The Commercial Smallsat Spectrum Management Association will focus foremost on spectrum, and CSSMA anticipates involving itself increasingly in an array of regulatory issues that affect smallsats. Some question whether it's on a trajectory to be in conflict with or redundant to the Satellite Industry Association. There could be conflicts and overlaps with SIA, but a bigger smallsat industry concern is startups moving forward to get into space without a good understanding of the licensing and regulatory compliance necessary, where CSSMA can play a role, said Christopher Stott, CEO of orbital frequencies and regulatory services company ManSat.
It's unclear how much demand there will be for the growing number space launch facilities that are being established in the U.S., driven in part by the expected low earth orbit (LEO) satellite boom. "I characterize the next decade as the Roaring '20s," with capital markets supporting numerous launch businesses, showing optimism launch demand will be big, said Southwest Research Institute Chairman-Commercial Spaceflight Federation Alan Stern. Within a decade, there might be a modest increase in the number of launches per year, "but not dramatic growth," the one exception being expected sizable growth suborbital space activity like commercial manned spaceflight, countered Bryce Space and Technology analyst Phil Smith.
The FCC move to ax the domestic geographic coverage requirement for non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) fixed satellite service systems, if it faces any opposition at all, might see resistance from Alaska interests. It's unclear how much sentiment there is among satellite operators for keeping the requirement, industry lawyers said. At least some operators argued in favor of maintaining the rule when another company sought a waiver of that requirement.
The FCC released details Friday on its proposed spectrum frontiers order, which makes another 1,700 MHz of high-frequency spectrum available for 5G in the 24 GHz and 47 GHz bands. The draft order in docket 14-177 says the FCC is making spectrum available for 5G, the IoT and other advanced spectrum-based services. But it also says the FCC is looking for a balanced spectrum policy. “In doing so, we help ensure continued American leadership in wireless broadband, which represents a critical component of economic growth, job creation, public safety, and global competitiveness,” the draft says.
The FCC released details Friday on its proposed spectrum frontiers order, which makes another 1,700 MHz of high-frequency spectrum available for 5G in the 24 GHz and 47 GHz bands. The draft order in docket 14-177 says the FCC is making spectrum available for 5G, the IoT and other advanced spectrum-based services. But it also says the FCC is looking for a balanced spectrum policy. “In doing so, we help ensure continued American leadership in wireless broadband, which represents a critical component of economic growth, job creation, public safety, and global competitiveness,” the draft says.
Citing hurricane damage wrought this year by Harvey, Irma and Maria, the Satellite Industry Association put together a compendium of information about satellite use in forecasting, rescue and recovery after such an event. Posted Wednesday in docket 17-183, the SIA filing also notes specific satellite company initiatives after those storms, including Hughes' support of Federal Emergency Management Agency shelters in Texas, Inmarsat terminals providing Internet and communications services across Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and SES providing C-band services to relief workers in Puerto Rico.
Tech companies and Wi-Fi advocates pressed the FCC to open the entire 6 GHz band for unlicensed use, saying it's a key band for the future of Wi-Fi. Wireless carriers were more focused on the 3.7-4.2 GHz band and said the need for more spectrum is real. But public safety groups raised concerns in docket 17-183 about the 6 GHz band (see 1710020058). Commissioners approved a notice of inquiry in August (see 1708030052) and the next logical step would be an NPRM proposing bands for reallocation, industry officials said.
Tech companies and Wi-Fi advocates pressed the FCC to open the entire 6 GHz band for unlicensed use, saying it's a key band for the future of Wi-Fi. Wireless carriers were more focused on the 3.7-4.2 GHz band and said the need for more spectrum is real. But public safety groups raised concerns in docket 17-183 about the 6 GHz band (see 1710020058). Commissioners approved a notice of inquiry in August (see 1708030052) and the next logical step would be an NPRM proposing bands for reallocation, industry officials said.
Tech companies and Wi-Fi advocates pressed the FCC to open the entire 6 GHz band for unlicensed use, saying it's a key band for the future of Wi-Fi. Wireless carriers were more focused on the 3.7-4.2 GHz band and said the need for more spectrum is real. But public safety groups raised concerns in docket 17-183 about the 6 GHz band (see 1710020058). Commissioners approved a notice of inquiry in August (see 1708030052) and the next logical step would be an NPRM proposing bands for reallocation, industry officials said.
FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel objected to a possible lower broadband benchmark through the commission's review of advanced telecom capability (ATC) deployment. "#FCC proposing to lower US #broadband standard from 25 to 10 Mbps. This is crazy. Lowering standards doesn't solve our broadband problems," she tweeted Wednesday. An aide said Rosenworcel is "connecting the dots" of what she feels the FCC is proposing in its inquiry into whether broadband-like ATC is being deployed to all Americans in a reasonable and timely way pursuant to a Telecom Act Section 706 mandate. Initial comments on a notice of inquiry are due Thursday.