This document sets out the technical conditions and fees that will apply to the authorisation of terrestrial base stations (CGC base stations) that, in combination with a satellite, will provide broadband services to aircraft, following our earlier consultation in 2016 and our recent decision to authorise this use.
It also includes, for information, the technical conditions that will be included in any Notice of Variation of the Aircraft Radio Equipment licence needed to permit the installation and use of CGC-facing terminals on the aircraft that communicate with these CGC base stations.
This work follows plans by Inmarsat to use spectrum in the 2 GHz band to provide broadband services to passengers on aircraft. The company plans to do this through a combination of satellite and ground-based communication links to aircraft.