The NAB Pulse

Time is Running Out to Register Your C-band Earth Station with the FCC

Last month, the FCC established a docket on “Expanding Flexible Use of the 3.7 to 4.2 GHz Band.” Concurrently, the Commission also announced a 90-day filing window for existing C-band users (i.e., earth stations in operation as of April 19, 2018) that are not yet registered with the FCC to register their facilities. To encourage registration, the FCC is waiving the frequency coordination requirement but is not waiving the $435 filing fee during this 90-day window. The deadline for registration is July 18, 2018. After that date, you will likely not be able to protect your C-band facility from interference from wireless services and you will not be eligible for funding to maintain service. 

Additional details are in this Public Notice.

For the past several months, NAB has been encouraging C-band users to register their earth stations with the FCC in anticipation of a specific “mid-band” proposal to offer wireless broadband services in the 3.7 – 4.2 GHz spectrum (or some portion of that spectrum). It now appears that the FCC is poised to issue a specific proposal and only registered earth stations are likely to be protected from interference or reimbursed for costs relating to establishing alternative/replacement service.

Most broadcast program distribution, both radio and television, is done over C-band and interference from wireless broadband services could prevent stations from providing news and entertainment to listeners and viewers. Last summer, the FCC noted that there are just 4,700 registered C-band earth stations, suggesting that it believes the spectrum is presently under-utilized.

NAB believes that a majority of receive-only C-band earth stations are not registered, not included in the FCC’s 4,700 figure and will not be protected from interference from new wireless broadband uses. If your earth station is one of those not registered, it could be wiped out by interference from new wireless services operating in the C-band spectrum. NAB urges all broadcasters with receive-only C-band earth stations to ensure that they are registered with the FCC. Further, we urge that such registration include the entire domestic satellite arc and all transponder frequencies, even if your present operation is confined to a single transponder on a single satellite. This will ensure that your operations are protected if you need to move to a different satellite or transponder.

To register during the 90-day window, you need to complete FCC Form 312 and pay a $425 filing fee. 

Should you have questions concerning this matter, please contact Robert Weller in NAB’s Legal and Regulatory Affairs department. 








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