Aviation and Maritime Communications Raise SpaceX Interference Concerns
Aviation and maritime communications entities are concerned about SpaceX's direct-to-device ambitions in the 1429-2690 MHz range causing interference, according to comments posted Tuesday in docket 23-135. The Aerospace and Flight Test Radio Coordinating Council said the 1435-1525 MHz and 2360-2395 MHz bands are workhorses used for aeronautical mobile telemetry. In addition, mobile satellite service providers' requests for D2D services in new spectrum bands should come with specific showings of spectrum compatibility, depending on the spectrum sub-band in which the services will be provided. AFTRCC said SpaceX has made "conclusory assertions" about compatibility but not held substantive discussions about compatibility issues concerning different types of incumbent users in the 1429-2690 MHz range.
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The Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services said it generally supports SpaceX and T-Mobile activity in the 1429-2690 MHz band, but the FCC shouldn't preclude Globalstar, Iridium or other low earth orbit satellite providers from similar access to this spectrum. RTCM said the commission should set up a way for various users to share spectrum without causing harmful interference. The FCC should avoid causing interference with global maritime distress and safety systems operating in the 1530-1545 MHz, 1610-1646.5 MHz and 2220-2290 MHz3 bands, it added.
SpaceX services' compatibility in the 1429-2690 MHz range with aviation safety services needs to be addressed soon, the International Air Transport Association and Aviation Spectrum Resources said. It said SpaceX hasn't mentioned how its second-generation constellation would operate without causing harmful interference to satellite communications, GPS and other incumbent services that aviation relies on.