U.S. Non-Federal-Government Allocations
FIXED
BROADCASTING-SATELLITE
FCC rule parts
SpectrumWiki
Radio spectrum allocations
Look up a frequency or a range.
Examples: 88.5 MHz, 1350–1430 MHz, 2.4 GHz
12.2 GHz (12,200,000,000 Hz)
U.S. Federal Government Allocations
ITU Region 1 Allocations
FIXED
MOBILE except aeronautical mobile
BROADCASTING
BROADCASTING-SATELLITE 5.492
ITU Region 2 Allocations
FIXED
MOBILE except aeronautical mobile
BROADCASTING
BROADCASTING-SATELLITE 5.492
ITU Region 3 Allocations
FIXED
FIXED-SATELLITE (space-to-Earth) 5.484B
MOBILE except aeronautical mobile
BROADCASTING
Footnotes
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5.484A The use of the bands 10.95-11.2 GHz (space-to-Earth), 11.45-11.7 GHz (space-to-Earth), 11.7-12.2 GHz (space-to-Earth) in Region 2, 12.2-12.75 GHz (space-to-Earth) in Region 3, 12.5-12.75 GHz (space-to-Earth) in Region 1, 13.75-14.5 GHz (Earth-to-space), 17.8-18.6 GHz (space-to-Earth), 19.7-20.2 GHz (space-to-Earth), 27.5-28.6 GHz (Earth-to-space), 29.5-30 GHz (Earth-to-space) by a non-geostationary-satellite system in the fixed-satellite service is subject to application of the provisions of No. 9.12 for coordination with other non-geostationary-satellite systems in the fixed-satellite service. Non-geostationary-satellite systems in the fixed-satellite service shall not claim protection from geostationary-satellite networks in the fixed-satellite service operating in accordance with the Radio Regulations, irrespective of the dates of receipt by the Bureau of the complete coordination or notification information, as appropriate, for the non-geostationary-satellite systems in the fixed-satellite service and of the complete coordination or notification information, as appropriate, for the geostationary-satellite networks, and No. 5.43A does not apply. Non-geostationary-satellite systems in the fixed-satellite service in the above bands shall be operated in such a way that any unacceptable interference that may occur during their operation shall be rapidly eliminated. (WRC 2000)
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5.484B Resolution 155 (WRC 15)* shall apply. *This resolution was revised by WRC-19. (WRC 15)
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5.487 In the band 11.7-12.5 GHz in Regions 1 and 3, the fixed, fixed-satellite, mobile, except aeronautical mobile, and broadcasting services, in accordance with their respective allocations, shall not cause harmful interference to, or claim protection from, broadcasting-satellite stations operating in accordance with the Regions 1 and 3 Plan in Appendix 30. (WRC-03)
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5.487A Additional allocation: in Region 1, the band 11.7-12.5 GHz, in Region 2, the band 12.2-12.7 GHz and, in Region 3, the band 11.7-12.2 GHz, are also allocated to the fixed-satellite service (space-to-Earth) on a primary basis, limited to non-geostationary systems and subject to application of the provisions of No. 9.12 for coordination with other non-geostationary-satellite systems in the fixed-satellite service. Non-geostationary-satellite systems in the fixed-satellite service shall not claim protection from geostationary-satellite networks in the broadcasting-satellite service operating in accordance with the Radio Regulations, irrespective of the dates of receipt by the Bureau of the complete coordination or notification information, as appropriate, for the non-geostationary-satellite systems in the fixed-satellite service and of the complete coordination or notification information, as appropriate, for the geostationary-satellite networks, and No. 5.43A does not apply. Non-geostationary-satellite systems in the fixed-satellite service in the above bands shall be operated in such a way that any unacceptable interference that may occur during their operation shall be rapidly eliminated. (WRC-03)
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5.488 The use of the band 11.7-12.2 GHz by geostationary-satellite networks in the fixed-satellite service in Region 2 is subject to application of the provisions of No. 9.14 for coordination with stations of terrestrial services in Regions 1, 2 and 3. For the use of the band 12.2-12.7 GHz by the broadcasting-satellite service in Region 2, see Appendix 30. (WRC-03)
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5.490 In Region 2, in the band 12.2-12.7 GHz, existing and future terrestrial radiocommunication services shall not cause harmful interference to the space services operating in conformity with the broadcasting-satellite Plan for Region 2 contained in Appendix 30.
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5.492 Assignments to stations of the broadcasting-satellite service which are in conformity with the appropriate regional Plan or included in the Regions 1 and 3 List in Appendix 30 may also be used for transmissions in the fixed-satellite service (space-to-Earth), provided that such transmissions do not cause more interference, or require more protection from interference, than the broadcasting-satellite service transmissions operating in conformity with the Plan or the List, as appropriate. (WRC 2000)
Wiki entries
Possible new FSS allocations, 2015 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-15) Agenda Item 1.6
Proposed Use
10–17 GHz Agenda Item 1.6.1 (Region 1)
1.6 to consider possible additional primary allocations:
1.6.1 to the fixed-satellite service (Earth-to-space and space-to Earth) of 250 MHz in the range between 10 GHz and 17 GHz in Region 1
1.6.2 to the fixed-satellite service (Earth-to-space) of 250 MHz in Region 2 and 300 MHz in Region 3 within the range 13-17 GHz;
and review the regulatory provisions on the current allocations to the fixed-satellite service within each range, taking into account the results of ITU-R studies, in accordance with Resolutions COM6/4 (WRC-12) and COM6/5 (WRC-12), respectively
1.6.1 to the fixed-satellite service (Earth-to-space and space-to Earth) of 250 MHz in the range between 10 GHz and 17 GHz in Region 1
1.6.2 to the fixed-satellite service (Earth-to-space) of 250 MHz in Region 2 and 300 MHz in Region 3 within the range 13-17 GHz;
and review the regulatory provisions on the current allocations to the fixed-satellite service within each range, taking into account the results of ITU-R studies, in accordance with Resolutions COM6/4 (WRC-12) and COM6/5 (WRC-12), respectively
SkyBridge
Proposed Use
10.7–12.7 GHz SkyBridge downlink
SkyBridge LLC filed in 1997 with the FCC to provide fixed-satellite service operations from a network of 80 non-GSO satellites, operating 4 satellites per plane in 20 planes, inclined 53 deg. The satellites would be in circular orbits at an altitude of 1469.3 km. The FCC granted launch and operation authority to SkyBridge in 2005 (DA 05-2037), but SkyBridge was never launched.
In 2014, a company registered/operating under the names L5 and WorldVu, based in the Channel Islands, acquired SkyBridge's Ku-band spectrum rights at the ITU. According to a May 30, 2014, Space News article, WorldVu would consist of 360 small satellites operating at between 800 and 950 km altitude at an inclination of 88.2 deg (near polar orbit). Space News quotes the filing as indicating the satellite system would come into use in 2019 or 2020.
WorldVu is now known as OneWeb.
In 2014, a company registered/operating under the names L5 and WorldVu, based in the Channel Islands, acquired SkyBridge's Ku-band spectrum rights at the ITU. According to a May 30, 2014, Space News article, WorldVu would consist of 360 small satellites operating at between 800 and 950 km altitude at an inclination of 88.2 deg (near polar orbit). Space News quotes the filing as indicating the satellite system would come into use in 2019 or 2020.
WorldVu is now known as OneWeb.
DISH Network
Current Use
12.2–12.7 GHz DISH Network direct broadcast TV service & affiliated TT&C signals
DISH network uses the 12.2-12.7 GHz band for its direct broadcast satellite TV service. This is the band received by customers who subscribe to the DISH Network service. The satellites also transmit relatively narrowband (300 kHz-1 MHz) telemetry, tracking, and control (TT&C) signals in this band, primarily in the lower and upper few MHz of the band.
DISH uses 17.3-17.8 GHz for feeder links (uploading the TV signals from the ground to the satellites), from earth stations located in Cheyenne, WY, and Gilbert, AZ. It also sends relatively narrowband (36 kHz-800 kHz) telemetry, tracking, and control signals to the satellites from these earth stations, primarily in the lower and upper few MHz of the band.
DISH uses 17.3-17.8 GHz for feeder links (uploading the TV signals from the ground to the satellites), from earth stations located in Cheyenne, WY, and Gilbert, AZ. It also sends relatively narrowband (36 kHz-800 kHz) telemetry, tracking, and control signals to the satellites from these earth stations, primarily in the lower and upper few MHz of the band.
Direct Broadcast Satellite TV
Current Use
12.2–12.7 GHz Direct Broadcast Satellite TV
In the U.S., the band 12.2-12.7 GHz is used for satellite TV, such as DISH Network and DIRECTV. These high-power emissions are designed to be received directly by consumers using small (18") satellite dishes.
Each satellite typically carries 16 to 32 transponders, each with a bandwidth of 27 MHz. Each transponder carries multiple television and audio channels. The transponder signals are transmitted in one of two orthoganal polarizations, which allows the transponder signals to overlap in frequency.
As an example, the Echostar 12 satellite in GEO orbit at 61.5 deg W longitude (one of the satellites used by DISH Network) has the following set of transponders:
Various Internet sites list the transponders used by each satellite, and even map the specific TV stations carried on each transponder (see the references).
An attached plot shows the 12.2-12.7 GHz band as observed at a radio astronomy site in West Virginia. The individual transponders are clearly visible, and multiple satellites are visible as the receiving antenna sweeps along the geostationary arc.
Each satellite typically carries 16 to 32 transponders, each with a bandwidth of 27 MHz. Each transponder carries multiple television and audio channels. The transponder signals are transmitted in one of two orthoganal polarizations, which allows the transponder signals to overlap in frequency.
As an example, the Echostar 12 satellite in GEO orbit at 61.5 deg W longitude (one of the satellites used by DISH Network) has the following set of transponders:
| Center Frequency (MHz) | Polarization (Left/Right Circular) |
| 12224 | R |
| 12239 | L |
| 12253 | R |
| 12266 | L |
| 12282 | R |
| 12311 | R |
| 12326 | L |
| 12341 | R |
| 12355 | L |
| 12370 | R |
| 12399 | R |
| 12414 | L |
| 12428 | R |
| 12443 | L |
| 12472 | L |
| 12486 | R |
| 12501 | L |
| 12516 | R |
| 12530 | L |
| 12545 | R |
| 12559 | L |
| 12574 | R |
| 12603 | R |
| 12632 | R |
| 12647 | L |
| 12661 | R |
| 12676 | L |
Various Internet sites list the transponders used by each satellite, and even map the specific TV stations carried on each transponder (see the references).
An attached plot shows the 12.2-12.7 GHz band as observed at a radio astronomy site in West Virginia. The individual transponders are clearly visible, and multiple satellites are visible as the receiving antenna sweeps along the geostationary arc.
Multichannel Video Distribution & Data Service (MVDDS)
Current Use
12.2–12.7 GHz Multichannel Video Distribution & Data Service (MVDDS)
According to the FCC:
Multichannel Video Distribution and Data Service (MVDDS) provides consumers with TV programming and Internet connectivity from terrestrial transmitters, under exacting technical arrangements that permit it to share the spectrum with satellites (Direct Broadcast Satellites Service). MVDDS is licensed for market areas on the basis of MVDs. See PN DA 04-1717.
Each licensee receives one spectrum block of 500 megahertz per geographic area that can be partitioned into any size channels. Disaggregation is not allowed.
MVDDS licensees may use spectrum in the 12.2 – 12.7 GHz band for any digital fixed non-broadcast service including one-way direct-to-home/office wireless service. Mobile and aeronautical services are not authorized.
The FCC held Multichannel Video Distribution and Data Service (MVDDS) auctions in January 2004 (Auction 53) and in December 2005 (Auction 63).
The FCC requires most wireless telecommunications services licensees 1) to construct their authorized system or meet specific coverage requirements within a given time period and 2) to notify the Commission that the requirement has been met. This time period varies depending on the radio service in which the license is held.
Multichannel Video Distribution and Data Service (MVDDS) provides consumers with TV programming and Internet connectivity from terrestrial transmitters, under exacting technical arrangements that permit it to share the spectrum with satellites (Direct Broadcast Satellites Service). MVDDS is licensed for market areas on the basis of MVDs. See PN DA 04-1717.
Each licensee receives one spectrum block of 500 megahertz per geographic area that can be partitioned into any size channels. Disaggregation is not allowed.
MVDDS licensees may use spectrum in the 12.2 – 12.7 GHz band for any digital fixed non-broadcast service including one-way direct-to-home/office wireless service. Mobile and aeronautical services are not authorized.
The FCC held Multichannel Video Distribution and Data Service (MVDDS) auctions in January 2004 (Auction 53) and in December 2005 (Auction 63).
The FCC requires most wireless telecommunications services licensees 1) to construct their authorized system or meet specific coverage requirements within a given time period and 2) to notify the Commission that the requirement has been met. This time period varies depending on the radio service in which the license is held.