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.
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.
Commercial modeling and analysis software company Analytical Graphics joined the Satellite Industry Association, the trade group said Monday.
Google parent Alphabet Access said the FCC should approve the Broadband Access Coalition’s (BAC) proposal for the 3.7 GHz band (see 1708100037). But satellite commenters continue to raise concerns. “A range of commenters demonstrate that these changes would improve broadband service across the country, especially in underserved areas and locations where purchasers lack a competitive provider,” Alphabet said in replies in RM-11791. “Because the 3700-4200 MHz band represents 500 megahertz of prime but underutilized mid-band spectrum, the Commission should take action to improve utilization.” Alphabet's comments are important because Google also supports a rival plan for the band by an Intel-led group (see 1708080050), a BAC proponent told us. The BAC plan isn't the answer and would interrupt satellite operations across the band, the Satellite Industry Association said. “Neither the BAC nor any other party has proposed a framework that would adequately protect existing and future satellite operations,” SIA said. “The BAC Petition’s approach would undercut, not advance, its stated goal of bridging the digital divide.” SIA member Intelsat also opposed the BAC proposal. Technology provider NetMoby endorsed the BAC proposal. The 3.7 GHz band is the largest “underutilized swatch of spectrum” below 6 GHz managed by the FCC, NetMoby said. The coalition's three lead members are Mimosa Networks, the Wireless ISP Association and New America’s Open Technology Institute. “Shared access to this high-quality spectrum can narrow the high-capacity broadband gap in rural and other low-density areas, while increasing competition in areas where consumers have only one choice for high-speed service,” Michael Calabrese, director of the Wireless Future Project at New America told us Wednesday. “As a fiber substitute, fixed wireless can fill the void between fiber, where it’s too expensive to trench, and mobile, which cannot yet provide enough capacity to be an adequate substitute for fixed broadband at home or work.” The Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition is a member of BAC and supports the proposal, Executive Director John Windhausen said: “Rural areas are struggling to find sufficient broadband capacity, and this is especially true of community anchor institutions, who need much higher capacity than residential consumers. 5G technologies, while exciting, are largely an urban play and rural areas are likely to fall further behind unless there is more focus on rural broadband solutions.”
Google parent Alphabet Access said the FCC should approve the Broadband Access Coalition’s (BAC) proposal for the 3.7 GHz band (see 1708100037). But satellite commenters continue to raise concerns. “A range of commenters demonstrate that these changes would improve broadband service across the country, especially in underserved areas and locations where purchasers lack a competitive provider,” Alphabet said in replies in RM-11791. “Because the 3700-4200 MHz band represents 500 megahertz of prime but underutilized mid-band spectrum, the Commission should take action to improve utilization.” Alphabet's comments are important because Google also supports a rival plan for the band by an Intel-led group (see 1708080050), a BAC proponent told us. The BAC plan isn't the answer and would interrupt satellite operations across the band, the Satellite Industry Association said. “Neither the BAC nor any other party has proposed a framework that would adequately protect existing and future satellite operations,” SIA said. “The BAC Petition’s approach would undercut, not advance, its stated goal of bridging the digital divide.” SIA member Intelsat also opposed the BAC proposal. Technology provider NetMoby endorsed the BAC proposal. The 3.7 GHz band is the largest “underutilized swatch of spectrum” below 6 GHz managed by the FCC, NetMoby said. The coalition's three lead members are Mimosa Networks, the Wireless ISP Association and New America’s Open Technology Institute. “Shared access to this high-quality spectrum can narrow the high-capacity broadband gap in rural and other low-density areas, while increasing competition in areas where consumers have only one choice for high-speed service,” Michael Calabrese, director of the Wireless Future Project at New America told us Wednesday. “As a fiber substitute, fixed wireless can fill the void between fiber, where it’s too expensive to trench, and mobile, which cannot yet provide enough capacity to be an adequate substitute for fixed broadband at home or work.” The Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition is a member of BAC and supports the proposal, Executive Director John Windhausen said: “Rural areas are struggling to find sufficient broadband capacity, and this is especially true of community anchor institutions, who need much higher capacity than residential consumers. 5G technologies, while exciting, are largely an urban play and rural areas are likely to fall further behind unless there is more focus on rural broadband solutions.”
Google parent Alphabet Access said the FCC should approve the Broadband Access Coalition’s (BAC) proposal for the 3.7 GHz band (see 1708100037). But satellite commenters continue to raise concerns. “A range of commenters demonstrate that these changes would improve broadband service across the country, especially in underserved areas and locations where purchasers lack a competitive provider,” Alphabet said in replies in RM-11791. “Because the 3700-4200 MHz band represents 500 megahertz of prime but underutilized mid-band spectrum, the Commission should take action to improve utilization.” Alphabet's comments are important because Google also supports a rival plan for the band by an Intel-led group (see 1708080050), a BAC proponent told us. The BAC plan isn't the answer and would interrupt satellite operations across the band, the Satellite Industry Association said. “Neither the BAC nor any other party has proposed a framework that would adequately protect existing and future satellite operations,” SIA said. “The BAC Petition’s approach would undercut, not advance, its stated goal of bridging the digital divide.” SIA member Intelsat also opposed the BAC proposal. Technology provider NetMoby endorsed the BAC proposal. The 3.7 GHz band is the largest “underutilized swatch of spectrum” below 6 GHz managed by the FCC, NetMoby said. The coalition's three lead members are Mimosa Networks, the Wireless ISP Association and New America’s Open Technology Institute. “Shared access to this high-quality spectrum can narrow the high-capacity broadband gap in rural and other low-density areas, while increasing competition in areas where consumers have only one choice for high-speed service,” Michael Calabrese, director of the Wireless Future Project at New America told us Wednesday. “As a fiber substitute, fixed wireless can fill the void between fiber, where it’s too expensive to trench, and mobile, which cannot yet provide enough capacity to be an adequate substitute for fixed broadband at home or work.” The Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition is a member of BAC and supports the proposal, Executive Director John Windhausen said: “Rural areas are struggling to find sufficient broadband capacity, and this is especially true of community anchor institutions, who need much higher capacity than residential consumers. 5G technologies, while exciting, are largely an urban play and rural areas are likely to fall further behind unless there is more focus on rural broadband solutions.”