The US communications regulator is hoping to move ahead with the assignment of more than 20,000 MHz of spectrum bandwidth to accommodate expanded satellite-based broadband service. The FCC voted unanimously at its May 22nd open meeting to explore such use across four spectrum bands: the upper portion of the 12 GHz band, starting at 12.7 GHz; the 42 GHz band, the 52 GHz band and four unused sections of the 75-110 GHz W-band totaling 18,000 MHz.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said in a statement after the vote that [quote] "each band is a potential game changer." [endquote]. The agency said that the amount of spectrum under consideration is greater than all the spectrum presently available for satellite broadband. He said the additional frequencies were ripe territory for so-called next-generation services.
It was unclear what impact, if any, the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking would have on the amateur radio service. The move was applauded by the Satellite Industry Association in a statement on its website.