FCC Approves E* Application for BSS from 75wl


Looks like they are finally issuing the pemits for the new 17GHz BSS band. The downlink beam uses the same frequency range as the existing uplink beam on the 12 Ghz satellites. You may see references to "reverse" when describing the new band.

A bit of history.

There was a knockdown, drag out fight about the procedures to follow in deciding the winner for slot applications a few years back. FCC froze all applications until they resolved the procedures and the 17GHz permit applications were stuck waiting for quite some time. They unblocked those applications recently.

They also had to develop some new regulations concerning the location for the big 17 GHz earth stations that communicate with satellites to avoid interference for customer receiving stations

This is the start of a new series of satellites. They have 5 years to put it into service but have indicated that they will get the first one of the 10 proposed 17Ghz satellites up in 4 years.
 
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The FCC also approved a "reverse DBS" application from Dish at 62.15 W. Dish also has applications for three other slots 110, 114.5 and 119 W. The FCC limited applications for these 'reverse DBS" slots to five per satellite company.
 
Would existing receivers be able to use these satellites with, for example, a new LNB?
 
Most likely, just like C and Ku, the LNB will convert to the standard LO frequency of the receiver.
 
Extended band naming nomenclature

Looks like the new naming protocal for the Expansion Band is going to be EX-# where the EX denotes expansion band and the # will be the satellite number.

EX-4 and EX-5 are the permits released this week.
 
And, some moere details.

Looks like Dish/Echostar is conceding the KA spectrum to Directv and is going to put their expansion efforts into the DBS Expansion Band.

The two slots authorized to date are at ~62W and 75W. Neither can service Alaska/Hawaii. FCC reminds Echostar/Dish that they will have to provide service to Alaska/Hawaii in the grant and one can expect to see western coverge in the licenses still waiting approval.

Application explains that 62W and 75W locations will allow single antennas (62W grouping with the 61.5W 12MHz satellites and 75W grouping with the Quetzsat licensed satellites at 77W).

Spectrum is divided in same manner as 12 GHz satellites using 32 transponders.

Each satellite has a beam that can support 26 transponders providing Conus service and a "steerable" spot beam that can support a minimum of 6 and a maximum of all 32 transponders. The steerable beam of both satellites can be directed anywhere in the Region 2 area and are currently planned to be centered on southern Mexico.
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It looks like Dish will be adding significant capacity to the US market and providing major new coverage in Mexico with a miminum of 12 new transponders dedicated to that market.
 
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