Globalstar Gaining Some Allies, But Critics Remain
Some opposition to Globalstar broadband terrestrial low-power service (TLPS) plans is falling by the wayside, but at least one critic still has major issues with the company's spectrum plans. And, given the forthcoming change in White House administration, the likelihood the FCC moves on Globalstar's proposal between now and the Trump administration's start could be slim, lawyers representing interested parties and satellite industry sources us.
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The Globalstar proceeding is complex technically and probably should be considered controversial given the split opinions among commissioners (see 1607140049), so it falls into the "complex and controversial" category of items some House Republicans are urging the FCC to avoid consideration of until the new administration and Congress are in place (see 1611150047), said one lawyer with satellite clients. Commissioner Ajit Pai's becoming acting FCC chairman, as many expect, could add an extra wrinkle since he voted against the previous Globalstar proceeding, the lawyer said. Pai's office didn't comment.
Lawyers representing interested parties in the Globalstar proceeding said the company is likely having multiple conversations with critics, trying to get them to sign onto the revised proposal that has the company eschewing any use of unlicensed spectrum (see 1611100031). One lawyer said most opponents' interference concerns likely were cleared up with the revised proposal. But Bluetooth and video gaming interests could be the toughest since those operations are apparently most affected, and likely they will either continue to fight it or not take a position, another lawyer said. Microsoft -- which has repeatedly lobbied the FCC about possible TLPS interference to wireless game console operations (see 1609220055 and 1609160070) -- didn't comment.
The stripped-down Globalstar proposal is welcome, but it raises new concerns about treatment of out-of-band emissions (OOBE), Bluetooth SIG said in a filing Wednesday in docket 13-213. It questioned the use of two different OOBE specifications -- one for the bottom of the band at 2483.5 MHz and another for the top of the band at 2495 MHz: "Shouldn't both blocks of adjacent spectrum be protected in the same way?" Bluetooth SIG also said those specifications could result in OOBE that would affect users at the upper end of the industrial, scientific and medical radio band. And it said it's difficult to get specifics on OOBE protection mechanisms because no specific technology has been identified for operation. Globalstar didn't comment.
Many of its concerns have been alleviated by the new proposal, the Wi-Fi Alliance said in a filing in the docket that pushed for conditions on Globalstar's use of 2483.5-2495 MHz for TLPS. It said if Globalstar is going to press for a subset of rules it has proposed, it should submit the precise rules as it would want the FCC to adopt them. It also said the agency should make sure the company "does not 'bond' or 'aggregate' its spectrum" to frequencies below 2483.5 to create a combined Ancillary Terrestrial Components/Part 15 unlicensed spectrum service. Such a bonded or aggregated service would do away with any benefits of Globalstar's proposal and allow the type of service which Wi-Fi Alliance and other opponents have been fighting, it said. The Wireless Internet Service Providers Association in a filing Monday also applauded the narrower proposal and said it now doesn't object to FCC approval. Sprint and the Wireless Communications Association International said similar (see 1611170033)