AT&T, EchoStar Lay Out 28 GHz Earth Station Siting Rules Ideas

When implementing its spectrum frontiers rule about fixed satellite service earth station siting in the 28 GHz band, the FCC should give earth station applicants flexibility and use propagation models that minimize the effect on upper microwave flexible use service (UMFUS) licensees, AT&T said in a docket 17-172 filing Friday. That was the deadline for comments on implementing earth station siting methodologies in the band. AT&T also said earth station applications should be made public so other potential applicants have information that would be useful in complying with numeric and population limits and let UMFUS licensees plan their deployments. It said the agency should determine population at the census block level for both the 28 GHz and 39 GHz bands. EchoStar, the only other submitter, laid out suggestions for rules governing the power flux density contour. EchoStar also said the FCC should use census block data for determine the effect of a 28 GHz earth station on a population in a county.