Advanced Television

FCC

DSA welcomes FCC’s authorisation of AFC systems

The Dynamic Spectrum Alliance (DSA) has congratulated the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on its decision to authorise Automatic Frequency Coordination (AFC) systems in the 6 GHz band to enable standard power devices to access 850 MHz of spectrum and support a wide range of enterprise and consumer broadband services in the US. AFC systems maximise […]

February 27, 2024

FCC certifies Comsearch AFC for commercial deployment

 CommScope, a player in network connectivity, today announced that its Comsearch spectrum management business has received FCC certification for the commercial deployment of its AFC (automated frequency coordination) system supporting unlicensed 6 GHz standard power and fixed client devices. This certification allows Comsearch AFC to open up 850 MHz of 6 GHz spectrum for shared, FCC-compliant […]

February 27, 2024

US outlines satellite phone framework

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has published its proposed framework which could allow satellite operators to use spectrum from terrestrial cellular businesses for their smartphone connections, and when beyond the reach of conventional mobile towers. Jessica Rosenworcel, FCC chair, says the final draft of rules have been sent to the regulator’s other four Commissioners that, […]

February 26, 2024

SpaceX explains D2D smartphone plan

SpaceX has informed the FCC of its plans to expand its current broadband-by-satellite service to include Text and ultimately Voice services. On February 13th SpaceX wrote to the FCC saying it wanted to take another step towards realising the FCC’s own vision of a ‘Single Network Future’ which would bring ubiquitous mobile connectivity to consumers […]

February 16, 2024By Chris Forrester

Starlink gets tough with Apple/Globalstar

Currently SpaceX’s Starlink system dominates satellite-based broadband and the potential for ‘direct-to-device’ (MSS: Mobile Satellite Service) communications. However, Globalstar is rolling out its smaller constellation and has Apple helping finance its expansion. The initial problem is that both outfits use the same frequencies (as does Dish Network). SpaceX formally complained to the FCC on February […]

February 8, 2024

Coordination problem for AST SpaceMobile

Officials from satellite company AST SpaceMobile met with FCC officials on December 14th 2023 over a potential problem with its frequency registrations. AST is building a super-constellation of satellites with the intention of supply a ‘direct-to-smartphone’ service. AT&T, Vodafone and Google are investors in the company. AST is using Papua New Guinea (PNG) as its […]

February 7, 2024

Filing explains SpaceX’s Direct-2-Cell service

Chris Forrester There’s considerable interest in what various heavyweight suppliers might be doing in terms of Direct-2-Cell satellite telephony. Apple, Google, AST SpaceMobile and others, including SpaceX’s Starlink, are very busy in this area. A filing with the FCC from T-Mobile on January 18th (which is linked with Starlink) explains their intentions, and the practical […]

February 1, 2024By Chris Forrester

New 5G broadcasting experimental licences filed in US

XGen Network, in partnership with HC2 and EGOT Media, has filed for two new experimental 5G broadcast licences in the US with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). This move is in collaboration with HC2 stations WTXX-LD as well as EGOT Media’s WYJH-LD, to join Milachi Media’s WWOO-LD in Boston for Phase Two Proof of Concept […]

January 30, 2024

Ligado spectrum claim “must be dismissed”

Ligado Networks has been arguing for $40 billion (€36.9bn) of compensation from various US Federal Agencies over claims that the Agencies “roadblocked” Legado’s L-band frequencies and spectrum because the US government wanted the spectrum itself. The case is best described as “complicated” and centres on the FCC’s granting to Ligado in 2020 to create a […]

January 29, 2024

SES vs Intelsat rages on

Back on August 1st 2023, your author somewhat optimistically wrote ‘SES vs Intelsat nears conclusion‘. How wrong that was. The headline was based on a successful appeal won by SES and an instruction made by the appeal court Judge Robert Payne to the lower court to find in SES’s favour. “The judgement of the Bankruptcy […]

January 18, 2024