Spectrum Digest

Docket 22-352 · GN

12.7-13.25 GHz expanded/mobile broadband use

12.7-13.25 GHz

Deadlines

DateTypeSource
2023-07-10 Rule effective Federal Register
2023-08-09 Comments due Federal Register

Tracked-entity positions

EntityPosition (latest on record)Date
AST SpaceMobile AST SpaceMobile supports the FCC's proposal to make additional spectrum available for satellite use, with particular emphasis on primary allocations for the Fixed Satellite Service (FSS) in the 42-42.5 GHz band (space-to-Earth) and 51.4-52.4 GHz band (Earth-to-space). These bands are critical for feeder links supporting AST SpaceMobile's space-based cellular broadband satellite networks. The company argues these bands should be allocated primarily to FSS with fixed and mobile services changed to secondary status, and should be limited to individually licensed earth stations. AST SpaceMobile also supports adoption of international protection limits for radio astronomy and earth exploration satellite services. [source] 2025-07-28
AT&T AT&T supports reallocating the 12.7 GHz band for exclusive, flexible-use mobile broadband and other expanded services, but only after resolving interference concerns with adjacent DBS/FSS services and after industry standards and technical development work are completed. AT&T opposes rushed adoption of technical rules and opposes DISH's proposal to relocate MVDDS licensees to the band, arguing that the band's highest and best use is for flexible terrestrial services. AT&T supports direct coordination with NASA for DSN protection, rejection of protections for opportunistic radio astronomy use, and relocation of BAS/CARS to upper 12.7 GHz as a buffer for federal operations above 13.25 GHz. [source] 2023-09-11
CTIA CTIA supports spectrum reallocation efforts but prioritizes continued and expanded terrestrial use of the 12.7 GHz band. The company opposes blanket licensing and Earth stations in motion (ESIM) for satellite downlinks, arguing these are incompatible with terrestrial deployments. CTIA supports sunsetting the satellite uplink allocation, maintaining individual licensing for earth stations, and establishing protective power flux-density limits. The band should serve as a relocation venue for services from the 1.3-10.5 GHz range to free up mid-band spectrum for commercial wireless. [source] 2025-08-27
Intelsat Intelsat advocates for opening the 12.7 GHz band for domestic use by Fixed Satellite Service to expand satellite service delivery in the U.S. and achieve better alignment with international use patterns. The company also proposes adoption of rules permitting earth stations in motion in this band, while noting the lack of international interest in identifying the band for IMT. [source] 2024-04-19
NCTA NCTA advocates for a shared-licensed approach in the 12.7 GHz band that would support innovation and investment by offering opportunities to new entrants while protecting incumbent uses. NCTA also recommends county-sized licenses and 50-megahertz channel blocks to support diverse users, spectrum-aggregation limits, and inclusion of the band in the overall spectrum screen to promote competition. [source] 2024-02-27
SES SES advocates for removing international-only restrictions on GSO satellite uplinks in the 12.75-13.25 GHz band, lifting the temporary filing freeze, and amending footnotes to allow ESIMs to communicate with GSO satellites on a primary basis. SES proposes blanket licensing for aeronautical and maritime ESIMs under ITU WRC-23 protection criteria, and eventual blanket earth station licensing for all FSS uplink types once terrestrial users transition. SES also contends that FSS downlinks have no allocation in the 12.7 GHz band and should not displace primary users. [source] 2026-05-29
Satellite Industry Association SIA strongly supports removing restrictions on FSS uplink use of the 12.7-13.25 GHz band and recommends repacking existing Broadcast Auxiliary Service (BAS) and Cable Relay Service (CARS) operations to accommodate expanded satellite use. The filing argues that satellites can make more intensive use of the band than current terrestrial users, and that expanded FSS uplink is compatible with DBS, NGSO FSS downlink, and federal operations with appropriate coordination measures. [source] 2025-07-29
T-Mobile T-Mobile supports repurposing the 12.7-13.25 GHz band for commercial wireless broadband services on a licensed, exclusive-use basis via auction. The filing argues that the band should be allocated for high-powered mobile operations with 100-MHz license blocks in Partial Economic Areas, incumbents should be relocated and sunset by a date certain using the Emerging Technologies framework, and adjacent-band interference claims are unsupported and based on faulty technical analysis. [source] 2023-09-11
Verizon Verizon supports the FCC's proposal to make the 12.7-13.25 GHz band available for licensed, exclusive-use mobile broadband operations. The company opposes unlicensed or sharing frameworks and advocates for high power limits (75 dBm/MHz or higher), large unpaired channel blocks aggregatable by single licensees, PEA-based geographic licensing, and use of the Emerging Technologies framework for relocating incumbents with a reasonable sunset period. [source] 2023-09-11
WISPA WISPA urges the FCC to make the 12.7 GHz and 42 GHz bands available for terrestrial fixed wireless services on a primary or co-primary basis with fixed satellite services. WISPA argues that fixed wireless service is growing rapidly and requires additional spectrum for end-user access and backhaul. WISPA contends that sharing between terrestrial fixed wireless and FSS using an automated spectrum coordination system (similar to 6 GHz AFC or 70/80/90 GHz band coordination) is technically feasible and would not result in harmful interference. WISPA further argues that satellite services can still be satisfied with 19,000 MHz of spectrum available in the 52 GHz and W bands, plus 800 MHz on a shared basis in the 12.7 and 42 GHz bands. [source] 2025-08-27

Recent filings

DateFilerType
2026-06-22 Space Exploration Holdings, LLC ex_parte
2026-05-29 SES S.A. ex_parte
2026-05-18 Ovzon LLC ex_parte
2026-05-04 Space Exploration Holdings, LLC ex_parte
2026-03-30 Ovzon LLC ex_parte
2026-03-26 Ovzon LLC ex_parte
2025-12-03 Environmental Health Trust letter
2025-08-27 Kuiper Systems LLC reply
2025-08-27 WISPA – The Association for Broadband Without Boundaries reply
2025-08-27 SES S.A. reply
2025-08-27 CTIA reply
2025-08-27 Micronet Communications, Inc. reply
2025-08-27 Space Exploration Holdings, LLC reply
2025-08-27 Wired Broadband, Inc., Forest Hills, NY comment
2025-08-27 Moog Inc. reply
2025-08-27 Logos Space Services, Inc. reply
2025-08-27 American Astronomical Society reply
2025-08-07 Marcuys Spectrum Solutions LLC reply
2025-07-31 American Astronomical Society comment
2025-07-29 Space Exploration Holdings, LLC comment
2025-07-29 Wired Broadband, Inc., Odette J. Wilkens, President & General Counsel comment
2025-07-29 Satellite Industry Association comment
2025-07-29 Kuiper Systems LLC comment
2025-07-29 SES S.A. comment
2025-07-29 Digital Liberty comment