Satcoms Disagree About Processing Round Protections

Numerous satellite operators agree systems authorized in earlier processing rounds should be protected from later-round systems, but there's little common ground beyond that, per docket 21-456 reply comments Tuesday. The FCC got pushback in the proceeding against sunsetting interference protections given to earlier round systems (see 2203280029). With big disagreements on many issues raised in the NPRM, the FCC should move with "extreme caution," Boeing said. It said support was widespread for band splitting only among systems authorized as part of the same application processing round. It said Viasat arguments that the band-splitting approach would encourage launch of an excessive number of NGSOs don't jibe with the fact most proposed constellation sizes "are reasonably related to their target customer markets and throughput capacity." Viasat repeated that instead of band splitting, the FCC should look at angle splitting during in-line events and to expand the proceeding scope to cover interrelated NGSO issues. Kepler saw "some merit" in Viasat's argument that not evaluating NGSO spectrum sharing rules in a single proceeding could undermine the goals of the 21-456 proceeding. Kepler said there's no overall consensus on how to protect early systems from later-round ones. Beyond protecting earlier-round systems, the FCC should require operational systems share beam pointing and satellite selection data and avoid subjective metrics such as “spectral efficiency,” OneWeb said. The lack of comments about spectral efficiency is "deafening," and reinforces the concern that many operators aren't planning to develop systems designed to share spectrum, SpaceX said. It said there's little agreement on methodology for establishing a quantifiable level of protection that later-round systems must give earlier systems. Intelsat called for keeping the case-by-case treatment of later-round systems, saying doing otherwise would encourage earlier-round grantees to build inflexible NGSO systems. The biggest broadband connectivity impediments are availability of affordable service and digital literacy, not speed of available services, Satellite Industry Association said. It urged "technology inclusive" policies.