https://urgentcomm.com/wp-content/themes/ucm_child/assets/images/logo/footer-new-logo.png
  • Home
  • News
  • Multimedia
    • Back
    • Multimedia
    • Video
    • Podcasts
    • Galleries
    • IWCE’s Video Showcase
    • IWCE 2022 Winter Showcase
    • IWCE 2023 Pre-event Guide
  • Commentary
    • Back
    • Commentary
    • Urgent Matters
    • View From The Top
    • All Things IWCE
    • Legal Matters
  • Resources
    • Back
    • Resources
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
    • Reprints & Reuse
  • IWCE
    • Back
    • IWCE
    • Conference
    • Special Events
    • Exhibitor Listings
    • Premier Partners
    • Floor Plan
    • Exhibiting Information
    • Register for IWCE
  • About Us
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Statement
    • Cookie Policy
  • Related Sites
    • Back
    • American City & County
    • IWCE
    • Light Reading
    • IOT World Today
    • Mission Critical Technologies
    • TU-Auto
  • In the field
    • Back
    • In the field
    • Broadband Push-to-X
    • Internet of Things
    • Project 25
    • Public-Safety Broadband/FirstNet
    • Virtual/Augmented Reality
    • Land Mobile Radio
    • Long Term Evolution (LTE)
    • Applications
    • Drones/Robots
    • IoT/Smart X
    • Software
    • Subscriber Devices
    • Video
  • Call Center/Command
    • Back
    • Call Center/Command
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • NG911
    • Alerting Systems
    • Analytics
    • Dispatch/Call-taking
    • Incident Command/Situational Awareness
    • Tracking, Monitoring & Control
  • Network Tech
    • Back
    • Network Tech
    • Interoperability
    • LMR 100
    • LMR 200
    • Backhaul
    • Deployables
    • Power
    • Tower & Site
    • Wireless Networks
    • Coverage/Interference
    • Security
    • System Design
    • System Installation
    • System Operation
    • Test & Measurement
  • Operations
    • Back
    • Operations
    • Critical Infrastructure
    • Enterprise
    • Federal Government/Military
    • Public Safety
    • State & Local Government
    • Training
  • Regulations
    • Back
    • Regulations
    • Narrowbanding
    • T-Band
    • Rebanding
    • TV White Spaces
    • None
    • Funding
    • Policy
    • Regional Coordination
    • Standards
  • Organizations
    • Back
    • Organizations
    • AASHTO
    • APCO
    • DHS
    • DMR Association
    • ETA
    • EWA
    • FCC
    • IWCE
    • NASEMSO
    • NATE
    • NXDN Forum
    • NENA
    • NIST/PSCR
    • NPSTC
    • NTIA/FirstNet
    • P25 TIG
    • TETRA + CCA
    • UTC
Urgent Communications
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Home
  • News
  • Multimedia
    • Back
    • Video
    • Podcasts
    • Omdia Crit Comms Circle Podcast
    • Galleries
    • IWCE’s Video Showcase
    • IWCE 2023 Pre-event Guide
    • IWCE 2022 Winter Showcase
  • Commentary
    • Back
    • All Things IWCE
    • Urgent Matters
    • View From The Top
    • Legal Matters
  • Resources
    • Back
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
    • Reprints & Reuse
    • UC eZines
    • Sponsored content
  • IWCE
    • Back
    • Conference
    • Why Attend
    • Exhibitor Listing
    • Floor Plan
    • Exhibiting Information
    • Join the Event Mailing List
  • About Us
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Cookie Policy
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Statement
  • Related Sites
    • Back
    • American City & County
    • IWCE
    • Light Reading
    • IOT World Today
    • TU-Auto
  • newsletter
  • In the field
    • Back
    • Internet of Things
    • Broadband Push-to-X
    • Project 25
    • Public-Safety Broadband/FirstNet
    • Virtual/Augmented Reality
    • Land Mobile Radio
    • Long Term Evolution (LTE)
    • Applications
    • Drones/Robots
    • IoT/Smart X
    • Software
    • Subscriber Devices
    • Video
  • Call Center/Command
    • Back
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • NG911
    • Alerting Systems
    • Analytics
    • Dispatch/Call-taking
    • Incident Command/Situational Awareness
    • Tracking, Monitoring & Control
  • Network Tech
    • Back
    • Cybersecurity
    • Interoperability
    • LMR 100
    • LMR 200
    • Backhaul
    • Deployables
    • Power
    • Tower & Site
    • Wireless Networks
    • Coverage/Interference
    • Security
    • System Design
    • System Installation
    • System Operation
    • Test & Measurement
  • Operations
    • Back
    • Critical Infrastructure
    • Enterprise
    • Federal Government/Military
    • Public Safety
    • State & Local Government
    • Training
  • Regulations
    • Back
    • Narrowbanding
    • T-Band
    • Rebanding
    • TV White Spaces
    • None
    • Funding
    • Policy
    • Regional Coordination
    • Standards
  • Organizations
    • Back
    • AASHTO
    • APCO
    • DHS
    • DMR Association
    • ETA
    • EWA
    • FCC
    • IWCE
    • NASEMSO
    • NATE
    • NXDN Forum
    • NENA
    • NIST/PSCR
    • NPSTC
    • NTIA/FirstNet
    • P25 TIG
    • TETRA + CCA
    • UTC
acc.com

Policy


News

FCC proposes initial satellite-direct-to-phone regulatory framework

FCC proposes initial satellite-direct-to-phone regulatory framework

  • Written by Donny Jackson
  • 18th March 2023

FCC commissioners yesterday approved a proposal that would provide an initial regulatory framework for the agency to support supplemental-coverage-from-space (SCS)—or satellite-direct-to-cell-phone—services being explored by numerous satellite operators and terrestrial wireless carriers, including on FirstNet Authority spectrum.

Under the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that was passed by a 4-0 vote, the FCC “seeks to establish clear and transparent process to support supplemental coverage from space,” according to a agency news release on the matter. Such a process is lacking today as the FCC has been asked to consider waivers that would allow SCS services, which could effectively act as roaming cell sites for commercial phones.

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said the NPRM is designed to enable the vision of a “Single Network Future” that she spoke about during an address last month at Mobile World Congress

“Our approach is designed to make it easier for satellite operators collaborating with terrestrial providers to obtain authorization for converged services,” Rosenworcel said during yesterday’s FCC meeting. “By providing clear rules, I think we can kick start more innovation in the space economy while also expanding wireless coverage in remote, unserved, and underserved areas. We can make mobile dead zones a thing of the past.

“But even better, we have an opportunity to bring our spectrum policies into the future and move past the binary choices between mobile spectrum on the one hand and satellite spectrum on the other. That means we can reshape the airwave-access debates of old and develop new ways to get more out of our spectrum resources.”

FCC Commissioner Nathan Simington echoed this sentiment, citing the separate regulatory environments for terrestrial and satellite services that currently exist.

“I think that is precisely the situation that this item proposes to resolve—to wed two regulatory frameworks for a combination that, is at least intended to flexibly address the needs of all providers in this space,” Simington said during the FCC meeting. “To the extent it [the NPRM] doesn’t do that, it seeks comment on what else the FCC should and can do to facilitate these innovative services.

“In that sense, this item is the beginning of the discussion about a new regulatory model, and the FCC needs industry and others to tell us how to get it right.”

Under the NPRM, terrestrial wireless carriers with nationwide licenses would be allowed to augment their coverage by allowing signals from satellites to be transmitted across spectrum used by terrestrial wireless carriers. Initial drafts of the NPRM did not include language addressing the 700 MHz Band 14 spectrum licensed to the FirstNet Authority, but the FCC now is seeking comment about SCS service on these frequencies, according to an FCC official.

Multiple FCC commissioners said that the fact the NPRM does not propose allowing other operators—notably, regional carriers—to offer SCS should not be interpretated as an unwillingness to include such language in the future.

“If adopted, the rules would allow satellites to step in and provide connectivity where terrestrial coverage is unavailable using terrestrial spectrum, as if they were a seamless component of the terrestrial network itself,” FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks said during Thursday’s meeting.

“But building a framework that works for every conceivable commercial arrangement and every technology is no easy feat and risks bogging down progress as we work toward new rules. To address this concern, the NPRM smartly proposes a narrow set of initial entry criteria so that we can move full-speed ahead on proposals that raise the fewest technical challenges, while seeking comment on how one day we might broaden the scope. “

In addition, multiple commissioners said this new NPRM proceeding should not delay the commission’s consideration of existing SCS items pending before the agency.

AT&T, which is conducting SCS tests with AST SpaceMobile on the FirstNet Authority’s Band 14 spectrum, applauded the FCC commissioner’s approval of the NPRM.

“We support the FCC’s efforts to allow mobile networks to integrate supplemental satellite coverage,” according to an AT&T statement provided to IWCE’s Urgent Communications. “We look forward to participating in the development of rules that facilitate increased coverage and foster competition.”

AST SpaceMobile and Lynk Global plan to partner with commercial terrestrial wireless carriers, using sub-1 GHz spectrum licensed to the carrier to make the connection to unmodified cellular devices—effectively acting as a roaming partner with cell sites located on low-earth-orbit (LEO) satellites. Both of these companies eventually plan to offer broadband services, although Lynk is scheduled to launch its commercial offering next month as a text-only service initially.

But the Lynk and ASTSpaceMobile business model is not the only one in the SCS sector. T-Mobile and Starlink last year announced plans to offer SCS capability via T-Mobile’s 1.9 GHz spectrum. In January, Qualcomm announced a partnership with Iridium to enable satellite communications on Android phones that feature the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip.

Meanwhile, the two main commercial handset vendors—Apple and Samsung—have announced SCS plans. Apple already is offering a commercial service that allows iPhone 14 users to send emergency text messages via the Globalstar satellite network when the phone is outside the coverage footprint of the cellular network.

Samsung last month announced its SCS technology that will be incorporated into chips that will be embedded in the company’s phones in the future.

 

Tags: homepage-featured-4 5G Applications Companies Coverage/Interference Critical Infrastructure Enterprise FCC Federal Government/Military Funding Incident Command/Situational Awareness Interoperability Long Term Evolution (LTE) News Policy Public Safety Public-Safety Broadband/FirstNet Regional Coordination Software Standards State & Local Government Subscriber Devices System Design System Installation System Operation Tower & Site Tracking, Monitoring & Control Wireless Networks News

Most Recent


  • Verizon officials highlight role of 5G tech for responders during IWCE keynote
    LAS VEGAS—As the public-safety sector continues to expand its use of data-intensive applications, developments in 5G can provide the low-latency, high-bandwidth connectivity to meet these needs, Verizon officials said yesterday during a keynote address at IWCE 2023. Bryan Schromsky, managing partner for Verizon’s public-sector unit, noted that the carrier plans to complete its deployment of […]
  • Day 3 of IWCE 2023 features the opening of the Expo Hall
    A small crowd gathered around a four-legged robot that shifted with lifelike movements, running forward onto the show floor of the 2023 IWCE exposition in Las Vegas, Nev. “It’s meant for public safety and inspection of infrastructure,” said Charlie Robb, chief revenue officer for Common Objects, which had outfitted the Boston Dynamics robot, Spot, with […]
  • Rescue 42 launches miniCRD deployable for FirstNet
    Rescue 42 yesterday announced the launch of its miniCRD (mCRD) for FirstNet, which provides much of the functionality of the company’s Compact Rapid Deployable at a much lower cost.and in an even more portable form factor—two ruggedized cases that are about the size of checked luggage. Rescue 42 CEO Tim O’Connell said the mCRD (pictured […]
  • IWCE 2023
    Safer Buildings Coalition conducts annual event at IWCE 2023
    A common theme ran through the Safer Buildings Coalition’s annual meeting Monday night during IWCE 2023 at the Las Vegas Convention Center—strength through collaboration. “The perception is that the challenge is ‘out there,’ and someday, maybe the challenge will come here,” said Billy Bob Brown Jr., executive assistant director for emergency communications within the Cybersecurity […]

Leave a comment Cancel reply

To leave a comment login with your Urgent Comms account:

Log in with your Urgent Comms account

Or alternatively provide your name, email address below:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Content

  • Lynk announces deployments, plans for spring satellite-direct-to-phone commercial service
  • Qualcomm to add Iridium satellite to phones, other gadgets
  • AT&T exec Sambar discusses tests with AST SpaceMobile, notes FirstNet implications
  • T-Mobile, SpaceX unveil plans to ‘end dead zones’ and 'save lives' with satellite-direct-to-phone tech

Commentary


Updated: How ‘sidelink’ peer-to-peer communications can enhance public-safety operations

  • 1
27th February 2023

NG911 needed to secure our communities and nation

24th February 2023

How 5G is making cities safer, smarter, and more efficient

26th January 2023
view all

Events


UC Ezines


IWCE 2019 Wrap Up

13th May 2019
view all

Twitter


UrgentComm

Gallery: The last day of IWCE 2023 dlvr.it/SllQKJ

30th March 2023
UrgentComm

Video: Opening of the Expo Hall on day three of IWCE 2023 dlvr.it/SlkyNy

30th March 2023
UrgentComm

Verizon officials highlight role of 5G tech for responders during IWCE keynote dlvr.it/Slkh9n

30th March 2023
UrgentComm

Day three of IWCE 2023 features the opening of the Expo Hall dlvr.it/Slhgvr

30th March 2023
UrgentComm

Gallery: The Expo Hall opens on day three of IWCE 2023 dlvr.it/SlhfPT

29th March 2023
UrgentComm

Rescue 42 launches miniCRD deployable for FirstNet dlvr.it/SlgdtY

29th March 2023
UrgentComm

RT @IWCEexpo: 📽️ More sights from Day 2 at #IWCE23. It's been a fantastic start so far... Thanks to you! Tomorrow is another awesome spea…

29th March 2023
UrgentComm

RT @IWCEexpo: Ildefonso De La Cruz Morales, Principal Analyst-Critical Communications @OmdiaHQ takes the stage and kicks off tonight’s Keyn…

29th March 2023

Newsletter

Sign up for UrgentComm’s newsletters to receive regular news and information updates about Communications and Technology.

Expert Commentary

Learn from experts about the latest technology in automation, machine-learning, big data and cybersecurity.

Business Media

Find the latest videos and media from the market leaders.

Media Kit and Advertising

Want to reach our digital and print audiences? Learn more here.

DISCOVER MORE FROM INFORMA TECH

  • American City & County
  • IWCE
  • Light Reading
  • IOT World Today
  • Mission Critical Technologies
  • TU-Auto

WORKING WITH US

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Events
  • Careers

FOLLOW Urgent Comms ON SOCIAL

  • Privacy
  • CCPA: “Do Not Sell My Data”
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms
Copyright © 2023 Informa PLC. Informa PLC is registered in England and Wales with company number 8860726 whose registered and Head office is 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG.