The boundary at 2483.5 MHz separates two different parts of the Globalstar rulemaking. FCC's final-rule publication of January 31, 2017 concerns the licensed 2483.5–2495 MHz band. It establishes a framework for Globalstar to apply for a low-power terrestrial network, rather than announcing that a network is operating or that a license has been granted. [2017-02027][2014-03618]

The proposal published February 19, 2014 had also contemplated the adjacent 2473–2483.5 MHz band used by unlicensed devices. The final introduction says it does not address low-power terrestrial operations in that adjacent band. Its account links the narrower scope to Globalstar's revised proposal. Thus the proposal and final text cannot be treated as interchangeable descriptions of authorized spectrum. [2017-02027][2014-03618]

The final decision also leaves outside its scope a separate request for high-power terrestrial service in the S-band and L-band. Those exclusions describe what this order does not decide; they are not a declaration that every possible use of those bands is prohibited. The licensed low-power framework remains the specific subject of the action. [2017-02027][2014-03618]

FCC identifies Globalstar as the sole mobile-satellite service licensee in the 11.5-megahertz licensed band. The order was adopted December 22, 2016, with general effectiveness scheduled for March 2, 2017. Section 25.149 information-collection changes needed OMB approval and a separate effective-date notice. These same-chain records establish scope and process, not measured deployment or customer performance as of February 4. [2017-02027][2014-03618]

Source documents

  1. Terrestrial Use of the 2473-2495 MHz Band for Low-Power Mobile Broadband Networks; Amendments to Rules for the Ancillary Terrestrial Component of Mobile Satellite Service Systemshttps://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2017-01-31/html/2017-02027.htm
  2. Proposal To Enable Operation of a Terrestrial Broadband Network in Certain Mobile Satellite Service Spectrumhttps://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2014-02-19/html/2014-03618.htm