1. 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.

2. 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)

3. Mobile VSATs
ESV
VMES/LMSS
AMSS

4. Ku-Band ESV Rules
ESV Order released Jan. 6, 2005 (FCC , IB Docket No )
Rules set forth in 47 CFR §25.222
Co-primary status in GHz (uplink) and GHz (downlink) bands; unprotected use of an GHz (extended Ku-band downlink)
Coordination requirements near NASA TDRSS facilities in GHz and RAS facilities in GHz
Reconsideration Pending
Higher power operations, non-conforming antennas
Pointing error considerations
Resolution 902 minimum distance (125km vs. 300km)

5. VMES Rulemaking General Dynamics’ VMES Petition
Petition filed May 24, 2006, NPRM May 15, (FCC 07-36, IB Docket No ; )
Proposes co-primary status in GHz (uplink) and GHz (downlink) bands; unprotected use of an GHz (extended Ku-band downlink)
Coordination requirements near NASA TDRSS facilities in GHz and RAS facilities in 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)

6. 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 ), 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.

7. 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

8. Mobile VSATs
Thank you!
Please feel free to contact me with any questions:
Carlos M. Nalda Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Suite Washington, DC