§ 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 70�° North latitude and as far south as 55�° 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 5�° 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 5�° 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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