Feedback sought from non-federal users of the 1675-1710 MHz band spectrum

The FCC issued a Public Notice on June 4, 2010, seeking comments by June 28, 2010 from non-federal users of the 1675-1710 MHz band spectrum. This spectrum is currently used by NOAA satellites and the federal government is considering auctioning it to the commercial sector for mobile broadband use. The current bandwidth is used for Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite (POES) High Resolution Picture Transmission (HRPT) and Low Resolution Data (LRD) transmission, Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) VARiable (GVAR), GOES DCS data, LRIT and NWS' EMWIN services.

If the 1675-1710 MHz spectrum is made available for mobile broadband use, the public will not be able to access these satellite broadcast services. Other means of receiving this data, such as over the Internet, may replace direct broadcast services. The FCC wants to better comprehend the uses of this spectrum and these satellite services by non-federal entities. NOAA uses the 1675-1710 MHz band for essential support to forecasts and warnings, as well as the operations of several federal agencies, to reduce loss of life and minimize property damage. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) uses the GOES DCS to transmit stream gauge information for flood warnings and obtain seismic observations to warn the aviation industry of volcanic eruptions. These observations are critical for air traffic safety.

In addition, USGS obtains data on earthquake location (size and strength). The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center uses this data to provide tsunami watches and warnings to countries and islands of the Pacific basin and the Caribbean. In 2009, during the Samoan earthquake, data from the GOES DCS were used to cancel an unnecessary evacuation of Hawaii saving millions of dollars.

The Forest Service (FS) uses the DCS to support its fire control services. The GOES DCS provides the critical and timely data to support the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) in its task to control wild fires in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The NIFC and FS need the real-time fire observations to support the deployment of resources and obtain critical information on fire status.

Regardless of decisions regarding future use of the 1675-1710 MHz spectrum, NOAA satellites and weather satellites from other nations will continue to broadcast in that spectrum, potentially interfering with mobile broadband services.

By June 28, 2010, the FCC is seeking public opinion on the utility of the 1675-1710 MHz band of spectrum for wireless broadband services, and approaches to making the band available for such uses. As noted above, they also seek comments on the extent to which non-Federal users directly access transmissions from satellites and the impact on those users if the transmissions are no longer accessible or are only accessible over the Internet. All comment filings should reference the subject public notice and ET Docket No. 10-123. A copy of the notice for comment and further information is available at the following sites: