C-Band Repacking 'Windfall' Argument Dismissed; More Time Sought for NPRM Replies

Bureau and Office of Strategic Planning, recounted a docket 17-183 posting Tuesday. In the related docket 18-122, others petitioned for more time for replies on the NPRM on opening the C-band to terrestrial use. The C-band interests said with mid-band spectrum so vital to 5G, the alliance met with small and rural mobile operators and their associations about their needs. Intelsat and SES said they determined they could cut the proposed guard band from 50 MHz to 20 MHz through newly designed and optimized band-pass filters, validated by over-the-air tests with live satellite signals in the presence of adjacent 5G transmissions. The C-band interests said the sooner there's visibility on an order, the sooner a commitment of "very significant funding" to satellite manufacturers for additional satellites that will need to be built and launched for that transition. The C-band interests said SES and Intelsat -- with either one or the other out of the room -- discussed methods and tools to be used to repack customers, and plans to add more satellites and ensure satellite reception through filters and mitigation techniques. In the request for extension for replies, the Dynamic Spectrum Alliance, American Cable Association, Competitive Carriers Association, Public Interest Spectrum Coalition and Wireless ISP Association said two more weeks, to Dec. 11, would help promote a more complete record. They said the 30 days for replies "was already very tight," given the Thanksgiving holiday, and issues raised are particularly complex. The alliance, in a coming reply, said delay "will slow the U.S. in the race to 5G" and the NPRM came out nearly four months ago: That's plenty of time to "evaluate the issues and anticipate opposing arguments." It said the petition coming days before the Nov. 27 reply deadline instead of closer to the Oct. 29 comment deadline "screams of gamesmanship and strains credulity."