Mobile VSATs
An Overview of Ku-Band
Mobile Satellite Services
Presentation to NSMA
Spectrum Management 2008
May 21, 2008
Carlos M. Nalda
Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P.
Mobile VSATs
• Earth Stations onboard Vessels (ESVs)
• Vehicle-Mounted Earth Stations (VMESs)
• Aeronautical Mobile-Satellite Service (AMSS)
Aircraft Earth Stations (AESs)
• Many similarities from a spectrum
management perspective
– Off-axis e.i.r.p. spectral density, pointing accuracy
and automatic shut-off requirements
– Coordination with co-frequency users
– Network control functionality
• Regulatory status (co-primary vs. secondary)
Mobile VSATs
ESV
AMSS
VMES/LMSS
Ku-Band ESV Rules
• ESV Order released Jan. 6, 2005 (FCC 04-286,
IB Docket No. 02-10)
• Rules set forth in 47 CFR §25.222
– Co-primary status in 14.0-14.5 GHz (uplink) and 11.712.2 GHz (downlink) bands; unprotected use of 10.9511.2 an 11.45-11.7 GHz (extended Ku-band downlink)
– Coordination requirements near NASA TDRSS facilities
in 14.0-14.2 GHz and RAS facilities in 14.47-14.5 GHz
• Reconsideration Pending
– Higher power operations, non-conforming antennas
– Pointing error considerations
– Resolution 902 minimum distance (125km vs. 300km)
VMES Rulemaking
• General Dynamics’ VMES Petition
– Petition filed May 24, 2006, NPRM May 15, 2007
(FCC 07-36, IB Docket No. 07-101; )
– Proposes co-primary status in 14.0-14.5 GHz (uplink) and
11.7-12.2 GHz (downlink) bands; unprotected use of 10.9511.2 an 11.45-11.7 GHz (extended Ku-band downlink)
– Coordination requirements near NASA TDRSS facilities in
14.0-14.2 GHz and RAS facilities in 14.47-14.5 GHz
– Comment cycle closed; FCC preparing an R&O
• Still an opportunity to license LMSS systems on a
secondary basis (e.g., Raysat Antenna Systems, LLC)
AMSS Rulemaking
• Petition for rulemaking filed July 21, 2003 by
Boeing in support of the Connexion system
• NPRM released Feb. 9, 2005 (FCC 05-14, IB
Docket No. 05-20), comment cycle closed
• Connexion ceased commercial operations
December 31, 2006; Boeing continues to serve
U.S. government customers
• Proceeding is dormant, but….
– Additional AMSS licenses issued to ARINC and ViaSat
– New players: Row 44, Panasonic Avionics, etc.
Mobile VSAT Issues
• Primary technical issue is avoiding interference
to traditional Ku-band FSS operations
• Requirement to coordinate with other incumbent
users of the band (TDRSS and RAS, minimal
use by other services)
• Commercial vs. experimental licensing
• Effect of UTC Petition?
– VMES operations along rail lines and roadways
– ESV operations along the coast and inland waterways
– AMSS operations in certain stages of flight
Mobile VSATs
Thank you!
Please feel free to contact me with any questions:
Carlos M. Nalda
Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P.
1201 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Suite 500
Washington, DC 20004-2401
+1.202.626.6659
[email protected]