6 GHz Still Center of Debate; Intelsat/Intel C-Band Plan Gets Mixed Feedback
An Intelsat/Intel plan for freeing up some C-band downlink spectrum in metropolitan areas nationwide (see 1710020047) is getting mixed responses. Meanwhile, wireless interests continue to push for opening up the 6 GHz band for unlicensed operations, raising red flags with public safety. Wednesday was the deadline for replies in the mid-band notice of inquiry docket 17-183 that already had disagreements among industries and saw many comments posted through Friday (see 1710030052).
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SES, the other significant satellite user of C-band other than Intelsat, said it's "open to exploring any approach" as long as there are appropriate financial incentives and guarantees it can deliver service without disruptive interference. Intelsat/Intel called the plan superior to arguments for terrestrial operators negotiating with earth station operators to clear spectrum on a localized, piecemeal basis.
Microsoft is "intrigued" by Intelsat/Intel idea, which it said could be somewhat complementary to a priority access licenses auction. The Telecommunications Industry Association said the proposal is "potentially promising" as a route for market-based clearing of part of the 3.7-4.2 GHz band for terrestrial use. TIA said the FCC needs a better record on current fixed satellite service use in the band and practical details on how the clearing and sharing would work.
The proposal lacks detail, especially about how it would protect TV transmissions of C-band customers, NCTA said. The Intelsat/Intel idea lacks analysis whether there would be enough interest among satellite operators in taking part in such a plan, it said. Eutelsat is concerned the proposal as structured would seemingly exclude it from taking part in any negotiations since some of its C-band satellites aren't U.S. licensed and one that is, Eutelsat 172A, provides only partial continental U.S. coverage. It said it's important to ensure band clearing doesn't become coercive or compulsory.
Apple, Broadcom, Cisco, Facebook, Google, Hewlett Packard, Intel, MediaTek, Microsoft and Qualcomm pushed for an NPRM allowing unlicensed broadband operations across the entire 6 GHz band, rejecting displacing FSS and fixed service incumbents to another band. CTIA said there should be an NPRM on flexible use of 3.7-4.2 GHz spectrum, on whether unlicensed operations can coexist with incumbent operations in the lower 6 GHz band and on working with NTIA to make the 7.125 -8.4 GHz band a shared band available for nonfederal use.
The Wi-Fi Alliance again said the entire 6 GHz band should be available for unlicensed operations (here). T-Mobile said the 3.7-4.2 GHz band should be designated for exclusive wireless use on a flexible basis. It said there should be further evaluation of the 6 GHz band, with the 5.925-6.425 GHz band raising significant incumbent concerns but 6.425-7.125 GHz a good candidate for licensed use.
All advocacy for use of the 3.7-4.2 GHz band for terrestrial wireless is "poorly defined" and provides little assurance incumbent C-band satellite operations will be protected from expanded licensed use, NCTA said, saying the 6 GHz band could play a big role in helping with the unlicensed spectrum crunch if incumbent operations can be protected. AT&T sought more analysis and modeling before an NPRM on freeing up midband spectrum for mobile broadband services. NAB said terrestrial users, and especially mobile, can't share the C-band frequencies based on geographic separation alone, since a mobile device could easily travel near an earth station.
Some public safety groups, including the New York Police Department and Massachusetts State Police, raised concerns about unlicensed use in the 6 GHz band interfering with their radio communications.