In March 2024, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted rules to facilitate the deployment of supplemental coverage from space (SCS). The new rules are intended to serve several important public interest goals for the Nation and expand the reach of communications services, particularly emergency services, so that connectivity and assistance are available in more remote places.
In the Final Rule, effective mid-2024, the effort is to allow satellite communications on spectrum previously allocated only to terrestrial services. The Commission modifies the United States Table of Frequency Allocations to authorize bi-directional, secondary mobile-satellite service operations in certain spectrum bands.
For these bands, the FCC authorizes SCS only where one or more terrestrial licensees—together holding all licenses on the relevant channel throughout defined geographically independent areas—”lease access to their spectrum rights to a participating satellite operator, whose part 25 license reflects these frequencies and the geographically independent area in which they will offer SCS.”
In recognition that this new offering has the potential to bring lifesaving connectivity to remote areas, the Commission also applies interim 911 call and text routing requirements to ensure that help is available to those who need it today. At the same time, the industry continues to work toward enabling automatic location-based routing of all emergency communications, whether or not there is a terrestrial connection available.
The rules are effective May 30, 2024, except for various amendments. The full text is available from the Commission.
Per their announcement: “Specifically, the Commission seeks comment on how it can propel the industry toward a truly ubiquitous automatic location-based routing of all 911 calls to accelerate connections between first responders and those who need help, regardless of their location.”
