Steve Mehs
11-22-02, 05:29 AM
The Federal Communications Commission and its International Bureau should quickly move on Ka-Band licensee VisionStar and ensure that it meets its milestone commitments - or declare the entity's satellite license null and void, the National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative told the agency.
In June, the NRTC asked the FCC to deny a milestone extension request made by VisionStar, a licensee of the 113-degree orbital location controlled by EchoStar. VisionStar has told the FCC it needs an extension due to a "flat financial market."
The NRTC pointed to a recent decision handed down from the International Bureau that rejected another satellite licensee's claim of a flat financial market as justification for a milestone extension. The cooperative added, "the commission should reject the same excuse by VisionStar and promptly declare null and void its license."
The NRTC also asked the FCC to reconsider its decision to allow Ka-Band licensees who lose their license to receive preference in applying for new orbital authorizations. That effectively bars non-licensees from applying for Ka-Band spectrum, including the 113-degree slot, if it becomes available, NRTC said.
The 113-degree position "is particularly well-suited for the provision of a number of advanced services in rural areas, including high-speed broadband, multichannel program distribution and local broadcast signals," the NRTC said.
From [URL=http://www.skyreport.com/skyreport/nov2002/112202.shtm#one[/URL] (Used with Permission)
In June, the NRTC asked the FCC to deny a milestone extension request made by VisionStar, a licensee of the 113-degree orbital location controlled by EchoStar. VisionStar has told the FCC it needs an extension due to a "flat financial market."
The NRTC pointed to a recent decision handed down from the International Bureau that rejected another satellite licensee's claim of a flat financial market as justification for a milestone extension. The cooperative added, "the commission should reject the same excuse by VisionStar and promptly declare null and void its license."
The NRTC also asked the FCC to reconsider its decision to allow Ka-Band licensees who lose their license to receive preference in applying for new orbital authorizations. That effectively bars non-licensees from applying for Ka-Band spectrum, including the 113-degree slot, if it becomes available, NRTC said.
The 113-degree position "is particularly well-suited for the provision of a number of advanced services in rural areas, including high-speed broadband, multichannel program distribution and local broadcast signals," the NRTC said.
From [URL=http://www.skyreport.com/skyreport/nov2002/112202.shtm#one[/URL] (Used with Permission)