Orbcomm Seeks Stay of FCC Letter Jeopardizing It Globally

Orbcomm asked the FCC for a stay of an International Bureau letter that it says could have a variety of regulators around the world letting Swarm start operations, and requiring Orbcomm to cease transmit operations, in uplink frequency bands in which those administrations currently authorize Orbcomm to operate transmitters. In a posting Monday, it said the bureau letter is "substantively" flawed, but Swarm has been telling those regulators it's an agency final order. In the March 10 letter to Orbcomm, International Bureau Satellite Division acting Chief Karl Kensinger said it was obligated to ensure that any of its non-U.S.-licensed earth station operations are on the primary frequencies specified in its U.S. license and not throughout the entire 137-138 MHz and 148-150.05 MHz bands, to avoid interference with Swarm, another U.S. licensed system that has begun operations. Orbcomm said it's also filing an application for review of the Kensinger letter. The FCC and Swarm didn't comment.