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Interference Protection |
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In May 2007, the FCC introduced a new radio service they called "The 3650–3700 MHz Radio Service." It was established to,"...create a spectrum environment that will encourage multiple entrants and stimulate the expansion of broadband service to rural and under served areas..." The FCC had originally considered offering this band segment for unlicensed use, but the existence of incumbent earth station and Federal radar systems elicited concern about the ability to coexist without pro-active coordination. Accordingly, the FCC adopted a nationwide non-exclusive licensing scheme for the band, and as of January 2008, the FCC had issued over 185 nationwide licenses. Users cannot operate a base or fixed station until it's registered and accepted in the ULS and the FCC expects all applicants and licensees to cooperate in the selection and use of frequencies in order to minimize the potential for interference and make the most effective use of the authorized facilities. To implement this policy, the FCC has left it up to the new licensees to identify nearby fixed stations as they design new systems, self certify non-interference with grandfathered extended C-band earth stations and manage potential interference into adjacent C-band earth stations. Grandfathered Satellite System in Extended C-Band Perhaps the most important aspect of the 3650–3700 MHz service is its shared-band status with incumbent extended C-Band earth stations. The 3650–3700 MHz band shares spectrum with 100 licensed/ grandfathered satellite systems operating in the extended C-Band (3625–3700 MHz). The FCC has established a 150 km protected zone around each of the grandfathered earth stations. New licensees may locate base stations within these protected zones only after obtaining an agreement from the earth station licensee through good faith negotiations for mutually agreed operations. As part of Comsearch's new 3650 MHz Protection Service, we monitor each base station registration to determine if a newsystem proposes operation within 150 km of protected extended C-Band earth stations. We provide periodic protection reports identifying the location of the new system, and informing the new licensee of the need to obtain agreement from the grandfathered earth station licensee.  Adjacent-Channel Satellite Systems in C-Band In addition to the grandfathered in-band systems, there are several thousand licensed and unlicensed satellite earth stations operating in the remainder of the C Band (3700–4200 MHz). The Satellite Industry Association and others raised serious concerns about out-of-band emissions and LNB saturation during the Rulemaking proceeding but these concerns where largely unaddressed. Calculations show that under the right conditions, separation distances of 1 km or more may be required between the new fixed system and an existing adjacent band earth station receiver. Additional filtering may help to mitigate the interference however if the separation distance is small enough, interference into adjacent band earth station receivers may be difficult or impossible to resolve. While an FCC license provides you with some protection rights and a stronger negotiation position, it does nothing to prevent actual interference from occurring or the costs involved with subsequently identifying and resolving the problem. Our protection service will identify new deployments close to your existing systems before they go into operation. Read our white paper to learn more: "Estimating the Required Separation Distances to Avoid Interference from Part 90 3650–3700 MHz Band Transmitters into C-Band Earth Stations." -Will Perkins, Principal Engineer at Comsearch Unlicensed C-Band Receivers No one can protect your unlicensed C-Band receivers. Since they are not licensed, they have absolutely no protection rights. New licensees don't know where they are and don't have to avoid interfering into them. Thus, your unlicensed earth stations are in danger of being interfered with if a new 3650 MHz radio system is located close by. Since these new fixed systems involve nationwide licenses that can result in ubiquitous deployments of base stations and remotes, it is critical to license all C-Band receivers to obtain both FCC protection rights and the ability to have your system monitored for potential interference. Without licensing and protection, a C-Band receiver is open to interference impact with no options for recourse. Whether your earth stations are licensed or not, new broadband systems in the 3650 MHz band pose an interference threat to your ongoing operation. Our 3650 MHz Protection Service will help you know what is happening before it can cause you a problem. |
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With the introduction of the new 3650–3700 MHz radio service, your earth stations face a new interference threat. If your earth stations are not licensed, the interference threat is even greater. Comsearch can help you keep track of new activity to protect your earth stations.
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