DC Circuit Says Ample Evidence Backs Its Rejection of C-Band Appeal
There's ample evidence of enough spectrum to serve small satellite operators' (SSO) likely future customers, despite SSO complaints the C-band clearing order left them spectrum to serve only existing customers, said a U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit…
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opinion (docket 20-1142) released Friday. The opinion explained the court decision earlier this month (see 2012080020) to reject challenges to the order brought by the SSOs and satellite truck operator PSSI Global. The FCC was reasonable in deciding C-band spectrum "would better serve the public interest if actively used by state-of-the-art 5G technology than if held in reserve by satellite operators unlikely to need it," said Judges Robert Wilkins, Gregory Katsas and Justin Walker in an opinion penned by Katsas. The court said there's also "substantial evidence" that mobile earth stations will be able to provide the same services to customers after the agency modifies their licenses. Counsel for the appellants didn't comment.