FRENCH TELECOM REGULATOR GRANTS IRIDIUM TEMPORARY

UNCLAS PARIS 006666

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EB/CIP TIMOTHY C. FINTON
USDOC FOR NTIA JAMES VORHIES
FCC FOR INTERNATIONAL
STATE PLEASE PASS TO USTR FOR KENNETH SCHAGRIN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECPS ETRD FR
SUBJECT: FRENCH TELECOM REGULATOR GRANTS IRIDIUM TEMPORARY
AUTHORIZATION REQUEST

REF: STATE 176979


1. On September 26, EconOff delivered reftel talking points
to French Telecom Regulator ARCEP, which authorizes civilian
use of radio frequencies in France. ARCEP acknowledged that
they had received the request for Iridium, but had not yet
completed their review due to the temporary absence of a key
frequencies expert. EconOff reiterated the urgency of the
request, given the extensive use of Iridium phones for
hurricane disaster relief efforts in the U.S.


2. On September 28, Olivier Blondeau, the head of ARCEP's
Frequencies Unit informed us of their positive reply to
Iridium's request for temporary authorization. ARCEP has
extended of Iridium's current authorized use of the 1621.35-
1626.5 MHz band to include the 1618.25-1621.35 MHz band for
mobile services via satellite until December 31, 2005, on an
exceptional basis, under the following two conditions: (1)
non-interference with the Globalstar network, and (2)
protection of the radioastronomical site of Nancay in the
Cher Department of France.

Stapleton