JUDGE SENDS SPRINT DISPUTE WITH SATELLITE COMPANIES TO FCC

摘要

A federal judge ruled that the FCC must decide whether ICO Global Communications and TerreStar Networks owe Sprint Nextel for moving broadcast auxiliary service licensees out of the 2 GHz band. ICO and TerreStar had hoped Judge Leonie Brinkema in Alexandria, Va., would throw out Sprint's lawsuit. Instead she sent the matter to the commission. BAS spectrum was swept up in the 800 MHz band reconfiguration, so Sprint is paying to move BAS off spectrum that ICO and TerreStar Networks want to use. Sprint says TerreStar and ICO owe it for BAS relocation, but they dispute that. Both mobile satellite service providers believe that for Sprint to receive compensation they had to begin offering service by June 26. ICO launched its satellite in April but is not yet offering commercial service. The TerreStar craft's launch has been delayed until next year. Sprint hopes the FCC will order TerreStar and ICO to pay, a spokesman said.