MSS Proponents Want WRC-12 to Consider Crucial Studies

GENEVA -- Mobile satellite service proponents are pressing administrations to wait for crucial feasibility studies on possible sharing arrangements in some of the six bands under consideration for allocations at WRC-12. ITU-R studies on providing broadband MSS service to land, maritime and aeronautical users using small directional antennas showed the need for much more spectrum than is currently available, the draft WRC-12 report said. The spectrum would ensure broadband availability in most areas, it said.

The MSS community supports allocations to meet forecasts of spectrum demand, an MSS proponent said. MSS likely needs 240-335 MHz in both the up and downlinks by 2020 to meet demand, the report said. The use of high-data-rate 3G and 4G applications in terrestrial mobile networks is likely to lift demand for higher data rate services in MSS, the report said.

The MSS community hopes a February WRC-12 preparatory meeting allows continuation of studies so they can be fully analyzed at the conference, an MSS proponent said. Officials at the meeting will finalize the report to the conference, he said. Regional groups will reassess their positions after the meeting, he said. Europe can’t support MSS allocations in the 7 and 8 GHz bands, the MSS proponent said. Other parts of the world don’t share the view, he said.

Studies have focused on six possible bands: 5150-5250 MHz, 7055-7250 MHz, 10.5-10.6 GHz and 13.25-13.4 GHz for downlinks, and 8400-8500 MHz and 15.43-15.63 GHz for uplinks. Some of the studies are ongoing, the MSS proponent said.

The International Civil Aviation Organization said no conclusion should be reached on the feasibility of sharing in the 13.25-13.4 GHz band without first completing studies to account for the impact of the ground reflection MSS signal on the existing aeronautical radio navigation service gear, and the effect of aggregate interference. No new MSS allocation should be made in the 5150-5250 MHz band without first concluding studies for an associated uplink band, ICAO said.

Russia wants to remove the 7055-7250 MHz, 8400-8500 MHz and 15.43-15.63 GHz bands from consideration. Russia is entering the meeting with a strong position, the MSS proponent said. Studies on the 15 GHz band are ongoing, so time remains to show they'll get the needed protection, he said. Russia’s concerns with MSS in the 7055-7250 MHz band are focused on separation distances for space research service transmitting stations, and potential interference to broadcasting auxiliary services. The country’s concerns with MSS in the 8400-8500 MHz band are focused on separation distances for space research service transmitting stations, extremely difficult sharing scenarios with fixed service stations, and interference from broadcasting auxiliary services.

Russia doesn’t think sharing between MSS Earth-to-space links and aeronautical radionavigation service stations is possible in the 15 GHz band. Separation distances of hundreds of kilometers are needed for aircraft landing systems, aircraft multipurpose radars and radar sensing and measurement systems, Russia said. It cited an ITU-R recommendation on sharing in the band.

Canada referred to separation distances of almost 1,000 kilometers between the MSS aircraft Earth stations and space research service (SRS) Earth stations in both 7055-7250 MHz and 8400-8500 MHz, and sharing scenarios in the 7055-7250 MHz band that are likely too complex for implementation during space research service satellite launches. The Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union wants 7055-7250 MHz and 10.5-10.6 GHz dropped from consideration. The union referred to concerns raised by some administrations and ITU-R study group work that determined they weren’t suitable for sharing.

Various other countries have raised concerns with sharing in the bands. An Arab bloc of countries at a recent WRC-12 information meeting said it wanted to level the amount of spectrum that has been made available for delivery of broadband by terrestrial and satellite networks. Some of the regional groups still seem to have neutral positions.