The FCC said Friday (pdf) that it wants to remove barriers to flexible use of the mobile satellite service (MSS) bands for terrestrial mobile wireless service. The new rules would apply to S-band MSS frequencies around 2GHz. The rules will mainly affect the licenses held by Craig McCaw’s ICO and TerreStar.
This is also part of the spectrum that Harbinger Capital hopes to use to build out its ambitious wholesale LTE network in the US. By 2015, Harbinger plans to deploy a terrestrial 4G network that can be used in conjunction with its satellite offering, according to the FCC. Harbinger owns large stakes in The New York Times Company, 28% stock ownership of satellite communications company Inmarsat, and also owns stakes in rival satellite operators SkyTerra and Terrestar.
The new proposal aims to lift all bars on terrestrial networks, effectively making the spectrum into another radio network band, says Rethink Wireless. Previously in the hybrid bands, any terrestrial network had to be accompanied by MSS capability. However, it would retain the market-wide satellite capability for public safety, rural services, and the federal government.
The FCC initially proposed opening up the 90MHz of spectrum as part of its National Broadband Plan. The 90MHz chunk of spectrum is the second largest that the FCC is seeking to open as part of its national plan, after the 120MHz from broadcast TV airwaves.
In May, the Commission made another 25MHz of satellite spectrum available for mobile broadband by changing its Wireless Communications Service (WCS) rules. The rules had limited WCS providers to offering fixed wireless services. The actions were designed to ensure that WCS mobile broadband and satellite radio could coexist in the same band.
The FCC is now seeking public comments on the plan. The FCC’s Spectrum Task Force will follow up with a Commission proceeding in July.
