§ 25.143   Licensing provisions for the 1.6/2.4 GHz Mobile-Satellite Service
and 2 GHz Mobile-Satellite Service.

   (a) System license. Applicants authorized to construct and launch a
   system of technically identical satellites will be awarded a single
   "blanket" license. In the case of non-geostationary satellites, the
   blanket license will cover a specified number of space stations to
   operate in a specified number of orbital planes. In the case of
   geostationary satellites, as part of a geostationary-only satellite
   system or a geostationary/non-geostationary hybrid satellite system, an
   individual license will be issued for each satellite to be located at a
   geostationary orbital location.

   (b) Qualification Requirements--(1) General Requirements. Each
   application for a space station system authorization in the 1.6/2.4 GHz
   Mobile-Satellite Service or 2 GHz Mobile-Satellite Service must include
   the information specified in § 25.114. Applications for
   non-U.S.-licensed systems must comply with the provisions of § 25.137.

   (2) Technical qualifications. In addition to providing the information
   specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section, each applicant and
   letter of intent filer shall demonstrate the following:

   (i) That a proposed system in the 1.6/2.4 GHz MSS frequency bands
   employs a non-geostationary constellation or constellations of
   satellites;

   (ii) That a system proposed to operate using non-geostationary
   satellites be capable of providing Mobile-Satellite Service to all
   locations as far north as 70DEG North latitude and as far south as
   55DEG South latitude for at least 75% of every 24-hour period, i.e.,
   that at least one satellite will be visible above the horizon at an
   elevation angle of at least 5DEG for at least 18 hours each day within
   the described geographic area;

   (iii) That a system proposed to operate using non-geostationary
   satellites be capable of providing Mobile-Satellite Service on a
   continuous basis throughout the fifty states, Puerto Rico and the U.S.
   Virgin Islands, i.e., that at least one satellite will be visible above
   the horizon at an elevation angle of at least 5DEG at all times within
   the described geographic areas; and

   (iv) That a system only using geostationary orbit satellites, at a
   minimum, be capable of providing Mobile-Satellite Service on a
   continuous basis throughout the 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S.
   Virgin Islands, if technically feasible.

   (v) That operations will not cause unacceptable interference to other
   authorized users of the spectrum. In particular, each application in
   the 1.6/2.4 GHz frequency bands shall demonstrate that the space
   station(s) comply with the requirements specified in § 25.213.

   (3) [Reserved]

   (c) Replacement of Space Stations Within the System License Term.
   Licensees of 1.6/2.4 GHz mobile-satellite systems authorized through a
   blanket license pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section need not file
   separate applications to construct, launch and operate technically
   identical replacement satellites within the term of the system
   authorization. However, the licensee shall certify to the Commission,
   at least thirty days prior to launch of such replacement(s) that:

   (1) The licensee intends to launch a space station that is technically
   identical to those authorized in its system authorization, and

   (2) Launch of this space station will not cause the licensee to exceed
   the total number of operating space stations authorized by the
   Commission.

   (d)-(e) [Reserved]

   (f) Safety and distress communications. (1) Stations operating in the
   1.6/2.4 GHz Mobile-Satellite Service and 2 GHz Mobile-Satellite Service
   that are voluntarily installed on a U.S. ship or are used to comply
   with any statute or regulatory equipment carriage requirements may also
   be subject to the requirements of sections 321(b) and 359 of the
   Communications Act of 1934. Licensees are advised that these provisions
   give priority to radio communications or signals relating to ships in
   distress and prohibits a charge for the transmission of maritime
   distress calls and related traffic.

   (2) Licensees offering distress and safety services should coordinate
   with the appropriate search and rescue organizations responsible for
   the licensees service area.

   (g) [Reserved]

   (h) Prohibition of certain agreements. No license shall be granted to
   any applicant for a space station in the Mobile-Satellite Service
   operating at 1610-1626.5 MHz/2483.5-2500 MHz if that applicant, or any
   persons or companies controlling or controlled by the applicant, shall
   acquire or enjoy any right, for the purpose of handling traffic to or
   from the United States, its territories or possession, to construct or
   operate space segment or earth stations, or to interchange traffic,
   which is denied to any other United States company by reason of any
   concession, contract, understanding, or working arrangement to which
   the Licensee or any persons or companies controlling or controlled by
   the Licensee are parties.

   [ 59 FR 53328 , Oct. 21, 1994, as amended at  61 FR 9945 , Mar. 12, 1996;
    62 FR 5930 , Feb. 10, 1997;  65 FR 59143 , Oct. 4, 2000;  68 FR 33649 , June
   5, 2003;  68 FR 47858 , Aug. 12, 2003;  68 FR 51504 , Aug. 27, 2003;  70 FR 59277 , Oct. 12, 2005;  78 FR 8267 , Feb. 5, 2013;  78 FR 8422 , Feb. 6,
   2013;  79 FR 8320 , Feb. 12, 2014]

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