By Leslie Stimson, Inside Towers Washington Bureau Chief
UPDATE
More broadcasters have joined NPR in opposing the FCC’s plan to explore
opening up C-band for broadband as the wireless and satellite
industries are pushing to use more of the spectrum between 3.7 GHz to
4.2 GHz. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, meanwhile, intends to place an item
about the issue on the agenda for the Commission’s July meeting, he told
attendees at the recent WIA Connect(X). Comments on the issue due to
the FCC (to docket 18-122) by May 31, and examined by Inside Towers show how battle lines are shaping up.
Because broadcasters are not required to register their satellite
downlink earth stations with the agency, they believe the Commission
doesn’t realize how much of the band is being used for this purpose.
NAB, the SBE and other organizations have encouraged broadcasters to
register their C-band receive-only earth stations by the FCC’s July 18 deadline.
No protection will be afforded to those that do not register by July
18, according to the Commission. The hope is once the agency has a
better handle on downlink frequency use, it will look elsewhere for
additional spectrum to auction off for mobile wireless use, according to
a broadcast engineering source. Continue Reading
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