Inmarsat Says It’s Developing Plans for Broadband at 2 GHz
Inmarsat was out in front opposing allocation of more 2 GHz spectrum to Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) operators ICO and TMI/TerreStar. The MSS competitor -- which said it’s developing plans for broadband and multimedia MSS for handheld devices and vehicles using spectrum in the 2 GHz band -- asked the Commission to consider allocating it the extra 1/3 of the spectrum in question.
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Opposition on the possible 2 GHz move came from wireless interests and other satellite firms, even satellite radio’s Sirius. But no arguments except Inmarsat’s came with business proposals. The 2 GHz spectrum is directly adjacent to the PCS bands at 1850- 1995 and the new Advanced Wireless Service bands in 1710- 1755/2110-2155 MHz.
Inmarsat said its 2 GHz broadband and multimedia plans would be “in potential partnership with leading technology, service, and content partners,” and “based upon a hybrid satellite/terrestrial architecture.” Inmarsat said it even has made the appropriate 2 GHz filings with the ITU via U.K. regulator Ofcom. The firm said it can develop an MSS system “optimized for tomorrow’s wireless broadband and multimedia needs” for U.S. consumers by decade’s end -- but only if the Commission allows its entry into the 2 GHz band.
Inmarsat said 2 GHz MSS is ideal to serve growing demand for personalized access to entertainment over mobile handheld devices and in vehicles. “MSS is exceptionally well-suited to provide a ‘megacell’ overlay to the terrestrial wireless broadband network in support of such applications, because the traditional 3G network architecture, with hundreds of base-stations, is not an efficient platform for transmitting multicast/broadcast content,” the company said.
Calling the unassigned 2 GHz spectrum worth billions of dollars, CTIA said it should be allocated to terrestrial wireless. “TMI and ICO are seeking to increase their current spectrum holdings by 250% before either has a single customer,” said the CTIA: “Ultimately, TMI and ICO have not demonstrated that they currently lack sufficient spectrum resources to provide a viable service.” The Commission would best serve the public by reallocating the unassigned spectrum for auction, the CTIA said.
T-Mobile agreed, saying MSS operators haven’t shown a need for supplemental spectrum. T-Mobile suggested the Commission start a full notice & comment rulemaking. Said T-Mobile: “While there may not be as much interest in the reallocation of 2 GHz spectrum as there was in the redistribution of 800 MHz spectrum, the Commission can expect that a number of parties will be interested in the outcome of this proceeding, as was the case in the Big LEO band.”