The FCC Space Bureau approved Quantum Space's planned non-geostationary orbit cubesat, part of an eventual network delivering services between the Earth and moon (see 2307310001). In the bureau approval this week, it deferred Quantum's request to use the 400.15-401 MHz band.
An update to the FCC's international communications filing system (ICFS) is "about 85% there" and should rollout in the second half of the year, Space Bureau Chief of Staff Kerry Murray said Tuesday. At an FCBA event where 2024 priorities were discussed, Murray said the bureau is working with software developers on updating the system, which dates back to the 1990s. Murray said there will likely be a move this year to refresh the record on earth stations in motion for non-geostationary orbit satellites. Deputy Bureau Chief Jennifer Gilsenan said the bureau also hopes this year to focus on finalized rules for NGSO operations in the 17 GHz band. Pointing to April's NGSO fixed satellite service sharing order and Further NPRM (see 2304200039), she said finishing that proceeding is also a 2024 priority. Gilsenan said the bureau is working with the Wireless and other bureaus on a supplemental coverage from space framework; an SLS NPRM was adopted in March (see 2303160009). Associate Bureau Chief Stephen Duall said that in-space servicing, assembly manufacturing is "very much on our radar" for 2024, following the 2022 ISAM notice of inquiry (see 2208050023). He said September's satellite application streamlining item (see 2309210055) was part of a longer initiative that the bureau continues to work toward. Asked about better coordination with NTIA when it comes to frequency bands also used by federal users, Murray said the ICFS modernization should help with that. "The technology is the problem," she said. The ICFS update should make the system more user-friendly by incorporating such capabilities as auto population of fields. Bureau Chief Julie Kearney said among the chief complaints the bureau receives are those about the ICFS.
SpaceX and Amazon's Kuiper are jointly lobbying the FCC for expanded satellite use of the 17.3-17.8 GHz band. In a docket 20-330 filing Tuesday, they recapped a meeting with FCC Space Bureau staffers where they urged a non-geostationary orbit fixed satellite service downlink allocation in the 17 GHz band. They said that while geostationary orbit operators had asked the FCC to delay considering NGSO use in the band until after the 2023 World Radiocommunication Conference, the adoption of an NGSO allocation at WRC-23 (see 2312150012) "moots any arguments" for inaction. At an FCBA event Tuesday, the Space Bureau said finalizing rules for NGSO use of the 17 GHz band was a 2024 priority (see 2401230043).
Aeronet representatives discussed the company’s proposed use of the 70/80 GHz bands to provide “high-speed, ‘in-home’ equivalent broadband experiences to consumers in planes and on ships,” meeting with FCC Wireless Bureau Chief Joel Taubenblatt, according to a filing posted Monday in docket 20-133. “Aeronet also expressed its strong support for the Commission moving forward to adopt this item at the January Open Meeting,” the company said. Aeronet has sought tweaks to a draft order on the spectrum set for a vote Thursday, which have proven controversial (see 2401190040). The discussion focused on maritime operations. “Aeronet emphasized its view that ship-to-aerostat links do not represent an interference risk and noted that the Comsearch study in the record concludes that ship-to-aerostat links ‘would not be harmful,’” the filing said.
Telecom and media companies support the intentions behind FCC and FTC “junk fees” regulatory actions, but implementation raises questions and potential compliance headaches, industry representatives said. At an FCBA event Monday, Brownstein Hyatt financial services lawyer Leah Dempsey said many industries see the White House and regulatory agency focus on junk fees as "kind of a campaign issue." She said President Joe Biden will likely be "touting the war on junk fees" at his next State of the Union address. Dempsey also said there are concerns that agencies are coming to predetermined outcomes on fees.
The space industry is in disagreement over FCC reliance on case-by-case reviews of orbital debris disclosures. Pushing back on SpaceX criticisms of the orbital debris order on reconsideration on January's FCC agenda (see 2401180064), Viasat said Friday in docket 18-313 that different satellite systems pose various space sustainability risks. Accordingly, "there is nothing improper" about taking a case-by-case approach to application reviews. While backing a case-by-case approach, Astroscale said that an "expansive reliance on case-by-case analysis, without a strategy for evolution, will inhibit efficiency." It urged that the draft order include a commitment that the Space Bureau will issue guidance on orbital debris mitigation information disclosures and case-by-case reviews. With such guidance, operators wouldn't have to rely as much on "identify[ing] emerging disclosure precedents across hundreds of disparate" international communications filing system files, it said.
The FCC Media Bureau initiated a proceeding that will revoke the licenses of two Daniel Stratemeyer-owned radio stations due to nearly $25,000 in unpaid regulatory and administrative fees, according to an order to pay or show cause in Friday’s Daily Digest. The delinquent fees are for WRIK(AM) Brookport, Illinois, and KZMA(FM) Naylor, Missouri, from fiscal years 2010, 2012 and 2013, the filing said. The FCC sent the bills to the Treasury Department for collection, and Stratemeyer has 60 days to show the fees are paid, or his stations could lose their licenses.
Wavelength asked the FCC to reconsider a December Wireline Bureau order denying its Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Phase I auction long-form application Friday. The company said in an application for review posted in docket 19-126 that the bureau's denial was "based solely on financial concerns raised at the eleventh hour" after previously determining that Wavelength's technical plans and qualifications "are sound." The bureau "should not be permitted to summarily dismiss Wavelength’s application as part of a last-minute rush to conclude overall RDOF applicant review, while denying Wavelength an opportunity to correct the bureau’s manifest errors," it said. It asked the FCC to reverse the decision and "promptly issue a ready-to-authorize notice."
The FCC Media Bureau proposed a $16,500 forfeiture for Shelby Broadcast for operating a translator station at variance from its FCC authorization and for not disclosing the unauthorized operation, according to an order and notice of apparent liability in Wednesday's Daily Digest. The proposed penalty concerns translator W252BE Tarrant, Alabama, which Shelby allegedly operated at a different height and power level than authorized since a cable was severed in 2015, the order said. Shelby didn’t renew a grant of special temporary authority for the translator, and the matter was brought to the FCC’s attention by repeated filings and interference complaints from broadcaster Marble City Media. Marble City also petitioned against the renewal of Shelby’s license, but the order authorizes the station’s renewal. “We find no evidence of violations that, when considered together, evidence a pattern of abuse,” the filing said.
USCellular urged revisions to the FCC’s proposed approach to a 5G Fund during a series of meetings at the FCC. The agency should “reconsider its proposal to begin the phase down of legacy support with the auction winners’ public notice, and instead begin the phase down when the public notice announcing the commencement of 5G Fund support is released,” said a filing posted Wednesday in docket 20-32. The FCC is considering rules for launching the long-awaited fund (see 2311220060). USCellular representatives spoke with staff from Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel's, Commissioners Brendan Carr's and Geoffrey Starks' offices, the Wireless Bureau and the Office of Economics and Analytics.