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1755 - 1850 MHz Band
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Although heavily used for federal government operations, this band is on the short list for accommodating mobile broadband applications, either by sharing or by relocating federal systems. It would be a natural completion of spectrum at 1710-1755 (AWS-1) that has already been reallocated, and the existing 1850-1990 MHz PCS band.
NTIA has issued a report on the costs associated with moving federal systems out of this band. See the related documents list for a link to the document. The bottom line is that, as of 2012, it would cost about $18 billion and take 10 years to clear the band, according to NTIA.
The following historical material on the 1755-1850 MHz band is from Wireless Spectrum Finder by Benn Kobb, last published in 2001. Wireless Spectrum Finder is now (c) SpectrumWiki.com:
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International Mobile Telecommunications-2000 (IMT-2000) is a global personal communications service via terrestrial and satellite links (see 1850—1990 MHz). Among the spectrum identified for IMT-2000 by the World Radio Conference-2000 (WRC-2000) was 1710—1885 MHz.
This is a critical band in the defense infrastructure. Federal frequency assignments in 1755—1850 MHz are extensive and nationwide. Certain key sites will need special interference protection from prospective IMT-2000 deployments. In the FCC’s words, “potentially serious sharing problems” arise between IMT-2000 and federal systems in this band.
The Air Force Satellite Control Network (AFSCN) Space-Ground Link Subsystem (SGLS) in 1761—1842 MHz (uplink) and 2200—2290 MHz (downlink) controls numerous defense and research satellites, including British and NATO systems and the Global Positioning System (GPS) as well as Space Shuttle functions.
U.S.-based SGLS primary stations are in Colorado and California, with tracking stations nationwide and at Diego Garcia, Greenland and the United Kingdom. SGLS also uses transportable stations, normally operated from military bases, to provide coverage for launch and orbit operations.
Mobile Subscriber Equipment (MSE, Army) and Digital Wideband Transmission System (DWTS, Navy) are microwave links for use in several bands including 1755—1850 MHz. Video teleconferencing, e-mail, telephone and Internet connectivity are among the services they provide.
Air Combat Training Systems (ACTS) and Joint Tactical Combat Training Systems (JTCTS) use this spectrum to compute and transmit altitude, velocity, and weapons status in simulations. The JTCTS provides aircrew training using only links between aircraft, without the need for instrumented ground facilities.
Other defense uses in this part of the spectrum include tactical radio relay; television from aircraft-mounted cameras for remote piloting and monitoring of civil disturbances; wireless local area networks for combat troops; intrusion detection; dismounted soldier identification; and telecommand of robots.
Another interesting use of this spectrum is in control of precision weapons used against "high-value" and hardened enemy targets. Equipped with cameras or infrared sensors, GPS receivers, and wireless control links, the weapons are guided to the target by an officer watching on video.
Aerostat balloons used to detect low-flying aircraft in drug interdiction use voice and data links in this band. The Navy operates high-speed interceptor boats that transmit video in this band to nearby warships.
This is key government spectrum for non-defense, fixed microwave links. Among the fixed service users are the Department of Energy for control and sensing in electric utility operations; the Department of Justice and the Department of Treasury for linking law enforcement land mobile systems; and the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture for forest and park management, and emergency communications in remote areas. The Army Corps of Engineers uses this band to control hydropower stations and provide flood control and maintenance communications at inland waterway facilities. The fixed-link portions of Coast Guard safety systems (see 154—156.2475 MHz) use this band. Many of these systems are being moved to higher bands.
IMT-2000 Issues
The incumbency and wide coverage areas of these federal operations, especially SGLS, MSE/DWTS, ACTS and fixed systems, greatly impacts the introduction of IMT-2000 into the 1700 MHz spectrum, particularly the 1805—1850 MHz segment.
A variety of techniques will be needed to prevent interaction between IMT-2000 and defense systems, including band segmenting, exploitation of antenna capabilities, siting of base stations, changes to power levels, possible “keep away” beacons, and cooperative scheduling of operations. Receivers already on satellites could face degradation from IMT-2000 transmitters as market penetration for the new service increases.
The need for these precautions will likely impact the revenues that IMT-2000 license auctions can generate. Government users who must relocate their stations will be entitled to compensation by new entrants.
***** (End of historical information from Wireless Spectrum Finder)
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Frequency Bands |
| Band | Use | Service | Table |
| 1755 - 1850 MHz | 1755-1850 MHz band | - | F |
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Advanced Wireless Services (AWS-1) Band
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The band 1710-1755 MHz (mobile transmit) is paired with 2110-2155 MHz (base transmit) to create the first band dedicated specifically for what the FCC calls Advanced Wireless Services (AWS). According to the Commission, AWS refers to 3G systems and beyond (also referred to as International Mobile Telecommunications 2000, or IMT-2000, by the ITU).
The 1710-1755 MHz band was created out of spectrum that was previously reserved for the federal government only. In 1995, it was identified as feasible for shared government/non-government use. In accordance with footnote US378, some government operations, in particular fixed and tactical radio systems near Cherry Point, NC, and Yuma, AZ, will continue to operate in this band on a primary basis.
The band 2110-2155 MHz was created from spectrum that had previously been used for fixed microwave links (2110-2150 MHz) and for the Multipoint Distribution Service (MDS) (2150-2155 MHz). The FCC declared these bands for use by AWS in 2002.
As of mid-2012, some operators in the U.S., such as T-Mobile, are using AWS-1 spectrum to provide 4G service (HSPA+ in the case of T-Mobile).
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Paired Frequency Bands |
| Paired Bands | Use | Service | Table |
| 1710 - 1755 MHz | AWS-1 (mobile transmit) | Mobile | N |
| 2110 - 2155 MHz | AWS-1 (base transmit) | Mobile | N |
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DISH Network acquisition of TerreStar and DBSD satellite & ATC spectrum
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DISH Network sought and received permission from the FCC to acquire mobile-satellite service spectrum previously used by two satellite networks, TerreStar-1 (111.0 deg WL GSO) and DBSD G1 (92.85 deg WL GSO). Both satellite networks included Ancillary Terrestrial Component (ATC) authorization, and DISH hopes to use the spectrum to build out an LTE network.
DBSD is ultimately owned by Pendrell Corporation, formerly ICO Global Communications. Its satellite license is under FCC callsign S2651. Its earth station licenses are under callsigns E080035, E080070, E070291, E070290, and E070272. ICO filed a final milestone certification with the FCC on May 12, 2008, in which it certified that its satellite was operational, and that it chose the paired 2010-2020 MHz (uplink) and 2180-2190 MHz (downlink) frequency block for its operations.
Terrestar's licenses are held by Gamma LLC, a subsidiary of DISH formed for the purpose of acquiring TerreStar's assets. TerreStar's satellite license is under FCC callsign S2633. Its earth station callsigns are E090061, E060430, and E070098. Terrestar uses the remaining 2000-2010 MHz (uplink) and 2190-2200 MHz (downlink) paired spectrum block.
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Paired Frequency Bands |
| Paired Bands | Use | Service | Table |
| 2000 - 2010 MHz | Satellite/ATC uplink spectrum (Terrestar) | Mobile-satellite | N |
| 2190 - 2200 MHz | Satellite/ATC downlink spectrum (Terrestar) | Mobile-satellite (space-to-Earth) | N |
| 2010 - 2020 MHz | Satellite/ATC uplink spectrum (DBSD) | Mobile-satellite | N |
| 2180 - 2190 MHz | Satellite/ATC downlink spectrum (DBSD) | Mobile-satellite (space-to-Earth) | N |
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DISH AWS-4 Terrestrial Authority & FCC AWS-4 Report and Order
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According to the FCC's AWS-4 Report and Order, released December 17, 2012:
In July 2010, the Commission issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking proposing to add Fixed and Mobile allocations to the 2000-2020 MHz and 2180-2200 MHz bands. The Commission adopted this proposal in April 2011, thereby establishing the predicate for more flexible use of the band for terrestrial mobile broadband services. The Commission also declared its intent to initiate a service rules rulemaking proceeding, stating that "having added co-primary Fixed and Mobile allocations to the 2 GHz band, we anticipate issuing a notice of proposed rulemaking on subjects raised in the 2010 MSS NOI, including possible service rule changes that could increase investment and utilization of the band in a manner that further serves the public interest." The Commission expected that this rulemaking would include an examination of the relationship of the 2 GHz band with neighboring bands.
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In 2011, DISH Network Corporation (DISH) acquired both TerreStar and DBSD out of bankruptcy, paying approximately $1.4 billion for each company. DISH filed applications with the Commission for approval to transfer control of the MSS licenses, including ATC authority, of each of TerreStar and DBSD to two separate subsidiary companies of DISH. At the same time, DBSD and TerreStar filed requests to modify their respective ATC authorities, including for a waiver of certain non-technical ATC rules, such as the integrated service and spare satellite rules, and of certain ATC technical rules. On March 2, 2012, the International Bureau granted the applications for transfer of control of the MSS licenses, including ATC authority, of DBSD and TerreStar to DISH. As a result, in New DBSD Satellite Services G.P., a wholly owned subsidiary of DISH, obtained control of the former DBSD MSS license, including ATC authority, and Gamma Acquisition L.L.C., also a wholly owned subsidiary of DISH, obtaining control of the former TerreStar MSS license, including ATC authority. In granting these applications, the International Bureau denied the non-technical rule waiver requests and deferred to the technical rule waivers to a rulemaking proceeding, stating that "[s]ince the release of the National Broadband Plan... the Commission has been clear about its intent to remove regulatory barriers in this band through a rulemaking to unleash more spectrum for mobile broadband."
In March 2012, the Commission adopted the AWS-4 NPRM, which consisted of a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Notice of Inquiry. In the AWS-4 NPRM, the Commission proposed to increase the Nation’s supply of spectrum for mobile broadband by removing barriers to flexible use of spectrum currently assigned to the MSS. The Commission proposed terrestrial service rules for the 2 GHz band that would generally follow the Commission’s Part 27 flexible use rules, modified as necessary to account for issues unique to the particular spectrum bands. The proposed rules were designed to provide for flexible use of this spectrum, to encourage innovation and investment in mobile broadband, and to provide a stable regulatory environment in which broadband deployment could develop. The proposed rules also included aggressive build-out requirements and concomitant penalties for failure to build out designed to ensure timely deployment of wireless, terrestrial broadband in the band. Additionally, in the Notice of Inquiry, the Commission sought comment on potential ways to free up additional valuable spectrum to address the Nation’s growing demand for mobile broadband spectrum, including through examination of alternative band plans incorporating the Federal 1695-1710 MHz band.
In this AWS-4 Report and Order, we build on the Commission’s recent actions to increase the availability of spectrum by enabling terrestrial mobile broadband service in 40 megahertz of spectrum in the 2000-2020 MHz and 2180-2200 MHz spectrum bands. As explained below, we adopt AWS-4 terrestrial service, technical, and licensing rules that generally follow the Commission’s Part 27 flexible use rules, modified as necessary to account for issues unique to the AWS-4 bands. First, we establish 2000-2020 MHz paired with 2180-2200 MHz as the AWS-4 band plan.
Second, we adopt appropriate technical rules for operations in the AWS-4 band. This includes rules governing the relationship of the AWS-4 band to other bands. For example, as explained below, we require the licensees of AWS-4 operating authority to accept some limited interference from operations in the adjacent upper H block at 1995-2000 MHz, and impose more stringent out-of-band emission (OOBE) limits and power limits on these licensees to protect future operations in 1995-2000 MHz. With respect to adjacent operations at 2200 MHz, we permit operator-to-operator agreements to address concerns regarding interference and also establish default rules to protect against harmful interference. Further, we require licensees of AWS-4 authority to comply with the OOBE limits contained in a private agreement entered into with the Global Positioning Systems (GPS) industry.
Third, mindful that AWS-4 spectrum is now allocated on a co-primary basis for Mobile Satellite and for terrestrial Fixed and Mobile services and that MSS licensees already have authorizations to provide service in the band,64 we determine that the AWS-4 rules must provide for the protection of 2 GHz MSS systems from harmful interference caused by AWS-4 systems. In addition, consistent with our determination below to grant AWS-4 terrestrial operating authority to the incumbent 2 GHz MSS licensees, we propose to assign terrestrial rights by modifying the MSS operators’ licenses pursuant to Section 316 of the Communications Act.
Fourth, we adopt performance requirements for the AWS-4 spectrum. Specifically, licensees of AWS-4 operating authority will be subject to build-out requirements that require a licensee to provide terrestrial signal coverage and offer terrestrial service to at least 40 percent of its total terrestrial license areas’ population within four years, and to at least 70 percent of the population in each of its license areas within seven years, and will be subject to appropriate penalties if these benchmarks are not met.
Fifth, we adopt a variety of regulatory, licensing, operating, and relocation and cost sharing requirements for licensees of AWS-4 operating authority.
Sixth, we eliminate the ATC rules for the 2 GHz MSS band and propose to modify the 2 GHz MSS operators’ licenses to eliminate their ATC authority.
Seventh, consistent with the scope of the AWS-4 NPRM, we take no action on the Commission’s ATC rules for other MSS bands.
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Paired Frequency Bands |
| Paired Bands | Use | Service | Table |
| 2000 - 2020 MHz | AWS-4 Uplink | Mobile | N |
| 2180 - 2200 MHz | AWS-4 Downlink | Mobile | N |
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