ATCONTACT Communications LLC requested modification of its existing authorization to add the frequency bands 18.3-18.8 GHz (downlink), 19.7-20.2 GHz (downlink), 28.35-28.6 GHz (uplink), and 29.25-30.0 GHz (uplink) to its satellite call sign S2680 at 83 degrees West Longitude (WL). ICO filed an application proposing to change the orbital location of its authorized 2 GHz geosynchronous orbit (GSO) satellite from 115 degrees WL to 114.75 degrees WL. DIRECTV Enterprises filed an application for authority to launch replacement satellite DIRECTV 13 at 110 degrees WL and provide DBS service in the 12.2-12.7 GHz (space-to-Earth) and 17.3-17.8 GHz (Earth-to-space) frequency bands. The FCC dismissed portions of the application pertaining to operation in the 36 MHz and 84 MHz wide-band modes without prejudice to refiling and dismissed the portion of the application pertaining to operation on 16 even number channels. Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. filed for modification of its special temporary authority (STA) requesting authority to operate up to 16 additional satellite digital radio service terrestrial repeaters.
Refer to FCC Report SAT-00381 for more information on these applications and the FCC letter to William W. Wiltshire Esq. regarding DIRECTV application.
The FCC granted, with conditions, an application from PanAmSat License Corp. to extend the license term of the SBS-6 satellite an additional five years, through and including November 1, 2010. The call sign of SBS-6 was changed to S2707. XM Radio Inc. was granted STA to test the XM-4 satellite at 110.7 degrees WL following the launch of the satellite and to operate telemetry, tracking and command (TT&C) communications during the drift of XM-4 from 110.7 degrees WL to the 115 degree WL. XM Radio was also granted STA to operate the TT&C payloads of the XM-1 satellite during and after its drift from 115 degrees WL to 115.1 degrees WL and to cease transmission on XM-1 except for TT&C communications. Prior to the change in location, the FCC authorized TT&C operation of XM-1 at 85.2 degrees WL and use of it as an in-orbit spare for the XM-3 satellite currently at 85.1 degrees WL. PanAmSat License Corporation was given STA to begin drifting Galaxy 4R from 98.9 degrees WL to 76.85 degrees WL and operate the satellite's TT&C payload during the drift. Once at 76.85 degrees WL, PanAmSat is allowed to operate the satellite in the C and Ku-bands on a non-harmful interference basis for 60 days.
See FCC Report SAT-00380 for more information on these actions.
