New research notes added to WRC-27 dossier

Two further research notes have been added to PolicyTracker‘s dossier on WRC-27. They deal with regional positions for fixed-satellite and broadcasting satellite services and regional positions for mobile satellite services.

Probably the most contentious issue covered in the first of these notes is Agenda Item 1.5. It addresses the regulatory framework to limit unauthorised operations of NGSONGSO, or non-geostationary satellite orbit… (in other words, LEO satellite) Earth stations in fixed-satellite and mobile-satellite services.

The debate arises because NGSO constellations (like Starlink) seek broad, flexible access, while traditional GSOObjects in the GSO, or Geosynchronous Orbi… operators (which dominate the broadcasting satellite service) fear harmful interference and loss of their regulated advantages. There is a significant schism between proponents of NGSO flexibility and GSO protection, leading to strong disagreements over how strictly to enforce current rules or introduce new ones.

In the mobile satellite arena, the big agenda item is 1.13. This aims to study and possibly allocate new frequency bands for mobile satellite services to enable direct connectivity between satellites and IMTInternational Mobile Telecommunications (I… user equipment, such as smartphones.

This would complement terrestrial IMT networks by providing coverage in areas where terrestrial networks are unavailable or unreliable, such as remote regions or during natural disasters. The item represents a significant step towards integrating satellite communication with terrestrial mobile networks.

The dossier already included a note on fixed, mobile and radiolocation services and an overview of the WRC-27The World Radiocommunication Conference (W… agenda items. Another note on science issues will be added shortly.

The dossier also includes a pair of “classic” PolicyTracker articles that examine the case for and against fundamentally changing the WRC process.

The WRC-27 dossier is now available to PolicyTracker Spectrum Research Service subscribers.

• Regional positions for Fixed-Satellite and Broadcasting Services
• Regional positions for Mobile-Satellite Services