Photo of the 8th Starlink launch, courtesy of SpaceX.
Chris Forrester
In a filing made to the FCC, SpaceX said that its Starlink service would help bridge the digital divide using the 12 GHz satellite frequency band (Ku-band). The filing was made in a response to a filing made on May 26th by the Competitive Carriers Association (CCA), which argued that the 12 GHz band should not be used by SpaceX. This information is contained within a just filed report by journalist Chris Forrester at the Advanced Television infosite.
SpaceX in their June 4th letter stated, “Proceeding with any proposal that would undermine current and future satellite use of the 12 GHz Band would place at risk the achievements in this band and impede the deployment of critical broadband services for consumers, including in the most rural and remote areas of the country. To meet this goal, SpaceX strongly supports the FCCs ongoing efforts to close the digital divide using whatever technology best suits consumer needs, including 5G. One essential part of serving all Americans – no matter where they live – is powerful next-generation satellite services that can reach all corners of the country. The 12 GHz Band is an essential component to delivering high-throughput, low-latency downlink connections to consumers from these next-generation satellite systems."
SpaceX continued, telling the FCC, "Unfortunately, [the CCA May 26th Letter) overlooks the benefits these satellite services will bring to consumers, beginning in just the next few months. SpaceX is poised to initiate consumer service this year across the United States using the 12 GHz Band.
Forrester also reports that the Gulf state of Oman is inviting expressions of interest from satellite builders to construct that nation's first national satellite.
The initiative is being spearheaded by Space Communications Technology LLC (SCT), a wholly government-owned entity established with the mandate to develop and implement the Sultanate’s maiden satellite communications project. The brief will include ground infrastructure as well a Telemetry, Tracking and Control of the craft to be based in Oman.
Launch date should be 2023-2024 says the mission document, and the specification calls a high-throughput satellite for consumer broadband and IP-based trunking services. Consultants have until June 24th to submit bids.
