FCC started proceeding to determine how multiple satellite networ...

Commission said 2nd round NGSO FSS systems would introduce additional means of providing broadband services to public and would increase satellite and terrestrial services competition. Applicants propose to provide high-speed Internet and online access as well as other high-speed data, video and telephony services. Teledesic is only NGSO FSS system authorized to provide Ka-band service as result of first round. Its authorization requires it to share burden of coordination with other NGSO FSS systems and to coordinate in good faith. Commission proposed to license all 5 of 2nd round Ka-band applicants seeking access to spectrum in 18.8- 19.30 GHz and 28.60-29.10 GHz frequency bands, including @contact, Hughes, Lockheed Martin, SkyBridge II, TRW. It seeks comment on best way to accommodate all of applicants within available spectrum, “bearing in mind [its] previous authorization to Teledesic to operate domestically in the 500 MHz of paired spectrum designated for primary NGSO FSS services.” Commission proposed 4 options for sharing spectrum as starting point for comment: (1) Flexible band segmentation. (2) Dynamic band segmentation. (3) Avoidance of in-line interference events. (4) Homogeneous constellations. Flexible band segmentation option would segment available spectrum to accommodate all 2nd round proposals while providing flexibility for system implementation and expansion. NGSO FSS uplink and downlink would be divided into distinct, equal spectrum segments based on number of 2nd round system proponents authorized. Each 2nd round licensee would be authorized to operate throughout entire spectrum allocated on primary basis to Ka-band NGSO FSS but could claim priority use with respect to other 2nd- round licensees only in its own selected spectrum assignment. Each licensee may provide service anywhere else within unoccupied spectrum allocated to NGSO FSS, FCC said. Dynamic band segmentation is similar to Flexible band segmentation. Under plan, Commission proposes to subdivide NGSO FSS spectrum equally by number of operational systems. Each time new system becomes operational, other systems would have to surrender spectrum. Avoidance of in-line interference events option is premised on fact that separate NGSO satellite systems could share same spectrum frequency and coverage as long as they avoided near in-line interference events, which happens when one NGSO FSS system’s in-line transmission path between its satellite and one of its earth stations is intersected by an in-line transmission path of another NGSO FSS system’s satellite or its earth station. There are 2 possible techniques for coping with in-line interference events, Commission said: satellite diversity and frequency isolation. Licensees could agree to split spectrum between 2 systems, solely for duration of potential in-line interference event, avoiding interference through frequency isolation, FCC said. Requiring homogeneous constellation standard is another option, it said. Several NGSO FSS systems can share same frequency band without interference when systems employ identical orbital parameters. To minimize interference, systems’ transmission characteristics also must remain relatively uniform. Commission also seeks comment on additional service rules for NGSO FSS licensees that weren’t addressed in first round of licensing, specifically: (1) Sharing principles or mitigation techniques for multiple NGSO systems. (2) Whether Commission’s financial requirements would be license qualification for future processing rounds. (3) Imposition of milestones and assignment of intersatellite links (ISLs). (4) Licensing of earth stations and corresponding power flux density limits. Teledesic filed petition asking Commission to clarify feasibility of using noncoordinated orbits. FCC denied request to clarify that it wouldn’t subdivide 500 MHz of spectrum that was allocated to NGSO FSS systems on primary basis. Teledesic also requested clarification that it would be protected from interference from future licensees. Agency said Teledesic shouldn’t have to alter or redesign its system, and newly licensed systems would have to coordinate their systems with Teledesic. It said it intended to allow expeditious deployment of NGSO FSS in U.S. for benefit of consumers by establishing spectrum-sharing plan and service rules so systems could be implemented in compliance with International Telecommunication Union (ITU) deadlines and by allowing market forces to play role in implementation of systems. Comments are due 30 days after publication in Federal Register, replies 45 days later.