Permanent rules for 2-way broadband data and communications capab...

in Ku-band frequencies. In its notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), the Commission noted that while AMSS potentially offers passengers the benefits of broadband service on domestic and international trips, some are still concerned about interference. The notice examines frequency allocation in the Ku-band where AMSS systems will operate and seeks comments on steps to protect space research and radio astronomy service sites from AMSS interference. It also proposes licensing rules for AMSS similar to those governing VSATs. Currently, other types of earth station are licensed in 15-year intervals and the Commission believes a similar duration is reasonable for AMSS. The Commission also calls for feedback on the establishment of regulations that could enable foreign-licensed AES terminals to operate in U.S. airspace without causing harmful interference to domestic operations. In April 2001, the International Bureau allowed Boeing to operate up to 800 transmit and receive earth stations aboard aircraft in the Ku-band using the 12 GHz band for space-to-Earth transmissions and the 14 GHz band for Earth-to-space transmissions. In Dec. 2001, that waiver was expanded to include the operation of 2-way mobile earth stations in the 14.0-14.5 GHz band for uplink and the 11.7-12.2 GHz band for downlink. Boeing’s Connexion rolled out satellite-based broadband service on international flights last year and business has been booming. The company has signed agreements with several carriers and expects to generate service revenue of $500,000 per airplane per year and annual revenue of $2 billion. Meanwhile, Aeronautical Radio Inc. (ARINC) wants authority from the Commission to offer a similar service (CD Nov 24 p10). The company has already begun testing its Ku-band AMSS system pursuant to a grant of experimental authority. Under Boeing’s blanket licensing proposal, individual AES stations can operate anywhere in the satellite footprint. The Commission seeks comment on whether AES terminals should be permitted to operate under blanket licensing rules similar to those VSATs and ESVs operate under. The Commission also wants feedback on whether it should provide for the licensing of individual earth stations, using the same technical criteria applied to the antennas in a blanket-licensed AMSS network: “Although we believe that demand for such uses will be limited, we seek comment on whether there are any specific rule provisions that might be required to address such cases.” AMSS operations on board moving aircraft in the FSS spectrum present “novel challenges” to AMSS operators, the Commission said in its NPRM. Regulators hope the record in the proceeding will help determine the effect of authorizing AES terminals and aid development of any future rules. A Boeing spokeswoman said the policy would provide for “more certainty in the regulatory environment” and the key issues in the NPRM are in line with the company’s recommendations. Boeing worked with the Commission to develop the framework and said officials there have largely been responsible to their proposals. Deadline for comments is 75 days after Federal Register publication; replies are due 30 days later.