Ofcom updates space spectrum strategy, grants NGSO licences

This will include non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) satellite systems – orbiting the Earth and tracked by satellite dishes – which can enable services including satellite broadband to homes and business properties in remote areas. In other words, those left behind by existing terrestrial networks

Two beneficiaries, for licence awards – announced among the wider strategy documents – are Starlink and Telesat (see below).

Space spectrum strategy

As part of the updated Space spectrum strategy, Ofcom has introduced a new NGSO licensing framework in the UK. And, in light of increased spectrum use by the space sector, it says it will make sure there is appropriate protection from harmful interference for Earth observation satellites and the UK Earth stations that support them.

Also, given the rapidly rising numbers of satellites in orbit, it says it will play a “role in supporting the bodies responsible for addressing issues such as space debris and safe access to space; for example, by considering spectrum access requirements for radars to track objects in space”.

Ofcom says it wants to make sufficient spectrum available to deliver greater benefits in the future while ensuring spectrum is used efficiently. This, it says, includes “finding the right balance between enabling new and innovative services while ensuring existing valuable services can continue”.

“To meet growing demand for satellite services, and in light of changing use in the band, we are extending access to the frequencies available for satellite connectivity on land, in the air and at sea, to include 14.25-14.5 GHz. Anyone wishing to make use of the 14.25-14.5 GHz band can now request a variation to their existing licence(s) or apply for a new licence.”

Ku band

There will be specific licence conditions in Earth Station Network (ESN) licences to (in Ofcom’s words):

• Protect existing radio astronomy sites in the 30 MHz between 14.47-14.5 GHz. For aeronautical terminals, no use will be permitted at 14.47-14.5 GHz, and for land and maritime terminals, use will be restricted around two radio astronomy sites;
• Protect the fixed links remaining temporarily in the band until the end of 2024 (currently nine paired links though only one is expected to remain after 2023). The protection requirement for each fixed link is specified in the Notice annexed to this statement; and
• Protect Crown users. Existing protections as set out in Schedule 3 of the ESN licence will be extended across the whole 14-14.5 GHz band.

Starlink

Announced within the wider changes, Ofcom has given the green light to Elon Musk’s Starlink to increase the capacity for its direct-to-consumer satellite broadband services in the UK.

Specifically, the regulator has officially approved a request from SpaceX for wireless telegraphy licences to operate six additional satellite gateway earth stations in the UK (it already operates three UK gateway earth stations).

The gateway earth stations are intended to connect to SpaceX’s Starlink constellation of nongeostationary orbit (NGSO) satellites, expanding the capacity of its existing satellite service and improving connectivity for local consumers.

Having given its original assessment on the SpaceX applications in a June 2022 consultation, the regulator – in line with its licensing process – has also since assessed other “stakeholder responses”. Specifically, this was with regards yo the ability of these additional gateway earth stations to coexist with other current and future NGSO licence holders.

It also considered the competition issues raised in response to the consultation. The regulator states:

“On coexistence, we continue to believe that the SpaceX system is capable of coexisting with other NGSO systems. On competition, we assess the risks in this case are low: stakeholders agreed with our original assessment that alternative gateway earth station sites exist for others to operate, meaning SpaceX’s nine gateway earth stations will not block future NGSO operators from placing gateway earth stations in the UK.”

Ofcom added:

“Stakeholders also raised some additional competition concerns regarding vertical integration and a broader concern over the proliferation of SpaceX satellites in space. We consider it is unlikely that granting these licences will affect competition as a result of SpaceX’s vertical integration (i.e. that it would affect third party access to launch services). We have also considered broader competition concerns raised by stakeholders when making this decision, while noting that some of these sit outside of Ofcom’s jurisdiction.

Copies of the licences will be published in the “Existing licences” section of its website.

Telesat

Finally, Ofcom has also announced it has also decided to grant Telesat an NGSO Earth Station Network licence.

“In light of the consultation responses received we requested that Telesat provide us with additional evidence regarding its approach to coordination of ITU satellite filings and its ability to coexist with Geostationary orbit (GSO) networks. Our decision takes account of its response, which we have published alongside this decision.”

“On coexistence, we believe that Telesat’s Lightspeed system is capable of coexisting with both existing wireless telegraphy NGSO licence holders and future NGSO systems. Under the terms of its new licence, Telesat will have an obligation to cooperate in good faith with all other NGSO licensees.”

You can read more about the award on the Ofcom website.