60 MHz of C Band Could be Available Within 18 Months for 5G, CBA Says

If the FCC backs its plan for freeing up C-band spectrum for 5G terrestrial use, 60 MHz along with a 20 MHz guard band could be freed up within 18 months of an order in 46 of top 50 partial economic areas, the C-Band Alliance said in a docket 18-122 filing Tuesday on how it would implement that transition. That spectrum would be at 3700-3780 MHz. The remaining spectrum in those PEAs -- 3760-3880 MHz -- and the full 180 MHz in all other PEAs would be freed up within 36 months, it said. CBA said it anticipates initially using two different types of filters on earth stations in that first wave of spectrum clearing -- one for those top 46 PEAs operating in 3900-4200 MHz and a separate one for those at 3780-3900 MHz. By the end of 36 months, everyone would have migrated to the type of filter used in the PEAs operating in the 3900-4200 MHz range. CBA repeated that all filter costs would be covered, as would repointing receive antennas or any equipment replacements needed because repointing can't be done. It said SES and Intelsat are talking with satellite manufacturers about trying to speed up building and launching the geostationary orbit satellites that would be required, discussing issues like increased commonality between satellite components and a parallel manufacturing process. Of the estimated eight satellites that would be needed, two would be ground spares, one would be an in-orbit spare and five would replace current satellites in orbit. CBA cited work it has done since late 2017, including a needs assessment of current satellite capacity and customer needs, earth station filter design and testing.