700 MHz Spectrum Auction – This spectrum is part of the 698–806 MHz band (“700 MHz Band”) previously occupied by television broadcasters.  It is being made available for new nationwide/local commercial and public safety services as a result of the DTV transition.  As of February 5, 2008, Auction #73 had entered round number 30 with total bids in excess of $18.5 Billion.  Additional information and Links to the current bidding progress can be found at Summary Auction 73

Measurements of Additional Prototype TV White Space Devices - The Commission announces the second phase of laboratory bench testing on the performance of prototype television white space devices.  (ET Docket No. 04-186, DA No. 08-118) DA-08-118A1.pdf DA-08-118A2.pdf

Reconsideration on FCC Policies and Service Rules for the Broadcasting-Satellite Service at the 17.3–17.7 GHz/24.75–25.25 GHz
The Establishment of Policies and Service Rules for the Broadcasting-Satellite Service at the 17.3–17.7 GHz Frequency Band and at the 17.7–17.8 GHz Frequency Band Internationally, and at the 24.75–25.25 GHz Frequency Band for Fixed Satellite Services Providing Feeder Links to the Broadcasting-Satellite Service and for the Satellite Services Operating Bi-directionally in the 17.3–17.8 GHz Frequency Band.

In this Reconsideration Order, the FCC hopes to provide additional flexibility to 17/24 GHz BSS space station operators by allowing them to operate their space stations, upon request, at locations other than those specified in Appendix F.  They will assign space stations to orbital locations that are offset from the Appendix F locations by up to one degree, without requiring them to reduce power or accept additional interference, if there are no licensed or prior-filed applications for 17/24 GHz BSS space stations less than four degrees away from the proposed offset space station.  FCC-07-174A1.doc

FCC Spectrum and Service Rules for Ancillary Terrestrial Components in the 1.6/2.4 GHz Big LEO Bands — FCC review of the Spectrum Sharing Plan among Non-Geostationary Satellite Orbit Mobile Satellite Service Systems in the 1.6/2.4 GHz Bands
In the Second Order on Reconsideration, Second Report and Order, and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, the Commission’s decision in the Big LEO Spectrum Sharing Order to establish a band plan that improves spectrum efficiency and facilitates sharing between code division multiple access (CDMA) and time division multiple access (TDMA) Mobile Satellite Service (MSS) systems in the 1610–1626.5 MHz band (the L-band).  The Commission’s decision in the Big LEO Spectrum Sharing Order to establish a band plan that improves spectrum efficiency and facilitates sharing between code division multiple access (CDMA) and time division multiple access (TDMA) Mobile Satellite Service (MSS) systems in the 1610–1626.5 MHz band (the L-band).

The Big LEO L-band band plan that was established provides an equitable distribution of the spectrum between the CDMA satellite system operated by Globalstar, Inc. (Globalstar), and the TDMA satellite system operated by Iridium Satellite LLC (Iridium).  Specifically, CDMA and TDMA MSS systems will each have the exclusive MSS use of 7.775 megahertz of L-band Big LEO spectrum.  In addition, in order to account for certain technical issues raised by the design characteristics of existing MSS systems, the FCC will require CDMA and TDMA MSS systems to share 0.95 megahertz of L-band spectrum.  As a result of the decision, Globalstar’s CDMA system and Iridium’s TDMA system will have equal amounts of L-band Big LEO spectrum for their exclusive MSS use.  In addition, in response to a petition filed by Globalstar, the FCC initiated a new Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Notice) to consider spectrum authorizations and technical rules for ancillary terrestrial components (ATC) in the Big LEO bands.  They seek comment on whether there should be an increase the amount of spectrum in which CDMA Big LEO MSS systems are authorized to operate ATC.  FCC-07-194A1.doc