Viasat Continues Push for Reconsideration of SpaceX SCS Authorization
The FCC Space Bureau can't ignore commission-set requirements "simply ... because SpaceX does not like them," Viasat said as it continues arguing for reconsideration of a portion of the SpaceX/T-Mobile authorization to provide supplemental coverage from space service (see 2412270017). In a docket 23-135 filing posted Wednesday, Viasat said SpaceX's reply to the recon petition ignores some of Viasat's key points, such as the SCS order is contrary to the bureau's determination last year to deny SpaceX access to parts of the 1429-2690 MHz band because they aren't available for mobile satellite service (MSS). Viasat also attacked SpaceX's arguments calling for dismissal of the recon petition since Viasat didn't previously file comments in the dockets where SpaceX requested SCS authority. It's an "inescapable fact" that the SpaceX SCS order includes band segments that weren't part of the agency's previous SCS framework order and thus can't be used for SCS service, Viasat said.
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The Mobile Satellite Services Association -- which Viasat co-founded -- said in the docket it has "concerns" that the Space Bureau is "allow[ing] SpaceX to dominate large swaths of spectrum outside of the United States while severely undermining the growth of a truly competitive Direct-to-Device ecosystem." It said MSS operators, including its members, are using parts of the 1429-2690 MHz band for connectivity. Letting SpaceX dominate that swath could undermine existing MSS operations as well as D2D developments. In addition, letting SpaceX operate in portions of the band outside the U.S. puts the FCC inappropriately ahead of other administrations and regulators regarding the evaluation of interference from SpaceX operations in those regulators' regions, it said.
In its opposition earlier this month, SpaceX called the recon petition "hollow" and an attempt at "twist[ing] Commission rules beyond recognition to give foreign operators like [Viasat] a competitive advantage." Moreover, SpaceX said, the SCS authorization order drew a clear line between the SCS frameworks for domestic and international authorizations, which Viasat ignores.