The FCC took action last week to permit 11 Department of Defense uplink earth stations to operate on a co-primary basis with incumbents in the Broadcast Auxiliary Service, such as ENG crews, Cable Television Relay Service and local TV transmission service in the 2GHz band.
The move was part of a broader initiative to clear spectrum used by the federal government that has been allocated for advanced wireless services (AWS), including third-generation wireless, 3G, systems. Eventually, 90MHz of spectrum cleared for AWS will be auctioned off.
The 11 Defense Department earth stations sharing the 2GHz band are used to control military satellites. The commission concluded that frequency coordination will be necessary and outlined steps the DOD operation must take before beginning to use the band.
The FCC action also allowed for relocation of DOD fixed and mobile systems, with the exclusion of aeronautical mobile systems, from the 1.7GHz band to the 2GHz band on a secondary basis at six remote sites in the southwestern region of the United States.
Prior to last week’s action, the commission had allocated the 1710-1755MHz and 2110-2155MHz bands for AWS use. Certain portions of the 1.7GHz band were to remain in federal hands indefinitely. However the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), worked with the Defense Department and other agencies to clear the spectrum so it would be available for AWS use throughout the United States.
The FCC’s action last week implemented the NTIA plan.
For more information, visit www.fcc.gov.