NGSO Downlinks Eyed for 17 GHz Band
As it looks to open up the 17 GHz band to geostationary orbit fixed satellite service downlinks, the FCC is also eyeing allowing using the band for non-geostationary orbit fixed satellite service downlinks, according to a draft order and NPRM on the agency's Aug. 5 meeting agenda. The draft items released Friday also include a draft order establishing an outreach grant for the affordable connectivity program and a draft order creating a one-year pilot program aimed at boosting enrollment among households receiving federal housing assistance.
A co-primary allocation for GSO FSS downlinks in the 17.3-17.8 GHz band, allowing them on an unprotected basis with terrestrial fixed service operations, would be added under the draft 17 GHz order and NPRM, dockets 20-330 and 22-273. The agency said terrestrial wireless interests raised concerns about a proposed definition of the extended Ka band and creating procedures for routine licensing of earth stations in that band, but it "can envision no adverse effect on terrestrial Ka-band stakeholders with these rule changes." The NPRM asks about NGSO FSS spectrum needs and how a downlink allocation in the band could be done while protecting incumbents.
The connectivity outreach grant draft order, docket 21-450, would create a program to provide funding for governmental and nongovernmental entities to do outreach to increase awareness of and encourage participation in the affordable connectivity program among eligible low-income households. The commission allocated up to $100 million in ACP funding for outreach that would be spent over five years. The draft order would “provide funding to outreach partners to engage in targeted outreach to low-income and diverse households nationwide both to gauge existing levels of ACP awareness and to promote increased awareness of and participation in the program by eligible households,” the draft said. Entities eligible for grant funding would include tribal governments and organizations, state and local governments, public housing authorities, social service providers, educational organizations, workforce development training organizations and nonprofit and community-based organizations. The draft would decline to adopt calls to limit nonprofit eligibility to organizations with 501(c)(3) status or allow industry trade associations to receive grant funding. Additional details about the application process would be provided through future notices of funding opportunity, the draft said. Grantees would be barred from favoring a particular service provider or "providing any form of compensation to individuals engaged in grant-funded outreach activities based on the number of ACP applications or enrollments resulting from their grant-funded outreach activities." Subgrant recipients would not be required to match funds, the draft said. The order would also direct the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau to set aside “up to $5 million each, for a total of up to $10 million of the ACP outreach budget, for outreach grants specifically for eligible entities participating in either or both the ACP Navigator or Your Home, Your Internet Pilot Programs.”
Under the proposed pilot program, households getting federal housing assistance would be eligible for an ACP discount of up to $30 a month off of internet service and a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a computer or tablet from their participating provider if the household contributes toward the purchase of the device. The draft order, docket 21-450, would direct FCC staff to finalize a "revised data sharing agreement" with the Department of Housing and Urban Development to "allow more federal housing assistance recipients to be automatically approved" for ACP through the national verifier. The order would grant limited access to the NV to "neutral, trusted government entities" to assist federal housing assistance recipients in submitting an ACP application. The Universal Service Administrative Co. would also be required to grant approved pilot participants access.
The draft NOI, dockets 22-271 and 22-272, asks such questions as whether the current nonfederal allocations for space operations are adequate and what frequency ranges would be most fixable to support such missions. The NOI also asks about how to facilitate sharing in frequency bands shared with federal operations.
Also on the agenda are a Media Bureau restricted adjudicatory matter and an Enforcement Bureau enforcement action.