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Higher Ground LLC Application for Blanket Earth Station License (FCC Order)
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With this Order, we grant the application of Higher Ground LLC (Higher Ground), with conditions, for a blanket earth station license to operate up to 50,000 earth stations, known as “SatPaqs,” to communicate with the following U.S.-licensed satellites: Galaxy 3-C at the 95.05° W.L. orbital location, Galaxy 12 at the 129.0º W.L. orbital location, and Galaxy 19 at the 97.0° W.L. orbital location. In doing so, we waive the Table of Frequency Allocations to the extent necessary to permit Higher Ground to provide the services proposed in its application in the 5925-6425 MHz (Earth-to-space) and the 3700-4200 MHz (space-to-Earth) frequency bands on a non-interference basis, subject to the conditions listed below. The authorization will serve the public interest by allowing Higher Ground to provide new communications services to U.S. consumers, with safeguards designed to minimize the risk of harmful interference to primary users operating in these frequency bands. Accordingly, we deny the Petition to Deny filed by the Fixed Wireless Communications Coalition, Inc. (FWCC).
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Document type and status: FCC proceeding (Current)
Document date or date of hyperlink query: March 10, 2017
Fcc Docket(s): SES-LIC-20150616-00357 |
Higher Ground LLC Application for Blanket Earth Station License (FCC Order)
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FCC WRC-12 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FCC 15-50)
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In the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (WRC-12 Notice), we propose to amend Parts 2, 15, 80, 90, 97, and 101 of the Commission’s rules to implement allocation decisions from the WRC-12 Final Acts and make certain updates to our rules. Specifically, we propose to:
• Allocate the 8.3-11.3 kHz band to the meteorological aids service on a primary basis.
• Allocate the 472-479 kHz band (630 meter band) to the amateur service on a secondary basis.
• Amend the amateur service rules to provide for use of the 135.7-137.8 kHz (2200 meter) and 472-479 kHz (630 meter) bands. Amateur stations would share the band with power line carrier (PLC) systems operated by electric utilities. Amateur stations would be permitted to operate in these bands at fixed locations when separated from electric transmission lines by a specified distance.
• Amend Part 80 of the Commission’s rules to authorize radio buoy operations in the 1900-2000 kHz band under a ship station license.
• Limit the use of the 495-505 kHz band to the maritime mobile service.
• Allocate seven frequency bands (4.438-4.488 MHz, 5.25-5.275 MHz, 16.1-16.2 MHz, 24.45-24.65 MHz, 26.2-26.42 MHz, 41.015-41.665 MHz, and 43.35-44 MHz) to the radiolocation service (RLS) on a primary basis for Federal and non-Federal use, allocate the 13.45-13.55 MHz band to the RLS on a secondary basis for Federal and non-Federal use, limit the use of these RLS allocations to oceanographic radars, require that these radars not cause harmful interference to, or claim protection from, existing and future stations in the incumbent fixed and mobile services, and amend Part 90 of the Commission’s rules accordingly.
• Reallocate the 156.7625-156.7875 MHz (AIS 3) and 156.8125-156.8375 MHz (AIS 4) bands to the MSS (Earth-to-space) on a primary basis for Federal and non-Federal use to allow for greater probability of vessel tracking, with resulting benefits to maritime safety and security.
• Seek comment on the ability of Federal/non-Federal AMT stations to share spectrum with the incumbent services in the 4400-4940 MHz and 5925-6700 MHz bands.
• Extend the AM(R)S allocation from the 5091-5150 MHz band (adopted in the WRC-07 R&O) by also allocating the 5000-5091 MHz range to the AM(R)S on a primary basis for Federal and non-Federal use. AM(R)S use of the smaller 5000-5030 MHz range would extend the tuning range for AeroMACS, with the use of the 5010-5030 MHz band limited to those requirements that cannot be meet in the 5000-5010 MHz and 5091-5150 MHz bands. AM(R)S use of the 5030-5091 MHz band would support line-of-sight control links for unmanned aircraft.
• Allocate the 7850-7900 MHz band to the meteorological-satellite service (space-to-Earth) on a primary basis for Federal use.
• Allocate the 15.4-15.7 GHz band to the RLS on a primary basis for Federal use.
• Allocate the 22.55-23.15 GHz band to the space research service (SRS) (Earth-to-space) on a primary basis for Federal and non-Federal use and allocate the 25.5-27 GHz band to the SRS (space-to-Earth) on a primary basis for non-Federal use.
• Delete the aeronautical mobile service allocation from the 37-38 GHz band.
• Encourage operators of fixed stations operating in the 81-86 GHz and 92-94 GHz bands to take all reasonable steps to ensure that their unwanted emissions power in the 86-92 GHz band does not exceed the levels recommended by WRC-12.
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Document type and status: FCC proceeding (Current)
Document date or date of hyperlink query: July 29, 2015
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FCC WRC-12 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FCC 15-50)
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Spectrum Rules and Policies for the Operation of Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Report and Order
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In this Report and Order, we enable UAS operators to access dedicated spectrum for control-related communications with the required reliability. Specifically, we adopt new UAS service rules under new rule part 88 that provide operators the ability to obtain direct frequency assignments in a portion of the 5030-5091 MHz band. Under these rules, one or more dynamic frequency management systems (DFMSs) will manage and coordinate access to the spectrum and enable its safe and efficient use, by providing requesting operators with temporary frequency assignments to support UAS control link communications with a level of reliability suitable for operations in controlled airspace and other safetycritical circumstances. To provide this level of safety and reliability, we are adopting technical requirements drawn from minimum operational performance standards that were developed by an aviation industry standards body specifically to support UAS control links in the 5030-5091 MHz band and were approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for this purpose. To address concerns regarding the impact of these aeronautical operations on adjacent services, we locate these operations, for now, in the central part of the band, with substantial separation from the bands adjacent to the 5030-5091 MHz band. We find wide support for enabling early, direct access to a portion of the band for protected assignments under DFMS coordination, and anticipate that such access will facilitate the safe integration of UAS operations into the NAS so that the United States can realize the enormous potential benefits that UAS operations can provide.
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Document type and status: FCC proceeding (Current)
Document date or date of hyperlink query: September 03, 2024
Fcc Docket(s): WT 22-323 |
Spectrum Rules and Policies for the Operation of Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Report and Order
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FCC 5 GHz U-NII Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FCC 13-22)
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By this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), we propose to amend Part 15 of our
rules governing the operation of Unlicensed National Information Infrastructure (U-NII) devices in the 5
GHz band.1 U-NII devices are unlicensed intentional radiators that operate in the frequency bands 5.15-
5.35 GHz and 5.47-5.825 GHz, and which use wideband digital modulation techniques to provide a wide
array of high data rate mobile and fixed communications for individuals, businesses, and institutions.
Since the Commission first made available spectrum in the 5 GHz band for U-NII in 1997, we have
gained much experience with these devices. We believe that the time is now right for us to revisit our
rules, and, in this NPRM, we propose to modify certain technical requirements for U-NII devices to
ensure that these devices do not cause harmful interference and thus can continue to operate in the 5 GHz
band and make broadband technologies available for consumers and businesses.
We also seek comment on making available an additional 195 megahertz of spectrum in
the 5.35-5.47 GHz and 5.85-5.925 GHz bands for U-NII use. This could increase the spectrum available
to unlicensed devices in the 5 GHz band by approximately 35 percent and would represent a significant
increase in the spectrum available for unlicensed devices across the overall radio spectrum. The initiation
of this proceeding satisfies the requirements of Section 6406 (a) of the "Middle Class Tax Relief and Job
Creation Act of 2012” which requires the Commission to begin a proceeding to modify part 15 of title 47,
Code of Federal Regulations, to allow unlicensed U-NII devices to operate in the 5350-5470 MHz band.
We believe that an increase in capacity gained from 195 megahertz of additional spectrum, combined
with the ease of deployment and operational flexibility provided by our U-NII rules, would continue to
foster the development of new and innovative unlicensed devices, and increase wireless broadband access
and investment.
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Document type and status: FCC proceeding (Current)
Document date or date of hyperlink query: February 22, 2013
Fcc Docket(s): ET 13-49 |
FCC 5 GHz U-NII Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FCC 13-22)
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Further Notice of Proposed Rule Making on Regulations for Level Probing Radars
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In this Further Notice of Proposed Rule Making (FNPRM), we are expanding the scope of
the above-referenced proceeding to propose a set of technical rules for the operation of unlicensed
level probing radars (LPR) in several frequency bands. LPR devices are low-power radars that
measure the level (relative height) of various substances in man-made or natural containments. In
open-air environments, LPR devices may be used to measure levels of materials such as coal piles or
water basin levels. An LPR device also may be installed inside an enclosure, e.g., a tank made of
materials such as steel or fiberglass and commonly referred to as a tank level probing radar (TLPR)
that could be filled with liquids or granulates. In the Notice of Proposed Rule Making and Order
(Notice and Order) in this proceeding, we proposed rules applicable only to TLPR devices for
operation in the 77-81 GHz band inside steel and concrete tanks, as that was the use requested by the
initial proponents. During the pendency of the rulemaking proceeding, but outside this proceeding, we received waiver requests and other inquiries regarding outdoor use on additional frequencies
under existing Part 15 rules for unlicensed devices.4 To address the apparent need for a
comprehensive and consistent approach to LPR devices, we are proposing in this FNPRM rules that
would apply to the operation of LPR devices installed in both open-air environments and inside
storage tanks in the following frequency bands: 5.925-7.250 GHz, 24.05-29.00 GHz, and 75-85 GHz.
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Document type and status: FCC proceeding (Current)
Document date or date of hyperlink query: March 28, 2012
Fcc Docket(s): ET 10-23 |
Further Notice of Proposed Rule Making on Regulations for Level Probing Radars
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FCC Earth Stations Aboard Aircraft (ESAA) Order and NPRM
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Summary of FCC 12-161:
This Report and Order implements ESAA as an application of the FSS. The FSS involves communication between satellites in orbit and earth stations in fixed locations. Advancing technology, however, has made it possible for mobile platforms to maintain antenna pointing accuracy sufficient to keep an earth station antenna focused on a satellite while maintaining communications and preventing interference with adjacent satellites. There are currently two mobile applications in the FSS: Earth Stations on board Vessels (ESV) and Vehicle-Mounted Earth Stations (VMES), which provide satellite communications with vessels and land vehicles respectively. ESAA is the “third leg” of mobile applications in the FSS. By means of satellite antennas mounted on the exterior of aircraft, satellites will be able to communicate with mobile devices used by passengers and crew of those aircraft. The satellite antenna will carry the signal to and from the aircraft, and mobile technologies such as Wi-Fi will provide communications within the aircraft’s hull.
Since 2001, we have authorized, on an ad hoc basis, the use of GSO FSS space stations to provide wireless connectivity to airborne aircraft. These authorizations allow the provision of broadband services to passengers on a non-harmful interference basis, and several airlines are operating under the terms of those authorizations.
This Report and Order formalizes ESAA as a licensed application in the FSS by:
- Allocating ESAA on a primary basis in the 11.7-12.2 GHz (space-to-Earth) band,
- Allocating ESAA on an unprotected basis in the 10.95-11.2 GHz and 11.45-11.7 GHz (space-to-Earth) bands,
- Allocating ESAA on a secondary basis in the 14.0-14.5 GHz band (Earth-to-space),
- Requiring ESAA licensees to coordinate their operations with stations in the Space Research Service and the Radioastronomy Service to prevent interference,
- Adopting technical rules for the operation of ESAA systems to ensure that ESAA systems do not interfere with other FSS users or terrestrial Fixed Service (FS) users,
- Adopting licensing requirements and operational requirements for ESAA for both U.S.-registered aircraft and for non-U.S.-registered aircraft operating in U.S. airspace,
- Requiring ESAA licensees to operate consistently with the Communications Assistance to Law Enforcement Act (CALEA), and
- Declining at this time to extend certain requirements concerning 1.5/1.6 GHz safety services to other frequency bands, including those used by ESAA.
This Notice of Proposed Rulemaking requests comment on a proposal to elevate the
allocation status of ESAA in the 14.0-14.5 GHz band from secondary to primary, which would make the ESAA allocation equal to the allocations of ESV and VMES. This Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Report and Order implements ESAA as an application whose allocation status and technical and licensing rules are consistent with those of ESV and VMES. ESAA will allow licensees to bring broadband service to an underserved sector: passengers and crew aboard aircraft in flight.
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Document type and status: FCC proceeding (Current)
Document date or date of hyperlink query: January 28, 2013
Fcc Docket(s): IB Docket No. 12-376, IB Docket No. 05-20 |
FCC Earth Stations Aboard Aircraft (ESAA) Order and NPRM
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FCC Above 24 GHz Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
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According to the FCC:
Today, we take a significant step towards securing the Nation’s future in the next generational evolution of wireless technology to so-called 5G. We build upon years of successful spectrum policy – including flexible use, unlicensed, and sharing policies – to create service rules for using four spectrum bands above 24 GHz. These high frequencies previously have been best suited for satellite or fixed microwave applications; however, recent technological breakthroughs have newly enabled advanced mobile services in these bands, notably including very high speed and low latency services. To promote the deployment of these highly beneficial technologies, we are acting quickly –- more quickly than most of our counterparts around the world – to establish a coherent framework built on a robust public record. In addition to this significant step forward, we will also continue to explore new opportunities to make additional bands available and to explore other issues, including robust Federal sharing, raised in the accompanying Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
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Document type and status: FCC proceeding (Current)
Document date or date of hyperlink query: September 21, 2016
Fcc Docket(s): GN 14-177, IB 15-256, RM-1164, WT 10-112, IB 97-95 |
FCC Above 24 GHz Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
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Amendment of the Commission's Rules to Permit Radiolocation Operations in the 78-81 GHz Band
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Foreign object debris (FOD) at airports, including any substance, debris, or object in a
location that can damage aircraft or equipment, can seriously threaten the safety of airport personnel and
airline passengers and can have a negative impact on airport logistics and operations. According to the
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), FOD “has the potential to damage aircraft during critical phases
of flight, which can lead to catastrophic loss of life and airframe, and at the very least increased
maintenance and operating costs.” Moreover, the direct maintenance costs to airlines caused by FOD
have been estimated to be one to four billion dollars per year. Trex Enterprises Corporation (Trex) has
developed radar technology that meets the FAA’s guidance and performance specifications for FOD
detection equipment and can reduce this risk to personal safety and property by detecting the presence of
FOD on airport runways. In this Notice of Proposed Rule Making and Order, we seek comment on the
best way to enable the use of this new safety-related technology, and in the interim we grant Trex’s
request for a waiver to permit certification and use of FOD radar detection equipment operating in the 78-
81 GHz band, pending the outcome of this rulemaking proceeding.
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| Frequencies/Bands |
| 78 - 81 GHz |
| Services |
| Space Research (space-to-Earth) |
| Amateur-satellite |
| AM |
| Radio Astronomy |
| Radiolocation |
Document type and status: FCC proceeding (Current)
Document date or date of hyperlink query: December 20, 2011
Fcc Docket(s): WT 11-202, RM-11612 |
Amendment of the Commission's Rules to Permit Radiolocation Operations in the 78-81 GHz Band
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