ATA responds to ACMA's 2 GHz MSS band consultation

The Australian Telecommunications Alliance’s (ATA) Satellite Services Working Group (SSWG) has made available its submission to the ACMA’s ‘Allocation design and technical matters for the 2 GHz MSS band’ consultation. The consultation outlines the ACMA’s proposed approach to allocation design and certain technical matters for the 2 x 25 MHz of spectrum in the 2 GHz band to support mobile-satellite services (MSS), facilitating early adoption of new and emerging technologies such as satellite direct-to-device technologies.

The SSWG said that it broadly supports the ACMA’s proposals to license the 2 GHz MSS band, contending that the licence tenure should be at least 20 years in recognition of the long life cycles of satellite constellations. Of the options being proposed, the SSWG supports the 2 GHz MSS spectrum to be allocated as a single 2 x 10 MHz pair and a single 2 x 15 MHz pair configuration.

The SSWG said that it does not support price-based allocation of space spectrum via auction, stating that is not suited to space networks. It noted that in some jurisdictions, such as the US FCC, price-based allocation of space spectrum has been abandoned. The SSWG prefers that ACMA examines potential contenders for the spectrum and administratively licenses the spectrum to proven satellite operators that promise viable services for the societal benefit of the Australian community.

To read the ATA’s submission in full, click here.

Image credit: iStock.com/Jae Young Ju