Feb. 21 Deadline Set for Comments on Galileo Operability With US Receivers

Comments are due Feb. 21 on a European Commission request for a waiver of FCC licensing requirements to allow nonfederal, receive-only earth stations in the U.S. to operate with signals of the Galileo Radionavigation-Satellite Service (RNSS) system, said a public notice in Monday's Daily Digest. In the PN, the International Bureau said it agrees with the NTIA -- which backs the EC request -- that allowing use of Galileo signals would improve the availability, reliability and resiliency of space-based positioning, navigation and timing services. It said the EC request is particularly broad because it would let receivers operate with Galileo signals transmitted in multiple RNSS bands and thus sought input on such issues as U.S. and international spectrum allocations in affected bands, the possible effects of Galileo satellite signals on non-federal earth stations, and the compatibility of Galileo receivers and nonfederal transmission in RNSS bands and nearby bands. Replies in docket 17-16 are due March 23.