STA Request

3451-EX-ST-1998 Text Documents

COMSAT CORPORATION

1999-01-07ELS_1863

9 ~347/—EX—[778 ‘ ©comsar e ORIGINAL Robert A. Mansbach Senior Counset 6560 Rock Spring Drive Bethesda, MD 20817 Telephone 301 214 3459 Fax 801 214 7145 Telex 197800 Internet. robert.mansbach@comsat.com July 1, 1998 Ms. Magalie R. Salas Secretary Federal Communications Commission 1919 M Street, N.W., Room 222 Washington, DC 20554 Re: COMSAT Corporation Extension of Special Temporary Authority for a Maritime C—Band Radio Experiment Call Sign KS2XAX, File No. S—3148—EX—97 Attn: Frank Wright Office of Engineering and Technology Dear Ms. Salas: COMSAT Corporation, through its COMSAT Mobile Communications division ("CMC"), herein requests extension of the Special Temporary Authority ("STA") granted on January 6, 1998, in File No. S—3148—EX—97. This STA authorizes CMC to conduct a maritime radio experiment at C— band for six months, under Sections 5.202(i) and 5.202(j) of the Rules, utilizing six shipboard earth stations installed on vessels traveling in the Caribbean and in U.S. coastal waters, a temporary—fixed earth station at Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and Santa Paula, California, and the COMSTAR D—4 and GE Americom Aurora 2 satellites. The current STA is due to expire on July 6, 1998. To date, CMC has successfully installed five C—band stabilized antennas on foreign registry cruise ships owned by Celebrity Cruise Lines and operated in the Caribbean and in U.S. coastal waters. Should the Commission decline to extend CMC‘s STA, its customers will suffer from interruption of their ongoing communications operations and investments. Such a result would not be in the public interest.

An original and two copies of this application for STA extension, and a check in the amount of $45.00, to cover the requisite filing fee, are attached. Particulars in support of this request are set forth in File No. S—2769—EX—97, as well as in previous filings regarding the COMSTAR D—4 experiment. Attached to this request is a technical report describing the results of CMC‘s experimental operations over the past six months. As shown in the report, the two spacecraft have provided reliable service to shipboard earth stations and there have been no reports of interference to other radio communications facilities due to the operation of this experiment. Continuation of this experiment will serve the public interest by demonstrating the utility of the two spacecraft and the stabilized VSAT antennas in the provision of C—band service to maritime users. Grant of this request will not have a significant environmental impact and, thus, does not require an Environmental Statement under Section 1.1307 of the Commission‘s Rules. Nor is the authorization sought herein to be used in fulfilling the requirements of a government contract with an agency of the United States Government. In addition, CMC certifies that neither the applicant nor any other party to this application is subject to a denial of Federal benefits pursuant to Section 5301 of the Anti—Drug Abuse Act of 19%88, 21 U.S.C. § 853a. Accordingly, CMC respectfully submits that the public interest would be served by extension of the requested experimental authorization for up to an additional six months until January 6, 1999. Respectfully submitted COMSAT Corporation COMSAT bile Communication By Robert A. Mansbach Its Attorney Attachment cco: Carl Huie Fern Jarmulnek Frank Peace Frank Wright s:\users\legaf{\STA Extension $3148EX97 701.doc


Document Created: 2001-08-28 09:52:42
Document Modified: 2001-08-28 09:52:42
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