U.K.-based communications company OneWeb has joined SpaceX in arguing against DISH Network’s proposed plans to use the 12 GHz spectrum for a 5G cellular network — reports PCMag.
DISH is petitioning the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to retask part of the 12 GHz spectrum for 5G. SpaceX opposes the proposal because it could cause “harmful interference” with and lead to service outages on Starlink, its satellite internet network which also operates on 12GHz airwaves in the U.S.
DISH has argued that its 5G service and satellite internet services could coexist on the 12GHz spectrum. OneWeb, which is also working on rolling out a satellite internet service, has filed its own study with the FCC disproving DISH’s claims.
“This OneWeb study clearly illustrates that [satellite internet] operators would not be able to deploy user terminals in the proximity of a typical urban or suburban macro-cell base station deployment without receiving harmful interference,” OneWeb told the FCC.
OneWeb presented the same conclusion as SpaceX, noting that 5G and satellite internet cannot share the 12GHz spectrum without there being radio interference. The company’s filing added that DISH’s previous studies on the matter were skewed and unrealistic.
“The MVDDS (12GHz for 5G) proponents have no history of building out real networks and instead are focused on lobbying the Commission for an unparalleled spectrum windfall based on deeply flawed technical studies without any corresponding benefit to unconnected Americans,” OneWeb said.
OneWeb is urging the FCC to reject DISH’s plans for a ground-based 5G network on the 12 GHz spectrum.
Last month, SpaceX asked Starlink customers to help lobby against DISH’s proposal before the FCC and the government. In less than a week, more than 70,000 Starlink subscribers wrote to the FCC and representatives in disapproval of DISH’s plans.
