DirecTV, EchoStar Talk 17 GHz Protections with FCC Space Bureau

Any opening of the 17 GHz band to non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) satellite operations should come with interference protections, DirecTV and EchoStar said. In a meeting with FCC Space Bureau staffers recapped Wednesday in docket 22-273, the geostationary orbit operators urged revised footnotes in the U.S. Table of Frequency Allocations requiring that NGSO fixed satellite service operations in the 17 GHz band not claim interference protections from geostationary orbit (GSO) FSS networks. They also called for requirements that those NGSO operations not cause interference to or claim protection from GSO FSS and broadcast satellite service networks. The two pushed for the same equivalent power flux density limits applicable to NGSO FSS downlinks and inter-satellite links in the 17.8-18.6 GHz band being extended to those links in the 17 GHz band.