FiberTower Warns of Dangers from Satellite Use of 24 GHz Spectrum
Wireless backhaul provider FiberTower told the FCC that much more must be understood about potential interference from satellite signals in the 24 GHz band before the Commission can allow unfettered satellite operations there. The comments came as satellite operators, and others interested, offered comments on proposed rules for providing satellite operators with what amounts to another 400 MHz of spectrum in the 17 GHz and 24 GHz bands.
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Satellite operators are eager to gain access to the spectrum, to offer more programming and high-definition TV to DBS subscribers. The companies have been waiting years: WRC allotted 17.3-17.8 GHz in the Americas region for primary use by broadcasting satellite service (BSS) at its 1992 meeting. The allocation doesn’t start until next year.
Many questions remain, including whether the spectrum should be auctioned by the FCC. FiberTower said interference may be unavoidable without tough measures such as prohibitions on BSS feeder-link stations operating within 100 miles of 24 GHz operations. Without a ban, the FCC would need more data quickly, the company said. FiberTower said it’s active in 77 markets, providing wireless backhaul for carriers, as well as business and govt. customers.
“Since the technical data and assumptions presently before the Commission for both BSS and [fixed satellite] operations are outdated, reliable answers concerning band sharing criteria will only become available following the substantial expenditure of time and resources devoted to that end,” FiberTower said: “This inevitably creates tension with any specific goal of prompt commencement of BSS… This approach not only obviates the need for immediate and extensive co-location testing and co-location interference analyses, it also postpones coordination costs that are certain to arise in any spectrum sharing environment.”
EchoStar, DirecTV and Intelsat offered advice on rules that would minimize interference between satellite operators. The 3 along with Pegasus have filed at the FCC to operate in the band.
EchoStar and DirecTV urged requiring 4.5 degrees of spacing between satellites and made other technical suggestions in their respective filings. Intelsat recommended 4 degrees of separation instead. The 3 offered a variety of other recommended technical specifications as well.
Commenters disagreed sharply on the wisdom of offering the spectrum through an auction. DirecTV supported “first come, first served processing of applications.” Intelsat said an auction would violate the ORBIT Act: “Moreover, as the Commission knows, first-come first-served is the most quick and efficient method of licensing orbital locations.”
But EchoStar urged an auction, saying one could be scheduled within the confines of the ORBIT Act, without reversal in the courts. “Auctions of 17/24 GHz BSS spectrum are possible if the Commission can adequately demonstrate that the spectrum rights being auctioned are tied closely to the provision of domestic (rather than international) satellite service,” EchoStar said. “There are a number of ways, including limiting the spectrum rights to the provision of domestic service if all competing applicants agree.”