The FCC has adopted a Report and Order clarifying the protection obligation of non-geostationary orbit, fixed-satellite service systems in a shared spectrum environment. NGSO FSS systems authorized in a later processing round will be required to coordinate and demonstrate protection of earlier round systems. The protections granted to earlier round systems will be subject to a sunset period. After the sunset period, 10 years after the first grant in a subsequent processing round, new entrants will share spectrum on an equal basis with earlier-round incumbents.
The Commission also adopted a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking comment on the appropriate values and assumptions that will serve as the foundation for the spectrum sharing between systems.
