Globalstar TLPS Revision Now Has Four Commissioners' Approvals
Globalstar's revised TLPS plans now have four "yes" votes, with Commissioner Mignon Clyburn signing off Thursday, an FCC source told us. The plan already had backing from Chairman Tom Wheeler and commissioners Ajit Pai and Mike O'Rielly, the source said.…
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One person with inside knowledge of the proceeding said Thursday the three votes triggered "must-vote" procedures with a deadline for the other commissioners to decide. An FCC official said it was the revisions to Globalstar's plans, and the subsequent withdrawal of opposition by numerous parties who had raised interference fears (see 1612130020), that led to the new 8th floor support. Globalstar's earlier TLPS plans had been opposed by Pai and Rosenworcel (see 1606030041), and what followed was months of ex parte meetings between the company and commissioners, with Globalstar doing a lot of A/B testing of alternate ideas, the FCC official said. Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel is still undecided. The FCC source said Wheeler likely wouldn't have circulated the revised Globalstar plan without already having support lined up among fellow Democrats, though it also wouldn't be the first time he circulated an item without knowing the outcome. Globalstar didn't comment.