‘Scant support’ for an FCC proposal to allow use of unlicensed de...
“Scant support” for an FCC proposal to allow use of unlicensed devices in the extended C-band should indicate such a rule change is against the public interest, said the Satellite Industry Assn. (SIA). The FCC made the proposal in…
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April and suggested that the band (3650-3700 MHz) could have both licensed and unlicensed uses, including new and advanced wireless services. The proposal included safeguards for existing fixed satellite service (FSS) operations in the band, such as requiring professional installation of unlicensed devices and “listen-before-talk” capabilities (CD April 16 p4). But SIA said in reply comments there was “little or no enthusiasm from potential [wireless ISP (WISP)] providers or customers, thus evidencing the limited interest in this spectrum for unlicensed devices.” SIA said the Commission’s proposed protections aren’t proven, and proposals by commenters that would require satellite licensees to reimburse new entrants for the protection forget that new entrants would “operate on an unprotected, non-harmful interference basis, and thus are required to bear the burden of interference avoidance.” If the Commission adopts its proposed rules, the “exclusion,” or protection, zones around earth stations should be expanded, rather than eliminated as suggested by some commenters.