UMFU Emissions Need Restrictions for 5G Sharing, Satellite Industry Says
Sharing the 28 GHz band between fixed satellite service (FSS) and upper microwave flexible use licensees requires restrictions on UMFU skyward emissions to protect satellite broadband service, satellite industry representatives told Edward Smith of Chairman Tom Wheeler's office, according to…
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an ex parte filing Thursday in docket 14-177. The restrictions would either put an aggregate cap on skyward equivalent isotropically radiated power density or require the FCC to codify and monitor UMFU device certification matters such as off-axis EIRP, power control and antenna down-tilt, they said. The commission as soon as next month may vote on rules helping 5G use the 28 GHz band already occupied by FSS (see 1606070059). The satellite representatives also said any rules need to prevent interference to satellite receivers, protect existing FSS earth stations "and allow reasonable deployment" of new co-primary FSS earth stations. Meeting with Smith were officials from EchoStar, OneWeb, O3b, ViaSat, Inmarsat and SES. In a separate meeting with International and Wireless bureaus and Office of Engineering and Technology representatives and with eighth-floor staffers, Nextlink Wireless said if the agency changes the geographic areas for UMFU licensees in the 28 GHz band, those licenses should be based on partial economic areas (PEA), the end result being harmonized license areas for all new 5G licensees. County-based licensing "present[s] many financial and technical challenges for incumbents and new operators alike," such as requiring investments in additional radios, construction, fiber backhaul and location rents, meaning bigger challenges for licensees in deployment and possible inadequate populations to support ongoing activities, Nextlink said in a filing in the docket Thursday. It also said. with the FCC planning to license 600 MHz spectrum, which will likely be used for some 5G services, based on PEAs, that would create greater uniformity among 5G licensees' license areas.