On June 8, 2020, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) filed a reply to Ligado Networks’ Opposition to petitions for reconsideration or clarification filed by NTIA.
In the filing, NTIA notes:
“NTIA corrects serious errors and misperceptions in Ligado’s portrayal of the longstanding dual system of federal/non-federal spectrum management. Notwithstanding basic procedural provisions of the 2003 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two agencies, the Commission committed in 2005 to coordinate – not merely ‘consult’ – with NTIA and other government agencies if “any change” is requested by a MSS licensee under Ancillary Terrestrial Component (ATC) authorization in the L-Band, including Ligado. NTIA also reiterates and clarifies some of its recommendations set forth in its petition and recent submissions on the record that Ligado’s opposition misconstrues, misunderstands, or ignores.”
- UNDER THE STATUTORY SCHEME ESTABLISHED BY CONGRESS, NTIA AND THE FCC ARE CO-REGULATORS OF THE L-BAND, REQUIRING CAREFUL COORDINATION – ESPECIALLY WHEN NATIONAL DEFENSE AND SAFETY OF LIFE SERVICES ARE IMPACTED
- THE LIGADO OPPOSITION MISCONSTRUES, MISUNDERSTANDS, OR IGNORES NTIA’S CONCERNS AND RECOMMENDED PATHS FORWARD