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/ 11.29.2010 12:00AM
FCC Seeks Feedback on BSS Bandwidth Redesignation
WASHINGTON: The Federal Communications Commission is
seeking comments on a plan to redesignate the 42 to 42.5 GHz sub-band from a “broadcasting
satellite service” to a “fixed satellite service.”
FSS birds are geostationary communications satellites used for TV, radio and
network broadcast feeds, as well as for telephone and data communications. Birds
designated BSS are used for radiocommunication services in which signals
transmitted or retransmitted by space stations are intended for direct
reception by the general public.
The FCC recently issued a Third Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking comment
on technical rules for the FSS in the 37.5 to the 42.5 GHz band. The goal is to
ensure that satellite operators can share the band with terrestrial fixed microwave
services without causing interference. The proposed rules would also ensure the
protection of radioastronomy operations in the 42.5 to 43.5 GHz band from
interference from adjacent satellite operations.
The proposed rules also would provide standards for coordination of FSS gateway
earth stations and fixed-service stations, and would establish a methodology for
increasing power flux-density from satellites operating at 37.5 to 40 GHz under
rain-fade conditions.
The 37.5 to 42.5 GHz band is shared by FSS and terrestrial microwave operators
on a primary basis. Under a regulatory plan known as “soft segmentation,”
technical rules favor the widespread deployment of terrestrial microwave
stations in the 37.5 to 40.0 GHz portion of the band and widespread deployment
of consumer satellite earth stations in the 40.0 to 42.5 GHz band.
The Third NPRM proposes to complete the allocation of the entire 37.5 to 42.5
GHz band to terrestrial microwave and FSS by removing BSS allocations and
adding an FSS allocations in the 42.0 to 42.5 GHz band. The Notice requests
comment on coordination procedures for FSS operators and terrestrial microwave
operators in the band and requests comment on what protection requirements will
adequately protect radioastronomy operations. It proposes to prevent
interference to terrestrial microwave stations from higher-power satellite
transmissions by requiring FSS operators to use measures other than boosting
power to compensate for signal fade.
Comments are due Jan. 6, 2011, wich reply comments are due by Feb. 7, 2011 on
WT Docket No. 07-293 and IB Docket No. 95-91.
-- from Government Video
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