After what seemed to be a quiet start, the “battle” for C-band spectrum — or at least awareness that there is a battle — is picking up.
C-band was the first frequency band allocated for commercial satellite communications, and the industry has built a thriving business around the spectrum. According to some industry groups, about 160 geostationary satellites operate in C-band and nearly two out of three commercial satellites being manufactured will use this spectrum. Millions of people around the globe rely on C-band satellite services for essential services such as TV transmissions, distance learning, telemedicine and disaster recovery, and in some countries core communications.
The importance of C-band spectrum to satellite players and their customers cannot be overstated, but this relationship is being threatened as telecommunications companies are eyeing some of the spectrum for development of their own services.

Financially powerful telecoms players want to use the “extended” C-band frequencies from 3.4 gigahertz to 3.7 gigahertz to provide new services like broadband wireless access and WiMax. These next-generation wireless services represent a key growth opportunity at a time when the companies are desperate to find new revenue streams.
The problem for the satellite industry is that reallocation of even a portion of C-band spectrum to these services would create significant interference issues and services interruptions for satellite providers all along the frequency.

The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) will be taking up the terrestrial operators request for more access to C-band spectrum at the World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-07) beginning this October, and as the conference draws closer, satellite voices are growing louder that this sharing of C-band cannot be allowed to take place. While on paper it looks as though there are several compelling arguments to keep the entire C-band spectrum reserved for satellite players, the verdict is anything but certain.
Via Satellite editors and staff have been talking to satellite manufacturers, operators, users and as many other people as possible with an interest in this topic.

In this issue of Via Satellite, the first part of our three-part series on the battle for C-band spectrum looks at the alarms being raised by the satellite industry and the potential consequences should telecommunications companies make successful arguments to gain access to some parts of the C-band spectrum.
Future installments — which will be published in September and in early 2008 — will look at what actions can and must be taken by satellite players ahead of WRC-07 and the aftermath of the ITU’s decision.

In conjunction with the series, we will conduct a three-part Webinar series beginning Sept. 26 that will bring together experts to discuss the issues from the points of view of both the satellite industry and the terrestrial providers.

All of this also will be accessible on www.SatelliteToday.com, and the Web format will allow us to make extra content such as the extended interviews with key satellite officials available in their entirety.

The next few months are shaping up to be an important time for the satellite industry and its place in the overall communications world. Please check Via Satellite and www.SatelliteToday.com for all the information you will need to stay informed.