**Before the**

**Federal Communications Commission**

**Washington, D.C. 20554**

In the Matter of )

)

Amendment of the Commission's Rules )

With Regard to the 3650-3700 MHz ) ET Docket No. 98-237

Government Transfer Band )

)

**MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER**

**Adopted: May 17, 2000 Released: May 22, 2000**

By the Commission:

1.  By this action, we modify the freeze imposed in the *Notice of
    Proposed Rule Making* and *Order* (\"*Notice and Order*\") in this
    proceeding on applications for new earth stations and major
    modifications in existing earth stations in the 3650-3700 MHz band,
    which is also referred to as the extended C-band.[^1] Specifically,
    we are partially lifting the freeze to allow the acceptance of
    applications for new extended C-band earth station receive sites
    that are within close proximity (i.e., 10 miles or less) of an
    existing grandfathered extended C-band earth station receive site.
    Additionally, we are lifting the freeze with respect to major
    modifications to existing grandfathered extended C-band earth
    station receive sites.

2.  In the *Notice* *and* *Order* the Commission proposed to allocate
    the 3650-3700 MHz band to the non-government fixed service on a
    primary basis.[^2] To ensure that adequate opportunities would
    continue to exist for the provision of fixed services in the
    3650-3700 MHz band, the Commission stated that it would no longer
    accept applications for new earth stations or major modifications in
    existing earth station facilities for the fixed-satellite service
    ("FSS") in the 3650-3700 MHz band. The *Notice* *and* *Order*
    grandfathered existing extended C-band earth stations.[^3]

3.  The C-Band Coalition and New Skies Satellites N.V. (\"New Skies\")
    have petitioned the Commission to lift the freeze on applications
    for new earth stations and major modifications of existing earth
    stations operating in the extended C-band.[^4] New Skies states that
    the freeze has hampered its ability to provide essential
    international telecommunications services and urges the Commission
    to lift the freeze on the extended C-band altogether or to lift the
    freeze on a more limited basis.[^5] The C-Band Coalition requests
    that the Commission immediately lift the freeze on a limited basis
    to allow continued operations of satellite services in the extended
    C-band until the proceeding is resolved.[^6] New Skies and the
    C-Band Coalition believe that if the Commission cannot completely
    lift the freeze it should provide a more limited immediate relief to
    the satellite industry.[^7] Specifically, New Skies requests that
    the Commission should lift the freeze for all Metropolitan
    Statistical Areas (\"MSAs\") leaving the Commission with the option
    of authorizing fixed service operation in all Rural Service Areas
    (\"RSAs\").[^8] New Skies and the C-Band Coalition note that the
    Commission could alternatively use other geographic licensing areas
    to lift the freeze, such as in the top 200 Basic Trading Areas
    (\"BTAs\") (based upon population), while preserving the remaining
    293 BTAs for Fixed Service operations.[^9] The C-Band Coalition also
    recommends that the Commission accept waiver requests to allow
    modifications to all grandfathered earth stations operating in the
    extended C-band that are located outside of the largest 200
    BTAs.[^10] New Skies states that its proposal for immediate and
    limited relief from the freeze would allow satellite operators to
    continue to provide services without substantially restricting the
    growth and development of terrestrial service opportunities in the
    extended C-band.[^11] The C-Band Coalition states that by providing
    this immediate relief, the Commission will preserve the viability of
    satellite telecommunications services that rely on the significant
    investment already made to launch and operate extended C-band
    transponders.[^12]

4.  We continue to believe that a freeze limiting the growth of new
    earth station facilities in the extended C-band is necessary to
    ensure that adequate opportunities exist for fixed services in the
    3650-3700 MHz band. As noted in the *Notice and Order* a broad range
    of fixed services could be implemented in the 3650-3700 MHz band
    which will could help to achieve the overarching goals of Section
    706 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 by providing advanced
    telecommunications capability to all Americans.[^13] The proposals
    submitted by New Skies and the C-Band Coalition to lift the freeze
    are unacceptable because such action would likely have the effect of
    significantly limiting or precluding future fixed service operations
    in this band. However, we find that a *limited* lifting of the
    freeze will provide relief for satellite users of the extended
    C-band without jeopardizing its future availability for terrestrial
    uses. We will therefore accept applications for new extended C-band
    earth stations or major modifications of an existing extended C-band
    earth station if the proposed earth station facilities are located
    in close proximity (i.e. 10 miles or less) to an existing,
    grandfathered extended C-band earth station in the 3650-3700 MHz
    band. We find that this will provide reasonable opportunities to
    obtain suitable real estate for the placement of new extended C-band
    earth stations near grandfathered extended C-band earth stations. A
    list of existing sites is appended to this Order. We find that the
    introduction of new extended C-band earth stations in close
    proximity to an existing grandfathered extended C-band earth
    stations will not substantially impede the opportunities for the
    introduction of fixed services in the 3650-3700 MHz band. Further,
    we find that this action will provide relief to satellite operators
    while having a *de minimis* impact on the opportunities for the
    provision of fixed services in the 3650-3700 MHz band.

### ORDERING CLAUSES

5.  In accordance with the above discussion and pursuant to the
    authority contained in Sections 4(i), 302, 303(e), 303(f), 303(g),
    303(r), and 405 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, IT IS
    ORDERED that the Request For Relief and Modified Request For
    Emergency Relief and Request For Expedited Action filed by New Skies
    Satellites N.V., ARE HEREBY GRANTED, in part, and DENIED in part.
    The application processing changes discussed above will become
    effective upon release of this item by the Commission.

6.  For further information regarding this Memorandum Opinion and Order
    in this proceeding, contact Rodney P. Conway, via phone at (202)
    418-2904, via e-mail at rconway@fcc.gov, or via TTY (202) 418-2989,
    Office of Engineering and Technology.

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

Magalie Roman Salas

Secretary

**APPENDIX A:**

+------------+--------------+-------------------+---------------------+
| **Table 1: |              |                   |                     |
| Authorized |              |                   |                     |
| Extended   |              |                   |                     |
| C-Band     |              |                   |                     |
| Earth      |              |                   |                     |
| Stati      |              |                   |                     |
| ons**[^14] |              |                   |                     |
|            |              |                   |                     |
| (Receive   |              |                   |                     |
| at         |              |                   |                     |
| 3625-3700  |              |                   |                     |
| MHz and    |              |                   |                     |
| Transmit   |              |                   |                     |
| at         |              |                   |                     |
| 5850-5925  |              |                   |                     |
| MHz)[^15]  |              |                   |                     |
+------------+--------------+-------------------+---------------------+
| State      | City         | North Latitude    | West Longitude      |
+------------+--------------+-------------------+---------------------+
| California | Carmel       | 36^o^ 24\' 10\"   | 121^o^ 38\' 48\"    |
|            | Valley       |                   |                     |
+------------+--------------+-------------------+---------------------+
|            | Culver City  | 34^o^ 01\' 06\"   | 118^o^ 24\' 13\"    |
+------------+--------------+-------------------+---------------------+
|            | Livermore    | 37^o^ 45\' 39\"   | 121^o^ 47\' 50\"    |
+------------+--------------+-------------------+---------------------+
|            | Los Angeles  | 34^o^ 01\' 53\"   | 118^o^ 27\' 18\"    |
+------------+--------------+-------------------+---------------------+
|            |              | 34^o^ 01\' 54\"   | 118^o^ 27\' 15\"    |
+------------+--------------+-------------------+---------------------+
|            |              | 34^o^ 01\' 54\"   | 118^o^ 27\' 18.3\"  |
+------------+--------------+-------------------+---------------------+
|            |              | 34^o^ 01\' 54\"   | 118^o^ 27\' 21.3\"  |
+------------+--------------+-------------------+---------------------+
|            | Malibu       | 34^o^ 04\'        | 118^o^ 53\' 43.91\" |
|            |              | 49.67\"           |                     |
+------------+--------------+-------------------+---------------------+
|            |              | 34^o^ 04\'        | 118^o^ 53\' 46.40\" |
|            |              | 50.32\"           |                     |
+------------+--------------+-------------------+---------------------+
|            | Mountain     | 37^o^ 45\' 01\"   | 121^o^ 35\' 34\"    |
|            | House        |                   |                     |
+------------+--------------+-------------------+---------------------+
|            |              | 37^o^ 45\' 02\"   | 121^o^ 35\' 35\"    |
+------------+--------------+-------------------+---------------------+
|            | Niles Canyon | 37^o^ 35\' 56\"   | 121^o^ 56\' 32\"    |
+------------+--------------+-------------------+---------------------+
|            |              | 37^o^ 36\' 00\"   | 121^o^ 56\' 35\"    |
+------------+--------------+-------------------+---------------------+
|            | Salt Creek   | 38^o^ 56\' 20.2\" | 122^o^ 08\' 48\"    |
+------------+--------------+-------------------+---------------------+
|            |              | 38^o^ 56\' 21\"   | 122^o^ 08\' 49.2\"  |
+------------+--------------+-------------------+---------------------+
|            |              | 38^o^ 56\' 22.3\" | 122^o^ 08\' 49.6\"  |
+------------+--------------+-------------------+---------------------+
|            | Somis        | 34^o^ 19\' 31\"   | 118^o^ 59\' 41\"    |
+------------+--------------+-------------------+---------------------+
|            | Sylmar       | 34^o^ 19\' 04\"   | 118^o^ 29\' 00\"    |
+------------+--------------+-------------------+---------------------+

  --------------- --------------- ------------------- ---------------------
  **Table 1                                           
  continued:                                          
  Authorized                                          
  Extended C-Band                                     
  Earth                                               
  Stations**                                          

  State           City            North Latitude      West Longitude

  Florida         Medley          25^o^ 50\' 26\"     80^o^ 19\' 03\"

                                  25^o^ 51\' 19\"     80^o^ 19\' 52\"

                  Melbourne       28^o^ 02\' 25\"     80^o^ 35\' 48\"

                                  28^o^ 05\' 10\"     80^o^ 38\' 10\"

                  Miami           25^o^ 48\' 34\"     80^o^ 21\' 11\"

                                  25^o^ 48\' 35\"     80^o^ 21\' 10\"

                                  25^o^ 48\' 35\"     80^o^ 21\' 11\"

                  Miramar[^16]    25^o^ 58\' 32\"     80^o^ 17\' 00\"

                  Orlando         28^o^ 25\' 29\"     81^o^ 07\' 21\"

                  Palm Bay        28^o^ 02\' 28\"     80^o^ 35\' 42\"

  Guam            Pulantat        13^o^ 25\' 00\"     144^o^ 44\' 57\"[^17]

  Maine           Andover         44^o^ 37\' 57\"     70^o^ 42\' 01\"

                                  44^o^ 37\' 58\"     70^o^ 41\' 54\"

  Maryland        Etam            39^o^ 16\' 48\"     79^o^ 44\' 14\"

                                  39^o^ 16\' 50\"     79^o^ 44\' 13\"

                  Clarksburg      39^o^ 13\' 07\"     77^o^ 16\' 12\"

  Massachusetts   Whitinsville    42^o^ 06\' 59\"     71^o^ 38\' 08\"

  New Jersey      Franklin        41^o^ 07\' 04\"     74^o^ 34\' 33\"

  New York        Staten Island   40^o^ 36\' 13\"     74^o^ 10\' 39\"

  North Carolina  West Jefferson  36^o^ 25\' 50\"     81^o^ 23\' 45\"

  Oregon          Moores Valley   45^o^ 20\' 33\"     123^o^ 17\' 15\"
  --------------- --------------- ------------------- ---------------------

  -------------- --------------- ------------------- ---------------------
  **Table 1                                          
  continued:                                         
  Authorized                                         
  Extended                                           
  C-Band Earth                                       
  Stations**                                         

  State          City            North Latitude      West Longitude

  Pennsylvania   Roaring Creek   40^o^ 53\' 34\"     76^o^ 26\' 23\"

                                 40^o^ 53\' 35.9\"   76^o^ 26\' 22.6\"

                                 40^o^ 53\' 37\"     76^o^ 26\' 22\"

                                 40^o^ 53\' 37.5\"   76^o^ 26\' 21.8\"

  Puerto Rico    Carolina        18^o^ 26\' 00\"     65^o^ 59\' 35\"

                 Caguas          18^o^ 17\' 53\"     66^o^ 03\' 14\"

                 Cayey           18^o^ 08\' 00\"     66^o^ 07\' 57\"

                 Humacao         18^o^ 09\' 05\"     65^o^ 47\' 20\"

                 Rio Piedras     18^o^ 14\' 30\"     66^o^ 01\' 50\"

                                 18^o^ 22\' 59\"     66^o^ 04\' 09\"

  Tennessee      Nashville       36^o^ 14\' 06\"     86^o^ 45\' 21\"

                                 36^o^ 14\' 5.7\"    86^o^ 45\' 19.4\"

                                 36^o^ 14\' 5.7\"    86^o^ 45\' 21.4\"

  Texas          Woodland Hills  32^o^ 37\' 48\"     96^o^ 50\' 33\"

  Virginia       Alexandria      38^o^ 47\' 39\"     77^o^ 09\' 51\"

                 Shenandoah      38^o^ 43\' 45\"     78^o^ 39\' 26\"
                 Court                               

  Washington     Brewster        48^o^ 08\' 49\"     119^o^ 41\' 28\"

                                 48^o^ 08\' 51\"     119^o^ 41\' 29\"

  West Virginia  Lennox          39^o^ 34\' 07\"     79^o^ 34\' 45\"

                 Rowlesburg      39^o^ 16\' 52.1\"   79^o^ 44\' 10.7\"
  -------------- --------------- ------------------- ---------------------

  --------------- ------------------------ ------------- -----------------
  **Table 2:                                             
  Sites                                                  
  Authorized for                                         
  Less than the                                          
  Full Extended                                          
  C-Band**                                               

  Band            City, State              Latitude      Longitude

  3685-3700 MHz   Miami, Florida           25^o^ 28\'    80^o^ 10\' 48\"
                                           48\"          

                  Atlanta, Georgia         33^o^ 52\'    84^o^ 27\'
                                           38.23\"       58.35\"

                  Marietta, Georgia        33^o^ 55\'    84^o^ 29\' 45\"
                                           41\"          

                  Guaynabo, Puerto Rico    18^o^ 34\'    66^o^ 23\' 00\"
                                           10\"          

                  San Juan, Puerto Rico    18^o^ 22\'    66^o^ 07\' 00\"
                                           00\"          

  3650-3700 MHz   Auburn University,       32^o^ 35\'    85^o^ 29\' 27\"
                  Alabama                  47\"          
  --------------- ------------------------ ------------- -----------------

+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| **Table 3: Authorized |                       |                       |
| TT&C Sites**          |                       |                       |
|                       |                       |                       |
| (Receive at           |                       |                       |
| 3698.5‑3699.5 MHz and |                       |                       |
| Transmit at           |                       |                       |
| 5923.5-5924.5 MHz)    |                       |                       |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| City, State           | Latitude              | Longitude             |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| Three Peaks,          | 38^o^ 8\' 51.9\"      | 122^o^ 47\' 38\"      |
| California            |                       |                       |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| Hawley, Pennsylvania  | 41^o^ 27\' 51\"       | 75^o^ 7\' 47.9\"      |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+

[^1]: *See* *Notice of Proposed Rule Making and Order*, released
    December 18, 1998, 14 FCC Rcd 1295 (1998), 64 Fed. Reg. 02462.

[^2]: *Id*. at paragraphs 1, 6-12.

[^3]: *Id*. at paragraph 2.

[^4]: *See* Request For Emergency Relief, filed on March 26, 1999 and
    Modified Request For Emergency Relief and Request For Expedited
    Action, filed on October 28, 1999 by New Skies Satellites N.V. *See*
    *also* Ex Parte submitted by the C-Band Coalition dated December 16,
    1999

[^5]: *See* Modified Request For Emergency Relief And Request For
    Expedited Action, dated October 28, 1999, filed by New Skies
    Satellites N.V.

[^6]: *See* Ex Parte submitted by the C-Band Coalition dated December
    16, 1999.

[^7]: *See* Modified Request For Emergency Relief And Request For
    Expedited Action dated October 28, 1999, filed by New Skies
    Satellites N.V. *See also* Ex Parte submitted by the C-Band
    Coalition dated December 16, 1999.

[^8]: *See* Modified Request For Emergency Relief And Request For
    Expedited Action dated October 28, 1999, filed by New Skies
    Satellites N.V.

[^9]: *See* Modified Request For Emergency Relief And Request For
    Expedited Action dated October 28, 1999, filed by New Skies
    Satellites N.V. *See also* Ex Parte submitted by the C-Band
    Coalition dated December 16, 1999.

[^10]: *See* Ex Parte submitted by the C-Band Coalition dated December
    16, 1999.

[^11]: *Id.*

[^12]: *See* Ex Parte submitted by the C-Band Coalition dated December
    16, 1999.

[^13]: *See Notice of Proposed Rule Making and Order*, released December
    18, 1998, 14 FCC Rcd 1295 (1998) at paragraphs 2 and 6.

[^14]: ^?^ In addition, there is an extended C-band earth station on the
    Midway Atoll.

[^15]: ^?^ Most of these earth stations are authorized to make use of
    both C-band (3700-4200 MHz for downlinks and 5925-6425 MHz band for
    uplinks) and extended C-band frequencies (3625-3700 MHz for
    downlinks and 5850-5925 MHz for uplinks).

[^16]: ^?^ This is a receive-only station.

[^17]: ^?^ Guam\'s longitude coordinate is East, not West.