Intelsat, Intel Proposing Plan for FSS, Clearing Some C-Band for 5G
Intelsat and Intel are proposing satellite operators -- backed by wireless interest incentives -- clear portions of the C-band downlink spectrum in particular metropolitan areas nationwide, freeing it up for terrestrial mobile operations. Such a migration would provide "a lot of certainty and clarity" about the 3700-4200 MHz band, Intelsat CEO Stephen Spengler told us Monday. The satellite industry has been concerned about the FCC eyeing that mid-band spectrum for terrestrial operations (see 1708030052).
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With 5G being an FCC priority and it and the wireless industry looking at the C-band for possible 5G use, the concern is that co-sharing doesn't appear feasible," Spengler said. "There's a certain degree of pragmatism here," he said. "It's far better for us to steer the future [and] give our clients certainty." Intelsat and Intel, in docket 17-183 comments to be filed Monday, said freed-up C-band spectrum could be available for terrestrial use in some areas within one to three years of an agency decision. But they said "a government-led approach ... can be both time-consuming and inefficient."
Under the proposal, the FCC would add a co-primary terrestrial mobile allocation in the band following any commercial agreements between wireless and affected fixed satellite service operators. The C-band migration would minimize the interference risk to fixed satellite service earth stations in the band from new terrestrial mobile services and still allow for use of the band by FSS operators "where that use is best," the two said. The companies said the C-band could be cleared by FSS relocating some services and customers to a portion of the band, or physically relocating ground antennas outside of those metro areas. In return, the companies said, the FSS operators would sign "market-based agreements" with terrestrial users of the spectrum. The amount of spectrum kept for FSS use might vary by market, they said.
FSS operators ought to be able to free up some spectrum in a number of urban areas "if market forces provide this is the highest and best use," the companies said. Meanwhile, satellite operators would maintain spectrum in defined geographic areas for existing and future satellite use. Once FSS operators and terrestrial interests work out agreements, the FSS operators would file a notice with the FCC laying out the frequencies identified for terrestrial use, the defined geographic area and the terrestrial user, the companies said.
The metro areas to be affected by the C-band moves "have to be sorted out," Spengler said. Satellite operators also likely would have to make some investments such as new ground facilities away from those metro areas, and shielding, plus changes to future satellite designs. The primary satellite use of the band is broadcast distribution of TV programming to cable headends, he said.
Intelsat has talked with some other satellite operators about the idea, Spengler said: "This is a different approach. It will take companies a little bit of time to assess it." The Satellite Industry Association didn't comment. CTIA said it and the wireless industry "are encouraged that the Commission is considering actions to free up mid-band spectrum. The Commission should consider a variety of market-based solutions to clear the 3.7-4.2 GHz band for flexible use and to ensure that America leads in the deployment of 5G wireless.” Spengler also said the 3700-4200 MHz approach might not work for other satellite-used bands being eyed for 5G, depending on uses: "In this spectrum, it's a good fit."