FCC BEGINS PROCEEDING ON MODIFYING 36-MHz BAND PLAN
FCC proposed modifying band plan in 36.0-51.4 GHz spectrum for satellite and terrestrial operators in rulemaking launched Thurs. Commission said proposed band plan reflects decisions reached at World Radio Conference (WRC) 2000 in Istanbul. Rulemaking would give satellite and terrestrial operators greater certainty about scope of operations in band, along with specific power flux-density (PFD) limits on satellite operations in portions of this band consistent with WRC 2000. FCC said it wanted to modify 37.0-43.5 GHz portion of band plan in effort to harmonize domestic band plan with international sharing agreement to promote spectrum efficiency. Plans call for FCC to designate 40-42 GHz band for satellite services. While proposal would alter layout of satellite and terrestrial service designations, proposed band plan wouldn’t change total spectrum currently designated for use by satellite and terrestrial wireless services. Comment deadline is 60 days after publication in Federal Register, with replies 30 days after that.
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Commission plan would: (1) Redesignate 41-42 for satellite service and 37.6-38.6 for wireless. (2) Add designation to 40.5 for mobile satellite services. FCC also wants to adopt or consider changes in table of frequency allocations, including: (1) Adding FSS allocation in 37.5-37.6 band. (2) Shifting MSS allocation to 40.5-41.0 from 39.5-40.0. (3) Adding primary govt. FSS allocation to 40.5-41.0. (4) Adding primary FSS allocation in 41-42 band. (5) Considering addition of fixed and mobile for nongovt. use to 42.5-43.5. (6) Providing additional protection to Radio Astronomy in 42.5-43.5. (7) Improving definition of spectrum designations U.S. chose for 36.0-51.4.
Proposed changes in domestic allocations seek to maximize efficient use of radio frequency spectrum by satellite and terrestrial users with minimal changes. Separate designations for satellite and wireless services are necessary because spectrum sharing between 2 has proved difficult, FCC said. However, spectrum designations won’t necessarily preclude other allocated services from operating in given band, but would require nondesignated service to meet constraints adopted in future proceedings. Placing limits on satellite PFD in reference bandwidth produced at surface of Earth is one standard method to protect terrestrial services from unacceptable satellite emissions. Proposals for satellite PFD limits depart from precise formulation of power-control mechanisms WRC 2000 adopted.
Ban also was proposed for satellite earth stations in 37.5- 40.0. Commission wants to restrict use of gateway facilities by modifying rules to state that satellite earth station facilities in that band may not be deployed ubiquitously or used to serve individual customers. By restricting use, FCC said it would preserve band primarily for use by wireless services and permit satellite gateways to be deployed at large installations or corporate campuses without generating types of ubiquitous, consumer-level deployments that would defeat designation of wireless services as predominant use in band.