Gogo projected that the ground network to develop...

Gogo projected that the ground network to develop a non-geostationary satellite system in the 14.0-14.5 GHz band could be completed in about two years. Developing the equipment and obtaining initial Federal Aviation Administration certification for the airborne components could be accomplished in 18-24 months, it said in an ex parte FCC filing in docket 13-114 (http://bit.ly/1jrQ78j). With the airborne and ground equipment efforts proceeding on roughly parallel tracks, “a licensee could easily commence service within the five year substantial service deadline Gogo suggested in its comments,” it said. Competition would best be served by dividing the proposed 500 MHz band into four 125 MHz licensees, it said. A four-license band plan “would provide the best opportunity to alleviate capacity constraints for the several providers already operating in the sector,” it said. Gogo also reiterated its support for the proposed substantial-service safe harbor, saying that “there would be no reason for the safe harbor to vary depending on the number of licensees in the band, given that market realities would require each provider to offer a nationwide service.” Qualcomm proposed establishing the air-to-ground service in the band (CD Feb 10 p14).