Amazon urges the FCC to open the 17 GHz band for satellite broadband

FCC ECFS · Docket 20-330 · Ex Parte · 2024-09-24

Amazon wants more room for satellite broadband, and it told the FCC the homework is done. In an ex parte letter filed September 24, 2024, its Kuiper Systems unit urged the Commission to adopt a draft order opening the 17.3–17.8 GHz band for non-geostationary satellite downlinks. Commenters, Amazon wrote, have built "a robust record demonstrating that NGSO FSS operations can co-exist with other services," and it pointed to its own technical interference study, which the draft order itself called persuasive. The remaining sticking point, Amazon said, is a late proposal from AT&T and Verizon to require extra interference analysis, which it wants rejected so the order can pass at the September open meeting.

Docket 20-330 holds 50 filings.

"no technical issues remain unresolved"

— Amazon (Kuiper Systems), FCC docket 20-330

Sources: FCC ECFS filing → · Orbit Sentinel (docket 20-330)

Filed underDocket 20-330SpectrumNGSO17 GhzKuiperBroadbandFCC

Questions & answers

What is Amazon asking the FCC to do?
To adopt its Draft Report and Order authorizing the 17.3–17.8 GHz ("17 GHz") band for non-geostationary satellite orbit (NGSO) fixed-satellite service use.
Who raised concerns about the proposal?
The filing addresses concerns from AT&T and Verizon about coexistence between NGSO satellite downlinks and existing Fixed Service operations.
Is Kuiper Systems part of Amazon?
Yes. The filing identifies Kuiper Systems LLC as a wholly owned subsidiary of Amazon.com Services LLC.