ViaSat Ground Network Plans Need Protection in 5G Sharing, CEO Says

Any FCC spectrum frontiers order should let ViaSat finish its ViaSat-2 and ViaSat-3 ground networks as planned and on a protected basis and the agency should protect ViaSat-2 and ViaSat-3 satellites from aggregate mobile wireless interference, ViaSat CEO Mark Dankberg told Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel in a phone conversation, said an ex parte filing Monday in docket 14-177. ViaSat said Dankberg said "continued and meaningful access to the 28 GHz band" is needed for residential, connected car and in-flight broadband connectivity, and pushed for a "reasonable ability" for deployment of 28 GHz and 37/39 GHz gateway-type earth stations and for deployment of satellite broadband user terminals on a secondary, non-interference basis. A separate ex parte filing in the docket Monday said the company's outside counsel discussed aggregate interference issues with Commissioner Mike O'Rielly aide Erin McGrath.