Sec. 25.279  Inter-satellite service.

    (a) Any non-geostationary satellite communicating with other space 
stations may use frequencies in the inter-satellite service as indicated 
in Sec. 2.106. This does not preclude the use of other frequencies for 
such purposes as provided for in several service definitions, e.g., FSS. 
The technical details of the proposed inter-satellite link shall be 
provided in accordance with Sec. 25.114(c).
    (b) Operating conditions. In order to ensure compatible operations 
with authorized users in the frequency bands to be utilized for 
operations in the inter-satellite service, these inter-satellite service 
systems must operate in accordance with the conditions specified in this 
section.
    (1) Coordination requirements with federal government users. (i) In 
frequency bands allocated for use by the inter-satellite service that 
are also authorized for use by agencies of the federal government, the 
federal use of frequencies in the inter-satellite service frequency 
bands is under the regulatory jurisdiction of the National

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Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).
    (ii) The Commission will use its existing procedures to reach 
agreement with NTIA to achieve compatible operations between federal 
government users under the jurisdiction of NTIA and inter-satellite 
service systems through frequency assignment and coordination practice 
established by NTIA and the Interdepartment Radio Advisory Committee 
(IRAC). In order to facilitate such frequency assignment and 
coordination, applicants shall provide the Commission with sufficient 
information to evaluate electromagnetic compatibility with the federal 
government users of the spectrum, and any additional information 
requested by the Commission. As part of the coordination process, 
applicants shall show that they will not cause interference to 
authorized federal government users, based upon existing system 
information provided by the government. The frequency assignment and 
coordination of the satellite system shall be completed prior to grant 
of construction authorization.
    (2) Coordination among inter-satellite service systems. Applicants 
for authority to establish inter-satellite service are encouraged to 
coordinate their proposed frequency usage with existing permittees and 
licensees in the inter-satellite service whose facilities could be 
affected by the new proposal in terms of frequency interference or 
restricted system capacity. All affected applicants, permittees, and 
licensees, shall at the direction of the Commission, cooperate fully and 
make every reasonable effort to resolve technical problems and conflicts 
that may inhibit effective and efficient use of the radio spectrum; 
however, the permittee or licensee being coordinated with is not 
obligated to suggest changes or re-engineer an applicant's proposal in 
cases involving conflicts.
[ 59 FR 53331 , Oct. 21, 1994]