Tags: Spectrum, FCC, In-Flight, Broadband
Publication: ARSTechnica.com
Publication Date: 05/06/2013

Image credit: Glenn Fleishman

This week the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is scheduled to consider a proposal by Qualcomm, which suggests the use of the 14.0-14.5GHz spectrum band (already used by satellites) to beam Internet signals up to airplanes from 150 ground stations. The plan is facing opposition from the satellite industry, which has concerns over interference with satellite transmissions.

According to reports, Qualcomm is seeking to become the exclusive provider of backhaul to airlines or in-flight ISPs such as Gogo in the 14.0-14.5GHz band through a secondary license that shares the spectrum with the band’s incumbents. As a backup plan, the company also suggested the possibility of sharing the spectrum with another providers through an auction.

As for the interference concerns that the satellite industry has raised, Qualcomm claims it can work around them but ultimately the decision would be up to the FCC after extensive debate, public comment, and testing period.

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