Wireless, Satellite Interests Continue Clash Over 17 GHz
Wireless and satellite interests have very different opinions about docket 20-330 on geostationary orbit (GSO) fixed satellite service (FSS) downlinks in the 17.3-17.8 GHz band on a co-primary basis with incumbent services, based on replies posted through Friday. Initial comments…
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also showed a split (see 2103040041). Due to concerns in the record about coexistence between GSO FSS downlink and terrestrial FS allocated in 17.7-17.8 GHz, there should be operational requirements for GSO FSS downlinks that protect incumbent fixed service from interference, Nokia said. AT&T said backers of a GSO FSS allocation haven't proved their claims that GSO FSS downlinks are indistinguishable from incumbent 17/24 GHz broadcast satellite service (BSS) downlinks. It said the FCC should defer consideration of new allocations until there's sufficient technical analysis to show GSO FSS downlinks can safely share with incumbent users of the 17 GHz band. If GSO FSS can share with incumbents, the FCC should ensure minimum orbital spacing and power flux density limits to protect incumbents and limit GSO FSS downlink earth stations to individually licensed gateways, AT&T said. Viasat said the comments show allowing GSO FSS downlinks would mean more efficient use of the band, and FCC-proposed technical rules would protect incumbent operations. SES, Hughes, Telesat, Intelsat, Eutelsat, Lockheed Martin and Thales said giving BSS uses priority over FSS uses would leave FSS operations unprotected if a BSS operator implements network changes that interfere with an established FCC facility, disincentivizing FSS use of the 17 GHz band. Amazon's call for a Further NPRM to consider allowing non-geostationary orbit networks to use the 17 GHz band got support from SES, Telesat (see here) and OneWeb (see here). AT&T opposed the FNPRM absent technical and feasibility studies showing a baseline capability to share with incumbents. CTIA said allowing NGSO and earth station in motion operations into the band "present[s] even more complicated challenges to coexistence with terrestrial services than GSO FSS operations and should be rejected."