Satellite Operators Push Rival Proceeds Distribution Plan to CBA Approach
A group of small satellite operators is pushing a "distribution and scoring model" for deciding what revenue from C-band clearing gets distributed to whom. In a docket 18-122 posting Monday on meeting aides to Chairman Ajit Pai, ABS Global, Hispasat…
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and Embratel Star One said under their model, after relocation and filter costs for affected earth stations, financial incentives for those earth stations, and a fixed percentage of proceeds going to the Treasury, remaining proceeds from any spectrum rights sale would be divided. One-third would go equally to the eight C-band operators authorized to service the U.S. and two-thirds divided among their 62 satellites based on service life. They said that approach has lower risk of legal and technical challenges and delays than the C-Band Alliance (CBA) plan. They said if there's to be a private-market sale of the spectrum, it can't be managed by the CBA since it "forfeited any pretense of objectivity or fairness." CBA didn't comment. A filing recapped meeting an aide to Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel. It said 26 of 27 orbital slots covering all or nearly all the U.S. are occupied and other orbital locations don't provide the 50-state coverage programmers and broadcasters require. CBA's plan also garnered satellite criticism Monday (see 1903110058).