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Background

1.1 The Radiocommuncations Agency conducted a consultation exercise which closed on October 23 2003 - available electronically at http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/satellite_33_5_west/. This sought views from stakeholders on the development of the BSS spectrum (11.7 - 12.5 GHz) from the orbital position at 33.5 Degrees West. Ofcom published a statement in October 2004 - available electronically at http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/satellite_33_5_west/opp_dev_sat_op/ which set out the approach it intended to follow in the light of the responses received to the consultation and the continuing uncertainty about whether there was any interest in making use of this capacity.

1.2 In a consultation document of February 2005 http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/satellite_networks/satellite_networks2/ and the resulting Statement in March 2005 http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/satellite_networks/statement/ Ofcom set out its approach to the management of filings and international coordination for satellite networks. This announced Ofcom’s decision to institute a competitive process when an application is received to submit a filing to the ITU for a planned assignment.

1.3 Ofcom has now received one application for the BSS filing at the orbital position of 33.5º West. The details of the application are confidential; but it provides the full evidence required about the ability of the operator to bring the spectrum into use within the required timeframe and to meet all of the other requirements set out in consultations and statements made by Ofcom and the previous regulator. No other expressions of interest have been submitted. We propose, therefore, to negotiate the award of the filing to the sole applicant.

1.4 However, before we do so, we are, as promised in Ofcom’s statement in October 2004, offering one final opportunity to other interested operators to apply to use this planned assignment. This document constitutes that final invitation. Any application must be received by 5pm on 1 July 2005. This date takes into account the need to select an operator in sufficient time to launch the satellite in time to meet the ITU deadlines. We will treat any application in confidence, unless the respondent wishes it to be published.

The full document is available below

• Broadcasting Satellite Service at 33.5° West - Final invitation for expressions of interest
  08|06|05
• A Statement on Broadcasting Satellite Service at 33.5 degrees West - Expressions of Interest
  02|08|05
• Broadcasting Satellite Service at 33.5° West - Final invitation for expressions of interest [pdf]
  Full Print Version

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