The FCC is giving existing Ka-band satellite space station licensees the opportunity to use orbital locations previously assigned to other licensees that had their licenses revoked or that had had their licenses revoked. Applications to modify orbital locations must be filed before noon on August 26, 2003.
The FCC Public Notice International Bureau Explains Procedure for Ka-Band GSO-like Satellite Applications includes an attachment showing the orbital locations available. Several spots in the arc over the continental U.S. are now open. The list of former licensees includes Motorola, Loral Space, Hughes, PanAmSat, Lockheed Martin, Northrup Grumman, and SES (GE Americom) as well as a number of less known operators. Also see the Clarification released August 15.
