FCC granted in part and denied in part Skybridge petition for rec...

radio frequency (RF) safety rules. In decisions released Tues., Commission granted 4 Skybridge requests and amended its rules as follows: (1) NGSO FSS uplink operations can operate in 13.15-13.2125 GHz portion of 12.75-13.25 GHz band outside 50 km radius of top-100 TV markets. Gateway operations will be allowed in 13.15-13.2125 GHz on co-primary basis and changes will reflect effective isotropically radiated power (EIRP) limits of 3.2 dBW at 0 degrees elevation. (2) Co-frequency operations don’t need individual coordination because power flux density limits for NGSO FSS in 10.7-11.7 GHz are sufficient. “Should interference occur, the new entrant shall continue to be responsible for resolving the interference to an acceptable level,” Commission said. (3) NGSO FSS earth station gateway definition is amended to limit their use to support NGSO FSS and not for exclusive use of any one customer. (4) ITU EIRP limits of 59 dBW will be adopted for federal radiolocation operations in 13.75-14 GHz band that will protect GSO and NGSO FSS operations. Commission denied Skybridge requests to restrict EIRP limits to 6 MHz in 13.77-13.78 GHz band and to require ITU protection levels to share frequencies with radio astronomy services. It also addressed Hughes petition that Commission shouldn’t require professional installation of 2- way subscriber antennas for RF operations. FCC denied requests, saying professional installation wasn’t requirement but was merely suggestion. “In addition, the Commission may examine RF safety concerns and NGSO FSS antenna rules on professional installation, labeling, interlocking measures and instructional materials in a future proceeding,” agency said.