[Satellite TODAY 07-19-10] The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted unanimously to consider the mobile broadband spectrum proposal to ease restrictions on satellite spectrum utilization and free 90 megahertz of spectrum for mobile broadband use, the commission announced July 16.
    The agency also proposed allowing satellite firms to give up their MSS spectrum in exchange for part of the proceeds yielded from the auction of that spectrum. The FCC also issued a notice of inquiry to satellite companies seeking comment on its proposal.
    International wireless association CTIA hailed the FCC’s vote and said the proposal could benefit satellite companies looking to deploy a nationwide LTE network using the spectrum. “The adoption of today’s [notice of proposed rulemaking] advances the effort to make the spectrum promises of the National Broadband Plan a reality. CTIA looks forward to continuing to work with the commission to find ways to bring this underutilized, and at times unutilized, spectrum quickly to market,” the organization said in a statement.
    U.S. terrestrial and cable companies, such as Verizon and Comcast, oppose the spectrum utilization proposal.