FCC Cuts Some Satellite Companies a Break as It Proposes Rules on Key 5G Band

The FCC decided much of the additional information it wanted on earth stations could be obtained from space station owners, said Wireless Bureau Chief Donald Stockdale.

Commissioners Mike O’Rielly and Brendan Carr said after the meeting they don’t expect relaxed filing requirements to slow opening of the band. Both said the FCC should move as quickly as possible to open the band for broadband. O'Rielly said he would have preferred the agency to have taken a different approach on parts of the NPRM.

“Parts of this item, while interesting, are not practical and unlikely to be adopted,” O’Rielly said. "Consider that the record clearly supports a market-based approach, but the item veers off, seeking comment on various auction mechanisms, many of which were not suggested in the record and some of which are incredibly complex or downright troubling.” Some with whom he has spoken “are scratching their heads at the transponder capacity incentive auction and are being forced to hire experts to try to make sense of it, unclear how it would work in practice,” he said. “I am concerned that such ideas may detract time and attention from more viable options.” O’Rielly said the commission must move fast: “We cannot wait five or 10 years to open the band for flexible wireless use.”

Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, the lone FCC Democrat, voted for the item but called for a reality check. The U.S. “is not in the lead when it comes to making mid-band spectrum available for next-generation 5G networks,” she said. But the NPRM is good news, she said. “With today’s rulemaking and order we are doing something about it,” she said. “If we make headway here, we can start to reclaim lost leadership in spectrum that is critical for success in 5G networks.”

Carr said the NPRM moves the commission closer to playing a leading role on 5G. “We have now freed up more spectrum than any other country in the world,” Carr said. “We’re more than four GHz ahead of second place China. But there’s still work to be done in the mid-band, where other countries have freed up substantial amounts of spectrum. That’s why today’s item is so important.”

The NPRM seeks comment on ways to “open up some or all” of the band for wireless broadband, said Chairman Ajit Pai. “We tee up a number of market mechanisms for reallocating C-band spectrum. Like the $3,000 bounty placed on the shark in Jaws, we hope to identify a mechanism that will unleash a frenzy of activity in this band.” The FCC wants “robust public input,” he said.

The agency should tread lightly when looking at repurposing even more spectrum for the commercial wireless industry," NAB said. "Slogans and promises are what led the FCC to repurpose spectrum for Dish [Network], and that spectrum still sits fallow" (see 1807120033). NAB noted the "widespread existing uses of C-band spectrum.”

“The broadcast, cable and satellite incumbents have made it clear that only a portion of C-band can be cleared for exclusive mobile use any time soon,” said Michael Calabrese, director of the Wireless Future Program at New America. “It’s therefore critical that the NPRM also proposes that fixed wireless providers be allowed to coordinate shared use of other portions of the band as a way to narrow the rural broadband gap and enhance competition for high-capacity internet access.”

"Other countries are moving quickly to bring mid-band spectrum to market, so today’s action is a positive step toward increasing America’s competitiveness in the global race to 5G,” said CTIA President Meredith Baker. The band “could play a key role in providing the broad coverage capabilities necessary to bring the promise of 5G technologies to consumers,” said Joan Marsh, AT&T executive vice president-regulatory and state external affairs.

“Realizing all the opportunities of our 5G future will require the right spectrum in low, mid, and high bands,” blogged Margaret McCarthy, executive director at Mobile Future. “The FCC is tackling a critical piece of that puzzle today, by taking steps to make more mid-band spectrum available for mobile broadband.” The Satellite Industry Association declined to comment.

Eutelsat signed onto the Intelsat/SES/Intel plan for clearing part of the C-band for terrestrial mobile use and, ultimately, 5G. CEO Rodolphe Belmer said Thursday the coalition hopes to let Eutelsat and other C-band satellite operators "create fair conditions for the shared use of C-band with mobile operators in the U.S. while protecting the quality of services provided to our customers over the long term." Belmer had said the company would join the SES/Intelsat consortium (see 1805040019).

Also during and after Thursday's meeting: Dispute over changes to informal complaint procedures overshadowed 3-1 approval of an order to streamline formal complaint processes 1807120033; a possible compromise on the draft kidvid NPRM didn’t materialize and the item was approved 3-1 1807120050; O’Rielly said he made long-awaited recommendations to Pai on the citizens broadband radio service band; and O’Rielly split with fellow FCC Republicans to partially dissent from an order on emergency alert testing and false warnings 1807120059. Also, members approved an order 4-0 streamlining Part 22 cellular licensing rules; commissioners unanimously approved an order to pave the way for nationwide number portability; and Pai noted the FCC is seeking "additional facts" on Dish Network's IoT buildout plans.