PUBLIC NOTICE Federal Communications Commission 445 12th St., S.W. Washington, D.C. 20554 News Media Information 202 / 418-0500 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov TTY: 1-888-835-5322 DA 11- 132 January 26, 2011 THE INTERNATIONAL BUREAU ANNOUNCES A CHANGE IN THE PROCEDURE FOR FILING COORDINATION NOTIFICATIONS FOR EARTH STATIONS ON VESSELS OPERATING IN THE C-BAND The International Bureau announces that beginning 30 days from the release of this public notice, coordination notification for Earth Stations on Vessels (ESVs) operating in the C-band must be filed electronically via the International Bureau Filing System (IBFS), in accordance with the rules adopted in the Commission’s Mandatory Electronic Filing Report and Order.1 Paper versions of these coordination notifications will not be accepted as of that date and will be returned to the applicant without being processed, unless a waiver is sought by the operator and approved by the Commission. In 2004, the Commission determined to extending electronic filing requirements to all pleadings and other filings governed by Part 25.2 The International Bureau subsequently issued a Declaratory Order noting that it would release public notices announcing the effective date of electronic filing for various types of flings.3 Section 25.221 of the Commission's rules contains provisions for Blanket Licensing for ESVs in the 3700-4200 and 5925-6425 MHz frequency band (the C-band).4 Section 25.221(e) requires that entities seeking to operate C-band ESVs within 200 kilometers of either the baseline of the United States or U.S.-licensed fixed offshore installations must complete coordination before beginning to operate in that area.5 Coordination is to be completed using a coordination method and interference criteria objective determined by the frequency coordinator. Once completed, the details of the coordination must be filed with the Commission, whereupon the Commission will place the coordination notification on public notice.6 1Amendment of the Commission's Space Station Licensing Rules and Policies, 2000 Biennial Regulatory Review -- Streamlining and Other Revisions of Part 25 of the Commission's Rules Governing the Licensing of, and Spectrum Usage by, Satellite Network Earth Stations and Space Stations, Fourth Report and Order, 19 FCC Rcd 7419 (2004) (Fourth Report and Order); Amendment of the Commission’s Space Station Licensing Rules and Policies, Declaratory Order, 19 FCC Rcd 19564 (Int’l Bureau 2004) (IBFS Part 25 Declaratory Order). 2 Fourth Report and Order, 19 FCC Rcd at 7419. 3 IBFS Part 25 Declaratory Order, 19 FCC Rcd at 19565. 4 47 C.F.R. § 25.221. 5 47 C.F.R. § 25.221(e). 6 Id. 2 In a June 15, 2005 Public Notice, the International Bureau listed the information that must be submitted before a successfully completed frequency coordination notification could be placed on public notice.7 In the Public Notice, the Bureau also directed coordination notifications to be filed in the form of a letter to the Secretary, FCC, referencing relevant call signs and file numbers, with an electronic courtesy copy submitted via email to ESV@fcc.gov. Beginning 30 days from the release of this public notice, notifications filed with the Secretary will no longer be accepted. Instead, all notifications must be filed electronically via IBFS (http://licensing.fcc.gov/myibfs/). The notifications should be filed in the form of a statement referencing the relevant call signs and file numbers. The specific information that must be submitted in the coordination notification is unchanged. (Operators should refer to Section 25.221(e) of the Commission’s rules, 47 C.F.R. § 25.221(e), and our June 15, 2005 Public Notice for more information.) Filers should upload the coordination notification into IBFS by selecting “Pleadings or Comments” from the IBFS main page. Under “Pleading Type,” filers should select “Statement.” The electronically-filed coordination notification will be reviewed for completeness and placed on the Satellite Division’s SES weekly public notice under the heading “Informative.” As noted in the June 15, 2005 Public Notice, operation of each individual ESV within 200 kilometers of either the baseline of the United States or U.S.-licensed fixed offshore installations may commence immediately after the public notice is released that identifies the coordination notification sent to the Commission. If an objection is received to the coordination notification prior to the end of the 30- day comment period of the public notice indicating that an existing fixed station operator believes it was improperly left out of the coordination process, the ESV licensee shall immediately cease operation of that particular station until the coordination dispute is resolved and the ESV licensee informs the Commission of the resolution. Questions regarding this public notice should be directed to Paul Blais, Chief, Systems Analysis Branch, at (202) 418-7274 or Paul.Blais@fcc.gov. -FCC- 7 The International Bureau Provides Guidance Concerning the Notice Requirement for C-Band Coordination by Earth Stations On Vessels, Public Notice, DA 05-1671, 20 FCC Rcd 10748 (Int’l Bur. 2005)(June 15 Public Notice).