C-Band Clearing Certification Framework Likely Not Impending

C-band second-phase accelerated clearing certification procedures aren't considered imminent from the FCC Wireless Bureau, we were told. In a docket 18-122 filing Tuesday, Eutelsat recapped a meeting with an aide to Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel at which the company again asked the agency to release a framework for certifying completion of the C-band accelerated relocation process' second phase (see 2301130020). A person involved in the commission's C-band proceeding said the clearing is labor intensive, involving thousands of filter installations at earth stations, so the agency likely wants to align issuing the accelerated clearing certification framework with the bulk of that process. Otherwise there could be problems of certifications being done too soon, creating administrative problems if earth stations turn up that are the responsibility of the satellite operator that has already filed its certification, he said. The second-phase clearing deadline is Dec. 5. In its ex parte meeting, Eutelsat representatives said delaying the certification procedures creates problems by compressing the certification process and also is contrary to the C-band order's requiring satellite operators to certify relocation completion when the work is done, regardless of the status of other satellite operators. The FCC declined comment.