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Order (FCC 02-123): Text | Word | Acrobat

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Federal Communications Commission
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This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 18, 2002
  NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:
Maureen Peratino at (202) 418-0506

KU-BAND SATELLITE SERVICE MOVES FORWARD


Washington, DC -- Today, the Commission took another step to advance delivery of broadband services by satellite. The action taken by the Commission affects data, video and telephony services to businesses, governments and individuals. The Commission adopts a flexible, innovative and efficient spectrum sharing approach that relies on market demands to shape service offerings.

The Commission adopted a Report and Order for licensing new satellite services in shared Ku-band frequencies (10.7 GHz -14.5 GHz). There are seven pending applications that propose to use non-geostationary satellite orbit (NGSO) space stations communicating with fixed-satellite service (FSS) antennae on Earth. Once in orbit, these systems will experience an orbital phenomenon in which at regular intervals multiple space stations simultaneously will be in a direct line of communication on the same frequency with an Earth station. This technical feature must be addressed to avoid interference. Thus, the Order creates a sharing method for the systems to simultaneously operate in shared spectrum most of the time, even while using different satellite designs. Under the adopted approach, the systems involved will split the frequency band for the duration of the event.

In a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Further NPRM) adopted at the same time, the Commission issued two proposals. Currently, there is a limit on the total power that can be emitted by the Ku-band NGSO FSS service. The NPRM proposes a methodology for the licensees to demonstrate, in the aggregate, that their systems are within that limit. The NPRM also seeks comment on whether the definition of in-line interference events adopted in the Order should be adjusted with respect to higher-powered transmitters.

Action by the Commission April 18, 2002, by Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FCC 02-123). Chairman Powell, Commissioners Abernathy, Copps and Martin.

-FCC-

International Bureau contacts: Linda Haller at 202-418-1408, lhaller@fcc.gov and Mark Young at 202-418-0762, myoung@fcc.gov.

IB Docket No. 01-96