WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Communications Commission at its September Open Meeting on Wednesday adopted rules designed to open up big swaths of additional spectrum for next-generation connectivity.
Through the satellite spectrum abundance order, the Commission intends to “unlock” upward 1,000 MHz of spectrum in the 12.7 GHz and 42 GHz bands for a range of connectivity services, including even faster satellite broadband.
The actions are part of what the Carr Commission believes is its “leadership in efficient spectrum management to provide the spectrum resources that American free enterprise can use to build a vibrant commercial economy.”
And, with the action, the Commission “looks forward to witnessing how spectrum abundance will expand high-speed connectivity to underserved areas and unlock the next generation of space-based communications.”
As the Carr Commission explains, “Bountiful downlink spectrum for consumer terminals provides more bandwidth for in-home satellite broadband and with more spectrum for fixed earth stations, these rules can improve how traffic is routed on the ground. Additional capacity for inter-satellite links strengthens the backbone in orbit and makes it more resilient. Bolstering spectrum access for earth stations in motion brings better connectivity to ships, planes, and vehicles. New spectrum for telemetry, tracking, and control opens the door to a wide range of industrial and commercial innovations in space that we are only beginning to imagine.”
In addition to these final rules, in a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, the Commission is exploring the freeing up of 1,450 MHz of spectrum in the Ku- and Ka- bands, along with 138.25 gigahertz in the D-band, “for more intensive satellite communications.”
Lastly, in a second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, the Commission adds to the list of spectrum bands under consideration for “weird space stuff.”
This follows the Commission’s first-of-its-kind proceeding to bring spectrum abundance for missions like in-orbit servicing, refueling, manufacturing, or operations on or around the Moon — that is, next-generation space missions that do not provide connectivity to the public, the FCC said on Wednesday.
“This Further Notice would build on the foundation by considering new spectrum bands to control spacecraft and transmit data for emergent space ops,” it noted.
