Facing the prospect that it won't meet its 50%-launched milestone for its 7,500 V-band payloads by the Nov. 19 milestone date, SpaceX is asking the FCC Space Bureau for a modification of its V-band system authorization. In an application posted Wednesday, SpaceX requested that the V-band payloads launched by Nov. 19 on its second-generation satellites be considered its first V-band processing round system. It also asked that it still be allowed to deploy additional V-band payloads on second-gen satellites, up to the 7,500 authorized, after Nov. 19, but for those satellites to be considered part of the second V-band non-geostationary orbit satellite processing round. Those post-Nov. 19 V-band payload deployments would be subject to new milestone requirements, SpaceX said. The company has deployed its second-gen satellites "at a blistering pace" since getting the V-band payload deployment authorization (see 2310160053), it said. SpaceX expects to have more than 1,530 V-band capable satellites in orbit by Nov. 19.
GCI Communications urged that the FCC adopt a revised framework of the Alaska Plan for the Alaska Connect Fund. During a meeting with staff of the Wireline Bureau, Wireless Bureau and Office of Economics and Analytics, GCI proposed a framework built on the "existing and successful" Alaska Plan "rather than reinvent the wheel." In an ex parte filing posted Wednesday in docket 23-328, GCI said the state "has a uniquely challenging environment for deploying broadband services," so the commission should adopt a "two-phase approach." The first, it said, should be a 10-year term that builds on the existing plan with increased support levels to account for inflation. The second would require the commission to initiate a proceeding evaluating the results of NTIA's broadband, equity, access, and deployment program to evaluate and develop cost models.
The FCC on Wednesday approved a waiver of its rules for Federated Wireless requiring environmental sensing capability (ESC) systems to protect federal incumbents in the citizens broadband radio service band from harmful interference for markets that Hurricane Ernesto hits. The Wireless Bureau said the waiver is similar to those granted for similar storms and applies only to areas that experience power outages. It expires Aug. 28 or when commercial power and backhaul service are restored to the ESC sensors involved. Hurricane Ernesto made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands late Tuesday.
Broadband service prices have largely escaped the ravages of inflation since 2015, hovering at around a nominal price of $90 a month, according to BroadbandNow. For example, since 2015, the average price of a cable connection has fallen 31% when adjusted for inflation, while the average cost of DSL has dropped 28% and the average cost of fiber-delivered service is down 39%. While nominal prices have remained largely steady, "there is still plenty of room for improvement when it comes to the ability to afford a robust broadband connection in America today," BroadbandNow said, noting the large percentage of low-income households without a home broadband subscription. The particularly rapid decline in fiber prices "is a promising sign of what might be to come, provided current broadband affordability initiatives are continued or expanded upon at the federal level." That includes new funding of or an alternate version of the affordable connectivity program, it said. The price of internet service rose 3.9% between July 2023 and last month, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics' consumer price index unadjusted data out Wednesday. Smartphone prices were down 8.2% year over year, while television set prices dropped 5.4%, it said. Computers, peripherals and smart home assistant prices fell 2.4%, while the cost of wireless phone service was down 0.8%, it said. The cost of residential phone service rose 4.4%, while cable, satellite and livestreaming TV service costs rose 1.6%. The cost of video purchase/subscription/rental increased 8.2%. Also rising were recorded music and music subscriptions, up 2.8%. BLS said July prices for all items rose 2.9% year over year before seasonal adjustment.
Clarify whether imaging operations for space domain awareness missions make a space vehicle an in-space servicing, assembly and manufacturing vehicle under the FCC's proposed ISAM definition, True Anomaly representatives told FCC Space Bureau staffers, said a filing Tuesday (docket 22-271). They also discussed the need for clarity around information submitted in ISAM applications, given that some ISAM missions might arise suddenly, in response to a customer's needs. TA urged that the FCC's proposed ISAM licensing framework be optional, not required, for eligible applicants. That would provide agency staff and applicants flexibility on authorizations for novel space activities, it said.
The FCC Public Safety Bureau said on Tuesday its 911 reliability certification system is open for filing annual reliability certifications. The certificates are due Oct. 15. FCC rules require 911 service providers take reasonable measures to provide reliable service with respect to 911 circuit diversity, central office backup power and diverse network monitoring (see 2308220047).
CTIA representatives told staff from the FCC Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau that new rules for robotexting aren't needed. Developed in an ongoing proceeding, the record “shows that the wireless ecosystem’s efforts to combat spam and scam text messages are working, as evidenced by the significant drop in consumer complaints reported over the last few years,” a filing made Monday in docket 21-402 said. “While some advocates for non-consumer message senders recognize the importance of strong blocking and other policies that protect consumers from receiving messaging content they do not want, their requests for the FCC to restrict current spam-prevention efforts are factually inaccurate and legally insufficient,” CTIA said.
The FCC initiated the disaster information reporting system (DIRS) for the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico as Tropical Storm Ernesto makes landfall, a public notice said Tuesday. Additionally, it activated the mandatory disaster response initiative (MDRI) for facilities-based mobile wireless providers in the affected area, which requires companies to allow reasonable roaming and cooperate in service restoration during disasters. The FCC also issued public notices on priority communications services and emergency communications procedures for licensees that need special temporary authority. The Public Safety Bureau issued a reminder for entities clearing debris and repairing utilities to avoid damaging communications infrastructure.
SpaceX is facing opposition from wireless and satellite entities over its requested waiver that would allow relaxed out-of-band power flux density limits for the company's proposed supplemental coverage from space service, according to docket 23-135 filings Tuesday. In its June waiver request, SpaceX said its proposed PFD limits would protect adjacent band networks from interference while avoiding too-restrictive limits. Separately, Omnispace petitioned the FCC, urging denial of SpaceX's pending request to add the 340-360 kilometer altitude shells as a deployment option for its SCS service (see 2406210006).
Intelsat agreed on a $160,000 penalty to end an FCC investigation into the company's unauthorized operation of its Galaxy 35 satellite, the agency's Enforcement Bureau said Monday. While the satellite was authorized to operate at 95.05 degrees west, Intelsat instead parked it at 94.85 degrees west in early 2023 and conducted telemetry, tracking and control transmissions during and after the satellite's move to the unauthorized orbital location, the bureau said. Subsequently, Intelsat received permission to relocate the satellite to 93.1 degrees west, where it currently operates.