The FCC approved a requirement that satellites in low earth orbit deorbit within five years of end of life, and the International Bureau anticipates further orbital debris rule-making action but can't say when, Deputy Chief Patrick Webre said Thursday. The 4-0 approval at the commissioners' September meeting was expected (see 2209230003). It also adopted unanimously orders updating emergency alert system rules, an NPRM removing FCC rules references to analog TV now that no analog TV services remain, and an order expanding access to telecom relay services for deaf or hard of hearing individuals. The agency said it's acting in Florida in response to Hurricane Ian (see 2209290055).

The FCC's rejection of SpaceX's Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Phase I auction long-form application (see 2208100050) could show agency skepticism about the satellite operator's potential that could affect how the FCC decides on any opening of the 12 GHz band to 5G, we were told. SpaceX has been one of the chief proponents of keeping the band solely for satellite use. Some proceedings watchers and participants see RDOF as separate, not having ramifications for the pending 12 GHz proceeding. The FCC and SpaceX didn't comment.

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel and Commissioner Brendan Carr said they're awaiting an Office of Engineering and Technology analysis of whether the 12 GHz band can open to 5G service. There has been heavy lobbying by proponents and opponents, but "this continues to come down to the engineering" and OET's take, Carr said Friday after the agency's August meeting (see 2208050023). He said he's "open to landing this in a win-win situation." "It's an engineering matter," Rosenworcel said, saying she's relying on OET "to help show us the way forward." Consultancy RKF Engineering stands by its technical studies on satellite sharing of the band with 5G, including its finding that such 5G deployments wouldn't affect at least 99.85% of non-geostationary orbit operations in the band, RS Access said in docket 20-443, recapping meetings CEO Noah Campbell had with aides to Rosenworcel and Commissioners Nathan Simington and Geoffrey Starks. It said RKF reconciled its findings with a SpaceX analysis showing likely sizable interference to its Starlink receivers (see 2206220042). RS Access said the SpaceX analysis was loaded with conclusions unfavorable to sharing, such as assuming 12 GHz is the only downlink frequency being used, an excessive deployment of 5G macrocells and 5G operating at 1,000% power. SpaceX didn't comment.

Noting the 90,000-plus comments in docket 20-443 supporting SpaceX's opposition to opening the 12 GHz band to terrestrial service (see 2207060012), President Gwynne Shotwell urged closing the 12 GHz proceeding, in meetings with FCC Commissioners Brendan Carr and Nathan Simington, said an ex parte post Monday. The record has multiple studies "from all sides that unanimously show that high-power terrestrial services in this shared band would effectively wipe out existing satellite services," it said. "The Commission should listen to this outcry from across the country and reject the misleading efforts by speculators to line their pockets at the expense of the American people."

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel told reporters Thursday the FCC still has much to work through as it examines 5G in 12 GHz (see 2207130031). “It’s a really complex proceeding,” she said: “We have a very substantial technical review that’s underway.” Rosenworcel noted recent filings offering additional data “and at the same time we’ve gotten lots of consumers filing in our comment system,” she said: “We are still doing the technical review, our docket continues to grow, and it’s taking a lot of time and resources, but that’s OK because we want to reach the right answer.” Commissioner Brendan Carr said his view hasn’t changed in recent months and the FCC’s decision will be based on “a very technical analysis.” Dish Network Chairman Charlie Ergen, meanwhile, and others from the company met this week with all four commissioners on 12 GHz and other issues. Dish disputed SpaceX’s claims 5G in the band would harm its Starlink broadband offering (see 2207060012). “Starlink’s latest filing, part of an ongoing misinformation campaign initiated by the company, is both scientifically and logically flawed,” said a filing posted Thursday in docket 20-443: “It is therefore not surprising that the study does not appear to be authored by any third-party expert engineers.”

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel told reporters Thursday the FCC still has much to work through as it examines 5G in 12 GHz (see 2207130031). “It’s a really complex proceeding,” she said: “We have a very substantial technical review that’s underway.” Rosenworcel noted recent filings offering additional data “and at the same time we’ve gotten lots of consumers filing in our comment system,” she said: “We are still doing the technical review, our docket continues to grow, and it’s taking a lot of time and resources, but that’s OK because we want to reach the right answer.” Commissioner Brendan Carr said his view hasn’t changed in recent months and the FCC’s decision will be based on “a very technical analysis.” Dish Network Chairman Charlie Ergen, meanwhile, and others from the company met this week with all four commissioners on 12 GHz and other issues. Dish disputed SpaceX’s claims 5G in the band would harm its Starlink broadband offering (see 2207060012). “Starlink’s latest filing, part of an ongoing misinformation campaign initiated by the company, is both scientifically and logically flawed,” said a filing posted Thursday in docket 20-443: “It is therefore not surprising that the study does not appear to be authored by any third-party expert engineers.”

Advocates of a proposal to use the 12 GHz band for 5G told us they expect SpaceX to launch a late campaign opposing the change and think the FCC is still on a path to authorizing operations in coming months. Leaders of the 5G for 12 GHz Coalition say all signs are that the FCC Office of Engineering and Technology is fully engaged in working through the engineering and whether the band can be used for 5G without causing harmful interference to incumbents. OneWeb also raised concerns (see 2207120058).

Advocates of a proposal to use the 12 GHz band for 5G told us they expect SpaceX to launch a late campaign opposing the change and think the FCC is still on a path to authorizing operations in coming months. Leaders of the 5G for 12 GHz Coalition say all signs are that the FCC Office of Engineering and Technology is fully engaged in working through the engineering and whether the band can be used for 5G without causing harmful interference to incumbents. OneWeb also raised concerns (see 2207120058).

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel appears likely to put less spectrum in play for 5G and unlicensed use during her tenure than did her predecessor Ajit Pai, but she seems determined to address the process for reallocating bands, industry officials said. Rosenworcel shifted much of her attention to changes to process, and that will likely be a theme for the next few years.

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel appears likely to put less spectrum in play for 5G and unlicensed use during her tenure than did her predecessor Ajit Pai, but she seems determined to address the process for reallocating bands, industry officials said. Rosenworcel shifted much of her attention to changes to process, and that will likely be a theme for the next few years.