The Radiocommunications Agency published a consultation document in July 2003, on the opportunities for developing the UK satellite broadcasting frequency assignments at the orbital position of 33.5º West.
This consultation referred to potential development opportunities using the Broadcasting Satellite Service downlink frequencies at 12 GHz and feeder link frequencies at 17 GHz.
The consultation closed 23 October 2003.
Four responses were received to the consultation document - from ManSat, EADS Astrium Ltd, BT and Intellect. The consultation document and the responses can be viewed below.
Ofcom would like to thank the respondents for replying to the consultation document and would be very happy to follow up with them their responses.
In the light of the comments made, and following further consideration of the issues, Ofcom intends to proceed as follows:-
- We would be very happy to discuss with interested parties any proposals they may have for developing the slot for satellite operations;
- However, we will not make any decisions on the development of the spectrum for satellite-delivered purposes until later in the year;
- During this period, we will examine also the possibility of developing the use of the spectrum further for terrestrial operations, including for broadband/broadcasting applications.
We will make a further announcement on the potential for developing further the use of this spectrum band, both terrestrially and at the 33.5° West orbit position, later in the year.