SpaceX, Telesat Canada Among Those Critical of OneWeb Proposal
Other satellite-industry companies see problems with OneWeb's proposed satellite constellation, according to comments filed in the proceeding by Monday's deadline. Companies such as SpaceX, ViaSat and SES expressed concern about spectrum efficiency, how OneWeb's proposal would interact with other satellites, what the effect of planned new rules for non-geosynchronous orbit constellations would be, and about waivers OneWeb has requested. “OneWeb’s system would not only make inefficient use of the spectrum it seeks to use, but may also prevent other NGSO/FSS [fixed satellite service] systems from efficiently sharing the available spectrum,” SpaceX said.
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Several companies expressed concern about how OneWeb's plan would affect other satellites and NGSO systems. SES and ViaSat both said there's not yet sufficient information to show how OneWeb will prevent its proposed system from interfering with satellites in geostationary orbit. ViaSat asked the FCC to defer ruling on OneWeb's petition until after the November deadline for other NGSO applications. The FCC should “afford interested parties the opportunity to provide comment after the close of the processing round,” ViaSat said. SES is "concerned that the information provided regarding OneWeb’s ability to protect GSO satellites from interference is insufficient,” the filing said.
SpaceX said OneWeb has chosen not to take advantage of technology that would allow more efficient use of spectrum. “OneWeb is requesting that the Commission authorize its own system at the expense of other prospective NGSO/FSS constellations,” SpaceX said. “Because its system is not designed to coordinate readily with other NGSO/FSS systems, such an authorization would sacrifice the benefits of a competitive NGSO environment for broadband service diversity in the U.S.”
SpaceX also said the FCC shouldn't allow OneWeb to avoid requirements that it provide plans for mitigating orbital debris and satellite disposal because it's overseen by the U.K. ”Given the size of OneWeb’s proposed constellation, the issues of orbital debris and post-mission disposal are too important to overall space safety for the Commission to defer to another country’s regulator,” said SpaceX.
The FCC should reject OneWeb's proposal, said Telesat Canada in a petition to deny. “OneWeb’s NGSO system would interfere with Telesat’s NGSO operations because the two systems would operate in overlapping geographical areas on overlapping Ka-band frequencies,” Telesat said. Telesat acknowledged the FCC is working on new rules for NGSO systems and said it would withdraw its petition if those rules address its concerns. Boeing said the FCC should address interference issues before granting petitions for the Ku-band. SpaceX said any new rules generated by that proceeding should apply to OneWeb's proposal.