement a transmitter under paragraph (a)(1)(ii)(A) of
this section shall provide the certifications identified in paragraph
(b)(1)(iii) of this section. An ESAA applicant proposing to implement a
transmitter under paragraph (a)(1)(ii)(B) of this section shall provide
the demonstrations identified in paragraph (b)(1)(iv) of this section.
(i) Any ESAA applicant filing an application pursuant to paragraph
(a)(1) of this section shall file three tables and/or graphs depicting
off-axis EIRP density masks defined by Sec. 25.227(a) and measured
off-axis EIRP density levels of the proposed earth station antenna in
the direction of the plane of the GSO; the co-polarized EIRP density in
the elevation plane, that is, the plane perpendicular to the plane of
the GSO; and cross-polarized EIRP density. Each table shall provide the
EIRP density level at increments of 0.1[deg] for angles between 0[deg]
and 10[deg] off-axis, and at increments of 5[deg] for angles between
10[deg] and 180[deg] off-axis.
(A) For purposes of the off-axis EIRP density table in the plane of
the GSO, the off-axis angle is the angle in degrees from the line
connecting the focal point of the antenna to the orbital location of
the target satellite, and the plane of the GSO is determined by the
focal point of the antenna and the line tangent to the arc of the GSO
at the orbital position of the target satellite.
(B) For purposes of the off-axis co-polarized EIRP density table in
the elevation plane, the off-axis angle is the angle in degrees from
the line connecting the focal point of the antenna to the orbital
location of the target satellite, and the elevation plane is defined as
the plane perpendicular to the plane of the GSO defined in paragraph
(b)(1)(i)(A) of this section.
(C) For purposes of the cross-polarized EIRP density table, the
off-axis angle is the angle in degrees from the line connecting the
focal point of the antenna to the orbital location of the target
satellite and the plane of the GSO as defined in paragraph (b)(1)(i)(A)
of this section will be used.
(ii) An ESAA applicant shall include a certification, in Schedule
B, that the ESAA antenna conforms to the gain pattern criteria of Sec.
25.209(a) and (b), that, combined with the maximum input power density
calculated from the EIRP density less the antenna gain, which is
entered in Schedule B, demonstrates that the off-axis EIRP spectral
density envelope set forth in paragraphs (a)(1)(i)(A) through
(a)(1)(i)(C) of this section will be met under the assumption that the
antenna is pointed at the target satellite.
(iii) An ESAA applicant proposing to implement a transmitter under
paragraph (a)(1)(ii)(A) of this section shall:
(A) Demonstrate that the total tracking error budget of their
antenna is within 0.2[deg] or less between the orbital location of the
target satellite and the axis of the main lobe of the ESAA antenna. As
part of the engineering analysis, the ESAA applicant must show that the
antenna pointing error is within three sigma ([bcy]) from the mean
value; and
(B) Demonstrate that the antenna tracking system is capable of
ceasing emissions within 100 milliseconds if the angle between the
orbital location of the target satellite and the axis of the main lobe
of the ESAA antenna exceeds 0.5[deg].
(iv) An ESAA applicant proposing to implement a transmitter under
paragraph (a)(1)(ii)(B) of this section shall:
(A) Declare, in its application, a maximum antenna pointing error
and demonstrate that the maximum antenna pointing error can be achieved
without exceeding the off-axis EIRP spectral-density limits in
paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section; and
(B) Demonstrate that the ESAA transmitter can detect if the
transmitter exceeds the declared maximum antenna pointing error and can
cease transmission within 100 milliseconds if the angle between the
orbital location of the target satellite and the axis of the main lobe
of the ESAA antenna exceeds the declared maximum antenna pointing
error, and will not resume transmissions until the angle between the
orbital location of the target satellite and the axis of the main lobe
of the ESAA antenna is less than or equal to the declared maximum
antenna pointing error.
(2) An ESAA applicant proposing to implement a transmitter under
paragraph (a)(2) of this section and using off-axis EIRP spectral-
densities in excess of the levels in paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this
section shall provide the following certifications and demonstration as
exhibits to its earth station application:
(i) A statement from the target satellite operator certifying that
the proposed operation of the ESAA has the potential to receive harmful
interference from adjacent satellite networks that may be unacceptable.
(ii) A statement from the target satellite operator certifying that
the power density levels that the ESAA applicant provided to the target
satellite operator are consistent with the existing coordination
agreements between its satellite(s) and the adjacent satellite systems
within 6[deg] of orbital separation from its satellite(s).
(iii) A statement from the target satellite operator certifying
that it will include the power-density levels of the ESAA applicant in
all future coordination agreements.
(iv) A demonstration from the ESAA operator that the ESAA system
will comply with all coordination agreements reached by the satellite
operator and is capable of detecting and automatically ceasing
emissions within 100 milliseconds when the transmitter exceeds the off-
axis EIRP spectral-densities supplied to the target satellite operator.
(3) An ESAA applicant proposing to implement an ESAA system under
paragraph (a)(3) of this section and using variable power-density
control of individual simultaneously transmitting co-frequency ESAA
earth stations in the same satellite receiving beam shall provide the
following certifications and demonstration as exhibits to its earth
station application:
(i) The applicant shall make a detailed showing of the measures it
intends to employ to maintain the effective aggregate EIRP density from
all simultaneously transmitting co-frequency terminals operating with
the same satellite transponder at least 1 dB below the off-axis EIRP
density limits defined in paragraphs (a)(1)(i)(A) through (C) of this
section. In this context the term ``effective'' means that
[[Page 14931]]
the resultant co-polarized and cross-polarized EIRP density experienced
by any GSO or non-GSO satellite shall not exceed that produced by a
single ESAA transmitter operating at 1 dB below the limits defined in
paragraphs (a)(1)(i)(A) through (C) of this section. The applicant also
must demonstrate that an individual transmitter and the entire ESAA
system is capable of automatically ceasing emissions within 100
milliseconds if the aggregate off-axis EIRP-densities exceed the off-
axis EIRP density limits minus 1 dB, as set forth in paragraph
(a)(3)(i) of this section. The International Bureau will place this
showing on public notice along with the application.
(ii) An applicant proposing to implement an ESAA system under
paragraph (a)(3)(ii) of this section that uses off-axis EIRP spectral-
densities in excess of the levels in paragraph (a)(3)(i) of this
section shall provide the following certifications, demonstration and
list of satellites as exhibits to its earth station application:
(A) A detailed showing of the measures the applicant intends to
employ to maintain the effective aggregate EIRP density from all
simultaneously transmitting co-frequency terminals operating with the
same satellite transponder at the EIRP density limits supplied to the
target satellite operator. The International Bureau will place this
showing on Public Notice along with the application.
(B) A statement from the target satellite operator certifying that
the proposed operation of the ESAA has the potential to create harmful
interference to satellite networks adjacent to the target satellite(s)
that may be unacceptable.
(C) A statement from the target satellite operator certifying that
the aggregate power-density levels that the ESAA applicant provided to
the target satellite operator are consistent with the existing
coordination agreements between its satellite(s) and the adjacent
satellite systems within 6[deg] of orbital separation from its
satellite(s).
(D) A statement from the target satellite operator certifying that
it will include the aggregate power-density levels of the ESAA
applicant in all future coordination agreements.
(E) A demonstration from the ESAA operator that the ESAA system is
capable of detecting and automatically ceasing emissions within 100
milliseconds when an individual transmitter exceeds the off-axis EIRP
spectral-densities supplied to the target satellite operator and that
the overall system is capable of shutting off an individual transmitter
or the entire system if the aggregate off-axis EIRP spectral-densities
exceed those supplied to the target satellite operator.
(F) An identification of the specific satellite or satellites with
which the ESAA system will operate.
(4) There shall be an exhibit included with the application
describing the geographic area(s) in which the ESAA will operate.
(5) Any ESAA applicant filing for an ESAA terminal or system and
planning to use a contention protocol shall include in its application
a certification that will comply with the requirements of paragraph
(a)(4) of this section.
(6) The point of contact referred to in paragraph (a)(5) of this
section shall be included in the application.
(7) Any ESAA applicant filing for an ESAA terminal or system shall
include in its application a certification that will comply with the
requirements of paragraphs (a)(6), (a)(9), (a)(10), and (a)(11) of this
section.
(8) All ESAA applicants shall submit a radio frequency hazard
analysis determining via calculation, simulation, or field measurement
whether ESAA terminals, or classes of terminals, will produce power
densities that will exceed the Commission's radio frequency exposure
criteria. ESAA applicants with ESAA terminals that will exceed the
guidelines in Sec. 1.1310 of this chapter for radio frequency
radiation exposure shall provide, with their environmental assessment,
a plan for mitigation of radiation exposure to the extent required to
meet those guidelines. All ESAA licensees shall ensure installation of
ESAA terminals on aircraft by qualified installers who have an
understanding of the antenna's radiation environment and the measures
best suited to maximize protection of the general public and persons
operating the vehicle and equipment. An ESAA terminal exhibiting
radiation exposure levels exceeding 1.0 mW/cm\2\ in accessible areas,
such as at the exterior surface of the radome, shall have a label
attached to the surface of the terminal warning about the radiation
hazard and shall include thereon a diagram showing the regions around
the terminal where the radiation levels could exceed 1.0 mW/cm\2\.
(c)(1) Operations of ESAAs in the 14.0-14.2 GHz (Earth-to-space)
frequency band in the radio line-of-sight of the NASA TDRSS facilities
on Guam (latitude 13[deg]36'55'' N, longitude 144[deg]51'22'' E) or
White Sands, New Mexico (latitude 32[deg]20'59'' N, longitude
106[deg]36'31'' W and latitude 32[deg]32'40'' N, longitude
106[deg]36'48'' W) are subject to coordination with the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) through the National
Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)
Interdepartment Radio Advisory Committee (IRAC). Licensees shall notify
the International Bureau once they have completed coordination. Upon
receipt of such notification from a licensee, the International Bureau
will issue a public notice stating that the licensee may commence
operations within the coordination zone in 30 days if no party has
opposed the operations.
(2) When NTIA seeks to provide similar protection to future TDRSS
sites that have been coordinated through the IRAC Frequency Assignment
Subcommittee process, NTIA will notify the Commission's International
Bureau that the site is nearing operational status. Upon public notice
from the International Bureau, all Ku-band ESAA licensees shall cease
operations in the 14.0-14.2 GHz band within radio line-of-sight of the
new TDRSS site until the licensees complete coordination with NTIA/IRAC
for the new TDRSS facility. Licensees shall notify the International
Bureau once they have completed coordination for the new TDRSS site.
Upon receipt of such notification from a licensee, the International
Bureau will issue a public notice stating that the licensee may
commence operations within the coordination zone in 30 days if no party
has opposed the operations. The ESAA licensee then will be permitted to
commence operations in the 14.0-14.2 GHz band within radio line-of-
sight of the new TDRSS site, subject to any operational constraints
developed in the coordination process.
(d)(1) Operations of ESAA in the 14.47-14.5 GHz (Earth-to-space)
frequency band in the radio line-of-sight of radio astronomy service
(RAS) observatories observing in the 14.47-14.5 GHz band are subject to
coordination with the National Science Foundation (NSF). The
appropriate NSF contact point to initiate coordination is
Electromagnetic Spectrum Manager, NSF, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1045,
Arlington VA 22203, fax 703-292-9034, email esm@nsf.gov. Licensees
shall notify the International Bureau once they have completed
coordination. Upon receipt of the coordination agreement from a
licensee, the International Bureau will issue a public notice stating
that the licensee may commence operations within the coordination zone
in 30 days if no party has opposed the operations.
(2) A list of applicable RAS sites and their locations can be found
in Sec. 25.226(d)(2) Table 1.
[[Page 14932]]
(3) When NTIA seeks to provide similar protection to future RAS
sites that have been coordinated through the IRAC Frequency Assignment
Subcommittee process, NTIA will notify the Commission's International
Bureau that the site is nearing operational status. Upon public notice
from the International Bureau, all Ku-band ESAA licensees shall cease
operations in the 14.47-14.5 GHz band within the relevant geographic
zone of the new RAS site until the licensees complete coordination for
the new RAS facility. Licensees shall notify the International Bureau
once they have completed coordination for the new RAS site and shall
submit the coordination agreement to the Commission. Upon receipt of
such notification from a licensee, the International Bureau will issue
a public notice stating that the licensee may commence operations
within the coordination zone in 30 days if no party has opposed the
operations. The ESAA licensee then will be permitted to commence
operations in the 14.47-14.5 GHz band within the relevant coordination
distance around the new RAS site, subject to any operational
constraints developed in the coordination process.
[FR Doc. 2013-04428 Filed 3-7-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P