LTE Watch: FCC Eyes Satellite Spectrum

The FCC said Friday that it wants to remove barriers to flexible use of the mobile satellite service (MSS) bands for terrestrial mobile wireless service, while retaining market-wide satellite capability for public safety, rural services, and the federal government. The agency initially proposed opening up the 90MHz of spectrum as part of its National Broadband Plan. (See FCC Proposes 300MHz More Spectrum by 2015.)

This is part of the spectrum that Harbinger Capital Partners LP hopes to use to build out its ambitious wholesale LTE network in the US. (See LTE Watch: Harbinger Angers AT&T & Verizon and Harbinger Preps LTE Via Satellite.)

The 90MHz chunk of spectrum is the second largest that the FCC is seeking to open as part of its national plan, after the 120MHz from broadcast TV airwaves.

The FCC is now seeking public comments on the plan. The FCC's Spectrum Task Force will follow up with a Commission proceeding in July.

Whoosh! Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's LTE. Nokia Networks and Australian carrier Telstra Corp. Ltd. (ASX: TLS; NZK: TLS) say that they've achieved a peak download speed of 100 Mbit/s and uploads of 31 Mbit/s over a 47-mile distance using LTE. (See Telstra & NSN Test 100-Mbit/s LTE.)

Motorola Inc. (NYSE: MOT) has a new video showing off its Time Division-LTE (TD-LTE) deployment for China Mobile Communications Corp. at the Shanghai Expo:

Vodacom Pty. Ltd. confirms to ITWeb that it has started testing the first LTE network in Africa.

Brit startup Cognovo Ltd says it has a developed a software-defined modem for LTE, according to the EE Times.

Still lacking LTE in your diet? Then click away:

— Dan Jones, Site Editor, Light Reading Mobile