Federal Communications Commission seal. Photo: Creative Commons license/jeanbaptisteparis via Flickr

The FCC voted to start a proceeding on Thursday that the Commission said could unlock more than 20,000 megahertz of spectrum for satellite broadband, a move that the Satellite Industry Association (SIA) encouraged. 

The FCC voted on May 22 to adopt a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking comment on expanding satellite connectivity across four spectrum bands — the 12.7 GHz band; 42 GHz band; 52 GHz band; and W-band, which includes portions of spectrum from 92 GHz to 114.25 GHz. 

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr noted that this amount of spectrum is “more than the sum total of spectrum available for satellite systems today.” 

“Abundant spectrum for satellite operations is not just nice to have. It is necessary for American leadership. Every megahertz matters. When our satellite systems have abundant spectrum, America leads. Our economy grows. Our national security strengthens. And millions of Americans gain affordable broadband options,” Carr said in a statement. 

All four FCC commissioners voted to adopt the NPRM, which has not yet been made public. 

FCC Democratic Commissioner Geoffrey Starks issued a statement in support of the item. The May 22 Open Meeting was Starks’ last FCC meeting before he steps down from the commission.

“For the commercial space sector to reach its full potential, we must provide the spectrum it needs to continue growing. That’s why this item is so important. It will help ensure that we’re meeting the moment and providing the spectrum needed for the satellite ecosystem to thrive,” Starks said. “I’m glad we’ve expanded the scope of this item beyond the initial upper 12 and 42 GHz bands.” 

The Satellite Industry Association also issued a statement in favor of the move, saying expanded spectrum will “ensure continued domestic technological innovation” and expand access to connectivity in America and around the world. 

“SIA greatly appreciates today’s FCC decision to begin proceedings that could significantly expand satellite spectrum assets across multiple bands for current and next-generation space-based broadband connectivity,” SIA President Tom Stroup said in a statement.

What Bands Are Involved? 

While the NPRM document is not yet public, Carr explained the status of the bands involved in his statement. 

• The Upper 12 GHz band is in the Ku-band, but currently has restrictions on satellite services. It has been previously studied for wireless use without consensus. 
• The 42 GHz band, in the V-band, is 500 megahertz that Carr called “truly greenfield spectrum.” It has also been studied for wireless use but not adopted.
• The 52 GHz band is “lightly used spectrum,” that was designated internationally for satellite operations back in 2019. “There has been growing and intense support to open up the 52 GHz band domestically after international decisions at WRC-19,” the FCC release said. 
• There are 18,000 MHz of empty high-band spectrum in the W-band, which Carr said “could revolutionize space-based connectivity, and constellations in this band would operate “at the cutting edge of physics.”