Intelsat ITU Approach Keeps Changing: Spectrum Five

Intelsat argues it can operate its Intelsat 30 and 31 satellites on combinations of ITU filings without informing the FCC, but it acted differently when seeking FCC authorizations for other satellites by including ITU filing information in operational specifications of the license applications, Spectrum Five said in a docket 20-399 filing Monday. It said Intelsat gave no explanation for its supposed changes in understanding FCC and ITU rules between getting FCC authorization to use foreign and ITU filings for some, but not for 30 and 31. It said Intelsat's argument it doesn't need U.S. market access approval for the 30 and 31 transponders, which use a New Guinea filing to broadcast in the U.S., can't be reconciled with its conduct in other licensing proceedings and is incorrect. Spectrum Five seeks revocation of the Intelsat 30 and 31 satellite licenses (see 2012010057). Intelsat didn't comment.