Small Satellite Operators Raise Concerns About C-Band Clearing Plan Cash

the smaller operators for their U.S. C-band investments. A docket 18-122 posting Monday recapped a meeting between Hispasat and ABS executives with an aide to Chairman Ajit Pai and with representatives of the Wireless and International bureaus and the Office of Engineering and Technology. The satellite operators cited their C-band facilities: ABS' ABS-3A designed to serve North America and other areas in the C-band, Hispasat's Amazonas-3 designed to transmit between U.S. points in the C-band, and Star One having three satellites capable of transmitting to and from U.S. points in the C-band. They said none of the small operators has had revenue yet from C-band services to and from U.S. points, but "all intend to do so." They said the alliance hasn't explained how it would divide proceeds remaining after band-clearing activities, and that satellite operators and customers should be compensated for investments in C-band facilities to serve the U.S. They said such an equitable approach might involve the amount of C-band spectrum and transponders capable of communicating with the U.S. and authorized on the FCC's permitted satellite list. Tuesday (see here, here and here), the alliance recapped meetings with Commissioners Mike O'Rielly and Jessica Rosenworcel and an aide to Commissioner Brendan Carr urging "moving expeditiously" on opening the C-band to 5G and saying it will seek consensus on technical parameters like power levels that are important to 5G deployment. The alliance said its plan would let interested parties enter secondary market agreements.