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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 FNPRM and NPRM on Additional Satellite Spectrum
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According to the FCC:
We initiate these proceedings to explore opportunities to make over 20,000 megahertz of spectrum available for satellite use across four bands.
In the Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM), we seek further comment on ways to use the 12.7-13.25 GHz band (12.7 GHz band) and the 42.0-42.5 GHz band (42 GHz band) more efficiently and intensively, in order to promote technological innovation, the growth of the nation’s economy, and greater connectivity for the American public. Previously, the Commission has sought comment on ways that the 12.7 GHz band and 42 GHz band could be used more intensively by terrestrial wireless communications to achieve these goals. This FNPRM seeks comment on ways that these bands could be used more intensively by satellite communications, as an alternative or a complement to the previous proposals for terrestrial wireless communications in these bands.
We are interested in opening the 12.7 GHz band to a wider range of satellite operations by eliminating regulatory restrictions that prevent intensive satellite use of the band. Geostationary orbit (GSO) operations in the 12.75 13.25 GHz band are currently limited to communications between domestic and international points. Meanwhile, non-geostationary satellite orbit (NGSO) fixed-satellite service (FSS) operations in this band are limited to uplink communications with individually licensed earth stations. We are also interested in exploring more intensive use of the greenfield 42 GHz band by seeking comment on an allocation for fixed-satellite service. In both instances, we seek comment on ways to protect any incumbent spectrum users in the bands, as well as ways to protect spectrum users, particularly Federal operators, in adjacent bands.
In the accompanying Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, we seek comment on proposals to make additional spectrum resources available for satellite communications, particularly satellite broadband, in two bands the Commission has not previously considered. First, we invite comment on proposals to open up spectrum for satellite communications in the 51.4-52.4 GHz band (52 GHz band). Next, we seek comment on certain “W-band” frequencies (92.0-94.0 GHz, 94.1-100 GHz, 102.0-109.5 GHz, and 111.8-114.25 GHz). Both bands represent large swathes of spectrum that are largely unused for non-Federal services today. They are also the subject of considerable interest by stakeholders for commercial satellite use. Allocations for satellite services in these bands could facilitate the growth and innovation of next-generation satellite services and present a “first-mover” advantage for U.S. licensed operators.
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Mobile-satellite |
Fixed-satellite |
Document type and status: FCC proceeding (Current) Document date or date of hyperlink query: May 28, 2025 Fcc Docket(s): SB 25-180, GN 22-352, WT 23-158, GN 14-177 |
FCC FNPRM and NPRM on Additional Satellite Spectrum
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