Federal Communications Commission FCC 16-181
39
STATEMENT OF
COMMISSIONER MICHAEL O’RIELLY
Re: Terrestrial Use of the 2473-2495 MHz Band for Low-Power Mobile Broadband Networks, IB 
Docket No. 13-213; Amendments to Rules for the Ancillary Terrestrial Component of Mobile Satellite 
Service Systems, RM-11685.
For quite some time, the Commission has had before it a rulemaking to consider modifications to 
the 2.4 GHz rules that would allow Globalstar to offer a terrestrial wireless network while maintaining its 
satellite offering.  After much debate on its original proposal, Globalstar decided, last month, to replace it 
with a narrower request, thereby addressing concerns previously raised.  Today, the entire process comes 
to a positive conclusion with Globalstar’s revised proposal receiving unanimous approval from the 
Commission.
In all fairness, I was somewhat surprised by the path this proceeding took and the public spectacle 
that occurred earlier this summer.  I did not expect to be the deciding vote on the item, as originally 
circulated, but once there I went about my normal review to understand the proposal's details and the 
concerns raised in the record.  This included extensive conversations on exactly how Globalstar’s 
terrestrial network would work, the potential ramifications to and/or harmful interference concerns of 
unlicensed entities using the 2.4 GHz band, and the opportunity for greater overall spectrum efficiency.  It 
was never my intent, nor do I believe that I was the cause of delay in reaching a decision regarding 
Globalstar’s original proposal.  Moreover, it should be noted that I found a lot of merit in that request and 
did not foreclose the possibility of voting in favor of it under certain circumstances, until the new 
proposal was put forth.
In the end, the Commission is permitting Globalstar to deploy a terrestrial network using 
spectrum licensed to it for satellite services.  Whether that network ever comes to fruition is for Globalstar 
and the marketplace to decide.  The Commission is merely providing additional and appropriate spectrum 
flexibility, which should be considered and welcomed more often, to allow for it to occur.