Lockheed Martin Opposes NTIA-Proposed Spectrum Allocation Changes

NTIA's push for amending the U.S. table of frequency allocations so federal earth stations communicating with commercial satellites get better interference protection (see 1610040019) could create imbalance in the commercial launch service sector through limits on the flexibility different providers need, Lockheed Martin said in an FCC ex parte filing posted Monday in docket 13-115. The company also backed keeping the status quo in spectrum allocations used for launches and said the FCC special temporary authority process "provides adequate spectrum access on an equitable basis." Lockheed Martin said if the FCC does change allocations to support commercial space launches, the new rules need to accommodate current launch providers: NTIA's proposal to restrict which frequencies nonfederal launch providers can access would mean bigger hurdles for some commercial launch providers than for others. The company urged the FCC to allow competitive service providers that routinely use any new nonfederal allocation in the 2200-2290 MHz band the flexibility to go beyond a five megahertz bandwidth when necessary. The filing recapped a meeting involving Lockheed Martin Director-Technical Regulatory Affairs Scott Kotler with International Bureau personnel, including Satellite Division Head Jose Albuquerque. NTIA didn't comment Tuesday.