Satellite Industry: Open Up the 12.7 GHz Band to Satcom
The 12.7 GHz band is prime for satellite communications use, the Satellite Industry Association said as it called for repacking and compressing broadcast auxiliary service (BAS) and cable relay service (CARS) operations there.
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The FCC adopted a Further NPRM in May asking about opening the 12.7, 42 and 51.4-52.4 GHz bands, as well as parts of the W band, to satellite communications (see 2505280055).
In docket 25-180 comments posted Tuesday, the Satellite Industry Association also pushed for a domestic allocation of the 42 GHz band for fixed satellite service (FSS) use and for the 52 GHz band to be available for FSS uplink use.
Amazon's Kuiper said the 42 and 52 GHz bands sit directly adjacent to prime FSS spectrum and are "essentially unused," with no commercial users in either. It called for primary allocations for FSS at 42 GHz and for NGSO FSS at 52 GHz.
SpaceX urged a downlink allocation and service rules for the 12.7 GHz band, saying that incumbent BAS and CARS operations could coexist with FSS downlinks there. CTIA said the FCC should explore making 12.7 GHz a "relocation band" -- a new home for incumbent federal and non-federal operations in 1.3-10.5 GHz. The 12.7 GHz band is well suited for sharing with federal FSS earth stations and fixed service users that currently operate in other bands, the group said. That, in turn, would free up midband spectrum for licensed, full-power commercial mobile use, it added.
Weather forecasting has heavily used passive microwave observations adjacent to the 52 GHz band and in the W band for decades, said the American Geophysical Union, American Meteorological Society, National Weather Association and University Corporation for Atmospheric Research. They warned that such passive observations are vastly weaker than typical communications links and could be drowned out by communications activity.
DirecTV said it supports increased satellite use of the 12.7 GHz band as long as there are mitigation steps taken to protect direct broadcast receivers in the adjacent 12.2 GHz band.