CBA Seeks Quick Band Clearing, CBA Says; Harmonic Backs Group; Ericsson Lobbies

CBA in the transition "would be legally perilous" and the Communications Act doesn't allow the FCC to make fundamental, unilateral changes to licenses, it said. Intelsat and SES working to clear the band would include 10-figure investments in new satellites, "a highly orchestrated plan" for a series of migrations, free dual illumination capacity for customers to allow the moves and procurement and possibly deployment of an interference mitigation solution that includes a specific radio frequency filter configuration, it said. Given the importance of doing so quickly, the group should get "fair and appropriate" financial incentives, it said. The coalition, SES and Intelsat executives also discussed the coalition's possible role in a speedy transition, and compensation for that, meeting with an aide to Chairman Ajit Pai. Ericsson officials, meeting with Wireless and International Bureau and Office of Engineering and Technology staff, said earth station equipment upgrades needed to repurpose the band should come with requirements for using high-performing low noise blocks. Ericsson discussed satellite elevation angles that could reduce the coordination requirements between 5G base stations and earth stations. Harmonic said CBA should be the transition facilitator for band clearing since only it has "a complete understanding of all elements of a successful transition." The video gearmaker said CBA has already evaluated current C-band operations and created an implementation plan, and a different third party would have to replicate that planning and analysis.