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DISH Network acquisition of TerreStar and DBSD satellite & ATC spectrum
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DISH Network sought and received permission from the FCC to acquire mobile-satellite service spectrum previously used by two satellite networks, TerreStar-1 (111.0 deg WL GSO) and DBSD G1 (92.85 deg WL GSO). Both satellite networks included Ancillary Terrestrial Component (ATC) authorization, and DISH hopes to use the spectrum to build out an LTE network.
DBSD is ultimately owned by Pendrell Corporation, formerly ICO Global Communications. Its satellite license is under FCC callsign S2651. Its earth station licenses are under callsigns E080035, E080070, E070291, E070290, and E070272. ICO filed a final milestone certification with the FCC on May 12, 2008, in which it certified that its satellite was operational, and that it chose the paired 2010-2020 MHz (uplink) and 2180-2190 MHz (downlink) frequency block for its operations.
Terrestar's licenses are held by Gamma LLC, a subsidiary of DISH formed for the purpose of acquiring TerreStar's assets. TerreStar's satellite license is under FCC callsign S2633. Its earth station callsigns are E090061, E060430, and E070098. Terrestar uses the remaining 2000-2010 MHz (uplink) and 2190-2200 MHz (downlink) paired spectrum block.
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Paired Frequency Bands |
| Paired Bands | Use | Service | Table |
| 2000 - 2010 MHz | Satellite/ATC uplink spectrum (Terrestar) | Mobile-satellite | N |
| 2190 - 2200 MHz | Satellite/ATC downlink spectrum (Terrestar) | Mobile-satellite (space-to-Earth) | N |
| 2010 - 2020 MHz | Satellite/ATC uplink spectrum (DBSD) | Mobile-satellite | N |
| 2180 - 2190 MHz | Satellite/ATC downlink spectrum (DBSD) | Mobile-satellite (space-to-Earth) | N |
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NASA Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS)
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According to NASA:
The Tracking and Data Relay Satellites (TDRS) comprise the communication satellite component of the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS). TDRSS is a communication signal relay system which provides tracking and data aquisition services between low-earth orbiting spacecraft and control and/or data processing facilities. The system is capable of transmitting to and receiving data from spacecraft over at least 85% of the spacecraft's orbit.
The TDRSS space segment consists of six on-orbit Tracking and Data Relay Satellites located in geosynchronous orbit. Three TDRSs are available for operational support at any given time. The operational spacecraft are located at 41°, 174° and 275° West longitude. The other TDRSs in the constellation provide ready backup in the event of a failure to an operational spacecraft and, in some specialized cases, resources for target of opportunity activities.
The TDRSS ground segment is located near Las Cruces, New Mexico, known as the White Sands Complex. Forward data is uplinked from the ground segment to the TDRS and from the TDRS to the spacecraft. Return data is downlinked from the spacecraft via the TDRS to the ground segment and then on to the designated data collection location.
The Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) Project is providing follow-on and replacement spacecraft necessary to maintain and expand the Space Network. The contract to build three additional TDRS spacecraft, known as TDRS K, L, and M, was awarded to Boeing Space Systems in December 2007. TDRS K launched January 30, 2013, and TDRS L launched January 23, 2014. TDRS M's launch readiness date is scheduled for 2015. The contract also has options for one additional spacecraft, TDRS N. In addition to building the TDRS K, L, and M spacecraft, the contract also includes the modifications to the White Sands Complex (WSC) ground system required to support these new spacecraft.
The TDRS Project, established in 1973, is responsible for the development, launch, and on-orbit test and calibration of TDRS spacecraft. There have been four procurements of TDRS spacecraft, which include the Basic Program (TDRS F1-F6), the Replacement Program (TDRS F7), the TDRS H,I,J Program, and the TDRS K,L,M Program. TDRS Flight 7 was a replacement for Flight 2, which was lost aboard Challenger in 1986. The first seven spacecraft (TDRS F1-F7) are referred to as the First Generation, the H,I,J series are called the Second Generation, and the K,L,M series are known as the Third Generation. TDRS F1-7 spacecraft were built by TRW (now Northrop Grumman) in Redondo Beach, CA. The TDRS F8-10 (H,I,J) spacecraft were built by Hughes (now Boeing) in El Segundo, CA.
The NASA Space Network consists of the on-orbit telecommunications TDRS satellites, placed in geosynchronous orbit, and the associated TDRS ground stations, located in White Sands, New Mexico and Guam. The TDRS constellation is capable of providing nearly continuous high bandwidth (S, Ku, and Ka band) telecommunications services for expandable launch vehicles and user spacecraft in low Earth orbit. Examples include: the Hubble Space Telescope, the Earth Observig Fleet and the International Space Station. The TDRS System is a basic agency capability and a critical national resource.
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Paired Frequency Bands |
| Paired Bands | Use | Service | Table |
| 2025.8 - 2117.9 MHz | S-band Single Access (TDRS transmit) | Space Operation | F |
| 2200 - 2300 MHz | S-band Single Access (TDRS receive) | Space Research (space-to-Earth) | F |
| 2103.4 - 2109.4 MHz | S-band Multiple Access (TDRS transmit) | Space Operation | F |
| 2285 - 2290 MHz | S-band Multiple Access (TDRS receive) | Space Operation (space-to-Earth) | F |
| 13.4 - 14.05 GHz | TDRS downlink | Space Research | F |
| 14.6 - 15.25 GHz | TDRS uplink | Space Research (Earth-to-space) | F |
| 13.75 - 13.8 GHz | Ku-band Single Access (TDRS transmit) | Space Operation | F |
| 14.891 - 15.116 GHz | Ku-band Single Access (TDRS receive) | Space Research (space-to-Earth) | F |
Frequencies |
| Frequency | Bandwidth | Use | Service | Table |
| 2036 MHz | - | TDRS command uplink | Space Operation | F |
| 2211 MHz | - | TDRS telemetry downlink | Space Operation | F |
| 13.731 GHz | - | TDRS telemetry downlink | Space Operation | F |
| 14.785 GHz | - | TDRS command uplink | Space Operation | F |
| 15.15 GHz | - | TDRS reference frequency signal uplink | Space Operation | F |
Frequency Bands |
| Band | Use | Service | Table |
| 25.25 - 27.5 GHz | Ka-band Single Access (TDRS receive) | Space Research | F |
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DISH AWS-4 Terrestrial Authority & FCC AWS-4 Report and Order
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According to the FCC's AWS-4 Report and Order, released December 17, 2012:
In July 2010, the Commission issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking proposing to add Fixed and Mobile allocations to the 2000-2020 MHz and 2180-2200 MHz bands. The Commission adopted this proposal in April 2011, thereby establishing the predicate for more flexible use of the band for terrestrial mobile broadband services. The Commission also declared its intent to initiate a service rules rulemaking proceeding, stating that "having added co-primary Fixed and Mobile allocations to the 2 GHz band, we anticipate issuing a notice of proposed rulemaking on subjects raised in the 2010 MSS NOI, including possible service rule changes that could increase investment and utilization of the band in a manner that further serves the public interest." The Commission expected that this rulemaking would include an examination of the relationship of the 2 GHz band with neighboring bands.
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In 2011, DISH Network Corporation (DISH) acquired both TerreStar and DBSD out of bankruptcy, paying approximately $1.4 billion for each company. DISH filed applications with the Commission for approval to transfer control of the MSS licenses, including ATC authority, of each of TerreStar and DBSD to two separate subsidiary companies of DISH. At the same time, DBSD and TerreStar filed requests to modify their respective ATC authorities, including for a waiver of certain non-technical ATC rules, such as the integrated service and spare satellite rules, and of certain ATC technical rules. On March 2, 2012, the International Bureau granted the applications for transfer of control of the MSS licenses, including ATC authority, of DBSD and TerreStar to DISH. As a result, in New DBSD Satellite Services G.P., a wholly owned subsidiary of DISH, obtained control of the former DBSD MSS license, including ATC authority, and Gamma Acquisition L.L.C., also a wholly owned subsidiary of DISH, obtaining control of the former TerreStar MSS license, including ATC authority. In granting these applications, the International Bureau denied the non-technical rule waiver requests and deferred to the technical rule waivers to a rulemaking proceeding, stating that "[s]ince the release of the National Broadband Plan... the Commission has been clear about its intent to remove regulatory barriers in this band through a rulemaking to unleash more spectrum for mobile broadband."
In March 2012, the Commission adopted the AWS-4 NPRM, which consisted of a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Notice of Inquiry. In the AWS-4 NPRM, the Commission proposed to increase the Nation’s supply of spectrum for mobile broadband by removing barriers to flexible use of spectrum currently assigned to the MSS. The Commission proposed terrestrial service rules for the 2 GHz band that would generally follow the Commission’s Part 27 flexible use rules, modified as necessary to account for issues unique to the particular spectrum bands. The proposed rules were designed to provide for flexible use of this spectrum, to encourage innovation and investment in mobile broadband, and to provide a stable regulatory environment in which broadband deployment could develop. The proposed rules also included aggressive build-out requirements and concomitant penalties for failure to build out designed to ensure timely deployment of wireless, terrestrial broadband in the band. Additionally, in the Notice of Inquiry, the Commission sought comment on potential ways to free up additional valuable spectrum to address the Nation’s growing demand for mobile broadband spectrum, including through examination of alternative band plans incorporating the Federal 1695-1710 MHz band.
In this AWS-4 Report and Order, we build on the Commission’s recent actions to increase the availability of spectrum by enabling terrestrial mobile broadband service in 40 megahertz of spectrum in the 2000-2020 MHz and 2180-2200 MHz spectrum bands. As explained below, we adopt AWS-4 terrestrial service, technical, and licensing rules that generally follow the Commission’s Part 27 flexible use rules, modified as necessary to account for issues unique to the AWS-4 bands. First, we establish 2000-2020 MHz paired with 2180-2200 MHz as the AWS-4 band plan.
Second, we adopt appropriate technical rules for operations in the AWS-4 band. This includes rules governing the relationship of the AWS-4 band to other bands. For example, as explained below, we require the licensees of AWS-4 operating authority to accept some limited interference from operations in the adjacent upper H block at 1995-2000 MHz, and impose more stringent out-of-band emission (OOBE) limits and power limits on these licensees to protect future operations in 1995-2000 MHz. With respect to adjacent operations at 2200 MHz, we permit operator-to-operator agreements to address concerns regarding interference and also establish default rules to protect against harmful interference. Further, we require licensees of AWS-4 authority to comply with the OOBE limits contained in a private agreement entered into with the Global Positioning Systems (GPS) industry.
Third, mindful that AWS-4 spectrum is now allocated on a co-primary basis for Mobile Satellite and for terrestrial Fixed and Mobile services and that MSS licensees already have authorizations to provide service in the band,64 we determine that the AWS-4 rules must provide for the protection of 2 GHz MSS systems from harmful interference caused by AWS-4 systems. In addition, consistent with our determination below to grant AWS-4 terrestrial operating authority to the incumbent 2 GHz MSS licensees, we propose to assign terrestrial rights by modifying the MSS operators’ licenses pursuant to Section 316 of the Communications Act.
Fourth, we adopt performance requirements for the AWS-4 spectrum. Specifically, licensees of AWS-4 operating authority will be subject to build-out requirements that require a licensee to provide terrestrial signal coverage and offer terrestrial service to at least 40 percent of its total terrestrial license areas’ population within four years, and to at least 70 percent of the population in each of its license areas within seven years, and will be subject to appropriate penalties if these benchmarks are not met.
Fifth, we adopt a variety of regulatory, licensing, operating, and relocation and cost sharing requirements for licensees of AWS-4 operating authority.
Sixth, we eliminate the ATC rules for the 2 GHz MSS band and propose to modify the 2 GHz MSS operators’ licenses to eliminate their ATC authority.
Seventh, consistent with the scope of the AWS-4 NPRM, we take no action on the Commission’s ATC rules for other MSS bands.
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Paired Frequency Bands |
| Paired Bands | Use | Service | Table |
| 2000 - 2020 MHz | AWS-4 Uplink | Mobile | N |
| 2180 - 2200 MHz | AWS-4 Downlink | Mobile | N |
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