Use DBS Rules Changes to Open the 12 GHz Band to Other Uses, FCC Urged
Proposed revision of direct broadcast satellite rules is an opportunity to tackle broader issues of 12 GHz band use, filers said in docket 06-160 comments this week. The FCC adopted an NPRM in November on expanding the streamlined processing procedures…
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for geostationary fixed satellite service to DBS (see 1811130075). Replies are due April 22. The MVDDS 5G Coalition said the FCC should keep in mind potential use of the band for two-way wireless services. It urged an NPRM in response to its 2016 petition for such service in the 12 GHz band (see 1604260068). Dish Network is part of the coalition. MDS Operations and RS Access backed the petition and said the agency needs to be sure to protect multichannel video distribution and data service operations. SES supports the FCC proposals, and said once those are instituted, the agency should lift the 13-plus-year freeze on new DBS applications. It said the agency should seek input on allowing fixed satellite service downlinks to operate in the DBS allocation of the 12 GHz band. Barring that, the agency should at least make clear FSS applicants can seek authority at or near DBS plan assignments at 148 degrees, 157 degrees, 166 degrees and 175 degrees west, all vacant, SES said. DirecTV parent AT&T said if the agency lifts the freeze, it should condition that any new DBS licensees at reduced orbital spacing must coordinate with all DBS operators within six degrees instead of requiring operator consent only from affected operators as determined by ITU criteria. AT&T backs extending the license term for nonbroadcast DBS satellites to 15 years and said the agency automatically should revise the license terms of existing DBS satellites consistent with that proposal. Dish and EchoStar said DBS satellites should operate in orbital slots with less than 9 degree orbital spacing as long as such "tweener" applicants do an interference analysis and get OK of existing DBS operators with satellites located less than 9 degrees away. Dish/EchoStar said some Part 25 rules revisions the agency has made for geostationary FSS operations should also apply to DBS, such as the 15-year license term and first-come, first-served GSO application review process. They said DBS should have the same GSO milestone requirements minus the surety bond requirement. The companies said the FCC should seek comment on an aggregate interference limit that would protect DBS systems and MVDDS licensees from tweener DBS operations.