O3b Application for Experimental Authority

0299-EX-CN-2017 Text Documents

O3b Limited

2017-04-25ELS_190968

                                                O3b Networks
                                     Application for Experimental License

                                              Narrative Statement

(1) Name, address, phone number (also e-mail address and facsimile number, if available) of the
applicant.

Name: O3b Limited
c/o Suzanne Malloy
900 17th Street NW
Suite 300
Washington, DC 20006
Phone: 202-813-4026
Mobile: 202-368-9045
E-mail: Suzanne.malloy@o3bnetworks.com

(2) Description of why an experimental license is needed

O3b is a satellite startup with a unique non-geostationary satellite (“NGSO”) system 1 that orbits the
earth in a medium earth orbit 8,062 km above the earth. The system uses high powered spot beams to
transmit and receive communications between earth station terminals and O3b’s satellites. Because
O3b’s system architecture differs from that of other satellite operators, manufacturers are developing
earth stations to suit the O3b system. O3b and potential customers are in the process of determining
which applications the system may be able to support.

ApexSat is developing a microwave antenna technology for the O3b system that could significantly
improve performance and lower costs in commercial deployments. Grant of this license will allow O3b
to test the new ApexSat terminals with O3b’s NGSO system.

O3b needs to conduct tests on a regular basis to evaluate the performance characteristics of earth
station equipment that has been developed for use with its satellite system and to determine whether
these earth stations can support applications of potential interest to defense, energy and maritime
interests in the government and commercial sectors. In order to facilitate these tests and to reduce the
administrative burden on the Commission, O3b seeks an experimental license to cover these operations.

(3) Description of the operation to be conducted and its purpose

O3b Networks seeks experimental authority to test the earth stations that are identified below and to
evaluate their capabilities from fixed locations throughout the contiguous United States, Hawaii, Puerto
Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The tests will enable O3b to evaluate the performance characteristics of
the earth stations and to determine whether they can support applications of potential interest to
defense, energy and maritime interests in the government and commercial sectors.




1
 The FCC has granted market access to the O3b 12 satellite constellation. See O3b Limited, Call Sign S2935, File No.
SAT-LOI-20141029-00118 (granted Jan. 22, 2015) (“O3b PDR”).

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(4) Time and dates of proposed operation

O3b requests a blanket license for two years, from June 15, 2017 to June 15, 2019. O3b will notify
ViaSat, Inc., Hughes/EchoStar, Inmarsat, SES and any other U.S. authorized Ka-band satellite operators
at least seven days prior to any transmit testing, and provide emergency contact information. In the
event that there is harmful interference, O3b will immediately cease transmissions.

(5) Class(es) of station (fixed, mobile, fixed and mobile) and call sign of station (if applicable).

The transmitting station will operate in fixed mode.

(6) Description of the location(s) and, if applicable, geographical coordinates of the proposed
operation.

Although O3b selected “United States & Territories” on the OET application form, O3b only requests
authority to operate in the contiguous United States, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands,
mimicking the area of operations it requested in its FCC blanket license application. 2 If the earth stations
will transmit in spectrum bands shared with terrestrial operators, O3b will complete frequency
coordination prior to testing.

(7) Transmit equipment to be used, including name of manufacturer, model and number of units.

ApexSat 1.2m Ka-band Antenna (experimental), 10 units

Please note that each earth station terminal unit will include two technically identical (2) antennas.

(8) Frequencies desired.

Transmit:
27.6 – 28.4 GHz
28.6 – 29.1 GHz

Receive:
17.8 – 18.6 GHz
18.8 – 19.3 GHz

(9) Maximum effective radiated power (ERP) or equivalent isotropically radiated power (EIRP).

The maximum transmitted ERP will be 61.15 dBW.

For all operations, O3b will comply with the radiofrequency radiation exposure limits in 47 C.F.R. 1.1310
and apply the measures recommended in the FCC’s OET Bulletin 65 to ensure compliance.




2
    See O3b Limited, Call Sign E140101, File No. SES-LIC-20141001-00781 (Granted on June 8, 2015).

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(10) Emission designator (see §2.201 of this chapter) or describe emission (bandwidth, modulation,
etc.)

1M00G7D to 216MG7D

(11) Overall height of antenna of antenna structure above the ground (if greater than 6 meters above
the ground or an existing structure, see part 17 of this Chapter concerning notification to the FAA).

The overall height of the antennas above ground level and above existing structures will not exceed 6
meters.

Directional Information

Orientation in horizontal plane (degrees): 130 – 230 (variable over time, following the O3b orbital arc)

Orientation in vertical plane (degrees): 15 – 30 (variable over time, following the O3b orbital arc)




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Document Created: 2017-04-25 11:40:40
Document Modified: 2017-04-25 11:40:40

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