'No Room' for Kepler System, Operators Tell FCC

Kepler Communications' petition for U.S. market access should be denied because the company hasn't received German regulatory OK to operate the 212-satellite constellation for which it seeks FCC approval, Omnispace, Globalstar and EchoStar representatives told an aide to Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, per an International Bureau filing Wednesday. They said it also hasn't been submitted to ITU for coordination. They said Globalstar is fully utilizing its mobile satellite spectrum at 1610-1618.725 MHz/2483.5-2500 MHz, and there "clearly is no room" for Kepler's proposed operations within that. Kepler didn't comment. In its application, it said its planned L- and S-band constellation would complement the service being provided to the U.S. through its already authorized Ku-band fixed satellite service system. Kepler emailed that the filing has "a lot of speculation ... rather than facts, and we look forward to addressing comments at the appropriate time and in accordance with FCC procedures."