NEWS FLASH ALERT - MSS OUT-OF-BAND EMISSIONS LIMIT FOR GPS AND GLONASS BEING SET - IS IT ADEQUATE?  IF IT IS NOT, WIDESPREAD INTERMITTENT INTERFERENCE COULD RESULT.  CAN YOU LIVE WITH THIS? IF NOT, COMMENT TO THE FCC NOW

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has finally come out with the Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) on the out-of-band emissions from Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) in the 1610-1660.5 Megahertz (MHz) band.  This limit may not be sufficient to protect all uses of GPS, since it was developed by the aviation community. It sets the wideband limit of -70 dBW/MHz and narrowband at -80 dBW. The GPS and MSS sets must be separated by 100 feet or greater. If this limit is not strict enough, it could cause widespread, intermittent interference to GPS operations. Some tests have indicated that certain GPS receivers will be interfered with by this limit, indicating it is not stringent enough. This NPRM is now in the public comment period until May 3, 1999. Comments should be made to the FCC. If you do not comment, this standard will most likely go forward domestically and internationally. See the Dept. of Transportation's USCG Navigation Center website (http://www.navcen.uscg.mi/) under "RNAV SPECTRUM ISSUES" for further information on this issue. Included with this NPRM are other critical issues, such as Enhanced 911 (E-911) services on global communications.  Thus far, the FCC has resisted making E911 a requirement for all satellite providers. The NPRM title indicates that the main focus for the FCC is on Global Mobile Personal Communications (GMPCS) by Satellite. While GMPCS is important, it should not be instituted at the expense of another existing service, particularly one as important as GPS. The NPRM (FCC 99-37; IB Docket No. 99-67, RM No. 9165) can be obtained from the FCC website at: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/International/Notices/1999/

May 3, 1999

Comments due to the FCC on out-of-band emissions from MSS to GPS and GLONASS.  (FCC 99-37; IB Docket No. 99-67, RM No. 9165)

May 18, 1999

FCC GENERAL DOCKET NO. 98-68

( MS Word 7.0  129 KB / PDF 98 KB ) - URGENT ATTENTION IS NEEDED BY THE GPS/GLONASS/GNSS INDUSTRY OR OTHERS DEPENDENT UPON THESE SYSTEMS: The FCC has this NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE MAKING (NPRM) under GENERAL DOCKET NO. 98-68 that includes discussion of the interim standards for Mobile Satellite Services (MSS). This includes discussion of the out-of-band emission levels (-70 dBW/MHz for wide band emissions and -80 dBW/700 Hz for narrow band emissions in the 1559-1605 MHz range), as well as other high level intentions of the FCC in establishing world wide standards for MSS. This is an opportunity for private industry, state and local governments to provide input to the FCC on these matters. Any entity or person with interest in GPS or GLONASS, or systems that utilize input from either of these systems, should have appropriate technical analysis performed to assure that these levels are satisfactory OR provide input to the FCC that these levels are not satisfactory and why. Even if technical analysis cannot be completed, it is an opportunity to express your concern, interest and dependence upon GPS or GLONASS. COMMENTS MUST BE PROVIDED TO THE FCC BY MID-JUNE, 1998.

FCC Public Notice 98-842 User Input

Input provided to the FCC on the reallocation of
1559 - 1567 MHz to IWG3. (May 1998)

ITU-R Working Party 8D

Working Document on Potential Interference to Aeronautical Radionavigation Service Pseudolite Receivers from Potential Mobile Satellite Service (Space to Earth) Links in a Portion of the Band 1559-1567 MHz

FCC Public Notice 99-037 -

Petition of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to Amend Part 25 of the Commission's Rules to Establish Emissions Limits for Mobile and Portable Earth Stations Operating in the 1610-1660.5 MHz Band

FCC Public Notice 98-208 -

Inquiry to investigate the possibility of permitting the operation of ultra-wideband (UWB) radio systems on an unlicensed basis under Part 15 of its rules