Telesat/OneWeb Band Segmentation Claims Off Base, Karousel Says

Satellite operators don't primarily rely on real-time data for coordination but instead use models showing system noise temperature changes, and a real-time approach to a coordination trigger as proposed by Telesat Canada/OneWeb would make spectrum sharing tougher, satellite startup Karousel said. In an FCC docket 16-408 posting Wednesday, it said the non-geostationary orbit spectrum sharing rule isn't band splitting, as OneWeb painted it, but the equitable sharing terms are a motivator to make sure parties coordinate in good faith. Conversely, the first-in-line approach of the ITU incentivizes spectrum warehousing and speculation and discourages good-faith coordination, Karousel said. OneWeb petitioned the FCC to revisit the band-splitting portion of NGSO rules adopted last year (see 1801180060). OneWeb and Telesat outside counsel didn't comment.