FCC WRC Panel OKs Satellite-Oriented Preliminary Views
The FCC 2023 World Radiocommunication Conference Advisory Committee (WAC) OK'd five more “preliminary views” Tuesday for the next WRC, during a virtual meeting, bringing to 24 the number OK’d so far. WAC is about “half-way through” and is ready to move beyond the preliminary proposals, to take up recommendations to the FCC, said Chair Tricia Paoletta of Harris Wiltshire. The first formal recommendations are likely at the next meeting in February, she said.
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“We’re rounding this corner” and “entering a phase now where we’re going to start considering the development of proposals,” said Dante Ibarra, FCC designated federal officer to WAC. Members need to start monitoring the work being done elsewhere in the world on proposals for the 2023 conference, he said.
NTIA’s Charles Glass said “it seems like we have a lot of time” before the start of the conference. But the “time crunch” is already starting, he added.
Among the preliminary views WAC OK’d Tuesday is WAC-23-34, which says the U.S. supports studies and consideration of a new allocation to the Earth exploration-satellite (active) service on a secondary basis in the 40-50 MHz frequency range. “Such consideration would need to take into account the results of studies on spectrum needs and sharing studies, and the need to provide protection and to not impose constraints on incumbent services in this frequency range and adjacent frequency bands,” the document says. It was OK’d without objection.
WAC members greenlit WAC 23-35, which says the U.S. supports the study of satellite-to-satellite links in the 11.7-12.7, 18.1-18.6, 18.8-20.2 and 27.5-30 GHz frequencies. The U.S. is “of the view that the studies of satellite-to-satellite operations for consideration under this agenda item should be limited to links operating in the same direction of transmission as provided in the current allocations for the fixed-satellite service in the frequency bands under consideration,” the document says.
The group OK’d WAC 12-38, affirming a U.S. position that a study of “tolerances for the characteristics of notified orbital planes” for non-geostationary satellite orbit, fixed satellite service, broadcast satellite service and mobile satellite service systems should be limited to four parameters. They are “inclination of the orbital plane, the altitude of the apogee of the space station, the altitude of the perigee of the space station and the argument of the perigee of the orbital plane.”
WAC also gave the nod to WAC 23-36. It supports studies of the “technical and operational characteristics, spectrum requirements and appropriate radio service designations for space weather sensors.”
“There’s a long way to go still,” said Vice Chair Bryan Tramont of Wilkinson Barker. International Bureau Chief Tom Sullivan said finding consensus where possible is important. “The discussions and negotiations on these proposals between membership may often get very complicated,” he said: “Despite these challenges and complexities, we are confident that the advisory committee and the informal working groups will continue to work diligently and collaboratively.”