Back to documents homepage

GVF C-Band Spectrum Policy Paper  
Satellite communications technology in the C band is used extensively for broadcasting television signals to hundreds of millions of consumers worldwide.  The satellite systems that operate in the 3.4-4.2 GHz band (C band) are suffering substantial interference, to the point of system failure, in places where national administrations are allowing Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) like wi-max and other 3G and 4G mobile systems (also referred to as IMT systems) to share the same spectrum bands already being used to provide satellite broadcasting services.    To eliminate this harmful interference, the global broadcasting community has united to communicate its position and technical requirements to national and international telecommunications regulators.Regulators and radio frequency managers need to allocate spectrum in ways that recognize the reality of harmful interference and validate the right of incumbent broadcasters to operate, and their customers to enjoy their services, without disruption by new users. C band satellite, and the BWA and IMT mobile services are all important services, and there are ways to find suitable spectrum for all of them to operate.